u/Admirable-Farmer212

I keep getting told either DC or FN, I’d love to know where I fit!

My son was home from college for the weekend and we went to the thrift store and I was so excited to find a pull-up bar for $3, I had 3 in my Amazon cart because I’ve been wanting to know if I could do a pull up, I was big into CrossFit in 2017/2018 and could do kipping pull-ups but struggled to do strict, but I just had a feeling I could do it now.

For the past year, most of my training has been Pilates and walking, with 2–3 lower body focused strength sessions a week added back in recently. I haven’t trained chin-ups at all.

Today I grabbed the bar and asked my son to film, he was watching and was completely shocked. I was SO excited…
…until I watched the video and realized MY PALMS WERE FACING ME. 😑

So, chin-ups. Not pull-ups. And yes, I’m ridiculously annoyed because I really wanted to see how many strict pull-ups I could do.

But I’m still pretty damn proud. At 51, after surgeries on both shoulders (2017 & 2018) and a knee (2018), plus disc replacements in my lower back (2019) and neck (2020), being able to move my body like this feels pretty incredible.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that I don’t have to destroy myself in the gym to get stronger. Pilates, walking, a couple focused strength days, eating enough and recovering have gotten me stronger than I expected.
Next test: palms away, Goal: 10 strict pull-ups!
And yes, my son made a fart sound at the beginning, he’s 20🤣

I’ve been leaning DC but I’ve had multiple people tell me to explore D, thoughts?

I’m looking to have a variety of dresses for everything from being comfy at home, work (I own a small business), weddings, dates, vacation, etc.

I’ve worked through tops and bottoms pretty well but I’m still struggling with dresses, I want to look feminine and put together and can’t pinpoint what exactly is working, I’ve gotten a lot of of feedback about what’s not, for sure.

No ruffles, no lightweight, flowy fabrics, no fussiness, no big skirts and I don’t know if short dresses look good even though I’m not too tall, people seem to really dislike how they break the vertical when I’ve asked for feedback. I’ve been told they look too youthful, too much like a ballerina (which is kinda a compliment if you ask me), etc.
Please don’t judge my shoes, still working on that too!
My sketch says DC but I’m not entirely positive on that.

I’m back with yet another round of dresses!** **
This time the only petite size dress is the leopard, I’m 5’3 so the others may fit you too if you’re like me and in between petite & regular!

For the last six months or so, I’ve been on a journey to figure out what my style actually is and how to dress myself again. I spent 30 years as a stay-at-home mom and rarely put much time into dressing for* *me. I’ve basically lived in activewear and loungewear and I want to look like a put together woman!

Now I’m 51, my kids are grown, and I want getting dressed nicely to be part of my everyday life, not something I save for an occasion. I especially want to wear more dresses and find ones that work for my real life.
I’m babysitting my new grandson, working at our brick-and-mortar store, dinners, weddings, concerts, vacations, date nights and everything in between. I’m really loving the knit dresses because they’re comfortable enough for home but still make me feel put together for work.

I’ve posted several rounds now & I really do read every comment and take your suggestions into consideration! I’ve returned things I probably would have kept before, tried things I wouldn’t have considered, and I feel like I’m finally starting to understand what works on me and what feels like me!

So here’s another round! Which are the standouts? What would you keep or return?

I know it’s not a huge difference but I’m excited that I can see some changes after only 2 months!
I’ve been doing reformer Pilates & walking since November 2025 and on July 7th I set out to build up my lower body, especially the glutes.
I developed significant glute asymmetry after my lumbar spine problems/surgery, and I also have severe facet arthritis on that side. The pain and altered mechanics may have caused me to underuse that glute over time, contributing to it becoming flatter and I wanted to try and change that.

Every third day I use my adjustable dumbbells and do Bulgarian split squats, RDL’s, shoulder racked squats & weighted glute bridges & a couple abduction exercises and kickbacks with my resistance bands.
I also do some upper body and ab work with my TRX on those days as well but I’m more focused on lower body.
I walk 4-5 miles a day, every third day I do 40 minutes of my walk at 12% incline 3-3.2 speed and I do Pilates at home on the non lifting days.

51 years old, 5’3 and I started out at about 102/103lbs and I’ve been eating 2100 calories for about 3/4 weeks and slowly increasing, my weight is up 3/4lbs & I know it’s mostly water, glycogen, some muscle and fat and I’m just super happy with my progress and how the extra weight has balanced me out and it seems to be going where I want it!

These are all petite sizing except for the white and that one feels slightly long through the torso, what’s working and whats not so great?

These are all petite sizing except for the white and that one feels slightly long through the torso, what’s working and whats not so great?

I just had to share because I was actually shocked when I saw these pictures, I’m 51 and currently sitting at about 104lbs, I got real sick in march and lost 10, my goal was to gain back at-least 4-5 pounds and I’m now up about 3-4lbs and I’m feeling so much better, during my recovery I focused on lots of protein 140-150g a day (I know, it’s a lot), eating enough, currently 2100 calories, rest and recovery and low impact training, I knew I had to gain the weight back but I didn’t want to do it in an unhealthy way.

I have a long history of working out but after numerous injuries, a horrible arthritis flare in my hip, surgeries, getting through menopause and being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism about a year ago, I dropped all strength training and start walking 1 hour per day and I got a Pilates reformer in November.
I did Pilates 5-6x a week for the last nine months, and just about 5 weeks ago started picking up the dumbbells and using my TRX again, focusing on lower body but still getting some work in on my upper as well.

I decided I should take some before photos and I could not believe how much muscle I had gained in my back, no idea!

Anyway, just sharing for those on the fence about Pilates, it helped me so much when weightlifting was too much for my body and it also helped so much with reducing the pain I was getting due to old injuries and really helped me build up the smaller muscles weight training wasn’t hitting. I feel stronger than ever too!

I’m hoping to ease back into strength training now without flaring up old injuries & I hope to keep sharing my progress here!

I picked up some new suits based on all the feedback I got after a previous post I made.

I’m know I have some loose skin (51yrs, 4 kids) and I’m ok with that, I don’t feel like I need a one piece for that reason (like I was told a few times in my last post), in the photos you can see lines from my shorts waistband, those go away.

Thank you for any and all feedback, I read all your responses and appreciate them!

I picked up some new suits based on all the feedback I got after my last post.
I adjusted the strings on two that I tried before so I’m adding those again.
I appreciate the feedback on what’s working and what’s not.
I’m know I have some loose skin (51yrs, 4 kids) and I’m ok with that, I don’t feel like I need a one piece for that reason (like I was told a few times in my last post), in the photos you can see lines from my shorts waistband, those go away.

Edit** linked a few more dresses I’ve tried

https://imgur.com/a/fNfQY8X

https://imgur.com/a/yHu40ZY

I’ve tried on so many dresses and I’m having the hardest time finding what works for me.
I’ve been told I’m DC but I can’t quite find the right style. I feel like everything either looks too youthful or way too dressy and stuffy, no in between.
I’m 5’3 so I need petite and I need to find brands that don’t do vanity sizing.

Spaghetti straps seem like they should work but I somehow look so broad through the shoulders when I’m really not. I can’t seem to get the flirty, feminine, effortless look I’m going for.

I’ve posted these in other groups here so if you’re seeing them again, I’m sorry!

I would love advice, links, etc!

What’s my kibbe type, 5’3
IRTG

What works what doesn’t?
Sorted through my matching sets today, I can mix and match these but I’m wondering what is working worn as a set & what needs to go.

I’m 5’3 and about 103lb so it’s hard to find good fitting sets, I feel like everything off the rack needs altered, the first set is actually a petite size but I need to take the pants in a bit if I keep.

Any tips on finding clothing in XXSP or 00P that actually run true to size?

These would be worn for multiple occasions, I own a small business and it’s pretty casual so not just work related.

Thanks!

What works what doesn’t?
Sorted through my matching sets today, I can mix and match these but I’m wondering what is working worn as a set & what needs to go.

I’m 5’3 and about 103lb so it’s hard to find good fitting sets, I feel like everything off the rack needs altered, the first set is actually a petite size but I need to take the pants in a bit if I keep it.
Where is everyone finding clothing in XXSP or 00P that actually run true to size?

These would be worn for multiple occasions, I own a small business and it’s pretty casual so not just work related.
Thanks!

So I basically just grab a ribbed tank and call it a day in the summer.
I’m looking to add some different styles that are flattering on me.
Most of these haven’t been worn and I’m looking for feedback on what works and what needs to be returned.
I’m on the fence about the silk camis, thinking maybe exchanging for the silk V-neck tanks with wider straps.
Thank you!

Back with another dress post, got rid of a bunch based off feedback here, trying some again and added some new ones to try!

Im 5’3 and about 103 and it’s extremely difficult to find dresses that fit properly and don’t make me look childish, if anyone has recommendations on where to look I’d appreciate it!

Some of these are petite sizing, most are not.

What stays and what goes?

Back with another dress post, got rid of a bunch based off feedback here, trying some again and added some new ones to try!

Im 5’3 and about 103 and it’s extremely difficult to find dresses that fit properly and don’t make me look childish, if anyone has recommendations on where to look I’d appreciate it!

What stays and what goes?

Posting here cause I don’t have any IRL friends to ask!
Which swimsuits suits me best? My children are grown so these would be worn with my husband only, no kids to chase around.

I can’t seem to decide, I’ve never worn the cheeky bottoms before but I really don’t mind them in the right setting, I am also over 50 so I don’t know how appropriate they are😅

Just wanted to share this lovely dress from Quince, I’m so excited they are carrying actual petite sizes now, PXS 5’3 102lbs and it fits like a glove!