Thursday 7 October 2010

The Woman Without A Coat.

For the last five years I haven't really been able to wear a winter coat. Now, I am not the sort of woman who has to buy a new coat every year. A winter coat is a good investment that should last a good few years to my way of thinking (or am I being hopelessly old-fashioned and thrifty?)

Winter 2005 and my coat had become too small for me. The buttons were straining and it felt tight across the back and under the arms. I was feeling down and had been ill for much of the year. Now, my fuller figure and increase in weight left me coat-less. I'd also resigned from my job - for health reasons and had a much reduced income. It wasn't the best of years!

I decided rather than invest in a BIGGER coat I'd wrap up in cardigans and fleeces and if the day was cold, icy and grim I could put my light spring 'mac' over the warm layers. I had a brolly and boots. I'd be OK.

And for the last five years I have been OK. Fortunately I drive, so I am not often out in the elements when the weather is bad. Every winter I delayed buying a winter coat. I like my winter coat to be a wool one, a smart tailored one, and they tend to be expensive. Because I was bigger I decided I wouldn't buy a larger coat - after all, it would go to waste when I'd slimmed down. Not only that, there wasn't the cash to splash about any more, so I continued to improvise, thinking I'd treat myself to a new winter coat when I'd lost a bit of weight.

Ha. Ha. Ha. That was five years ago.

I am bigger now than I was in 2005 and since then I have been winter coat-less.

Today I went out to town and of course the clothes shops are full of winter wear. I eyed up some very nice coats. I liked the look of them. There were two in particular that I fell in love with. They looked just right!

So, I tried them on. We all know winter coats tend to be heavier and bulkier than other coats.

WAIL! WOE IS ME! <~~~ imagine tears flowing here.

 I looked like the Incredible Hulk in both of them.

OK, so not exactly like him. I am not green-skinned.

I looked chunky and bulky and dumpy. Just huge. That's not false modesty. I didn't look good in them. They didn't feel good on me either. Those coats looked SO good on the hangers. When I looked in the mirror the coats seemed to make me look even bigger.

Today was one of those days when I really wished I was straight up and down and had no flesh on my bones. It would be so nice if clothes draped me, rather than clung to my lumps and bumps. I imagine fat people everywhere know what I mean.

I tend not to buy myself many clothes now, because no matter what I wear, if it looks good on the hanger, it doesn't look so good on me. I try to make the most of myself, and if anything, my 'cheer myself up' impulse buys these days tend to be bits of jewellery - costume jewellery - beads, bangles and sparkly things - not stuff from Cartier.

Ah well. Another year without a coat.

Next year I intend to buy one. Watch this space :)



I suppose there is some truth in this ~ "The expression a woman wears on her face is far more important than the clothes she wears on her back." ~ Dale Carnegie

8 comments:

  1. I have had the same problem getting a coat to fit. I just brought a new one from Women within and it fit great. They have a great website and it looks really good on not bulky at all.

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  2. I finally threw away a winter coat because it was ripped and buttons were missing that were snaps. It was ragged. I too have had a hard time trying to find something warm and stylish for my body. You will find something. I am sure.

    Thanks for your kind words and support on my blog. I hope you come to a decision as to what to do. Good luck. I will be following your journey.

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  3. I haven't worn a coat in years (and I live in Canada in Calgary where it gets COLD in the winter). I just don't like them. But I totally relate to hating the look the few times I have tried them on. I don't like the extra bulk at all.

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  4. Please buy a coat. You deserve it now, no matter what size you are. I'm sure there's a nice coat out there for you somewhere. And a good tailor can always take it in, when the time comes.

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  5. I live in Canada where winters are COLD and I've done the same, layers of sweaters (jumpers to you) and shirts and undershirts. When I couldn't get my winter coat or overcoat to button or zip up two years ago, I figured I'd get it under control in a few weeks...I was wrong. I believe I will actually fit mine this year or at least I will before the winter is actually gone.

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  6. But being warm is important. Have you thought that if you bought yourself a coat that it could be a reminder of how much weight you eventually lost? The loser it will get, the better. And you would be just as warm in a coat that was lose vs. one that is just right. Give it some thought. A warm coat is a good investment, no matter what size we are.

    Revised (this morning CST): I actually woke up tonight and was thinking about you and your post. So, now I am going to have a more direct go at a response: when you looked in the mirror, you did not like what you saw staring back at you wearing that coat. So, when are you going to commit to taking care of yourself? When? Consider looking in the mirror your wake up call. You MUST do something and commit and now. Sure, your life is hectic and your family is ill, but taking care of yourself, really, really doing it, is the most important thing you can do. If you do not like what it is the mirror: face it and take control. Eat less (count calories), move more (at least 30 minutes a day), eat loads of fruits and veggies and go easy on junk foods. . Michele at http://ruminationsasiuncoverthewomanwithin.blogspot.com/

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  7. Oh my gosh! I can SO relate. I have had the same winter jacket for the last 3 years and it doesn't fit. It is open in the front because the zipper won't go around my boobs anymore :S

    I'm new here just browsing weight/fitness blogs. I am now following. Please feel free to pop by, I'd love another follower!

    http://losingoverhalfofme.blogspot.com/

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  8. Coats are hard. They do put us in touch with our inner hulk.

    Plus, I never seem to have a coat of the right length. And color is a problem. Black is so black, and so forth and so on.

    I'm sorry you had that experience; I can certainly relate as I've had many moments of truth in the dressing room mirror....

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