Bigger girls in the sun

[causeimunderyourspell]

What do you wear when it's hot or you're going on holiday? We're going to Spain in June and whilst all my friends get excited to buy holiday clothes, I absolutely dread it!

I'm a size 16/18 and I carry most of my weight on my belly. I had two babies in quick succession so my stomach is a disaster zone! I really struggle day to day and stick with black, swing type cami tops, long vests and leggings with a cardi, that's pretty much my look every day!

I struggle in the summer as the black just absorbs all the heat. I can't get away with jersey dresses which are perfect for warm weather as they just cling and look awful. Everything I've come across so far is really colourful and patterned which is totally out of my comfort zone but I'm willing to wear anything as long as it's the right cut for my body type. I just don't know what the right cut is!

Yours clothing! Or Boohoo. They have some fab stuff. I live in Maxi Dresses in the summer with short sleeved lacy shawls. They've cover the legs whilst still keeping them breezy

What about the popular linen shifts from Next? They skim the bumps and hang nicely on. Cami tops and vests but not black are great with cropped leggings and shorts. I got some lovely summer cotton tops from Mango Violeta outlet. And honestly, no one will be looking at you so just hold your chin up, dress for the weather and enjoy yourself!

Natural fibres are your friend! Think silk cotton linen etc. Pure is a good starting point but then i mostly shop Ebay/Brandalley and there is always suitable stuff on both sites!

Also watching suggestions with interest.

Depending on your height I've noticed that cropped wide leg trousers are in. They have some lovely black and white ones in New Look

I'm that size and just back from 2 weeks in the sun, though more of a pear shape. I got a navy tankini from M&S - much nicer to wear than a 1 piece - easier for going to the loo and you can roll it up to get your stomach tanned when lying down. I also wore a bikini - after a while I stopped caring what people thought, there were all sorts of shapes and sizes and much older ladies wearing bikinis, nobody batted an eyelid. I got a good quality non-skimpy black bikini from M&S so felt quite 'held-in''. I think if I'd been trying to cover up it just would have drawn more attention - 99% of women were in bikinis. I have a few Primark pool dresses in nice patterns for wearing when walking around the resort with flip flops - strapless dresses ruched at the top, really cool and comfortable.

When out and about in the daytime I wore shorts from Matalan - some black chino shorts - with basic t-shirts or a pretty lacy cotton blouse from Gap or fat Face.

In the evenings I wore this M&S dress with wedges (got a really comfy pair of espadrilles from M&S a couple of years ago) and chunky jewellery. Or these trousers with floaty tops and pretty sparkly flat sandals.

I got a shellac pedicure in coral, and had my hair done before I went which made me feel quite polished. I also bought some pretty earrings and necklaces from Accessorize - more bold, chunky jewellery than I'd wear at home. If you're worried about colour, maybe go for pops of colour - I wore lots of black/white/navy, but had coral toes and a coral clutch bag for evenings. Maybe try a simple pattern like stripes - I wore an old comfy DP black and white jersey stripy maxi dress.

I find it really easy to dress up for holidays - I reason that it's just me and DP and a load of people I'll never see again, so I felt relatively confident. And it's lovely to feel nice and cool with the sun on your skin. I'm normally the shyest person ever, but I felt lovely on holiday. Now if I could just put this into practice now I'm back home and in an office full of tiny 20-somethings...

@legolammb that all sounds really lovely, and you're right, I need to remind myself to just enjoy the weather rather than worrying about this stuff!

I'm 5ft 2 so I can't really get away with cropped trousers unfortunately although I've noticed they're very in, and they look really good :( I actually can't even wear trousers as the shape of my stomach means I need a bigger waist and the the tops of the thigh area and bum are baggy! I'm yet to find trousers that I don't have this problem with unless I want the belly chopped in half look!

Are white cropped leggings out of the question? If they are under a sun dress? Not sure if that's just a terrible idea haha! But would be cooler than black?

@causeimunderyourspell please don't do leggings ...... you'll be too hot (and they won't look great!) sorry I can't help with where to shop. But how about some of these images for inspiration! Don't be too afraid of black - I live in the tropics and wear black often - as do most of the population. Happy holidays, where are you heading ?

@Howdoyoudressforthisweather that ombré kaftan dress is gorgeous!! I keep seeing gorgeous printed shorts everywhere but my thighs rub! They go up to my size and above so I'm guessing bigger girls just put up with that?!

There are threads on here from last year about rubbing, Lanacane anti chafing helps or I think Evans sell cycling short style to wear under dresses. Have a fab hol.

Will look at these suggestions. I'm hopeless at picking out what will be cool and flattering.

High / low dresses like this are great if you are shorter - you don't drown in them, but you still have good coverage

Ditto dresses with raised hems at the side

Don't discount jumpsuits, especially ones with pull in waists to give you shape. If that one's too bold, this one is a great colour if you don't mind cleavage and this one is shorter

These trousers have a draw waist so should help with your sizing (I have the same problem!) and are viscose so less sticky than polyester. These ones are cotton and a nice light colour

Don't discount getting clothes shortened if they fit otherwise - it doesn't cost much at most dry cleaners to get hems taken up, and they can turn drab garments into ones that are really flattering and lovely

Knee length cotton leggings are really comfortable against chafing with a linen tunic on top. I lived and worked on the Med for years and this was a staple. Will look for linen tunics for you.

@causeimunderyourspell i know I love the ombré one. I would try to pick them up in supermarkets or primary/matalan. So you can get a few and change them up as you see fit. Plus sunscreen is the worse stain to remove ! Agree with the poster who suggested coral nails .... would you get a spray tan before you go ? Everyone feels better with a tan ! Regarding the shorts - I don't know to be honest?! You could try one of these products ... might help? www.google.com.au/amp/www.bravotv.com/blogs/chub-rub-how-to-stop-thigh-chafing%3Famp?source=images

Cotton rich shorts and a plain linen tunic in petite length. Could look good with a beach necklace and nice sandals.

@OlennasWimple those are beautiful!! ASOS looks like they cater really well for plus size, thank you for linking those :)

@DianaT1969 those shorts are a great idea!! Will nip to M&S tomorrow and see if I can find those

@OlennasWimple I think I will definitely need a spray tan, I'm so white I'm virtually translucent! I'm sure I would feel more confident if my veins weren't on show haha

Oops sorry @Howdoyoudressforthisweather I meant for the spray tan one

OP make sure to look at Mango Violetta. I've bought loads from there and never had to send anything back.

I have the same stomach issue op.

I wear loose wide leg lightweight trousers, vest/cami type tops, stretch denim shorts. Or loose fitting shirts/shirt dresses with shorts underneath.

Everything needs to have stretch in for me - I can't stand restrictive clothes when it's warm.

I have several dresses in this sort of style from Debenham and Boden.

https://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod107011100010730112087433-1

Ideal to throw over a swimsuit or wear with flip flops.

I live in dresses on holiday, much prefer them to shorts and tops. In a few weeks all of the Summer stuff will be available.

Bumping this thread for the weekend crowd :-)

It all depends on what style you like. I prefer a sportier(ha!) style, same size as you and just a bit taller. On holiday I tend to wear a mid thigh kaftan with shorts underneath for poolside/seaside. I've got some knee lenght loose trousers that are from a really thin material that i wear with vests and tops,a long pair of something of a similar material (not see through no matter how much i worry) and maxi dresses if I want to be "fancy". I have loads of t-shirt dresses which I love that i wear with shorts,leggings or even nothing if I'm particularly brave.
I find holidays quite easy though,no one knows me,no one cares and neither do I tbh. There's sun,swimming and loads of nice food.
Hot summers in the uk,especially when working are what I find tricky.

Where would I find a dress like the white one above shared by howdoyoudress? I am a size 10 -12 but lumpy and it looks like that dress is made of thick enough material to smooth over them.

i'm a size 16 and I wear denim cut offs from Matalan Falmers range which have stretch and vests which are either of the swing type or long over the belly. I also have a couple of dresses. I also wear a bikini and feel fine in it but can understand some people might like a one piece. I bought a fab kaftan top from Cos last year which is great in June in Spain but not in August (too hot for clothes!) Your perception of yourself is negative. We are women and have curves, breasts and tummies . . .