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?

Some shopping malls and stores like Nordstrom's have style consultants that are reasonable and give you one on one consultations. It's a fun and worthwhile way to start off with a pro to determine your style and what flatters your new body. They are usually reasonably priced and will save you a ton in buying wrong items.

Happy Shopping! ????

"I think I tend toward the more boho look too, with a bit of classic thrown in, but I'm just not sure."

I think you are more certain than you know. When I was redefining my style, I used descriptors too. Mine were feminine, girly, classic basics. As such I have camis and cardigans (paired as twin sets) and v-neck wool sweaters in a rainbow of colors. I bought a ton of button down blouses and a lot of lace overlay pieces. Keep adding more descriptors, consider a vision board on Pinterest or just cut and paste from images online. What you like will start to emerge as you pick looks that are similar. From there, find the store(s) that mirror your style and have clothes that flatter your shape. For me, that is primarily Ann Taylor, Loft, and Macy's.

Has anyone tried gwynniebee.com? You pay a monthly fee and get to borrow clothes to try. Shipping is free- and they do the dry cleaning. They have sizes 10-32. I'm planning on trying it since I just had surgery 3 weeks ago and will be changing sizes frequently.

I read on here once a lady who said she couldn't wait to stop wearing glitter on her clothing. Big flowers and painfully unattractive outfits that never fit right.

Me I have given up the big flowers but not the glitter. I like to shine. I wear lots of leather jackets and bright colors. A lot of jewelry as part of the glitter and pink. Lots of pink.

Right now I am holding off getting more closes because I hope to have skin removal surgery! So I am looking forward to that.

Look out world. If they thought I was running wild with clothes before...That had nothing on my future!

This is something I'm still figuring out. I went from a size 22 in pants and size 3xl in shirts to a size 2-3 in pants and a small/med in tops. I've gone through ALOT of clothes during this journey and while doing so it seemed easy for me to find things that fit and that I liked but I think the "like" part was only because I wasn't buying them from the plus size section so I went a little crazy at first:-) Now that I'm where I want to stay I'm having a hard time finding things I both like and I feel fit me right that are age appropriate. I spent too many years in baggy oversized clothes so now I find myself wanting to stay away from anything that fits too loosely even though I may like it to avoid that same feeling, however, I also don't want to walk around in something that's too form fitting because I don't feel comfortable so finding something in between that is cute is some times a challenge but it's one I love taking on.

The best thing I've found is more of a form fitting shirt layered with a crop jean jacket, blazer, tiered cardigan etc. Venus.com is my new on-line obsession!:-) Oh and I'm ALL ABOUT THE BLING:_)

I 100% agree that finding the right under garments are KEY to finding the right fit for your clothes!

@@Heyjude887 I'm a GwynnieBee subscriber. If you want to shoot me your email, I can send you an invite. I believe it gives you a free month to try the service out, so be sure to choose at least 3 items/month (you can always change that to less after the free 30 days are up)>

Dresses for me! I used to hate them, cause I hated my legs.. or how it fit.. or looked.. I love retro style dresses..

I like The Vivienne Files. She shows a lot of different styles for different ages and lifestyles.

Wow, these are nice!

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!

You need ones that have lycra in them..

I was inspired to make a special Pinterest board, after considering this question. I just started it, so I don't have too much on it yet, but this is a representation of the styles I want to wear when I get closer/reach my goal. The more I add, the more excited I get! I really never got this excited about fashion in my life. From a distance yes, but for myself...this is a very new sensation! I added my main pinterest page too, with all my boards. In case anyone would like to follow, I will follow back.

My Special After Style Pinterest Board

MY MAIN PINTEREST BOARDS

Edited August 20, 201510 yr by carolm1965

Thanks @ I'm going to start one, too!

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!

You need ones that have lycra in them..

Yeah I don't like them tight around my calves which the Lycra ones are. Actually I don't like stretch jeans at all, LOL, for whatever reason the annoy my skin. I just get the boot cut or flared ones and I'm fine. Thanks for the idea though!

@Sharon1964 Thank you! I just saved the Vivienne Files to my favorites! I love the 4x4 combos. This works perfectly for a mix and match wardrobe. I am going to look at EVERYTHING on that site this weekend!!!

@Sharon1964 Thank you! I just saved the Vivienne Files to my favorites! I love the 4x4 combos. This works perfectly for a mix and match wardrobe. I am going to look at EVERYTHING on that site this weekend!!!

Ditto for this.

How will I dress as a thin woman? In what I like, rather than what just fits me as a fat woman. Simple.

I was inspired to make a special Pinterest board, after considering this question. I just started it, so I don't have too much on it yet, but this is a representation of the styles I want to wear when I get closer/reach my goal. The more I add, the more excited I get! I really never got this excited about fashion in my life. From a distance yes, but for myself...this is a very new sensation! I added my main pinterest page too, with all my boards. In case anyone would like to follow, I will follow back.

My Special After Style Pinterest Board

MY MAIN PINTEREST BOARDS

OMG, I love your gothic style!! I love all that stuff! I love steampunk stuff too.