Thank you FashIntern for understanding exactly what I meant! I am still amazed at my WIW photos at times as to how wide I look to myself, when going about my day I don’t feel that wide, if that makes any sense? And having managed to lose 3 kg ( about 6 pounds) since March it is disconcerting that clients have noticed as it makes me feel that they must have noticed I was bigger before? I admire the effort you must have put into your previous weight loss. I have certainly been trying to accept the changes that the past 15 years or so have wrought because I know I was blessed to not have to struggle with weight when I was younger. And I relate way better to those who do struggle with it now. So with the clothes, it’s just trying to do my best, I guess, while feeling comfortable.

I don't seek to look long and lean per se because at 5'1" I am never going to look tall by any stretch of the imagination. And lean is a stretch as well.I am fine with JFE in some looks and don't necessarily aim for an hourglass look. For instance, I like shift style dresses and probably wouldn't feel comfortable in a fit and flare style.

My problem area is my middle; I have a thick waist and a pouchy lower belly. I choose to downplay that when possible and like when a style helps create more of a defined waist. I wouldn't find it fun to wear something tight that emphasizes my belly or creates a muffin top. My butt is rather flat and I wouldn't feel good in jeans that made it look more so. As often as I've tried to wear wide leg pants, I just don't feel attractive with extra fabric in the legs.

As to being ok with looking wider, I think it's relative. If you are a size 0 or 2, "wider" means maybe looking like a 4. That is still no where near "fat" or "big" which I think most of us would prefer to avoid.

I have some wide leg pants with bold checks. I don’t think they make me look slim but I actually find them flattering in a kind of way. I think because I am tall and long legged that helps- and I feel they skim over muscular thighs and don’t make me look too boxy. Unlike the cable knit jumper.

I think there are lots of things that make an outfit flattering and the main thing is loving it.

I do like flattering looks but my idea of what is that has changed.