Things I want to wear

Whenever I go to school or out with friends I always do my hair and makeup. I put on jewelry and perfume and wear nice clothes. I feel like I have to put extra effort into how I look because I feel like alot of people think that because you are overweight you are a lazy slob. Its so annoying when I go to school and even though I feel like I look nice a skinny girl can be standing beside me with sweat pants and a t-shirt and her hair in a ponytail and look so much better. It would be sooooo much quicker to get ready for school if I could just through on sweats too but its just not the same. While she looks cute and comfy I feel like I would look like I just didnt care about my appearance and like I was lazy. Anyways this was just something I was thinking about at school today and was wondering if anyone else ever felt this way. On an exciting note my consultation is on Monday :)

I had my surgery 8 years ago and am a lot older than you but while I am happy slobbing about at home - I don't walk out the door without putting myself together ...

I live in CO so everywhere's casual, but I think there's a big difference between slobby and casual - I would NOT go out in sweats, PJ bottoms etc - but I do wear shorts or jeans pretty much every day ...

There is nothing wrong with taking pride in your appearance (hair and make up etc - and I can rock a pony tail!) whatever your age or size and I'm sure you look gorgeous whatever your size (if your picture is anything to go by)!!!!!

I recently graduated from college and felt like this everyday.  In fact it was even mentioned to me that I just couldnt get by with going out in sweats like others do.  Unfortunately people sometimes have double standards, but Im sure you look better than the girl in sweats any day!

When I was bigger and still now I try to always put on a little makeup even if it's just lipgloss and do my hair. But there have always been days, and still are days, where I'll throw on a pair of my husband's basketball shorts and a tee shirt and run to the store etc. And i think I still look good! It's all about perception and confidence to me, and I'm just as confident in sweats as I am all dolled up .

Congrats on your upcoming consult.

Yes, I understand your point. I call it the Sartorial Apology Method of Dressing ( I like to make up names for stuff ). It is as if we, as obese women, have a higher standard to meet, therefore by dressing more nicely than the average bear, we are apologizing for being fat.

I agree with Kim though: there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking pride in your appearance. For years, I had lists of things I would wear "Someday" when I was thinner. But that day never came and I decided to dress the body I had rather than the body I wanted.

What I have noticed is that fat or thin, being well put together (and yes, jeans can be well put together as can shorts. You can bet your bottom dollar Kim doesn't look like a bum in hers) will net you nicer treatment. Try it next time you are out and about. If you look well and are nicely groomed and hold yourself with confidence, people respond to that positively.

Shorts and a race shirt are my usual non work dudes. I an way ass proud of my legs do I sore them. Around work it is biz casual or Jeans and a shirt. I still feel fart and frumpy do if I wear a button shirt I will wear compression shirt under it.

I forgot!

This Saturday I will be rocking the tight Lycra shorts and top while I do another Tri!

I can totally relate. I haven't left the house without makeup in SO many years for that exact reason. It sucks that we have to be labeled as sloppy just because we're heavy, so I always do hair and makeup before heading out. It will be nice to let go of that a bit when I hit my goal...if I can, I'm kind of girly (ok, very girly) LOL

I agree that there is definitely a double-standard. Fat people are viewed as lazy and have to put in more effort to look better. I spent my life compensating for being overweight. I bought designer clothes, put a lot of effort into my hair and make-up and never went anywhere unless I was all done up. Post WLS I do enjoy getting dressed up and doing my hair and make-up, but I don't feel as though I have to do it just to walk the dog.

Best of luck on your consult!

Good luck with the consult.
I never wear make-up and didn't do much primping pre-op. This was mostly because I spent my entire childhood/teenage years wearing uniforms for school, so high school was always bland khakis and a white polo (which, for the record, looks good on NO ONE). We had the option to wear skirts, but they looked really horrible on anyone who had hips so I never did.

But when it came to my hair and personal style, I tried to be outrageous. I wore a lot of jewelry, ear cuffs, and had different colored hair probably once every few months. Purple, red, even blue hair! Any way I could stand out that wasn't through the pretty clothes I didn't fit in and couldn't buy was what I tried. When I see pictures of myself from then, wearing ultra sparkly, gaudy Lane Bryant shirts I cringe.

Now I wear nice dresses almost everyday, even in the winter. Once I was an average size, I realized that I could pick and choose. What a concept! It was weird to have options. I still have funky style. I love retro cut dresses and I have eleven ear-piercings and three tattoos...but I don't feel like I'm trying too hard anymore and looking desperate. I just feel like me. And that's pretty cool.

I hope that no matter what happens on your weight loss journey that you always feel confident with your personal style. There's definitely pressure for overweight people to not look "sloppy," but dressing well will pay off for you. At a job interview looking professional is crucial, in school your professors will take you more seriously, and you will ultimately feel more comfortable with whatever the day throws at you. If an unexpected opportunity to go somewhere fun comes your way, you won't be the one worrying about getting home to change out of your sweats first.