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More comfortable in other contries..........with less clothes

I am thinking about how i havent worn shorts out of the house. I actually never do (wear shorts in public)and this was one of my goals when i began to get healthier. I still have yet to do it..........im thinking tanning might help me think that my legs were "camoflouaged'.......not big, fat and white.
Then i began thinking about how hubby and i went to Aruba. I had a small hangup when we first go there about wearing a 2 peice binkini but after the first hr , i didnt care. It was partly b/c i didnt know anyone and would never face them again, and part was b/c the culture was so non caring out being less than perfect.
I was wondering if anyone else ever felt like this?


Sun. Aug 13, 11:36am

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Well, I find that I am more prone to dress as I want wherever we go on vacation... as long as no one there knows me. I'm not usually aware of this new feeling of freedom until I get home, open my suitcase, stare at the wild and crazy apparel I bought at some exotic location, and mutter "What was I thinking?"

Sunday, August 13, 2006, 12:56 PM

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Oh, please--for the past 15 years I only dated foreign men! The majority of American and especially American white men (caveat: in MY own personal experience) have only one view of what kind of appearance is acceptable for women and if you don't fit that mold, you don't get dates. I have a small waist but with big legs and a big butt and in other parts of the world that is ideal.

Even last year I traveled to the Caribbean and I had thin, lean, young women telling me that I had a "killer shape" - it's not just the men that find that more womanly/curvy shape ideal.

I think as we get older, we can wear shorts out in public more. IT definitely helps to be outside of the country/our own environment to be able to think, well, I don't know anyone here. But it's even better to be back home and think, well, I don't give a crap what anyone thinks.

Sunday, August 13, 2006, 2:30 PM

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I agree!

I totally agree with you about other countries not being so appearance conscious. I just got back from spending a month in Paris and I remember thinking the same thing. I mean, yes, they take pride in their appearance and they care about what they look like but they're so much more natural than us Americans. The girls don't wear so much makeup and it's okay that they might have blemishes on their face or other "faux pas" in America. I also feel like sometimes they're not quite so judgemental. It's a different mentality but maybe you should pick it up over here as well so that you're more comfortable with what you're wearing! Good luck with the shorts situation - just do whatever makes you comfortable!

Sunday, August 13, 2006, 4:24 PM

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OP here

Well, as far as the shorts situation..........its weird b/c i will wear pants on totally hot days to a pool party and everyone will ask why im wearing them and not shorts and i have to go into this long explanation why i dont own more than 1 pair.
On the other hand , if i DID wear shorts in public, i look "normal" so no one cares or notices that im paracally CRAWLING under the table in a effort to hide my legs!
Im not overly huge (im 5ft, weight 133) but i absolutly hate having my legs in shorts . Im more comfortable in my house but weirdly enough am more uncomfortable in shorts that i am just all together NAKED. I would rather be naked in front of people! How CRAZY am i!!! LOL

Sunday, August 13, 2006, 7:23 PM

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I don't wear shorts either

I am 5'5 145 and I dont wear shorts in public either, but I found that wearing summer dresses is the way to go for me. Usually they are about knee length. Sundresses are great -- very comfy and flattering to the shorter woman. Plus you are not sweating as you would be in long pants. And tanning definitely helps. I dont think I'd be as confident wearing the dress without the tan. I know it may sound odd, but it's just me :) I have found that knee length dress with a little platform sandal and a tan elongates the legs and makes you appear slimmer! Of course, people always ask why I always wear dresses, but I am very girly....so, I think most people think that is the reason!

Sunday, August 13, 2006, 10:22 PM

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Well, I am tall, not curvy, not girly and most people would consider me a good weight, but I can relate because I too hate my legs (pair of sausages) and do not wear shorts. Alas sundresses look 'wrong' on me as well, but I have found lots of longer skirts made out of the material that athletic clothes are made out of. I can wear a skirt, sports sandals and a T-shirt and no one thinks about asking me why I don't wear shorts. I also find skirts keep me much cooler than shorts. Just wanted to let you know you are not alone and there are alternatives. I can also agree that we in the US are fixated on women's bodies to an unhealthy degree and that other countries are much more laid back and accepting of all shapes, but since that's not going to change anytime soon I will stick to my skirts.

Monday, August 14, 2006, 12:38 PM

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I don't wear shorts much, b/c I just don't particularly like them. I just own a number of skirts, some more casual that can be worn in place of shorts. Shorts look like you're trying to cover up if they reach your knee; skirts look skimpy if they're much shorter than that. So, you can get the benefit of looking chic and being cool (temperature) in a skirt w/o showing any thigh!

Tuesday, August 15, 2006, 10:44 AM

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shorts

For some sort, I was afraid to bear my legs earlier in life. I'm pale and you can actually see my pores on my legs. Now I'm more afraid of my post-partum 'pooch' being seen.
I'm 5'8" and 180lbs. but I'm fit and I've got curves in all the right places. I have an ample ass and thighs as well as a wide (and D cup) upper body.
Stop worrying and just be yourself (I'm also German); We're known for just keeping healthy and not stressing about body type. Someone loves you for a reason other than your BMI!

Friday, April 04, 2008, 2:21 AM

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I don't mean to sound rude, but from the first few posts I assumed you were morbidly obese and were afraid of wearing shorts for that reason. 5 feet and 133 lbs?!?!?!?! 5'5" and 145lbs??? Are you crazy???? I'm 5'4" and my GOAL WEIGHT is 140. I get the whole "everybody's different" thing, but c'mon! I will never see you and I can assure you 10000% that there is nothing wrong with the way you look.

I was feeling you all the way through this thread until I saw your stats. Yes, everyone has their own comfort level, but you can't tell me that you're that blind to weight/height ratios.

If you guys can't wear shorts in public then I should be wearing a burka/

Friday, April 04, 2008, 9:41 AM

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I just posted to my group this a.m. that I want to wear shorts this summer! Last year i lived in knee length cotton skirts and sundresses. I am 5'7'' and 150 - I have a long waist /nice stomach but short and big legs. They are muscle-y now that I have been working out tons, but I am still soooo self-conscious.

Friday, April 04, 2008, 10:27 AM

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Oh no, you said burka- that's sure to offend someone...now you may cause the thread to get pulled :)

Friday, April 04, 2008, 10:32 AM

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How about caftan? Mumu? Tent? m

Friday, April 04, 2008, 10:52 AM

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But at 5' plus, you have to know that the weight you're at is not completely out off the charts . There are people far heavier than you who wear shorts, so maybe (and this is a big maybe) complaining about feeling gross at your weight is a wee bit insensitive.

OK Bring it on, everyone has their comfort level yada yada yada.....

Friday, April 04, 2008, 10:57 AM

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Why yes - now that you mention it everyone does have their comfort level. I no longer consider myself overweight in the slightest and I am most comfortable not wearing shorts - they're terribly unflattering for the most part. Let's face it - it doesn't matter how much you do or don't weigh (and could we for once not turn this into a I-would-be-so-happy-to-weigh-what-you-do-I'd-never-complain-again-in-my-life thread because that's just as insesitive to OP's body-image issues), if you aren't happy with your body and the way something fits, you're going to be miserable if you try to force it. I am with those who prefer skirts. They're more comfortable, more stylish and definitely more flattering. My fave place for skirst is Title 9 - they have a terrific selection of athletic skirts that flatter and are every bit as cool and comfortable as shorts if not moreso.

Friday, April 04, 2008, 11:13 AM

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Bringin' It

there will always be someone heavier, smaller, etc. heck my mom is heavier than me and she is more comfortable in shorts than I am.

Friday, April 04, 2008, 11:14 AM

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