I have nothing I like to wear 😭 .. size 16

[Adollop]

I dislike the way I look, but am struggling to lose weight, I think partly due to menopause and partly due to various health problems.

I have nothing I look good in In winter it's not so bad, I live in leggings and long tops/ jumpers. But in summer I look awful. I can't find tops that don't emphasise my spare tyre , that are long enough to cover my bum, that don't make my 36g chest look matronly ...

I just bought a dress on eBay (where I mostly shop for financial reasons), it's a loose footing hankie hem, I right it would be better than fitted, but it looks awful .

Please, please help me. I feel so down.

I have a few things I like - a short denim skirt and a short black linen skirt, because my legs aren't bad, I like long loose shirts, but am struggling to find ones that cover my bum.

Any ideas appreciated. Links would be great too. I can't get to a personal shopper service and mostly shop online, as all I have nearby is M&S, Debenhams, New Look, Peacocks, bon marche ...

Are you not able to find some tunic type things in Peacocks or Non Marche? I am an appley 18/20 annd shop in Debenhams (they have an Evans consession but also Mantaray for basic tops). I don't buy much from Bon Marche as a lot of their tops are rather thick matieral I find and make me feel too hot. and I have bought the odd thing from M&S. If all the stores were not so mega obsessed with bloody viscose I would buy more!!!

What about Primark???

I think I would have a look at Styled by Susie, there's a group on Facebook for this too. Lots of ideas on how to dress for your body shape and how to wear things there. I feel that you may benefit from knowing your body shape and colours (though you may already know about this).

Why do you have to cover your bum? I am not trying to be goady, but if the reason is that you're trying to hide I'm just saying it doesn't work (experience talking).

I'm a size 16 (but two inches taller). Also trying to lose weight. I know how hard that spare tyre can be to dress ... How do you feel about maybe loose shirt dresses, not too long, that show off your legs a bit?

Wallis is your friend.

Seriously, it is wonderful for apple shapes. They always do short shift dresses and loose tunic tops.

This won’t help with how clothes fit... but would you consider a nice subtle fake tan (if you are pale!). It’s such a confidence boost imo!

Have a look at Popsy clothing

I have an amazing fact for you.

A tunic top or leggings doesn't suddenly fool people into thinking you are a size 10.

Stop thinking of body parts as flaws.

Find clothes that make you FEEL amazing. Try different styles, even ones you might not normally try. You might be surprised! Experiment with different materials as well!

Don't think about hiding body parts, but instead emphasise the bits you love!

Good advice @East7thst!

Op you should follow Katie Sturino on insta.

She oozes confidence and looks fab in anything because of it.

I’m 48, active, size 14/16, but 16 more often than not these days. 5’8”. My height is all in my back and I have always had trouble getting tops long enough to cover the top of my trousers, and the trend for lower cut trousers hasn’t helped. So, I look out for longer length top - Gap and Lands End do a lot of their tops in “Tall” fitting online. BAM “infinity” tops are ££ but brilliant, I have some which are 3 years old and look new. I have found that t shirts with linen in are less clingy than ordinary cotton/Lycra.

I have also discovered that Sainsbury’s jeans fit me really well. I can’t wear skinnies
ad my calf’s are too wide, but I love their girlfriend fit.

I have very heavy legs, and tend to wear boots or chunky trainers to offset this.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I see things I might like in Debenhams from mantaray, but they're not long enough or too fussy.

I don't know why I go for long enough to cover my bum, I just prefer myself dressed like that.

I don't have a waist, I don't know what to emphasize, because I don't like Anthony much about my body

I rarely wear jeans, because I find them inconsiderate around the waist and crotch these days, although I have a pair of Primark skinnies that are ok.

I don't buy tops or dresses from Primark, because I can't stand man made material, I get electric shocks a lot and static. I don't mind viscose though.

I'll look at the Insta etc suggested. I've followed a few, but find them usually too expensive or leopardy-printy or garish - I don't like fussy, frilly clothes, go for mainly plain clutches, wear a lot of grey, black and navy. I know I need to change something, but I don't know what.

I’m struggling to dress my ginormoboobs since having dd and have the added complication of needing clothes that open easily for breastfeeding. The next site clearance section have some great bargains atm. And I’ve discovered JUMPSUITS! I ordered one for a tenner last week, went out in it and three different people stopped me to ask where it was from. And that never happens. I can’t link as that won’t work on their clearance but but search for geo jumpsuit. I think it’s incredibly flattering.

I'm glad you found something you like. I don't like jumpsuits, they remind me of the eighties

You mention you have big boobs and good legs, have you tried a skater dress? I live in them. I’m a size 16 with gg boobs and nice enough legs and I find anything with that kind of shape suits me really well. You can get maxi dresses in that shape which are good for summer, I tend to stick with the ones with some kind of sleeve because I don’t like my upper arms.

Misery I am quite pale, but I never manage to apply fake tan well, and don't want to look "fake", if that makes sense?

Thanks Tweeting, I bought a skater dress once, and thought it emphasized my lack of waist

Wilting, I presume I'm apple shaped, no idea of colours, I've dark hair and eyes, I think pale skin, but usually come up medium with foundation matches.

Try Joe Brown's.. They do a lot of tunic type things but I'd agree with the pp who said try not to think in terms of hiding bits.

Reading with interest. 55 year old menopausal apple here, size 14/16.
I have good legs And boobs but the belly ruins it all. I look like a pumpkin on knitting needles!

Demented, lol .. me too!

I guess I wouldn't mind shorter tops if they weren't clingy.

I used to wear jeans and scoop neck vest tops with a cardigan or open shirt over, but all vests just seen to accentuate my spare tyre now. Maybe I need to buy them bigger, or heavier material, so they don't cling?

Size 16 here, apple shape. I find peplum tops to be flattering. Skater/fit n flare dresses also.

I'm the same size as you and have found Bravissimo/Pepperberry tops are very flattering. I know my size and often pick them up very cheaply on Ebay.

I'm a 16 and my main issue is the middle area.

My favourite summer outfits are elasticated patterned trousers with a loose vest and sandals. Also jumpsuits, so comfy and forgiving.

I get a lot of my clothes from h&m and I'm mainly a medium size in dresses and trousers, despite my size. Tops are definitely a bigger size for me.

I would suggest trying to think more in terms of what sorts of fabrics, colours, shapes you’d like to wear. Think less about flattering and more about what kind of message you want to send with your clothes? Even if the message is only “this is my favourite colour”. 😉 it’s helped me to realise that I won’t look exactly like a thin model in something but I can still wear it. I’ve worn looser, boxier tops to avoid the cling, but try to do things like a french tuck to add a bit of interest around the waist and break up the lines. It doesn’t matter if my waist isn’t super defined after all. 😉

I like looking at Mango’s plus size range (Violeta). Am attaching two pictures.

I struggle with trousers, esp jeans, because I am clearly so deformed that anything tightgives me camel toe and hugs all my belly folds individually. Such a good look. At the moment I’m wearing a lot of looser, high waisted things but they’re hard, easy to look a bit pregnant in them.