"Clothing-feel" - YouLookFab Forum

I just noticed that a key aspect of "feeling fab" in a skirt, for me, is that I like a skirt best if it presses against my thighs, like a pencil skirt. I like a casual pant best, if it does it too. This make me "feel thin," I think, and that gives me confidence to feel the fabric press against my body. It sort of doesn't matter what this actually looks like--the fabness comes from within. I knew I liked pencil skirts, but now I know why.

On the other side, I can't stand a top that sticks to my middle. The feeling of fabric touching that part of my body makes me low level miserable all day, and makes me self conscious. Now I look for woven tops.

Today I have on a perfectly fab-feeling outfit: pencil skirt, top that skims but doesn't touch my body. I think it looks nice, but it feels great, and I am rocking it, at least in my own mind. Now that I've figured this out I am going to be more mindful of this from now on.

Anyone else have insight on what "feels" right or wrong from the inside, without looking at the mirror?

11 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I totally relate to the feeling of the cling in the middle. It drives me -bonkers-! Even in my favourite fit-and-flares, I have to make sure they don't have a "flat panel" under the waist band because that's where I get the "three month pregnant" belly.

One of the patients at work (not one of mine) who was using the elevator spent the entire ride up to the 5th floor insisting that I was pregnant because DONT YOU SEE THAT BUMP RIGHT THERE even though her husband was desperately trying to get her to be quiet.

It's so nice to feel fab in your own skin, isn't it?

Ledonna N.

I can totally understand. I feel so at home in high waisted jeans and slacks and skirts or thick belts around my waist. I feel so powerfully and womanly in clothing like this. The happiness factor for this type of clothing is off the charts.

Suz

Totally relate. I think we ignore this internal "feel" at our peril. It's a big part of happiness factor. I believe Ornella has written about this. And Michelle, of course, can teach us all about its importance. For her, feel is the first step.

I don't have a particular silhouette that makes me feel more fab than others, I don't think. For me, it's more fit and fabric specific. If the fit of anything is off, I get annoyed with it; I hate the fuss factor. Some fabrics feel good to my skin and others don't, and if it doesn't feel nice (to me) I won't really wear it.

texstyle

Yep - feel is my main way of knowing if I will like something. I like try things on before looking in the mirror just to gauge the feeling without mental bias to the way it actually looks on me. I'm like you I think, I don't mind my pants or skirts to fit against my body (as long as they are not tight) but I don't like fitted tops. I used to wear fitted tops all the time, so part of it might just be that, but I think it's more to do with self consciousness about the "tummy" showing. Even though I wear a two piece suit without reservation.

unfrumped

Yes!

Isis

Like Suz, for me it is the feel of the fabric against my skin. Soft cotton, flowy silk, drapey rayon.

Hate itchy polyester.

Learned this from my son (now grown) who, in preschool, selected his clothes based on texture.

As for the tightness of items on the body, I think I can relate. In jeans, I prefer the upper thighs to be snug. I suppose it's the same mental idea of girdling in that portion of the body. I recently came to realize I don't like the feel of foldover waists in skirts or yoga pants. Not only is it a second layer of fabric right across my high hip, but it's often not as snug as a regular waistband and sort of just lays across that thicker part of me. Add a third layer with a shirt either over or under it, and I am psychologically uncomfortable.

Anonymous

I am right there with you Kiki! I love the feel of slim bottoms (pencil skirts and skinny jeans). They give me a feeling of security. Like you, I want fabric to skim (not hugging, but not tenting either) my tummy. No matter what other people say I can wear, I'm the most psychologically comfortable in that silhouette.

rachylou

Oh yes. Things that are too floaty, I feel cold. I hate that cold, drafty, eerie feeling. I pretty much always wear something like a heattech tank under silky tops.

MsLuna

I definitely relate as I'm Ms. Anti-fuss my midsection is especially sensitive. I have a large squishy waist and anything that digs gets me incredibly cranky. Same is true for the crotch/seat area. And I noticed that I'm especially fussy about fabrics like polyester too and I just can't wear it when it's humid!

Oh I can't take even the lightest pressure either, MsKatie, around the tummy. I don't know what it is. It's like the circulation gets cut off to my digestive system. Feels like a knife in my gut!

Jeanie

I love the floaty feeling of a A-line skirt swishing against my legs. I tend to not like things that feel restrictive like belts. Some amount of looseness and soft fabric is essential for me.

Gigi

Interesting. I had noticed that I am very sensitive to the texture of the fabrics that I wear, but I hadn't thought about the tightness factor. I too like jeans that are somewhat snug. Not so tight that you have a hard time getting into them, but definitely snug. I don't like the feel of loose pants.

Skirts, on the other hand, I can do loose or tight. I like the tightness of pencil skirts, or even of a fitted maxi, but I also like the movement of a long, lightweight maxi.

I think the tight/loose factor may be why I don't really like some peasant tees I got from Loft last year. Of course, I was just starting to build a closet and decided I had to have three of them, because in my deluded mind they fit (they were actually a bit too big). They are really loose, with a very wide neckline. I just feel sloppy. Ugh. They get to go on a field trip to a consignment store this fall, heh heh.

I have also discovered that I need to be really careful with anything high waisted. I have a short torso, so if I wear something high waisted, it smashes up into my rib cage when I sit down. Urrrrgh. Give me low-rise any day so that I feel like my abdomen and my rib cage are two separate things.

dakotacheryl

Kiki, I agree with you 100%. The hardest part of this style, for me, is to find tops that skim, but aren't too floaty.

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