crfriend wrote:Of course, for those who cannot achieve the ideal, it's easier to let it go thereby explaining the fact that there's just about nobody in the sweet-spot in the middle and we're either badly under- or over- weight.
This is the point where I have attempted to embrace my body, and belly for what it is. The doctor says for my frame, I'm probably about 10-15 lbs heavy. To eliminate the belly would probably put me back down to the 150-160 lb range (I run 180-185 now) Virtually ALL of my extra weight appears to be around my belly, my upper arms have a small amount of flabbyness to them, and my legs are still pretty slim for the most part. Below the knee I think looks good, however above the knee my legs don't really curve well IMO, but more or less stay "straight", and don't have those curves that look sexy on women, or those muscles that look "hot" on guys. (not that I'm into muscularly guys legs, just making a point). This is one reason I don't like skirts that come up too high above the knee. My legs just don't look good IMO opinion that high.
Interestingly as per my mother, this is a trait that is common in the FEMALE members of my mother's side. They call it "the potato on toothpicks", and is my mother's and grandmother's body style. It seems I have inherited it. You wouldn't believe it, but men on my fathers side, including my father are very tall and built more like your stereotypical "man" would be. Broad shoulders, narrow hips, etc. I'm among the shortest male member of my father side of the family. The only physical attribute from my father I seemed to have inherited is his face and eyes (I have developed crows feet that are common on dad's side of the family). Everything from the neck down is mom. It makes me an overall awkward fella. I have a big head on a small frame.
Lucky me... BUT as you pointed out Carl, the upside is I can fit into "women's" tops somewhat easily.
But anyway... I've been trying to hold my weight at about this rate. I could drop the belly, but I'd have to buy all new skirts and start over as I'd no longer be in a medium, but would probably move towards a small, or the size 8-10. I don't mind being a little chubby in the middle. And frankly, when wearing trousers, my belly combined with my slightly large butt, I've noticed that I look somewhat "dorky". Almost Steve Urkle-ish... But with skirts I can hang them off the belly, wear a skin fitting blouse that hugs my back, accentuates my hips, and just looks damned good in profile if I do say so myself!
crfriend wrote:One the two photos. The first one shows the danger of a too-long top hanging over a skirt. It's made worse by the fact that the t-shirt hem isn't straight, but it's really the length that damages the overall look. The second shot is much better (and stop worrying about the pot) and I'll argue that the pattern "mismatch" actually works relatively well.
Well... lets just call a spade a spade... on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being hideous and 10 being Carl and Jeff.... it rated a (-15)
I was, and still am "find my way" as far as skirts go. Recall that it was this time last year is was just a pair of trousers or bibbs, and an ordinary men's tee. I never really in my entire life had given much thought to fashion sense, matching, style, etc. Always just threw something on, because I was brought up that "a man didn't worry about such things"...
Thanks for the compliment on the lower picture.
Pdxfashionpioneer wrote:My tops, and I have a few from the other side of the aisle, have to be large or 14's to fit my shoulders.
If it's non-stretchy I have to go 14 or "large". Shoulders aren't too much of a problem, I just have to have the larger fit to go over my belly, Medium non-stretchy tops will go over my shoulder, but they won't button. With "small's"... forget it! Hardly fits over my head. Then again, it's the same way with skirts. If it's a non-stretchy skirt, I require a 14, most 12's won't zip up. However in stretchy skirts, a 14 is subject to fall off me, which is why in that regard I can go in some 10's, and they are VERY secure!
Funny story.... I once found a top that I LOVED... it was a "small medium" and non-stretchy. I tried my BEST to get it on in the fitting room. I finally succeeded, however I sort of, kind of... got the garment STUCK on me!
It took quite the acrobatics to get the top off again! A few times I thought I was just going to have to rip it off and just pay for the damaged shirt! I finally managed and only heard a few threads pop... *ssshhhhh!*
Now I know better!
Tip: To get off skin tight tops... just start at the bottom and peel it back like you're unwrapping a candy bar. Let the shirt turn inside out. You can fix it when it's off...
Anyway... here's today's rig (temporary as I have to run a call in Galax as soon as I log off here)
I purchased this top at GoodWill, it's a very loud floral top with a tan/purplish color scheme. At first I paired it with a plain Jane "granny" purple skirt that came to the calfs.
Although the colors matched, I found the top was too "loud" for the skirt for my liking. I paired it with a blackish "peacock" pattern skirt that I've been itching to wear for a while, and would have passed a forgiving audience, but still not quite "there". So I picked out the same skirt I wore on Trail Days... it's a somewhat "loud" skirt too, and has some purple in the color scheme. Both are along the same color temperature, both are floral, and both are "loud". In this case, I thought it better to match loud with loud rather than simple color matching.... I like it... Luna likes it too!
Ya'll know I love my flowers!
Top size is medium, however it fits a little snug. It's hard to tell from the photo, but some of the flowers have little rhinestones on them. You will also note this top goes all the way to the hip and fans out a little.
Would love to wear this out today.... sucks I've gotta go to work!