How to dress in the summer when you’re large...

[Fruem]

So. I’m 5’3 and a size 18/20. More of an 18 but 20 when I’m bloated. I am currently trying to lose weight.

I’m curious to how other women dress in the hot weather when they’re larger. I can’t seem to find a dress that doesn’t look stupid. Too self conscious to wear shorts.

I carry my weight quite well, but have a huge muffin top due to very wide hips.

Any ideas? What sort of dress can a larger lady pull off? Thanks!

Cotton harem pants or trousers and floaty tops work for me.

Maxi dress! I wear the bandeaus ones with the elasticated bust.

maxi skirt, comfort shorts underneath and t-shirt/vest top. or palazzo trousers with a floaty top. I do have a couple of maxi dresses but tend to look pregnant in them!!

I’ve tried a few maxi dresses on, but because my hips are so wide I just look stupid!

I did consider Spanx. But think I may melt

I wear jeans all year round

Occasionally with the elasticated bandeau tops @0to3sadonions mentions (they are officially called "shirred" if you need to search online). I team them with a short sleeve knitted/crochet bolero thing to cover up my arms. Loads of both tops on ebay.

But if I need to, I wear knee length shorts. I find SheGo a nice brand for the fat of arse. At home I often end up in my 3/4 length gym leggings too.

Maxi dresses are great
I also love white linen trousers wide leg with a vest top or chiffon tunic top.
Hides a multitude of sins!

When I was a 20 i wore wrap dresses that were midi length, they were the most flattering on me. And I got some leggings fabric shorts to wear under the stop thigh rub (They were super tight so held stomach in a bit too). I got a few from boohoo as I was on a budget

Have you seen the mum tum skirts from Constance Hall? I’ve heard good things but I don’t have one. I think they look fab though.

I’m 16/18 with enormous hips. I wear leggings under dresses to avoid “chub rub” on my thighs, surprisingly it isn’t actually that hot (obviously don’t do it on baking days). Also wear a lot of floaty trousers and long tops, I wear strappy dresses but with leggings underneath. H&M leggings work best for me as they’re mainly cotton.

Best of luck with the diet. I've been where you are and am now a 12/14 for this summer - looking forward to buying a new wardrobe!

I wore a lot of cargo or chino type 3/4 trousers for casual and loose wide legged linen trousers for smarter, combined with a floaty or A-line type top and a light cardi when required. I am a bit taller at 5'9" though so may or may not suit.

3/4 trousers in linen or chino. Or I got some lovely floaty cotton ones in Next last year, they are comfy and cooling. Vest tops teamed with a light cardigan to cover up.

I never look great but at least I’m comfortable.

I’ve also had a few nice tunic style dresses from primark of all places! I wear leggings underneath and a nice pair of tan sandals. I know leggings under a dress is supposed to be a fashion faux pas but it helps me feel less self conscious.

I like jean shorts with floaty tops. Sainsburys TU are good and I'm currently wearing a butchered pair. They were cheap in the sales and I just hacked them at the knee. They're stretchy so v. Comfy. A second for linen trousers. ASOS do some nice culottes too.

If you are hippy then A line where it is narrowest just under your bust is probably your best bet,either in tops or dresses, wrap dresses can also give the same effect and I've seen these worn by many a large lady.

I wear dresses or tunics for work (teacher) with leggings underneath, or looseish trousers with plain t shirts. I hate it though and I always look forward to autumn and getting my opaques and boots back out.

I have got a lot of floaty tops that cover my bum very well (fall to just about mid thigh), and for cooler days add an equally long cardigan. I never wear shorts these days, I am too vain about my varicose veins.
I never wear dresses or skirts now, I have never liked them, and I used to find that naked thighs had a tendency to rub and stick together anyway, which is so uncomfortable. I have a large selection of jeggings and cotton trousers. If you find something you like, buy several. Most of my tops are the same design, but in different colourways.

Wear whatever you want, floaty dresses, skirts etc. I do find wrap dresses the most flattering.

Sarong skirts are nice if you can’t find a maxi dress that works for you.

Talcum powder on your thighs will help too.

I like a nice pair of cropped trouser/shorts (mid way between knee and ankle). If you can’t find any you like then just cut down a pair of thin tracksuit bottoms and either sew or wundaweb the hem.

Having said all that, last summer I lived in black leggings and a variety of longline tunic tops 😂

Those bandeau maxi dresses are hugely unflattering. I like cropped trousers and a tunic.

I think maxi dresses are unflattering on most people tbh, but maybe they are nicer this year. They seem to be hated on mumsnet anyway!

Are maxi skirts any good?

PS - I don't know how old you are, but I am over sixty, and I find that Bonne Marche has a good selection in larger sizes. (I expect a lot of mumsnetters are guffawing now).

I’m a size 18 but I’d say my legs are my best part, so I do wear shorts with looser/floaty tops.

For tops George at Asda do these camis that are only £5/6 and seem to skim over stomach hips very nicely. They have lots of different colours/patterns and look nice with jeans/trousers/shorts. I’ve seen others in them too and they look great on all shapes and sizes. Such a bargain as the quality is good too!

direct.asda.com/george/womens/tops/v-neck-camisole/GEM553545,default,pd.html

Maxi dresses work for me but I'm 5ft10 so they may not for you. Primark have some lovely ones about £8-10 at the moment if you wanted to trial one without the expense of buying something of better quality.

Wrap dresses are good if you have a good size pair of boobs. Watching thread with interest as I am a size 16, going to Florida soon and looking for ideas

Oh and I've got zero tits