Clothing for women with big tums

[Crowtooyo]

I'm normally a size 12 but have put on weight in all the lockdowns and am not at least a 14 sometimes 16. I've always carried weight on my thighs and tummy and always struggled with what to wear but now that I'm a size or 2 bigger I just look in the mirror and think nothing suits me..please give me ideas. I'm chafing like crazy or feel like everything I wear just emphasises my tummy.

As a fellow person who is larger than I want to be, and it's mostly boobs and stomach:

(1) Don't wear clothes that are too small or squeeze into your old clothes that are too small. This makes you look bigger, and will chafe. Buy clothes that fit you now, even if that's just a couple of things that you wash and wear again, doesn't need to be a whole new wardrobe. Clothes that are fitted but that skim rather than cling are what you're looking for.

(2) Wear cycling shorts underneath skirts/dresses, or bodyglide/stick antiperspirant on the bit that chafes. Talcum powder can work too if you are sweaty. Life is too short to cause yourself pain from chub rub.

(3) Generally things that make me look slimmer are things that don't cling around my stomach - I am living in linen button-down shirts right now, with either chinos or jeans/jeggings. The shirts cover my stomach and the v-neck created when the top buttons are undone is flattering to my chest. Darker tops also make me look smaller on top/around my stomach. Dresses can be good too.

And finally (4) if you're not happy with your size, you can take control and do something about it - portion control, low carb, intermittent fasting, more water, more sleep if at all possible, move more in a way that you enjoy and that is consistent.

I am still trying my best on this, I keep reminding myself that I didn't put on weight overnight (though sometimes it seems like it!!) so I need to be patient and consistent. And I'm doing it for myself and my body, not for anyone else. We can do it!!

Hi.
Yes feel your pain. I too have huge stomach. Look pregnant in most things. Uggh.
I find dresses best. Ones that are fitted at chest then flare.
Also wearing a padded bra helps to create a “shelf” and so dresses don’t cling to stomach.

Thanks both. Great tips!

@Xiaoxiong that's a lovely long reply, thank you.

I do want to do something about it.. I'm working 56+ hours a week at the moment and I always seem to put my health last and I just grab junk to keep me going. Things calm down in a few month but I really must reign the eating in beforehand.

I think you're right. I might pop to a supermarket and get a few bits a size up.

I've been wearing lovely flowy dresses

Anymore ideas?

Would love some too.

Im planning a trip to sainsburys or asda this evening and I will aim to get clothes a size bigger like a pp suggested and see how I go.

For the chafing, I've cut the legs off some old laddered opaque tights. It works really well under dresses, skirts etc.

Get some snap tights- they're only about a tenner and life changing for under dresses

Sorry that should say snag* tights. I love mine.

Did you watch Sarah Lancashire in Last Tango in Halifax? She'd put a bit of weight on round her tummy and used the loose shirt idea suggested above but finished it off with a nipped-in jacket and the shirt hung loose below it. Difficult to explain but the jacket gave her middle bit some shape - a loose-fitting longish silky top underneath would probably do the same. I find that a loose boxy top that finishes at my belly button over trousers is quite flattering.

@DarlingWithoutYou

Sorry that should say snag* tights. I love mine.

Exactly what I came here to suggest! The tights ate incredible and the chubby rub shorts have saved my summer wardrobe

I’ve bought these linen tunics from JL and they are cool and flattering www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-linen-tunic/pale-blue/p5039165
I’ve gone for the bigger size, got all the colours and been living in them!

@Kentuki

I’ve bought these linen tunics from JL and they are cool and flattering www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-linen-tunic/pale-blue/p5039165 I’ve gone for the bigger size, got all the colours and been living in them!

They're lovely

Are they a bit sheer? i.e can you see a bra through them

I look like Matt Lucas from the side, it's really depressing.

Tips: if you have boobs you have to give yourself a waist otherwise you look like a barrel. It does feel counter productive but it's essential. I wear a lot of pleated midis with a t-shirt tucked in, or high waisted jeans with just a little bit of shirt tucked into them.

My new favourite maxi dress is almost empire line - it's loose and flowing but it needs to nip in somewhere to give you a bit of shape. Hang on and I'll link.

I am a size 16-18 with a huge tummy - I take a lot of steroids for health conditions and basically that and liking food too much has a lot to answer for…! I’ve been buying short mini dresses from asos, smock type fancy prints ones and wearing them with leggings. Basically an updated version of the Seasalt / Boden leggings and tunic combo!

No, I wouldn’t say so. Perhaps you might see the shadow of a black bra? But I am a modest dresser and haven’t felt at all like I need to wear a dress underneath

Sorry vest underneath

@Kentuki

No, I wouldn’t say so. Perhaps you might see the shadow of a black bra? But I am a modest dresser and haven’t felt at all like I need to wear a dress underneath

Thanks!

Asda have a lovely white linen shirt tunic thing in, buy a size up and some light colored jeggings - nice sandals, sunnies and gold layered bracelets and it’s a fab summer outfit

direct.asda.com/george/women/shirts-blouses/collared-half-placket-linen-blend-blouse/GEM813586,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C4

direct.asda.com/george/women/jeans/light-wash-denim-jeggings/GEM820531,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C7

Also some smock type stuff can be flattering if it’s shorter and doesn’t give the ‘pregnant’ look

direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/floral-print-coral-mini-smock-dress/GEM853167,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1

direct.asda.com/george/women/shirts-blouses/pink-striped-tiered-blouse/GEM869522,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C4

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Stone-Linen-Rich-Shell-Top/138573338-Stone?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Green-Stripe-Linen-Rich-Shirt-/138655886-Green?searchTerm=:newArrivals&searchProduct=

Thanks so much everyone! I didn't realise there were more suggestions after I last posted. I really appreciate it 🙂