Anyone else 'let themselves go'?

Nope I have not let myself go, wear very little make up wear perfume every day whether home or out hair and nails done ever 4 weeks no Botox or fillers for me just like to look decent for me nobody else

Sometimes i wonder whatever happened to "women's lib". Would you find a man wondering if he'd "let himself go" cos he was wearing comfy clothes? I very much doubt it!

I've always worn what I want, when I want. It's sleeveless top and shorts at the moment as it's so hot - I don't see the point of trying to cover up my 19st (very!) fat legs and arms as some would - why should I be uncomfortably hot?

I used to wash my hair every day when I was at work.

Now I go to aquacise several times a week, I don’t bother to do it so often as it soon looks a mess after being in the water.

Have never worn much make up, even less now.

“You can’t gild the lily”.

As my darling DH said once when I was fretting whether I looked ok on a night out. “No one’s looking at you”.

(It was meant to reassure me, and now I often think how true)

Aveline you are not a slob . You know what is comfortable and suits you. I only wore makeup when it was my children's weddings and had it done . I stopped wearing make up when I was 25 when I had my daughter.

I wear pull on clothes as my hands can't do small buttons or zips . Always wore big knickers and just gave up on underwire bras from M&S and wear their' body range ' no wire and no padding . They are £22 only a size 38C but it's the most comfortable bra I have ever wore. The other night I forgot I still had my bra on when I went to put my pj top. They are soft and I look like I have boobs they are very supportive.
I live in pull on trousers and shirts with no buttons and when I go out trousers and Seasalt tunics . All my shoes ,boots and trainers from Hotter only footwear you never have to break in.

If you feel comfortable then you gain confidence.

I've always dressed as I please - in the corporate world I loved being suited and booted, well made up but always comfortable. Why have so many of you been living in uncomfortable clothes for so long ?? - I don't understand that.

I don't wear makeup as much now, and rarely at home, but always have my earrings in, my hair done (even if that just means up in a chignon because it really needs a wash) and casual but nice clothes on.

I can't afford right now to be a slob anyway, even if I wanted to. DH has cancer and part of keeping his spirits up and maintaining the 'norm' is that I always make an effort - if I don't he notices and thinks it's because of his diagnosis and I'm depressed, which then makes him depressed.

Let yourself go, and let distance yourself from societal expectations, and worse, the nasty judgement of other women?

Agree AmberGran.

When I go out I make am effort to look colourful
I wear bright clothes
Matching coloured jewellery from charity shops
Comfy footwear just like Kitty
Look Fabulous Forever (make up brand) most days
And don’t give a toss what other thinks

PS I shocked and amused the assistant in Nationwide when she complimented me on my small purple shoulder bag. I told her I was wearing matching knickers 😳

Casdon

ViceVersa

eddiecat78

I hate that expression, especially as it is usually used to insult someone ("did you see Mary, she's really let herself go").
If someone has reached the point where they have the confidence to look how they choose and not care what anyone else thinks they should be admired not criticised

With me it's the exact opposite. After a lifetime of being criticised for my looks, you eventually get to the stage where you're past caring. What's the point?

Isn’t it about your self esteem, rather than what other people think though? I just feel better in myself if I make an effort. I’d see making no effort as sign of diminishing confidence in myself rather than increasing.

When you have none - self esteem or confidence in yourself - then it's hard to really care, to be honest.

I agree ViceVersa

Never. Change into my house clothes when I get in and remove my make up but do not leave the house until I look as good. as I can.

ViceVersa

Casdon

ViceVersa

eddiecat78

I hate that expression, especially as it is usually used to insult someone ("did you see Mary, she's really let herself go").
If someone has reached the point where they have the confidence to look how they choose and not care what anyone else thinks they should be admired not criticised

With me it's the exact opposite. After a lifetime of being criticised for my looks, you eventually get to the stage where you're past caring. What's the point?

Isn’t it about your self esteem, rather than what other people think though? I just feel better in myself if I make an effort. I’d see making no effort as sign of diminishing confidence in myself rather than increasing.

When you have none - self esteem or confidence in yourself - then it's hard to really care, to be honest.

I think we are saying the same thing then, we can all only give our own experience. You both have my greatest sympathy, that must be incredibly hard for you.

I make an effort inamaintaining myself but then I enjoy it and love clothes, make-up; the whole scene really, and if nothing else I have lots of lovely girl time with my grown up granddaughter and 'designer talk' with grown-up grandson.
I really don't think many people let themselves go unless suffering from depression - look around you at all the well-dressed people in this wonderful hot summer - even men!

I'm definitely not depressed. I feel confident and happy that I no longer have bother trussing myself up in smart clothes, hobbling myself in uncomfortable shoes and plastering grease on my face. I'm just relaxed and happy just being me.

MissRedd

I have had more days of putting on my "round the house" clothes. But, I do work quite a lot from home. I have most certainly been using less make-up.

I do remember a time I would not leave the house without my make-up on. It was somehow a very big deal and was a no-no, taught by my mum.

Nowadays, I will put a little lip gloss and some moisturiser on my face and run to the Co-Op, and not be bothered a bit.

I find that freeing, really.

I think if someone really feels they are letting themselves "go", in the line of not caring and feeling depressed, then that is worth a thought or two.

I think they could be two very different things. I have had times in my life where I felt very anxious and depressed, especially after losing my dad just after Christmas.

There were days were I didn't even brush my hair. I just was a mess and I couldn't be bothered whatsoever.

I don't really have "round the house" clothes, I wear much the same everywhere, so long as they're clean that's fine by me. I do sometimes wear special occasion clothes, but rarely.
It was our golden wedding recently and I celebrated by wearing a dress, not new but a favourite - I very, very rarely wear dresses so this was a red letter day! To be fair I did try to find something new to wear, urged on by my daughter, but simply couldn't find anything that I even wanted to try on, let alone buy.
Like MissRed, when I was young and when I was going out to work I used to dress up smartly and never went out without make up, but I don't feel the same pressure to conform now.

Apologies, that should be MissRedd.

Well, since retiring I no longer bother with makeup (unless doing family photos or a party etc.), heels (actually that was since lockdown) or smart clothes (no need when looking after toddlers). However, I'm probably fitter and healthier than ever. So many people let their bodies go via unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles - at this point I'm putting my efforts into good diet, regular exercise and lack of stress. You can keep your makeup, nails and fashion - they will not help you to have a healthy old age.

Being a Gemini I have a foot in both camps. Most days I wear tinted moisturiser and under eyeliner, jeans and whatever top is appropriate.
I do love the rare occasions when there’s an excuse to make the effort to ‘scrub up nicely’ though.

I’m Jekyll & Hyde, two different people. At home, just comfortable, but really enjoy dressing up when I go out. I find it therapeutic, even taking time with my makeup. In fact, I find I get better service and attention when I’m dressed up to when I walk out ‘as I am’. I like to think other people enjoy seeing someone looking the very best they can. I certainly enjoy seeing people looking good.

It’s not true “nobody will be looking at you”. I am!
This reminds me of one of the Mitford sisters. They had grown up with their nanny saying “nobody will be looking at you” to help with shyness.
On her wedding day, Diana Mitford went to see nanny in her wedding dress, guess what she said!

I have no problem with service or attention when I'm out. I often look like a tattybogle but people still pay attention. It ain't necessarily about how you present yourself in clothes that can speak volumes for one.

Walk along any street and you will pass plenty of men who have let themselves go alright.......because it's a trademark (ha!) of masculinity.

I’m 69 and haven’t cared how I look for years. White hair, thin and fluffy after chemo, twisted up with a claw clip, or a pony tail if I wear a hat to walk the dogs. I use serum and moisturiser because it feels nice. I use Aveeno creamy oil after a shower because it feels nice. I seldom glance in the mirror.

Then I had my toenails done recently for my DD’s wedding (reconstructed big toenails, shape and polish all of them), and had a BIAB gel manicure on my fingernails. I felt fantastic! I have booked appointments to have both lots of nails done again, for the summer, my budget can’t stretch to an ongoing commitment l, but it really is very many years since I’ve thought, oh this LOOKS good!

I’ve bought a new claw clip too!

I had a close friend who was very beautiful and slim and always wore make up and high heels daily. Her husband left her for another woman and my friend was distraught. I said come and stay for a break so she did. Anyway we were sitting in the kitchen and she was crying her heart out and at one point she wailed ‘all my friends have let themselves go but their husbands haven’t left’. I had to grip myself because hysterical laughter was bubbling inside me because I wanted to say ‘ I didn’t let myself go, I got up one morning and I’d gone!!’ Even all these years later I can laugh at the memory of that moment…..

Fatoldlady

Sometimes i wonder whatever happened to "women's lib". Would you find a man wondering if he'd "let himself go" cos he was wearing comfy clothes? I very much doubt it!

I've always worn what I want, when I want. It's sleeveless top and shorts at the moment as it's so hot - I don't see the point of trying to cover up my 19st (very!) fat legs and arms as some would - why should I be uncomfortably hot?

Why the inference that comfy clothes are linked to letting yourself go.
I have very similar to this outfit. As you can see they are very comfortable

How to dress old money for beginners? I love it …. petra