The FastDay Forum

Coffeetime and Moogie don't be afraid of a dress. They are a pear shapes best friend. I have huge thighs and substantial hips. You need a dress that comes in under the bust and then flows out. Covers the bad bits beautifully.

The last time I wore a skirt was on March 26 when OH and I (both over 70) attended an "Intergenerational Prom" (hate the name--I told the organizers that the word seemed patronizing and infantilizing--"Dance" would be much better--but I digress--rant over) I had to add gussets to the skirt and let out some seams in the jacket.

Three weeks later I started 5:2 and, having reached my goal of losing 10 pounds, I'm sure I'll have to undo the enlarging in order to wear the same outfit again. What a nice problem to have!

Now for next year's "Prom" and 55th high school reunion there's a smashing dress in my closet that I recently washed (label said dry clean or hand wash ). The button and buttonhole plackets have shrunk so that the dress doesn't hang right in the front. Mr. Google has several answers to the problem of stretching shrunken fabric, but I haven't tried them yet--too busy trying to keep cool in this nasty heat and humidity all we northern hemisphere people seem to be having.

BTW, IMO, high-waisted pants and skirts in a darkish color give the illusion of longer, leaner legs. The current fashion for low-waisted ones does the opposite, I think. That's why I hang on to the classics and look for them in thrift shops.

I don't own a pair of jeans. Dresses every time for me, also have a nice selection of skirts. I have about 3 pairs of trousers, used mainly for dragging the dog across muddy fields ( not literally!) in the winter when the wind whips around my bits. Dresses are great, they cover a multitude of sins. so long as you know what style suits you and wear nice knickers in case you fall over and flash everyone

I have very plump everything and will have for a long time yet. I find that a roll on anti-perspirant is my best friend to stop chaffing. I roll it under my arms, then under my boobs, under my 'apron flap' and then between my thighs where they stick together.

Lanacane do a good anti chaffing gel. I've just found mine in a drawer and realised I'd forgotten about it because my thighs aren't rubbing together any more!

I have big thighs so worry about chafing, had some nasty days out when younger. Have always despised tights, which would have eased that issue.

If chafing is an issue, visit the sports/running store. They have this product called body glide. It looks like a package of deodorant and you just smear it on the parts that rub together. I use it all the time on my thighs (which are considerably generous and definitely rub together) and it is awesome. I even bought a purse sized stick to keep in my bag all the time.

I've heard of it for getting a wetsuit on. Even if I was very thin, my legs will always touch, I will look for some as I quite fancy a dress.

Thanks for the suggestions re Lanacane and Body Glide! I have dropped two dress sizes and love wearing them, skirts and dresses, but chafing is still an issue. I will get some and give it a try.

I wore a skirt today for the first time in ages, I have owned this white linen skirt for about 8 years and have never worn it. I went to the toilet and took the side zip down and pulled it down like trousers, it was only when I was pulling it up it dawned on me. Luckily nobody else saw me or I would be getting locked away.

Funny, I just bought two size small tube skirts from Nordstrom. I usually don't wear skirts but thought a change and a chance to show off my new svelte body would be in order. I love the little skirts and think they will look especially cool this Fall with boots.

Some more wonderful replies and stories here - love the advice re pear-shapes and dresses (might have to have a run-up and try-on over the next few weeks!)
I love hearing about the background to our various fasting activities, and the effect on our lives!

My world is dog walking, food shopping and the gym too.

Wear the dress more than once, even if you do feel self-conscious, eventually you'll forget about it and it's good to expand your comfort envelope with small victories.

I think that's perfect advice. I used to hate dresses and skirts. Once I got used to them, I wear them all the time in hot weather. Although in cold weather I'm a confirmed t-shirt and jeans gal.

And there is a dress for every shape! You just have to find what works with yours. What Not to Wear (the original UK version) is great for teaching that.

Hear this

I have just tried on a dress that I bought for an occasion five years ago and it's been too tight to wear ever since. It's a strapless, boned bodice floral number reminiscent of a 1950's prom dress, very beautiful. It only fits the way it did five years ago I am so pleased as it is my 'aspirational dress' and get this........ Shhhhhh, no bra

When I started this WOE I had no idea whether I could do it or whether it would work because I have never dieted before, just got increasingly bigger by eating healthily in a low fat way. Doh!!!! so it is a revelation to me because I can now get back into this fabulous dress and it means that I must now weigh approximately what I did five years ago. All this in less than four months. I am now thinking about moving the goalposts when I get to my target weight on the tracker.

I am also currently wearing a skirt that was too tight and am thinking about ditching my many pairs of jeans and buying more dresses, wearing leggings and boots with them in the winter. I don't know why, but dresses are synonymous with going out out. Going to try to change my mindset and my wardrobe

This is all thanks to the fabulous support, advice and hilariousness of you all, you lovely, lovely people

EDITED to change 'inspirational dress' to 'aspirational dress' think its those missing letters again. I seem to be getting my I's and A's maxed up. What a twit a im

I haven't worn a skirt in 20 years. I've worn a dress twice in the last 6 years, to weddings - the same dress twice! My reasons are a combination of all the reasons mentioned above - chafing thighs, not wanting to shave legs, and crotchety feet unwilling to tolerate anything but the dumpiest of shoes, worn with socks.

I don't particularly want to wear a dress, except for one particular one that I WILL be wearing in a few months time. That will be on the 10th anniversary of the day I last wore it, which was the day I met my husband. I've kept it for that reason though it hasn't fit me for 9 years, and until 5:2 I thought it never would.

I've just realised that that dress got worn twice too, both times to weddings, so a bit of a pattern there!. I'll break the pattern by wearing it for a third time to a slap up anniversary dinner! (Unfortunately I gave away the heels that went with it, so I may have to invest in a cheap pair to limp into the restaurant in).

Have put on too much weight so often wear skirts as easier to hide the lumps. Am currently reducing my wardrobe and now only have 20 skirts!