https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 22:39:15 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-550446 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 19:39:00 +0000 catgirl 550446@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Goodness, no worries and no F, Jonesy! Under normal circumstances it is a weird conversation to have with a co-worker, but we are just not normal. </p> <p>I can't tell you how much I appreciate your wise and on point input - and you are absolutely right that I may be on the way to adding some traditionally figure flattering styles to my repetoire! I'll never give up my loose tunics, but other style options could enter my comfort zone as I'm happier with my bod. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-550429 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 19:05:15 +0000 Jonesy 550429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay, I think I earn an F for reading comprehension for this thread :)! I do see RP's point now...I guess it's up to you and what your goals are, in thinking about dressing your new trimmer bod. We've talked a lot here at YLF about the whole "figure flattery" vs. surrendering the waistline thing; everybody has different goals and different ideas about what looks good on them. Maybe your goals might have shifted a teeny bit as you've shrunk a bit, or maybe not, but it could be fun to re-assess them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-550401 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:41:34 +0000 catgirl 550401@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Jonesy! He's not really lobbying - I think he was truthfully and rightfully pointing out, in answer to my complaint, that if I expect people to notice weight loss, I need to wear clothes that show it rather than obscure it.</p> <p>In general, though, he's a good litmus test of the typical male reaction (in the man-repeller sense). My husband is so used to me that nothing fazes him any more. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-550389 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:32:12 +0000 Jonesy 550389@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I think there is a *huge* difference between wearing loose clothes because they are chic and you feel very modern and confident with yourself and your body, and wearing loose clothes because you are hiding in them, or you bought them without trying them on, or are wearing hand-me-downs that don't fit, etc. </p> <p>It seems like a looser top and skinnier bottoms is so much a part of your style (and looks so fab on you) that I would hate for you to chuck it out the window just because RP is lobbying to see your waistline :). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-550377 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:25:54 +0000 catgirl 550377@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Denise and Angie, for letting me keep my loose tops! The deliberately oversized look has always been part of my style. In thinking about it, before weight gain, it was just because I liked the look and feel. After weight gain, I started using it more as a way to hide. Now I need to go back to my old "this feels good" mentality. </p> <p>MICHELLE! Congrats on your amazing loss! I haven't seen recent pictures but now I will look for them. I agree it's not so much how you appear as how you feel in your body - I feel like I'm getting my old self back somehow, and the little issues (like not having muffin top from my UNDERWEAR - sheesh!) feel huge to me, yet are mostly invisible to the world.</p> <p>Angie, the RP is my guy paralegal. He's my age and is an awesome employee but we do clash on fashion matters. He freely admits to being a redneck, and he (being from here) considers me to be very East Coast man-repeller in my ways. It's a funny and often entertaining dynamic. Sometimes I feel like we should be a sitcom - my husband, RP, me and Kona in an office together!</p> <p>Mary, I LOVE YOU! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-550271 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 15:34:59 +0000 Angie 550271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Who is RP? </p> <p>Taylor and I are a very similar size and on top of that we bat for Team Polished. Sooooo, to her important point - fit is especially crucial. I mentioned what I have altered in another thread, and you might find the conversation interesting. Plus there is an incredible cartoon drawing:</p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lesson-im-taking-from-this-nyfw" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-this-nyfw</a></p> <p>I am *very* fussy about fit and length to start off with. If you have a crisp and minimal style like I do, fit is extra important. (Read the thread I linked to). That being said I also LOVE to surrender my waistline. Soft boxy blouses worn with skinnies is one of my big looks. You couldn't see if I had lost or gained weight in this type of outfit I'm sure. This is to RP's point. It's a man repelling look to most men, apart from my hubby. And that's all I care about, so there you go. </p> <p>Una, don't give up your loose tops. They are part of YOUR look. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-550143 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 07:23:07 +0000 CocoLion 550143@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I try not to comment on people's weight, preferring to say things like "you look great" rather than on to something specific. I let them come forth with the information, even If I've noticed the weight loss.</p> <p>This is sort of tangential, but I believe loose clothing looks awesome on thin people. So don't abandon the oversized look because somehow you think it makes you look bigger. It doesn't, not to the discerning eye. I often purchase tops a size or two too big for that slouchy loose-fit look. As long as one part of your outfit is fitted, this approach works. Two of my favorite silhouettes are a loose top and super skinny bottoms; fitted top and hips and very loose big legs. I am also liking the loose boxy top with a skinny skirt, although I haven't ventured there much myself.</p> <p>ETA: am cracking up at your story Mary! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-550135 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 06:57:55 +0000 Michelle 550135@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>First things first: congrats on the weight loss!<br /> I'm in the same boat and have dropped 36 pounds to date. I've shed two denim sizes and I'd say 1.5 top sizes, and I notice changes all the time...but very much to your point, a couple of my female coworkers only noticed this week when I turned up with a waist-synching belt. These are both women who routinely comment on my clothes and fashion in general, too. So I think Taylor is onto something, as she so often is.<br /> Also...please link me to the thread where you introduce this Redneck Paralegal character. I'm intrigued!<br /> Mary: You are my favourite. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-550124 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 06:08:58 +0000 MsMary 550124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>They noticed eventually, but it was very near the end and, as I said, not until I started replacing my clothes. (BTW my favorite "noticing" story is the social worker who came into my office after not having seen me for a few months and shrieked "Oh my God you look so young! Did you have, like, major work done?" And I shrieked right back "YES!! I TOTALLY did!!") </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-549953 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 01:22:47 +0000 catgirl 549953@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, ladies! You are right that I don't take fashion advice from the RP. We are all right in each other's face, though, and since it's just me, my husband, and the RP, we're pretty casual about cussing and insulting each other and fighting over who has to clean out the fridge. </p> <p>Jonesy, you're 100% right that co-workers are better off not saying anything - however, since RP and I are are constantly comparing notes, and I asked the question, the topic seems like fair game to me.</p> <p>Mary, I can't believe no one noticed a 60 pound loss! That's crazy...</p> <p>I guess the test will be with my family at this wedding next month, especially my dad who asked me "How did you get so fat?" last summer. A lot of the differences are things only I'd know, like looser waistband or less muttin top. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-549467 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:04:07 +0000 rae 549467@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Eh, people aren't that keen. If you wear the same clothes they're familiar with, I think it's harder for them to notice - like, if you still fit the same dress, you must be the same size. Not a conscious conclusion, but just the result of no cue to sit up and reevaluate. It's also not like you could lose a really obvious amt., so the changes are not as dramatic to those not in tune with your bod. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-549379 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:08:27 +0000 Isabel 549379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with everybody ...how THAT for a decision ? Jonesy has a good point, though to me it depends on who is making the assessments. I once worked with gay man whose opinion I trusted implicitly, so I didn't care when he "share" his thoughts.</p> <p>I couldn't agree more that it comes down to fit, fit, fit. One can have a loose top with princess seams and still not look as if your smaller. Your body is going down, but your clothes aren't. So in the end, it is about scaling down no matter the silhouette. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-549357 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:47:31 +0000 Jonesy 549357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess I wouldn't *want* my co-workers to be closely monitoring my body shape and size :), so if they didn't say anything that would be good IMO, not bad. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-549296 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:54:03 +0000 Jaime 549296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well it is not like you normally would listen to RP's fashion advice right? Taylor gave excellent advice, but there is no reason you need to emphasize your waist just because it shrank. And really does it matter who else notices as long as you do? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-549285 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:44:56 +0000 Anonymous 549285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It can happen Una. My boss lost a lot of weight and we only started noticing his weight loss when he bought smaller clothes. We felt so unsupportive:( </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-549282 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:37:57 +0000 MsMary 549282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I lost almost 60 pounds a couple years ago, and the only time anybody noticed was when I'd show up in smaller, more fitted clothes. So yes, in my experience loose clothes definitely obscure weight loss! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-549257 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:52:55 +0000 ManidipaM 549257@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, it's also harder for someone seeing you day in and day out to tell that you're changing shape or size, because it is usually a gradual process --- the difference is too small to notice from day to day, and most people simply haven't got the kind of memory to recall what your fit was like last month.</p> <p>I think that is why photographs help with weight-loss assessments big-time (apart from the scales and tape, of course).</p> <p>That said, I think it's very rare to lose any significant amount of weight from only one body part, so as long as even one of the things you wear is fitted (on the leg, on the arm, even on the back), it should still reveal your new smaller size. Waist surrendering should not therefore be at odds with obvious weight loss.</p> <p>ETA: I also have a suspicion, though I am definitely extrapolating hugely here, that RP is a little like Claire's Beret Lady --- projecting on to you his/her idea that she would immediately want to show off new waspish waist as soon as she lost weight! Stick to your style and let him/her carry on! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-549182 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:51:11 +0000 modgrl 549182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una why are you listening to RP's opinion on your clothing? WE can tell that you've lost weight. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-549175 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:57:12 +0000 san 549175@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great answer Taylor. Great perspective. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-549102 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:27:28 +0000 catgirl 549102@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Better them than me! This is not a problem I've ever faced - it's always been the opposite... You must be right, Taylor. Thanks for the wake-up advice - I just assumed that the same things would now fit better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-549096 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:22:18 +0000 taylor 549096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am not a waist surrender, but I will tell you that the smaller you are the more You must pay attention to fit. Not tight...but fitted!<br /> Almost every garment in my wardrobe is altered...my clothes must fit or I can easily look lost and shapeless!<br /> Clothes that worked for you 10lbs or several inches ago may not work now...waist surrender is fine but pay attention to the fit of the skirt/pant that you wear with and does the blouse or jacket look too big in the bust and shoulders now? Your silhouette has changed! Your clothes may need a little nip/tuck:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sort-of-ot-loose-clothes-deceptive#post-549089 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:08:33 +0000 catgirl 549089@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So the Redneck Paralegal and I are in a heated contest regarding eating habits and weight loss. We're driving my husband mad competitively comparing stats, exchanging smoothie recipes and quoting food facts. </p> <p>The RP has been shamelessly showing me his waistband gap, and today I commented that no one has noticed mine or the fact that I've lost inches. To which he replied that I "wear my clothes so loose that no one can tell". He also said he couldn't see where I had anything to lose, which was nice but not true. He suggested that I should wear tighter clothing if I wanted people to notice.</p> <p>I don't want to give up my loose tops! But does that mean any changes from diet and exercise are obscured? Waist surrenderers, please chime in! </p>