OT: Fashion Inspiration for Women

louisamay
on 3/21/13 1:21 am, edited 3/21/13 1:24 am

VSG on 04/27/12

If you're like me, your size and shape defined your sense of fashion for so long that having new options is a mix of being like a kid in a toy store, but also fearing being a bull in a china shop. OMG, will I look ridiculous in this? And how do I look at those 16-year-old skinny models and visualize that on my body?

The best thing I've found is this blog that has Visible Monday--where women post pictures of themselves on Monday. Women of all ages from all over the world, all sorts of styles. Looking at them has helped me define and develop my own sense of fun and style and has helped me figure out exactly how much fun I want to have.

Clue: If you'd asked me before my surgery what I would want to wear after weight loss I would have pointed at a Chico's or Coldwater Creek catalog, with a lot of Lands End/Eddie Bauer. For years my daily clothes have been brightly colored t-shirts and jeans, and dressier clothes are large drapey tops/blazers/vests.

Guess what. I may be in my late 50s but I've suddenly discovered that I am not that person. I can be and sometimes choose to be, but the drawer full of M and L t-shirts I bought thinking I'd live in them this summer are suddenly BORING. Instead, I've found some cute tops at modcloth.com, a site for women my sons' ages, but I have found really cute things there that look good on me, too. I'm finding odd little tops here and there that are more fun and unusual, and I am having women stop me to tell me they love what I'm wearing. Believe me, I am not that person. Except, suddenly, I AM.

This has taught me two things. One, I now stop other women and tell them when I love what they're wearing. I'm sure the woman I stopped at Home Depot Sunday to admire her blouse had no idea that a few months ago I was wearing the same size, but she DID seem flustered and flattered and really, really surprised and pleased that anybody would notice her and what she was wearing. It's a great feeling and I'm thrilled to spread it around.

Second, what I've taken as MY theory (which may or may not work for you) is that no, there is no way I can dress like an 18-year-old without looking ridiculous. However, there is no reason I can't dress like a woman in her 40s, even though I'm 10-15 years older. I feel great in my new polka dot blouse and flirty and young, especially over a khaki skirt that shows off my legs, and I've worn it several times when I would have worn a t-shirt and jeans before.

Okay, enough babbling. This is where I've had so much fun watching other women dress and deciding what I like and what colors look great together that I never would have dreamed of before and... you get the picture.

This week's VISIBLE MONDAY POST with pictures galore and links to where people got their clothes from, and by the way a LOT of them are thrifted from resale shops, which is perfect for WLS girls. Scroll down to find the pics. Have fun!

[I'm not gaining weight. I keep lowering my goal!] [I LOVE MY SLEEVE!]