I am older than you, but a similar size, and have the same problem that when I gain fat (as opposed to muscle weight) it goes straight to the belly, not evenly distributed or to breasts/ butt (which might be nice). I agree with people who have said try to build muscle. You don’t say how do you exercise, but start strength training. Upper and lower body, and core. You will gain muscle weight, and the muscles will make you look less frail and fill you out a little bit. I am thin but look toned and healthy.

Gain 5-10 pounds OP. You will look better.

If all your clothes are hanging on you, you might be too thin for your build. Are you not able to wear even the smallest sized pants? Like a 23 or 24 inch waist hangs on you?

I'm the same height, 5 pounds heavier (15 years older) and I just look like an average sized person - not really thin, nor heavy. If anything, I look 10 or 15 pounds heavier than I am because I have broad shoulders and muscular arms (along with a bony torso, flat stomach, and flat chest). I would have to lose 15 pounds to have slender legs.

I used to be that and now I'm 120lbs at 5'4" - with a squishy belly I feel it's 10 extra lbs into my belly and thighs. I still have exactly the same slender torso, and fit in all my tops from decades ago.

Please accept yourself as you are, OP. You are beautiful. All you've got to do as you age is take care of your health - exercise in moderation and eat less-processed, with an emphasis on calcium and vitamin D if you're fine-boned and have a history of osteoporosis like me.

OP here. Thanks for the advice! Sounds like I should be hitting the gym and getting some new clothes.

I also had my third child last year so that+the pandemic is not doing me any favors. Hopefully with some lifestyle and styling adjustments, plus getting a bit more sleep now that I’m out of the baby phase, I can improve my overall look.

Anonymous wrote:You are not that thin…

Yes OP is thin, and when you get older your face loses fat. It’s a legit question.

Gaining 5 pounds won’t give you a muffin top or flabby arms.

Anonymous wrote:You are not that thin…

Go away

Anonymous wrote:You are not that thin…

Yes, OP is very thin.

Add fat to your diet.

Lift light weights

You are not that thin…

I’m 2 inches taller than you and weigh 8lbs more. I also don’t diet or exercise (unless you count chasing my kids around…). As I get older, I have the same thoughts.

I tuck my shirts in now and I think that actually helps me look neater. I agree about pleated pants, and you should try the wide leg jeans that are in fashion now.

You don't wanted close fitting, you want fitted and tailored. All the things that some people hate, like pleated pants, look great on someone like you and add shape. You have shape, of course, you just need clothing that emphasizes it.

Strength training. There are tons of boutique gyms around that can help you do this if you’re not familiar. I am similar to your build and trust me you will not look like a crazy muscle woman, it will just give you some need a definition so you don’t look like a stick.

I’m 5’4 110lbs which is within the healthy weight range. I don’t diet or overexercize. Still, I feel as though I sometimes look too thin. Especially as I’m getting older, I’m in my mid 30s, I don’t want it to make me look for gaunt or sickly. I know one solution would be to gain weight but I worry that will present a host of other issues; muffin top, flabby arms etc. when I gain weight I do not, unfortunately, get curvier… I gain it all over.

Should I be working on building more muscle? How much will that actually impact the way I look?

Are there clothing styles that are particularly flattering for thin ruler/athletic shaped women?

I’m so sick of feeling like all of my clothes hang on me like I’m a hanger, it makes me feel less feminine and almost boyish. And more fitted clothes just highlight how skinny I am.