I don't know about the rest of you, but I've been obese for a long time. I am in my late fifties, and my question is kind of crazy for my age: What is my "style"? I used to have cute clothes, when I was thinner, but I'm much older now. As a heavy person, I've done my best to dress attractively and with style. But three factors have led me to not love the clothes I've worn for the last many years.

First, feeling so bad about myself has taken away my desire to dress well. I guess I've felt that very little I could do made me look really cute or attractive. Even when I was happy and confident with an outfit, I'd always second-guess myself. Or see a dreaded photo or image in a mirror and be able to focus on nothing but the bumps and rolls.

Second, I've always tried to hide and cover up my fat as much as possible: Spanx, nylons under pants (although I mostly stopped that a couple of years ago), three-quarter or long sleeves, nothing too form-fitting, etc. So, while there were clothes out there I would have loved, I didn't wear them because I didn't think they would look good on my body type or I was too-self-conscious.

And third, of course, is the lack of stylish clothes available for heavier women.

I am so looking forward to being able to buy -- and look good in! -- smaller clothes. And emptying out my closet of all the cheap clothes I bought (and, sadly, a few good pieces that will no longer fit). I plan to shop at thrifts and consignment stores during the weight loss period, but once I reach goal, I want to have a smaller wardrobe -- in both senses of the word! Good-quality pieces that will last and that are versatile. But I find that I'm not sure now what my style is. And I don't want to waste a lot of money buying too many things as I figure it out.

I know this won't be a problem for a lot of people, who seem to have been born with a "look" or style. And actually, "problem" is totally the wrong word. I'm really looking forward to being able to express myself and have fun through clothes. But I don't want to clog up my closet with junk purchased on a whim, and I don't want to waste money buying too many things, especially good pieces that I won't end up wearing long-term.

So, I guess I'd like to know if anyone else experienced this, and how you approached this wonderful, brave new world of getting to buy cute clothes and figuring out your own style? How did you go about building a new wardrobe? Did you cut out or Pinterest looks you liked as you were losing weight? Any other tips?

@@Sharon1964 thanks! I'm checking it out now.

Although now it is dated, i learned so much about dressing from "what not to wear". Learn how to dress flattering for your changed body type (shape is most important factor!)

I found while losing weight i liked dresses and skirts becaues they are more forgiving than slacks on fit as I was losing weight. During that, I remembered I LIKE wearing dresses! I stopped because when I was obese, cute shoes killed my feet so I went to slacks 100%.

I think you find your style over time. I did shopping trips at stores where they actually help you (rare these days!). Went shopping with a friend. Went shopping alone and took alot of selfie pix. I do think you need to really try on alot of stuff because it is really about how something looks on YOUR body not the hanger.

I've had a chance to look at the Vivienne Files you recommended, @@Sharon1964 . It's fabulous. There is a whole series on creating a wardrobe from scratch in different color families. A lot more too, but so far I've learned so much. Thank you for the recommendation!

I've had a chance to look at the Vivienne Files you recommended, @@Sharon1964 . It's fabulous. There is a whole series on creating a wardrobe from scratch in different color families. A lot more too, but so far I've learned so much. Thank you for the recommendation!

You're so welcome. I have spent many an hour pouring through that site. I even wrote to the blogger and asked her a question and she sent a very thoughtful reply.

Here is another good blogger. Jennifer Scott is the author of the book Lessons from Madame Chic. She endorses the idea of a 10 item wardrobe. http://dailyconnoisseur.blogspot.com

Funny. I'm actually finding myself wanting to deflect some of the attention. I just feel like I'm shining too brightly. I'm healthy, full of energy, eyes are bright, hair is thick again. I'm actually preferring dark clothing, more edgy, gender-neutral or tomboy chic type stuff. I'm not hiding. I just don't like all the attention from men or women. I'm *****/lesbian. I've always thought I was an attractive person even larger but being smaller (and kinda cute) has gotten me in awkward situations with folks. I've taken to wearing hats and sunglasses. I kid you not.

@@Thinside, I have gone to thrift shops as I've gotten smaller, and luuuuv finding cute NICE clothes. I will only buy an occasional piece in a regular store. Just have fun with it!

Last weekend at Talbots I found three pairs of slacks in size 6 that fit me wonderfully. I realize Talbots may be one of the vanity-sizing shops. But I didn't care. And it was a monster sale -- 65% off the lowest price.

Oh, and weirdest of all, at my favorite high-end consignment shop I found a black satin hooded zippered jacket in a size 2. And no, it wasn't a Chicos size 2.

Altogether, I got 6 pieces for under $100. Crrraaazy good all around!

Easy ...walk into Old Navy,H&M and get into the mix...keep!No need to spend big money yet.Have fun.

A tip for everyone from my Fashionista friend (who was an Editor at Elle): Bootcut jeans are in, skinnies are out.

Boot cut are popular. .. but around here many still wear skinnies.

I think boot cuts make me look heavier because I have short but slim legs. With boot cut I have short not slim legs. My solution. ..skirts! Just Above the knee as Tim Gunn says the length most flattering for nearly every body type

A tip for everyone from my Fashionista friend (who was an Editor at Elle): Bootcut jeans are in, skinnies are out.

Awesome because I can't squeeze my runner calves into skinny jeans unless they are two sizes too big for the rest of me!

I'm a punk rock, new wave, industrial, goth girl at heart, I don't care that I am almost 50. I am looking forward to wearing my collection of Doc Martens, and adding to that collection....and I want a great leather jacket, and tutu's and whatever other crazy combinations of weirdness I can find. I'm seeing all kinds of fun clothes I just can't wait to get into. I have never been afraid to wear what I wanted, or have whatever color hair I want, but it's going to be a whole lot easier as I get smaller and smaller. Wearing Docs with swollen feet and ankles, is just not fun. I really don't follow anyone else's fashion, I have my own style. As an artist, I also like the idea of some DIY fashion. I'm like Sid Vicious and Hello Kitty mixed up together. It's fun! I'm trying to think of what to do with my fat clothes....I might be able to make new fashions out of them! I don't know, but I'm just crazy enough to try. lol

My olldest daughter has been on my case for years to quit buying all my clothes at Walmart by default. WEll, now that my weight is down, I shop at Kohls, Pennys, Macy's, etc. and can actually find stylish things I like.

That same daughter just married her gal pal this past Saturday, and I wore a dress! I have not worn a dress in over thirty years (I am 63). That dress ahd big bright lowers on it and was above my knee. I wore the prettiest laciest push-up ra I have ever had and felt good about it. No more $8 bras for me. I wore lipstick. Mama always said that lipstick and heels were for bad girls. Oh, well.

I had not seen the Homewrecker who broke up my 23 year marriage to my girls' father, but the were both their at the wedding. I sooooo got my weight loss revenge.

Which reminds me of a joke: Why does Mrs. Claus worry so much about Santa? Because he knows where all the bad girls live.

I'm like Sid Vicious and Hello Kitty mixed up together. It's fun! I'm trying to think of what to do with my fat clothes....I might be able to make new fashions out of them! I don't know, but I'm just crazy enough to try. lol

carolm1965, you're a hoot! Sounds like a fantastic look!

@@Miss Mac, I don't think about the home wrecker in my own past, or the woman he slept with, but if I ever see my ex-husband, I hope I have this same sweet weight loss revenge! Good on you!