I've put on weight, need new summer wardrobe!

[2fat4that]

and I have no idea how to dress!

I'm a size 16, measurements bust 40 inches, waist 37 inches, hips 43 inches, 5 feet 7.

I have no sense of style at the best of times, I used to hang around in jeans and Ts, but now cannot find comfortable jeans that for my waist, but aren't baggy on the bum. I don't like leggings/jeggings - well, they are comfy, but look rubbish on me!

I also don't like clingy tshirts, they emphasise my spare tyre! Long tops just make me look shapeless .. How can I find tops that give me shape without emphasising my lumps and bumps and that are still cool and comfy?

I have one pair of black linen trousers! That's it ..

I don't have a lot to spend either.

We are going to spend a week traveling around the uk in the summer, visiting friends and family, so I need comfy effortlessly stylish clothes!

Can anyone link to pinterest pages or online stores that have something suitable?

Also what is the comfiest bra for a 34/36ff or g in the summer? How can I tell what shape my boobs are and therefore which sort of bra is suitable?

I think I am similar body shape to you, and often find jeans that fgit my waist are too baggy on hjips/ bottom/ thjighs. I've found Next jeans are good for me, and also Dorothy Perkins Eden jeggings - these came highly recommended on MN, and I really like them. But they do require a top longer than crotch length. They work well with boots or converse ( I find the balance is better if they are rolled up at the ankle.
I wear them with a long vest, then can put anything layered over the top.
Hope someone can recommend nice longer tops - have seen a few in H&m and All saints.

I have a terrible muffin and bingo wings (size 16/18 5ft7inches) so I buy lots of cotton V neck vests/tees and long sleeved tees in lightweight knitted fabrics (gap good for this) and wear them either over jeans (always dark) wide leg linen navy trousers or narrow white trousers. The idea is a dark column in the middle and show off cleavage and hair. It sounds like a gloomy look but I find navy slimming, works well in the summer and is ace for traveling. Unless you like dressing up (i don't) all this works well with ballet pumps. pale grey canvas tennis shoes or tucked in to calf height biker boots. In colder weather I have a couple of fine wool longish cardis in navy or green which go over the top with a strongly coloured scarf.
I wear fairly large earrings (good camouflage!) - studs during the day and danglies at night. I find this makes choosing clothes easy and is a cinch for packing light. If you have a look in COS behind all the foam rubber skirts and orange wide tops, there are some very fine wool sweaters and cardis in a very dark navy and really good quality. Also sometime I find a good dress which I take up tunic length to wear over leggins - again navy - if you have a waistline it could be quite fitted...
Good luck with the hunting!

sometimes...to tunic!

Anyone recommend some good double layer vest tops? Thy are great for hiding tummies

Delphinium, I have a pair of Dorothy Perkins Eden jeggings, they are good, but I just don't like me much in jeggings. I struggle to find tops to go over them. I don't like wearing tunics, they are too twee on me I can never find long vests with a neck line I like. I prefer a deep scoop to balance my 34g boobs

weeder I can't wear wool jumpers or cardigans, they irritate my skin Cotton or viscose only ..

I really struggle with tops! They either are too fitted, too boxy, too short, have the wrong neck line (need deep scoop), are the wrong colour ...

I've not tried Next jeans yet. What cut do you go for? Do they fit well around the waist and bum?

I got these vests after a recommendation on here - the 18 covers my 38E boobs very well, the neckline is scooped but not cleavage flashing on me.

www.dunnesstores.com/stretch-vest/t-shirts/dunnesstores/fcp-product/8152640?colour=black

The Next jeans are ( I think) Lift & Sculpt, about £45. But all their jeans come up big on waist in comparison to hip. You might need to go a size down from normal. Only problem is, for some reason ( to do with the sculpting I suppose) the front pockets are sewn up, so you can only use the back pockets.

Have you tried rolling up the Eden jeans? the slight change of proportion makes a big difference - I was sceptical about this but it worked!
I know what you mean about tunics, I think a fine knit jumper or long shirt is less twee, but then this can make one look too big up top. Violeta ( plus size Mango range ) do a nice denim shirt, think I'm about to order one.

This www.allsaints.com/women/t-shirts/allsaints-onyx-dream/?colour=162&category=824 drapes beautifully on.

How about tops with an empire line? You could go for 'nautical' and keep colours to navy, red and white. You could wear a belt around your waist to give shape.

I wish I could help but I am pretty much the same size and shape as you and I always struggle in the summer about what to wear so don't really have any suggestions.

I do agree about turning up your jeans though - not sure how but it does make you look slimmer somehow

Really? I have never turned Jeans up ... Well, I'll try it and see.

Thanks for the link to the vests, I've ordered a couple. I wish there was a grey one though. I do like navy and black though. Do you wear something over them?

I like the drapey top too, but think I might look huge in it?

Yes, wearing the long vests means that I can wear a shorter jumper or top over it - usually something loose to cover muffin belly!

Any particular nice jumpers?

Delphinium, just wanted to let you know the vests from Dunnes are great, a good length.

Today I've been to New Look and bought a lovely sleeveless Jersey dress and a nice thin blue shirt to wear over the vests

I've also gained weight peri menopausal and also need natural materials as getting hotter and hotter. I've got several pairs of these harem pants from H&M they are very forgiving and comfy. You can dress them up or down (have a look at pin interest) and fab in hot weather. I do think Harem pants are that rare fashion thing whereby they look better on people with a bit more weight.

I'm not a fan of harem pants, although they look really comfy.

I'm a wee bit obsessed with hippyish blouses for the summer. They just seem more flattering and 'together' than tshirts.

I love the thought of hippyish blouses, but in reality can't find what I want, either the neckline is wrong (not low enough to flatter my 34gg boobs) or the wrong material/colour/length.