Hot weather clothes for a heffalump!

[pigmcpigface]

I am overweight - size 14, .5 foot 4. I'm trying to lose some, but I have to face the fact that when I go to Italy this summer (squeeee) I will probably still be fat. The weight is largely round my stomach and thighs.

I don't have ANY summer clothes that fit. I would like something that looks elegant and will keep me cool. It needs to be fairly robust, as I will be running around a lot (and walking a long way). I am not confident enough about my body to wear anything very revealing - short dresses are definitely out.

I would really appreciate some advice on how to dress to look as graceful and elegant as is possible for a heffalump like me!

I love the paper bag style that's in at the moment. It's such an upgrade of my normal bin bag style . I am worried, however, that you need to have the physique of a gazelle to look cool in them.

Thanks for the compliments on the trainers. I have a silver bag and platinum hair, so I'm feeling distinctly shiny now!

I tried on a paper bag waist skirt in Topshop last week but a) it was too tight and b) I am 5'2" and the paper bag bit took up so much of my torso that the skirt was practically meeting my boobs, and not in a good way.

I'm not sure if I've missed where you're going in Italy, but I've been there a few times recently and I felt that what people wore really changed depending on the place. I'm your height and weight (and not happy about the latter either!). If you're going to Milan or Rome, I found they were very different.

Milan - I wouldn't have worn shorts here, although I happily do in Florida etc. Women seemed to wear shift dresses, lots of linen, and I didn't see such a touristy look. However, I look like a sack of spuds in linen, so I wore floaty trousers and fitted vests, tan sandals and bag, and never really changed from that. I didn't wear any of the patterned stuff I took.

Rome - I think you could wear anything here as so touristy. The streets are very dusty so you will get dirty if you wear white, but, again I found floaty trousers, vests, and kimonos the best approach. It was high 30s when we went, so you did need something to cover your shoulders when it got very hot. I took maxi skirts but never wore them as they would have been far too hot - I did wear cut off jegging things some days but they were quite thin; I couldn't have managed jeans with the heat. Converse were good in both places as they're not too heavy for the heat but you can walk lots. I didn't wear sandals as much in Rome as there are so many gritty bits on the streets that get in your soles.

I get lumpy and flabby at this weight too, I don't carry it well at all, so I completely understand what you mean about clothes. The other thing is, if you don't like kimonos, to take a shoulder cover for churches etc if you are wearing vests - I also put mine on if I was feeling particularly self-conscious about my flab .

@Down...I agree. In Turin and Milan I wore shift dresses which, although it’s not that flattering for me (nowt is, at the moment) I’d have felt lumpy AND underdressed in shorts and linen shirts. In Sorrento (and did the Pompeii thing) it was loose linen kecks and T’s. A few years ago, in Florence, I did wafty frocks as it was roasting but, lots of folks in shorts and T’s. Depends where you’re going and what you’re doing.

Suki - I know that lots of people say you should just wear what you want, but when I'm overweight and feeing so self-conscious anyway, I feel even worse if I think I don't blend in. There is a certain style in Milan which is quite plain, isn't it, but also very assured? Nails always done too, toes and fingers, and often statement necklaces.

Florence, yes, more touristy again - Naples was odd, there is such a split there anyway between the money areas and the centre, but, actually, I found everyone well-dressed and more towards the Milan look.

Next linen dresses they have them in about a dozen different colours and patterns. If you're 5.4 they'd probably be knee length or just below on you. They're a linen/ viscose mix so not that crumply thin linen.

something like this ? www.lagenlookclothinguk.co.uk/collections/tunics/products/lagenlook-butterfly-print-oversized-poncho-in-white-code-ws11211

the model is 5'3

That Lagenlook stuff will make you look twice the size - I speak from bitter experience . This is the sort of thing I found best - but not jeans:

www.johnnywas.com/summer-paisley-kimono.html

They are easy to scrunch up in your bag when needed, pop on if it gets too hot without being suffocating, cover a multitude of sins. You can get much cheaper than this (ASOS, Boohoo etc), but the pic is just to show with vest top too.

I'm a size 18 and maybe it's because I'm taller but it's flattering on me

I haven't read all the replies so apologies if this has already been said, but there's nothing more uncomfortable than thigh chub rub when you're on holiday in a hot country. Last year I bought a slip from m&s that was actually culottes but made from slip material. So much more comfortable than leggings under a skirt which just get too hot.

I think the extra height makes a huge difference goose - when I'm heavier, as I am just now, everything just makes me look shorter as well as wobblier . I'm going back to Italy soon, and I will just be taking plain things as much as possible - I think tighter on top, floaty on bottom half, or vice versa works (so, vest with loose trousers, or silky top with thin fitted trousers).

I think I might have said this already, but BodyGlide is AMAZING for chafing.

I'm going to Florence, will probably have day trips to Siena and Pisa. But mainly going to be looking at art, art and more art. I am not really bothered about 'fitting in' with Italian women as such (I'm so pale no-one is every going to think I'm anything but celtic), but I would like to look elegant on my own terms, rather than spending the entire holiday dreading every time DH pulls out a camera and thinking 'I'll have to delete that when I get home' .

Love the idea of 'wafty dresses' .

I started a thread in 'Health' about trying to meet goals to spur me on to do something about the fact that I'm so overweight in the first place. I figure if I can lose 2lbs a week before Italy, I'll still be overweight but I will at least look a bit better. I have exactly 10 weeks, so I could lose 20lbs. I'll still have a fair way to go before I'm slim, but it'll be a start.

Anyone received the Poetry brochure?
Lots of lovely elegant looking linen-y things.Very similar prices to Vivid though.

I like a nice teadress. Usually slimming at waist then floaty everywhere else. Or loose fitting jumpsuit?

I used to like tea dresses, but have found it impossible to find cotton ones in the last few years. :(

I don't have big boobs either OP, just sort of in keeping with my size which isn't too dissimilar to yours. You don't need them to look good in a maxi dress.

In terms of style and hang I mean something like this from Dorothy Perkins.

www.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/product/dresses-5699972/womens-dresses-5686813/green-crochet-back-maxi-dress-7528264?bi=0&ps=20

Though I am not too keen on the crochet bit, but this is the type of dress I'm talking about. Note no straps or loud patterns and the neck is such that you wouldn't be showing tit regardless of whether you have any or not.

I was going to say millpool dress from sea salt. Cropped leggings. If you get really hot take them off(length depending ). You confidence might increase a few days in

Great thread. I'm probably the most hefalumpish on here, 5'4 and size 16. Regularly holiday in Italy too, so very familiar with the 'sticking out like a sore thumb' feeling. Here's my go to stuff,
I've got some lovely linen shift and shirt dresses from Jaeger (often find them on eBay so I stock up when they come on). Wear with long pants from the Big Bloomer Company. Also like you have now, pewter silver leather trainers (adidas so very supportive) , walking sandals from teva for during the day, lightweight cropped trousers and cotton tops from Mango Violeta.
Last week I got a really flattering shaped, button through midi dress from Asda of all places. There is some lovely stuff out there - it's just finding them is the problem!

Moomonfan, I think that is classy and cool!

Similar to the mill pool dress, I rather like this dress I just wish they would do it in a plain colour.

@pigmcpigface I just started the slimming world extra easy sp, and it's the first thing that has worked in ages for my ever increasing waistline.

Yea im going to invest on payday

I’m 5ft 5 and 11 and a half stone. I exercise (Bristol walk and some cycling each day - which involves a hill that nearly kills me!).

@TheBlowers... I noticed on the reviews, that older ladies have bought but on me, it’d look dreadful, being that short as the backs of my knees are a bit (well, a lot) cottage cheesy (apologies for that image).

What do women wear that cover this area (I am 56) but not ready for slacks and floaty tops yet.

Midi dresses, in linen cotton or viscose

I’ve just tried on my latest Brand Alley order and some of it actually looks good. Navy blue linen wide trousers, midi skirt and lace vest that all go together. The best thing however is the soft stretchy fold over waistband that’s brilliant for my very variably sized Ibs tummy. I shall gloss over the shirts that I can’t fit my arms into 😁.
They were very good value too but appear to have completely sold out. I think I shall keep an eye out for returns.

@AuntyJackiesBrothersSistersBoy I am almost exactly the same height and weight as you! I have the same problem, cannot wear most of the summer dresses around because they are too short and I must have my knees covered! (Tree trunk legs) I don't always want to wear a maxi dress, don't know what the answer is though!