It's going to be hot this week and I forgot to lose 4st

[Easilyflattered]

5ft 6, size 18 apple shaped 40 year old here who might die of heat exhaustion this coming week in an office environment.

What are your heatwave work outfits for the non slim?

Some important topical advice

Ugh, same here. I'm dreading it.

Not in an office anymore, but I used to live in short sleeved blouses. Floaty enough to hide a multitude and be cool. Then some A Line skirt.

Ditto.
I’ve got lots of linen dresses from my local market. The most I paid is around £20. I look awful all summer. I’ve got to get a grip and lose some weight.

Same here! I wear crop leggings and linen / cotton tunic tops which are floaty. I always look very harassed in summer (sweaty, red, miserable)
Also

Posted too soon - also A line dresses

Yep I also forgot. Have about 5st to lose! At least where I work you can wear what you like (within reason) and we have a/c!

Put oversized maxi dress in your search. I have loads. Amazing!!

Linen trousers!

We're forecast 32-34 this week.

Sweaty NHS tunic , stretchy nylon trousers and closed in lace up shoes .
Add to the mix plastic aprons , latex gloves and in many sites naff all A/C ....and Menopause !

Lots of water
Spray water cans

And a million repeatitions of Oh it's too hot/ oh your room is too hot/ how do you work in here / .....!

Smile and nod

I love the "I forgot to lose 4 stones" I forgot too. Maybe I'll remember by next summer.

Your title made me smile. I swear by dresses in this heat. Lots of floaty ones about. Sometimes a slip actually helps to keep cool - stick in in a ziplock back in the fridge overnight and then slip in on in the morning.

I feel your pain. If i could just be skinny for summer 🤔😂I would love to wear dresses, when i see some larger women in these lovely linen dresses i think they look fab! But if i put a dress on i look ridiculous! I find my whole body is out of proportion, if i get it to fit well on top..... its too baggy at the bum or too long 🙄 i can never get clothes to fit me comfortably that look good on me 😭 yet some people carry their weight well and still look good! I just look like a fat mess 😏

Start with the underneath. Sloggi shorts pants things. Like thin cycling shorts, will stop chin rub while not adding too much of an extra layer.

Then top layer, anything floaty, but mini or knee length so they don’t ride up or make you feel exposed. Shirt dresses are good, smart but floaty. Monki have MANY oversized reasonably priced good dresses that can be smart. I live in various, same size and height as you.

Also forgot about the 4 stone!

Dresses and recently found chub rub shots. They are amazing.

I am struggling to link, but there are maxi dresses from M and S that are £19.50. and cotton. They have adjustable straps (spaghetti straps) so I make them as short as possible and wear with a loose shirt/ cardi/ loose crochet jacket/ little linen jacket or even a large scarf over the top. Overall it is very cool and comfy and I even get compliments. I am meant to look smart for work but can get away with elegantly floating about.

Can you get a secondment to Glasgow this week? We might get 27 on Tuesday.

Also stick with natural fabrics. Cotton or linen are best but basically anything but polyester.

@famof4 EXACTLY like me!
I see people much bigger than me but they look so much better as they are in proportion - I've got a huge belly and skinny legs, also very broad with big boobs, If that wasn't enough to contend with I've got size 8 feet and only 5ft 3 🙄

@Ellieboolou27 ..... yep..... i actually look pregnant sometimes if i forget to hold my belly in a bit!! Skinny legs and big boobs. The ultimate apple shape 🙄 even when i was fairly slim (many , many years ago!!!) i still had this bloody awfull stomach!!! Cant get nice clothes to fit or make me look slimmer. I hardly go out the door without a jacket or a long cardigan just to hide a bit!! However.....Monday tomorrow.... so needless to say, the diet will start again 😂😂

Dammit I knew I forgot something!

I'm reading all your suggestions thank you. Every year I insist it will be the last that I will be a sweaty, flushed, frizzy haired mess and will be svelte and chic.

And I totally agree that some bigger women than me look better just through smarter clothing choices and confidence.

If its any consolation..... I'm an hourglass 16. Around pools I am so envious of your fab legs..... (look good in dresses in the heat, but nothing can make my thighs look good!

Big knickers to smooth the middle, control if you need them and dresses, not polyester, bare legs and sandals if you are allowed to for work.

Exfoliate and moisturise your legs and use fake tan or body foundation, give yourself a pedicure.

I believe if you feel cooler you will look cooler and tbh at my age feeling cooler is a lot more important that what others think I look like.

Me too!
However too late to worry about it and there's always next year to get slim for.
However, I do try not putting too much flesh on show as it scares the neighbours