Too short and fat for holiday clothes

[Tillylils]

I'm going to Mexico in June and I have absolutely nothing to wear. I'm 5"1 and a size 16 and nothing looks good on me. I have tried tapered trousers and they just make me look fatter and I'm too short for maxi dresses or skirts. Also I don't really like showing my shoulders or the tops of my arms. Please can I have some suggestions?

Jersey dresses from the likes of Boden or Far Face maybe?
Something you can just throw on with sandals.
How about wide leg linen trousers and simple tips for the evenings?
I'm going on holiday in June btw and intend to lose 12lb by then. It can be done!
Maybe lose a bit of weight and then shop in the summer sales that might have started just before you go?

Tilly

I am saying this kindly. Your arms and shoulders, fucking get them out. No one will care and nor should you. Honestly. I am your height and size and it took me til nearly 50 to say Fuck it. All those years of boiling in shrugs and popcorn cardies, what a waste. Don't be me, yes?

Anyhoo moving on - BHS petite maxis last year were pretty good, I have not yet been shopping this year.

M and Co do sweet boleros and shrugs.

Firstly, at your height a sensibly lost 10 lbs in 6 weeks would make a dramatic difference..it's not too late!
There are a lot of very light chiffon kimono jackets things that cover arms and can go over swimsuit or vest and trousers etc without making you hot, mine is from oasis but have seen elswhere.
I think wide leg linen trousers, floaty top and lots of bangles, wedges and bright lipstick works
what are your legs like...would the trousers gathered at the ankle suit you or leggings?

You are not too short & fat.

Enjoy Mexico. When I went I wore dresses/ coverups -- as was mostly at the beach in my swimwear. For dinner I put on a maxi dress to cover my legs from mosquitoes.

Wear dresses. Shop in the petite section -- they will have lengths that will suit you and clothes in size 16 (and up).

If you prefer trousers -- they will also work.

Enjoy your holiday.

I'm 5'3 and a 16. Have a look at the midi dresses in Warehouse, I love them. And get your shoulders out, no one even cares!

midi

Firstly start celebrating - you're going on holiday to Mexico - YAY!

Secondly as mentioned above, look in the petite sections for clothes that are better proportioned for your height

Thirdly, try to find items in colours which suit you and which you genuinely like.

There's some good advice upthread and I especially love Mangojuggler's view.

How about a stretchy tube style maxi, long jersey vest with a slouchy linen t-shirt over the top? Add lots of bangles/pendants necklaces and silver sandals to dress it up or converse style trainers to be more casual.

I wear maxis all the time and am a similar shape/size. I have pretty much got all my summer tops from Boden and Next.