Boots: Frye Paige Tall Riding Boots
Necklace: Anthropologie Pennypack Amulet Necklace
"It feels like I only go backwards lately." - Tame Impala
Have you ever seen yourself in a photo, one you didn't know you were in, and then recoil in horror when you realize that the person in the background, the one with more rolls on her back than Betty Crocker, is indeed you? I have. In fact, it just happened to me this weekend.
On Saturday, I took my daughter to a birthday party. I wore one of my favorite outfits: a striped tunic top and infinity scarf from Anthro, Hue jeggings, and brown Frye boots. It's an outfit that's universally flattering and would safely fit in anywhere, unlike the one in my last post. I even washed my hair for the occasion. I must admit, I was feeling pretty good about the way I looked.
After we got home, I checked Facebook and noticed that the friend's mom had posted some photos from the birthday party. I was clicking through the photos, really enjoying them, when I saw it. It being me. There I was, standing in the background of one of the photos, my back to the camera, looking like the fucking Hunchback of Notre Dame. I was both horrified and confused. I had checked myself in the mirror several times before I left the house that day, even from the back to make sure the booty look alright, but I did not see the rolls of back fat that were clearly visible in this picture. Also, it's not like the tunic top was tight fitting. On the contrary, it was loose, and I wore an undershirt. I was left wondering what the hell had happened and what I could do in the future to prevent it from ever happening again.
Tell me people. What do you do, when you've got the back fat? I know, I know, lose some damn weight, but what do you do in the meantime to keep that shit on the down low? Should I try a different bra? And by bra, I mean a normal bra, not one of those torture devices I've seen on TV at 3am that smooths out body fat at the expense of being able to breath normally. Should I only wear dark colors on top? It seems extreme to eliminate a whole color group. Or, should I just embrace the back fat and not give it another moments notice?
At least the top in today's photos does a pretty good job of hiding the back rolls. Of course, it's pretty much a maternity top, but I think the buttons up the back give it a less tent-like shape. Oh, and I love the color. Yes, the color... Focus on the positives...focus on the positives...
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Hi Bonnie! I spent 6 years working for a lingerie store and saw a lot of women who complained about back fat. Make sure you are wearing the right size bra. If it's pinching your back, it's not right - try adjusting the straps or going up a band size. The band should be completely horizontal. If it's riding up, it's too small. You should replace bras every 6 months or so, anyway, since they wear out, so you may just need new bras. Get professionally fitted, and have them help you find the right fit. I also recommend trying a full-coverage bra, since they have slightly thicker back bands and wings that can help smooth things out (I know, not sexy, but they can be really flattering, and the VS ones aren't too Grandma-ish - they have lacy ones). The Incredible line of bras at VS also has wings that are specially designed to give you a smooth line. So you may not actually have back fat - it might just be an ill-fitting bra issue. Regardless, this outfit looks great!
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up. Try spanx. Also, you look very nice in the photos today. I love your necklace. :)
ReplyDeleteI had visible panty line in one of my photos on fb. I just laughed and tagged my bottom as "visible panty line." It just happens. You're fine. You don't need to lose weight. Photos show a moment in time, in real life, no one even notices this stuff. Trust me!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou make me laugh! My biggest issue is also back fat. Since trying on a bra recently It freaked me out. I dont care about fat any where else but my back. I was also wondering if there was some type of spanx or bra that could hold it all in.
ReplyDeleteIf you go on www.shapeez.com their bras are super comfy and have the smoothing panel in the back. I love them!
ReplyDeleteI think shirts and tunics can stick to cottony under layers and hence highlight the places the underlayer is sticking, if that makes sense. Solution: slinky underlayers! I use a very short satin slip for this purpose!
ReplyDeleteYou look terrific! Love this top and necklace combo!
That top is a very pretty color and looks great with your hair and skintone! Definitely does not look maternity-esque on you.
ReplyDeleteLoving those Hue cord leggings also...how did you find them to fit? Do you happen to know if they run the same as the Hue denim leggings? I would really love to find a pair of jeggings that fits comfortably and rises a little higher on the waist...so many jeggings I try are butt crack exposers. :-)
You should try Soma bras. They have a line called "Vanishing Back" with all kinds of comfortable bras that smooth out lumps. I have one and it is wonderful. Here's the page: http://www.soma.com/store/browse/shelf.jsp?cat=Bras+Featured+Collections&subCatId=cat5969283&catId=cat40089
ReplyDeleteI'm going to order one this weekend. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Good idea! I think I'll tag that one as "visible back fat." On second thought, the mom probably won't appreciate me doing that to her birthday party photo. Oh well!
ReplyDeleteHmm...I don't know about spanx. It looks like uncomfortable body armor to me. I think I'm going to give the Soma bras a try. Thanks for the suggestion, though, and the compliment!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips! I just got this bra a couple of weeks ago. It the same kind I've been wearing for years - Body by Victoria Full Coverage Unlined Bra. I've been fitted recently, and I think the bra fits good. I think it's the elastic in the back that gives me the bumps. I'm going to give one of the bra's a try that doesn't have the elastic in the back and see how that works for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katie!
ReplyDeleteI find the Hue cord leggings to run true to size. I actually have them in several different colors and have them in both medium and large. The ones in this post are a large. I really can't tell that much of a difference between the medium and large. They are both equally comfortable with the large having just slightly more room in the butt and hips area. For this reason, the large fits higher up on my waist, so you might want to go up a size to prevent plumbers crack. I would say they run exactly the same as the Hue denim leggings.
Gosh, I know what you mean! Back fat really gets to me for some reason. I'm going to try a Soma bra. I'll let you know how it goes.
ReplyDeleteYour outfits have been fantastic lately, but this may be my favorite of the recent bunch.
ReplyDeleteBonnie alll I see is a middle aged mom who can't get past her mother, children and last hubby. What a poor pitiful soul you must be and so much happy company for Jerry
ReplyDelete