@smittie @Bonnie @Jenni NZ Thanks for the vote of confidence Cropped toppers are a relatively new silhouette for me (a few years) but I like them
@Jenn I'm a pear shape too - I used to shy away from the wide legged look because I feel it emphasises the difference between my top & bottom even *more*. But the Great COVID Casualisation has made it easier to find ankle cuffed pants that aren't thick jogging bottoms, which help to temper the volume a little
Thank you @Angie & @FashIntern - I think the trouser jeans aren't necessarily 'bad' but they're a bit of a predictable choice (possibly even a little dated with the long top, re: @Sally's comment about tucking instead?) I still can't seem to part with then whenever I try them on though (they've made it through 10+ years of culls, so there must be *something* still drawing me to them, but I just can't figure out what!)
I think my modesty preferences are a mix of my cultural upbringing but also (as I'm slowly realising) just part of my innate personality too. I've tried experimenting with shorter clothes but I just don't feel comfortable in public like that (TMI perhaps lol but having to shave my legs just to wear a skirt is too much effort for me! And I know many people like t-shirts or tank tops in the summer, but for me there's nothing worse than the being a walking oil slick in the summer & then feeling that sweat rub against me when I bend my elbows I don't know if that makes sense to anyone else lol but I think I just have fairly sensitive skin - I squirm just seeing folk here sit on public transport in short shorts). No judgement from me towards anyone who prefers to dress differently, of course - I just know I'd be miserable if my thighs were sticking to a train seat or I could feel my forearm suction itself to my bicep every time I want to pick up my bag or something
I grew up being forced into wearing uncomfortably sequinned & starched shalwar kameez that would always scratch against my skin, so now I like to prioritise my comfort. Also I don't tend to burn in the sun but I will sometimes develop little milia & redness instead since moving here. Keeping myself covered in the harsh sun feels sensible here at least (in Brazil, the sun felt different - don't know how to explain it but I would often just tan a golden brown colour instead. Think it might be the city pollution?)
Long story short, I just feel more comfortable covered up but in my way (for example, waist definition is generally frowned upon culturally - if I'm wearing high waisted pants, I'm expected to cover up the crotch & peaches with a long top.)
