I'm 64 and gained weight due to a mobility problem. For a few years I was bored with clothing in stores, same old styles, lots of black for larger ladies, baggy ill fitting clothes and bust darts always in the wrong spot, fabrics that felt yucky to touch. The clothes I did love were always really expensive so clothes shopping became quite depressing and I couldn't find clothes that expressed the wonderful, wise woman I've become. Twelve months ago I solved my problem once and for all. I know what fabrics and colours I like and I know what styles I feel good in so I took up sewing my own clothes. The transformation is amazing. I found some independent pattern companies that have easy to make styles that are contemporary and comfortable to wear. I make them in fabrics that feel and look amazing on my body and finally I'm ditching most of the black. Most importantly is that my clothes are now made to fit my height and my unique shape. Any gaps in my wardrobe I can fill instantly without shopping for days and ending up frustrated and settling for things I don't love. I buy fabrics on sale or even found in thrift stores or even refashioning existing clothing. For the first time in my life I am having fun dressing my body and I'm getting so many more compliments on my outfits. Fashion frustration has left my life completely.
Great video! I usually feel like I have two categories in my closet: fantasy - reality. The reality clothes are worn, and the fantasy clothes hang there mocking me.
I'm in tears watching. Really resonated with me. Some very interesting points and I thank you. I'm finding it hard to accept my growing body since menopause and hip replacement surgery. Yr right I wouldn't talk to friend how I talk to myself x
Thank you for sharing this, I think we need to hear more from society that our bodies are changing all the time and that we need to reframe our thoughts and perceptions to be healthy mentally.
Thanks. I really needed to hear this. Menopause is what has gotten me. I had to go through and get rid of everything that I had that was a cotton button down shirt because things shifted even though I was the same weight. I couldn’t button anything over my hips anymore! I have a hard time with things changing, especially my body in any way.
i’m 63 and I’ve gained a lot of weight over the past 10 years. So now I am plus size and I am just under 5 foot two. I’m also very large bastard. I hear so many conflicting things about what I should and shouldn’t wear that. I’m just confused now. I have a very hard time finding clothes that fit me and don’t make me look more short and squatty than I actually am
I just recently discovered your channel and I just LOVE it!! I am 64 years old and, although slender, have gone up in inches in my waist. I have to realize that my body is changing and that I can still be fashionaable just not in the way that I was in my 20s, 30s or 40s. Thank you for putting this into perspective for me! Also, I have curly hair like yours and am having trouble embracing it. I just love your cut and am considering cutting my hair like yours. I always felt more elegant and classy with longer, straighter hair, but you look classy in your cut. I need to remove the barriers that I have placed in front of me and be the best me that I can! Thank you, thank you, thank you! ♥♥♥
Hello!! Welcome and THANK YOU! I'm so glad you are enjoying my channel. Finding a hairstylist who specializes in curly hair can make a big difference in the cut and how it behaves! 💞
I totally agree that having the right mindset can help. However, manufacturers really do not want to cater to the super plus size woman. The culture I live in does not like fat, and they really cannot stand super fat bodies. Clothing designers are especially fat-phobic. I am a size 36 in stretchy clothes, and I don't know what size in fitted clothing because I haven't found any fitted clothing that fits my shape. I am completely unable to walk into any clothing store in the large metropolitan city where I live in and purchase anything that fits me. Literally, there is nowhere to buy any shirt, pants, underwear, nothing in size 36+. Everything I wear has to be mail ordered. That means that when I'm traveling, if my luggage is lost, I have nothing to wear except the clothes on my back until I can have something shipped to me. Regular straight-size stores carry up to a size 12 or 14 typically, when the average size of an American woman is now a 16. Stores that do carry plus sizes typically stop at a 24, and some have a limited, smaller collection of things up to a 32. And when I can find clothes in my size 36+, it is usually much more expensive, even for "cheap" clothes. For example, I can't go to Walmart and get a pair of basic knit capris for $11; my primary source for a pair of basic knit capris in my size are $35. The nicer specialty store that has the same style of basic knit capris is $75-and they truly aren't much better than the fast fashion of Walmart or similar stores. So when it comes to accessing clothes that do fit my current body - a body which I love and my partner of 29 years loves just as it is - accessibility is truly a problem. I wish it were as simple as having the right mindset--as in manufacturers and clothing designers having the mindset that fat isn't to be shunned. Fat women and super fat women want stylish clothing.
Thank you, Michelle. I appreciate your honest, candid comment. I hear your frustration and empathize with how poorly the extended size situation is handled. I was remiss to not mention that there are real logistic issues with finding clothing that feels good on different bodies. My apologies for adding to the problem by not recognizing all the layers and complexities. 💖
I love this topic and your explanation. Yes to flowey dresses and loose elastic waist comfy cotton pants! No to jeans and blazers right now. I've realized that cozy, soft clothing works best for me as this new body softens and widens. I'm a knitwear fan these days. Rayon is also very comfy.
Super good video. I find frustration with my body when I take some medicine that makes me bloated up two sizes in my stomach from what I was yesterday... I have trouble being kind to myself when this happens. Your video gave me a different perspective.. Thanks for this!
I'm 64 and gained weight due to a mobility problem. For a few years I was bored with clothing in stores, same old styles, lots of black for larger ladies, baggy ill fitting clothes and bust darts always in the wrong spot, fabrics that felt yucky to touch. The clothes I did love were always really expensive so clothes shopping became quite depressing and I couldn't find clothes that expressed the wonderful, wise woman I've become. Twelve months ago I solved my problem once and for all. I know what fabrics and colours I like and I know what styles I feel good in so I took up sewing my own clothes. The transformation is amazing. I found some independent pattern companies that have easy to make styles that are contemporary and comfortable to wear. I make them in fabrics that feel and look amazing on my body and finally I'm ditching most of the black. Most importantly is that my clothes are now made to fit my height and my unique shape. Any gaps in my wardrobe I can fill instantly without shopping for days and ending up frustrated and settling for things I don't love. I buy fabrics on sale or even found in thrift stores or even refashioning existing clothing. For the first time in my life I am having fun dressing my body and I'm getting so many more compliments on my outfits. Fashion frustration has left my life completely.
I love this so much!! Wow. What a fabulous way to solve a style problem! And you did it without drama. Be so proud! 💕
I have clients in Hawaii. It's so interesting how a 'tropical paradise' provides its own set of style struggles. Wishing you all the light layers! 🥰
Great video! I usually feel like I have two categories in my closet: fantasy - reality. The reality clothes are worn, and the fantasy clothes hang there mocking me.
They also change sizes on me....evil clothes.
That blue cardigan looks so pretty on you. 😊
Thank you! I'd like to snap my fingers and have it be cashmere!! It's acrylic and starting to show some wear.
I'm in tears watching. Really resonated with me. Some very interesting points and I thank you. I'm finding it hard to accept my growing body since menopause and hip replacement surgery. Yr right I wouldn't talk to friend how I talk to myself x
Thank you for sharing. Sending love to you and your beautiful body. 💘
Thank you for sharing this, I think we need to hear more from society that our bodies are changing all the time and that we need to reframe our thoughts and perceptions to be healthy mentally.
"Beyond a healthy discipline, be gentle with yourself." Words I live by. Thanks for this validation. Xoxo❤
Thanks. I really needed to hear this. Menopause is what has gotten me. I had to go through and get rid of everything that I had that was a cotton button down shirt because things shifted even though I was the same weight. I couldn’t button anything over my hips anymore! I have a hard time with things changing, especially my body in any way.
Me too. You are not alone.
i’m 63 and I’ve gained a lot of weight over the past 10 years. So now I am plus size and I am just under 5 foot two. I’m also very large bastard. I hear so many conflicting things about what I should and shouldn’t wear that. I’m just confused now. I have a very hard time finding clothes that fit me and don’t make me look more short and squatty than I actually am
I just recently discovered your channel and I just LOVE it!! I am 64 years old and, although slender, have gone up in inches in my waist. I have to realize that my body is changing and that I can still be fashionaable just not in the way that I was in my 20s, 30s or 40s. Thank you for putting this into perspective for me! Also, I have curly hair like yours and am having trouble embracing it. I just love your cut and am considering cutting my hair like yours. I always felt more elegant and classy with longer, straighter hair, but you look classy in your cut. I need to remove the barriers that I have placed in front of me and be the best me that I can! Thank you, thank you, thank you! ♥♥♥
Hello!! Welcome and THANK YOU! I'm so glad you are enjoying my channel. Finding a hairstylist who specializes in curly hair can make a big difference in the cut and how it behaves! 💞
I totally agree that having the right mindset can help. However, manufacturers really do not want to cater to the super plus size woman. The culture I live in does not like fat, and they really cannot stand super fat bodies. Clothing designers are especially fat-phobic. I am a size 36 in stretchy clothes, and I don't know what size in fitted clothing because I haven't found any fitted clothing that fits my shape. I am completely unable to walk into any clothing store in the large metropolitan city where I live in and purchase anything that fits me. Literally, there is nowhere to buy any shirt, pants, underwear, nothing in size 36+. Everything I wear has to be mail ordered. That means that when I'm traveling, if my luggage is lost, I have nothing to wear except the clothes on my back until I can have something shipped to me.
Regular straight-size stores carry up to a size 12 or 14 typically, when the average size of an American woman is now a 16. Stores that do carry plus sizes typically stop at a 24, and some have a limited, smaller collection of things up to a 32. And when I can find clothes in my size 36+, it is usually much more expensive, even for "cheap" clothes. For example, I can't go to Walmart and get a pair of basic knit capris for $11; my primary source for a pair of basic knit capris in my size are $35. The nicer specialty store that has the same style of basic knit capris is $75-and they truly aren't much better than the fast fashion of Walmart or similar stores.
So when it comes to accessing clothes that do fit my current body - a body which I love and my partner of 29 years loves just as it is - accessibility is truly a problem. I wish it were as simple as having the right mindset--as in manufacturers and clothing designers having the mindset that fat isn't to be shunned. Fat women and super fat women want stylish clothing.
Thank you, Michelle. I appreciate your honest, candid comment. I hear your frustration and empathize with how poorly the extended size situation is handled. I was remiss to not mention that there are real logistic issues with finding clothing that feels good on different bodies. My apologies for adding to the problem by not recognizing all the layers and complexities. 💖
Got it! New body,new age, new mindset❤Thank you!
I love this topic and your explanation. Yes to flowey dresses and loose elastic waist comfy cotton pants! No to jeans and blazers right now. I've realized that cozy, soft clothing works best for me as this new body softens and widens.
I'm a knitwear fan these days. Rayon is also very comfy.
Yes! Thank you!
Great video! Lots to think about. Good luck with the move. 😊
Thanks so much! 😊
Super good video. I find frustration with my body when I take some medicine that makes me bloated up two sizes in my stomach from what I was yesterday... I have trouble being kind to myself when this happens. Your video gave me a different perspective.. Thanks for this!
Thanks for sharing! 💕
Fab topic today
Very god and interesting video. It then made me think about some things…👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Glad to hear that! Thank you!!