I'm a size 26, can anyone dress me for summer!

[IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece]

Because although I'm on the weightloss journey, I'm not going to be bikini ready anytime soon!

I live in jeans...absolutely live in them! I'm not averse to leggings (though in feel v self conscious in them) but have the inevitable size 26 apron go fat so would only feel comfy in knee length stuff on top.

I'm 5'6 with a shockingly small budget!

Tia

What shape are you Lego?

I'm a big fat heiffer with a big belly and arse, so I tend to go for the empire line dresses/tops with wide legged trousers. But Evans have a whole "dress for your shape" thing going on on their website.

But I do struggle to find things I like. Simplybe, evans, yours and asoscurve go up to 26 afaik.

Do you live in jeans because you like to, or would you like to branch out?

If chub rub puts you off skirts or dresses, get a few pairs of Evans comfort shorts. These things are THE BOMB. Comfy, light, and eradicate chub rub. They have revolutionised my summer wardrobe. Then look at asos curve - their sun dresses etc are generously sized. I wore one today and felt so comfy and pretty!

If you'd like to stick with trousers, try a lighter coffin fabric, with some strappy tops and a kimono-style cardigan - I've got one from asos curve and it's lovely. JunaRose is my favourite brand they carry but new look inspire have some good stuff too.

Simply Be are also worth a shot, and Yours clothing! And even eBay - I've got lots of things from there.

COTTON FABRIC. COTTON fabric. Not coffin fabric!!!

Oh my god. PHONE. throws it out the window

I'm all belly fat tbh! Evans is out of my price range I think...DM and DFriend have offered to buy me a few bits for my birthday and neither have said How much but I think it'll be £100 overall and I can't afford to put any to it

I'm not sure why I stick to jeans...I like how they make me feel tbh...and they hold everything in! But I'm not completely averse to a change

Thank you :)

I'm howling at Coffin Fabric!

I did say I would eat myself into an early grave

New Look Inspire are probably the cheapest range. Asos Curve often carry more new look inspire stuff than the actually new look site though, for some reason!

If you want to dress more for your shape, dresses with a princess line (under the bust) are good, or peplum tops!

Agree with blithereens that Evans comfort shorts work a treat under a skirt/ dress.

Personally I go For a maxi floor length dress in Summer with some of those shorts under and perhaps a light weight cardy if I'm Feeling arm conscious.

Also light weight linen trousers and crop linen trousers from Evans are a dream with a floaty top or tunic. You could be brave and get white crops if you are wearing longer tunics?

I got a lovely navy and white tunic from Yours and its great for summer.

add to my fashion issues that fact I'm 29 weeks pregnant too & you can see why I have a fair few ideas.

Let me know if you want any more ideas

I found some good stuff on eBay! Just keep checking and fingers crossed nice stuff comes your way! It's also worth asking at local Evans and New Look when their next sales are. If anyone in your family sews you can make some very pretty empire dresses for around £10. Again fabric off eBay!

I wish I knew- I hate weather where I can't layer up- if I go out without a coat I look 18 months pregnant but with fat legs and arms too. But I really can't wear my coat now!

I might roll up my jeans into 7/8s if I'm really going for it but my wardrobe doesn't tend to change much by season which makes me sad!

Hi OP have you tried everything5pounds web site? Some nice tshirts and tunics on there and at £5 .00 you can't really go wrong :)

Forever 21 is quite cheap some nice maxi dresses on there. Also worth checking out asda size 24 as they come up large. My sister is a 26 and wears a 24 in asda and has skirts that are a 20 and a bit big. So worth going to a big store gathering all you like and trying it on.

The thing is don't worry about covering your upper arms as you'll only be hotter in the extra layer of a shrug. A shrug isn't going to make you look thinner so why worry? I mean that in the nicest possible way. I'm a former size 24/26 so know what summer is like.

I had some nice just above knee denim shorts and strappy but not clingy tops from yours clothing. Also some really nice summer dresses from there, knee length. I did wear a lightweight shrug to cover my bra straps but tended to be more on the evenings anyway.

Next has some t-shirts and vests not clingy up to a size 26 also tunics which would look nice with cropped leggings.

I'd try and buy as many plainer mix and match items as possible with the money so that you can make more outfits and add tops etc as and when money becomes available.

I'm the same size.
I've bought/already wear lots of knee length dresses from Asos' Curve range. They have loads of cheap and pretty dresses, I like skater shape or tea dresses. I wear those with leggings. Best leggings are from asos or matalans plus size range.
I have bought a black maxi skirt from matalan and want another to wear with vest tops and lightweight shrugs.
Evans is best for trousers imo. I have a pair of Denim cropped jeans to wear with long tunic tops. H&Ms plus size range have some nice tunic tops and dresses.
I'm very pear shaped btw. Hope that's helpful. I like fashion but always want to feel comfy. I'd recommend this blog www.diamondsnpearls.co.uk for style ideas and she's a uk blogger!!

Thank you all so much! Will go through all messages properly tomorrow but just to say thank you!,

tops at next the scoop neck vests with the thicker straps are a really good fit, even though I'm a 12 now I till don't like clingy fabric on my tummy, and these with long floaty maxi skirts are great for summer or if you're brave enough a knee length floaty skirt.

next skirt my sister has this skirt from next and with a short sleeve top, it looks lovely, she wears it with a pale pink one or a pale blue one, I think she got both from next, although might have been asda.

Ooh I was treated today!

I got these shorts, which are a wee bit out of my comfort zone but I like them on!

this fress which is MASSIVELY out of my comfort zone! But I kind of like it!

and these

I've got a little more money left so I'm going to use some of your excellent ideas!

Hurrah!!

The dress is lovely. Sometimes it's good to step out of your comfort zone!

I'm a 26/28 and like you live in jeans. I've been buying from Yours Clothing...just filter on the sale and you'll get some great stuff cheaply :-)

Evans currently have 20% off and free delivery. Their linen trousers are good.

Hi, I'm a 22/24 and feel your pain, I hate summer (though I would hate it if I was slim, I just don't do well in the heat!). My favourite things to wear are cotton maxi dresses (if I can find them amongst the polyester ) with some anti-chafing shorts or longer-legged knickers (sloggi do some) underneath. Cool and comfy. Or, cotton/linen shirts/tunics with wide linen/cotton trousers - apparently the latter are not a favourite on here but they're so comfy and cool. My tip is to go for granny shops like Marisota and Bon Marche - if you stick to plainish things, you can get summer basics much more cheaply than in say Evans.

Some nice things there!

Asos Curve and Very's So fabulous range are great for bigger women.

PS almost everything in Very is half price at some point!

Ladies, if you are having trouble finding clothes in your size, have you bought about making your own?

Example

www.amazon.co.uk/McCalls-Patterns-26W-28W-30W-32W-Womens-Dresses/dp/B004OA7B36

I think New Look Inspire are pretty good for on trend stuff that won't break the budget. My dsis loves it.

I'm sure it doesn't matter. You'll look fat no matter what you wear :)

And the dress is gorgeous!

Thanks all!