Short and frumpy in Florida

[Ignoranus]

Off to Florida this summer, couple of days in Miami then driving around the state.

I'm short and quite frankly frumpy. 5'2 and a size 16 I never manage that effortless, cool look. I'm always the slightly sweaty, red faced woman who has over colour coordinated and look like ive tried too hard and missed by a mile.
Cropped trousers are mumsy and frumpy and make me look even shorter and stumpier, vest tops and strappy tops although nice and cool show the bingo wings. I honestly don't know what to buy to go. We went two years ago and I wore longish shorts and vest tops and looked fine but mumsy and frumpy. Teamed with my Skechers for walking around the parks and I felt like someone's Nanna. I may be 44 but I'm not ready to look like that yet.
I want practical and cool for the parks but also effortless and stylish.

What can I buy? Should I be looking at dresses? Everything I look at is polyester or garish patterns. I'm really struggling. Some pointers on what to buy would be very gratefully recieved, thanks.

Florida is too hot and humid to wear anything but shorts and a basic top in my opinion. I went about 18 months ago (I was 31, size 12) and spent the whole week in denim shorts and jewel-coloured or stripy T-shirts with Nike trainers.

The problem with dresses for me is that my thighs rub together. You could try a colour pallette of something like white, navy and red though? It might make things look more like proper outfit.

My weight is holding me back I suppose, I'd love to wear denim shorts but I'm simply too big (and mid forties is probably a bit old)

I did think about the chub rub in a dress too. I'm at a loss!

What about something like this OP? I looked on Pinterest for 'curvy summer fashion' for ideas - it has given me lots of inspiration (just wish I had the money to buy them all now!)

What about Safari chic? So:

www.matalan.co.uk/womens/shop-by-category/shorts/s2650027/belted-chino-bermuda-shorts

With a short sleeved shirt or other top?

No fashion sense, but i live somewhere hot. Usually linen blend trousers from next when they release the summer colours - and a tee-shirt (H&M organic cotton mainly this year).
Lots of people in knee length dresses, but i can't deal with the thighs - I've tried with a pair of cycling shorts underneath, and its sooo hot.
So, i guess, consider some long, loose cotton or linen trousers with tops. I will wear shorts, and vest tops, but not at the same time. One or the other, or its too much suncream to apply!!!

Have you been to Florida before ? You will not look out of place in shorts t-shirt and trainers...no matter what your size

I have never been to Florida but I understand the USA is going through an obesity crisis. You may be the thinnest one there.

I went to New York as a size 16. Everyone else was either a size 0 gym bunny or grossy obese. Twas very odd. Going shopping in the plus size department was amazing as I had shop assistants falling over me as they rarely had someone my size and I fitted all the sample sizes. Probably the best shopping experience of my life

Oh and Bodyglide is amazing for chubrub.

I'm frumpy and a 14 at the moment - I keep telling myself it's temporary, but I think, now that I'm 50, it's maybe not . I just seem to have given up.

But . . . I wouldn't even consider not wearing shorts in Florida. We go every 18 months or so, and, to begin with (I was thinner and 25 years younger), I took dresses, things that over-matched, just as you say and I felt ridiculous. Took me a few trips to realise that though. Now, shorts and vests/t-shirts all the time.

Really, no one cares.

Zara have some great lightweight boyfriend-style t shirts for £5.99 just now, in lots of different colours, and I've found Asda actually do the best denim shorts that keep their shape (most other ones get too baggy). The thing is that the heat and the walking round all day (especially if at the parks) mean that you'll probably lose weight - I always come back a size smaller, so make sure bottom-half things aren't too baggy as they won't just make you look bigger, they'll be falling off you by the end.

Thanks all, yes we went to Florida two years ago, I was probably about 1/2 a stone lighter but due to my thunder thighs and short height I still felt frumpy walking around in my long shorts, sensible shoes and vest tops.

This time we have a multi centre holiday with time in Miami and Clearwater. Im envisaging miami to be full of beautiful young things sashaying around and then here comes me looking heavy and mumsy.

I am back on my low carb diet so hoping to lose some weight before I go (I sadly didn't lose any weight the last time we went - how I don't know as we walked miles) I just blew up with water weight which made me look even more shiny and bloated. Sigh.

I'll look at the t shirts in Zara, thanks for the tip 😄

I arrived in Miami last night! Seriously, yes there will be some tiny model Types parading around the beach, but there are also a LOT of larger women (the Cuban women are celebrated for their curves here). I'd say bring a coupe of things, then hit the shops here, they're well set up For bigger sizes and the type of clothes you'll need. We come to Florida every Easter and buy the vast majority of our summer clothes here - American cotton is cool, breathable and great quality.

The summer in Miami is filthy with humidity, everyone is just trying to get through the day without melting, honestly.

Oooh Carrie, what shops should I head too? We have 3 days at the beginning of the trip and 2 days at the end before coming home.

I was in Miami and the Keys recently. I am a 54 year old size 16. I wore shorts and t shirts/vest tops all the time and no one batted an eyelid. Yes there were loads of young skinny people but there were also some really enormous people. I wouldn't worry about it. Just get some loose cotton shorts and t shirts and enjoy your holiday.

Lane Bryant, TJMaxx, Marshalls, JCPenney x

The best ever solution for chub rub. Changed my life. And no, I did not find them overly hot in Cyprus last year. www.thebigbloomerscompany.co.uk/anti-chafing-knickers/short-leg

OP I feel the same as you. And I have a brown mum bob haircut.. am going to search Pinterest for inspiration. I always have nice nails, i find it cheers me up. Can you have a nice gelish before you go?

Would something like this be an option?

www.fatface.com/tops+t-shirts/broderie-top/invt/924949#ff_colour=Navy

I know Fat Face gets bad press sometimes but I have a lot of their cotton tops and sleeveless blouse that I wear with shorts.

I would also suggest going with slightly shorter shorts - knee-length is rarely flattering. Forget worrying about your supposed 'thunder thighs' and try on loads of different ones. If you are an apple shape M&S often have linen shorts with an elasticated waist that are comfy and look good as long as your top is long enough to cover the waistband - I'll see if I can find a link.

Thanks all, I do like that broderie top Salad, I'm in town tomorrow and will pop in to Fat Face, see if they have it.
Really, I do have Thunder thighs though, I'm disproportionately hippy and thighy. Smallish waist and small bust. Being short as well means I never look sleek and stylish in anything. Im hopeless with clothes though. I tend to buy patterned things that I like the design of so I then struggle to put things together.

What about some midi length dresses?

I look best covered up in floaty shirts (and stops me burning).
With either long shorts to my knees or full length linen trousers.

The other option is short dresses with knee-length cotton leggings.
Some people say leggings are frumpy but I find them a passable option if the dresses are non frumpy (I don't suit pattern for example).

I like the idea of floaty shirts, leggings under a dress would be too hot I think, the humidity is awful.

Anything goes in Florida. I wouldn't worry, the look is very casual and there are some very large Americans.

What about a loose maxi dress? I find them way more comfortable than sticky shorts digging in around the waist and a tight sweaty t shirt.

Yy to midi length dresses. Just seen some basic ones online at Oasis with a drawstring waist which would be really easy to wear and look lovely.

Have a look at the Boden Blackberry dress - might be an option with flip flops on days where you're not walking all day. I have a couple and love them.