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!

@DerelictWreck for the first one google Colourblock Tshirt dress and you will see some images of the frock. Plenty of retailers seem to have this frock. Comes in 3 colours. I love it and gets soooo many admiring comments.

The other two are from a store called Max here in NZ. These are last season so no longer available but gives an idea of the style that worked for me. So easy to wear casually and then dress up with a smart jacket, statement jewellery or heels for work or going out.

Hi OP you and I sound similar in size.

I tend to wear a lot of palazo trousers and nice loose fitting v neck t shirts and fitted long skirts with long slits as I have nice legs for a fat bird.

Jeggings with nice blouses look quite good on me too and i tend to find myself a decent pair of wedges that I can wear all summer along with flat pump and a pair of sandals.

TK Maxx has some fabulous clothes for us larger ladies in their plus size range, also Dorothy Perkins and Tesco has some nice things.

I like skirts- mostly denim, or heavy jersey

I'm Apple- shaped so above the knee straight ones work for me. You might prefer A-line, or maybe a longer length but tube-shaped

This seasalt one goes up to 26

You have to be careful not to stray into old lady territory... I stick to solid colours. Those floaty floral things instagram girls wear in an ironic way wouldn't do a thing for me!!

Tops are usually boxy cotton T-shirts (I prefer woven rather than Jersey) cos I have no waist. If you have one you might prefer something more fitted...

Long shorts. You may feel everyone's looking at you, but they're not.

Linen trousers from Lands End or M&S, especially the latters peg top ones, which can be rolled at the hem to become crops. Cotton or linen tops, or henleys with three quarter sleeves. I also like the tops from Brakeburn.

Linen or cotton skirts, and get some Lanacane gel, chub rub solved.

Mumsnet advised sloggi long leg pants for under skirts in the summer, I seem to remember reading..

@Nakedavenger74 where do you get Bambams from? Google not finding them for me

I am not as big as I was last year due to dieting and loosing 2st.,but I always felt comfortable in linen wide drawer string pants from Tu and longer length denims from Peacocks all with stretchy waistbands.
Tops where always floaty to hide a multitude of sins and off you go.

In summer Asda usually bring out their miracle jeans in knee length and cropped length. They're great, they stretch around all the flabby bits

good luck with the diet! I tended to stick to 3/4 or cropped leggings with tunic style tops/mini-dresses to skim over mum tum and large arse (make sure they finish mid-thigh minimum tho, or it emphasises the hips rather than disguise them!)

www.bambamsint.com/

I thought I bought them when back in UK but it turns out they are Australian. The ship internationally though for $15 (about £9)

OP you're not an ornament, nobody is going to thank you for dressing nicely in case they look at you, just wear something comfortable. Life's too short. I am currently rocking dh's shorts (almost knee length, elasticated waist, soft thick material and cheap as chips from Matalan), dh's t-shirt and no bra. I doubt anyone has admired my look today, but I have given zero fucks and am cool and comfy.

Leggings with tunics/shorter dresses. I can't bear a maxi dress.
Cropped trousers with t-shirts.
Jersey dresses, usually just above the knee.

I am bigger than you and I live in cotton or linen cropped tousers and either a cotton top or a floaty cool top. All bought from yours.

I have stopped wearing 3/4 length trousers (in public) when I realised they cut me off mid-calf - the very fattest part of my lower leg. I looked like I was wearing dress up clothes that were too big or too small. Am surprised to see several mentions of them here for that reason.

It's either just above the kneecap or ankle length now (got a lovely pair of navy chino type things, for example)

Cotton trousers, either cropped or rolled to a couple of inches above the ankle with a loose dress over them is my summer uniform. Apparently it's suddenly become fashionable too.

I find anything frilly or floaty, too much pattern or fussiness or with elasticated underboob looks too mumsy and unflattering. A shop assistant offered me a 3 layered floaty chiffon top a few months back and I looked like a enormous bloody three tiered wedding cake. However a simple square neck loose silk top in black or white looked classic and flattering.

Also my approach to summer dressing has totally changed since moving to a country with a hotter and longer summer. Everyone goes with what is cool and comfortable without a second thought rather than a focus on covering up. I cringe at the beach when I see women tourists (usually British) slimmer than me looking uncomfortable, restricted and hot and bothered with too much fabric wafting about in an attempt to cover bits they are self conscious about when the rest of us are cracking on with enjoying it. That probably sounds judgemental but I see my mother and myself a few years ago in those women and I know what they might be feeling.

Returning to the loose, short, white linen short this summer even at my age and size was bloody joyful.

I use bandalettes to stop chub rub.

Yes sloggi long leg knickers! Can get them on amazon, pure cotton and an absolute life changer. In the past year I've gone from a size 18-20 to a size 10-12 but I will still be wearing these this summer

Maxi skirts can be more flattering than dresses for some reason. I like long jersey straight skirts. Or slightly A line.

Harem pants are also good. I’ve just ordered some black ones from Simply B. And some black linen trousers. A pack of 3 vest tops. Two bras. And a cobalt blue wrap top. I’m blaming this thread!

Avoid synthetic fabrics - cotton or linen only! It doesn't cling and is much cooler to wear.

I go for loose dresses that come to just below the knee or mid-calf, or wide-legged trousers with loose shirts/blouses. I find woven material much cooler than knitted fabrics, like t-shirts.

Wrap dresses and leggings or tunic tops and crop trousers/jeans.

Size 22 here (but have been bigger!). I tend to go for maxi skirts and vests rather than maxi dresses as more flattering. Long line tops, dresses or tunics with leggings. Knee length denim shorts or 3/4 length trousers with tops. Knee length dresses. I love yours clothing, decent prices and are always a good fit.
Lanacane is amazing to avoid “chub rub”

Muumuu dress? Not sure if they're available outside the states though.

Maxi, a line and empire dresses are all very flattering!

If you suffer from the misery of chub rub can definitely recommend glide sticks from the US (can get on amazon). Totally solve the problem!