clothes and how we perceive ourselves

[miasmum]

Loz's link to those dresses got me thinking.

I have had this conversation with Loz before. I am a 34DD and a size 12 top, although they are often too big on the shoulders, I am all front, no back, tiny ribs and no shoulders. I consider myself top heavy and am quite conscious of my top half. I never wear anything plain and round necked, never wear buttons, never wear anything wraparound or cross over on the front and the big no no no for me is anything high waisted.

Yet Loz wears all those things and looks lovely and never top heavy.

It was her comment about "I'm not that busty" on the dress patterns thread that got me thinking about this as I think I am completely busty. But then I developed an eating disorder when I was 16 because I hated the size of my bust so much and maybe that has coloured my view ever since. Do I just need more confidence?

Do any of you avoid certain things, but see other people the same size in them and think 'but they look good"

[Kaz]

You have a lovely slim body with a largeish bust - people spend thousands on surgery (rightly or wrongly) to get that shape, so yes you should have more confidence I'm surprised you say that about wrapover styles as I always think they flatter a large bust

I wear pretty much what I like - within reason - although I do try to flatter my shape, which is usually bigger than it should be I have lost and regained many stones over the years - the term yo-yo dieter was made for me I can lose it but never seem to keep it off as I have little self-discipline over the long term

[miasmum]

Well I went to find the sort of top I mean and googled cross over top, it brought up this, which seemed such a bargain I bought it, so hope you are right and it suits me

http://www.kaliko.co.uk/en/hydrangea-cowl-top-318174

it just seemed meant to be

[Ally]

From what I've seen of you in photos Shell your figure looks lovely.

That top will look great on you.

[Kaz]

That's lovely and it will suit you very well xx

[Lozzles]

Her figure is lovely. That will look great on you Shell. You have a lovely figure, so flaunt it woman

I think the only thing I really avoid is polo necks as it gives me a mono boob

[miasmum]

complete no no, I look like a ski slope

[Kaz]

I wear them sometimes - I'm such a rebel

[miasmum]

by the way thank you xxx

[debih]

I have enormous boobies!! But most of my weight sits on my middle. When I lose weight that's where it comes off first.

I perceive myself as being big all over although I am an 18 (with big boobs) so I know that I am not really massive, but that's how I perceive myself.

I never, ever wear dresses and I tend to stick to v neck t-shirts. I rarely wear anything with buttons as they just gape.