5:3, overweight (size 14) - help me dress for summer!

[Sssloou]

I can usually blag my way through winter - with black slim trousers or jeans - high heeled thick healed boots and sweatshirts - but it all goes pear-shaped when the sun comes out.

I don’t want any skin on display! I am v fair skinned and need to keep covered up - so no arms or legs out...but I want to be cool and comfortable.

Mistakes I have made in the past is floaty linen stuff to hide the flab - but I just looked bigger - like an untethered marquee.

Cropped trousers make me look shorter and lighter colours fatter...

Foot wear is an issue as the winter boots give enough height for to balance out the girth!

What to do for summer (again).

It’s just casual, comfortable clothes - I am in my 50s.

Can you post aspic of your neck down as everyone ha s different body shape and I'm a size 12/14 and height 5.4 so I wouldn't say you were massively overweight. My issue is Tummy and boobs I'mTop heavy. My hips are small. So it's good to get an idea of your problem areas.

I like fitted - not baggy - linen trousers for summer. Surprisingly hard to find, but just bought these www.whitestuff.com/womens/trousers-and-leggings/dark-navy-maddie-linen-trouser/ with a not baggy but skimming top.

OP I am v similar, even down to being ultra pale ! I’ve found shirt dresses Quite good the casual but not baggy does depend on your proportions though I’m more pear-shaped

White Stuff do a really good tailored linen trouser that doesn't give marquee effect

What on earth is going on with the run of posters so down on themselves that the only way they can describe themselves is as fat or overweight, when they're actually the UK average size or below?

If you actually want advice on what might suit you, rather than just to self flagellate, please say what body type you are! Apple, pear, hourglass, straight up and down, top heavy? Small busted? It makes far more difference than whether you say you're a size 12, 14 or 16 (especially because a woman csn be a 12 in one shop and a 16 in another, or a 12 on the bottom and a 16 on the top and vice versa, and loads of people describe themselves dogmatically as a size X when they're only that size in a very generous or very small brand, or see themselves as that size but all their clothes are actually too tight or less often but still occasionally too big...

Thete are lots of wedge soled espadrilles about for the height that you like from winter boots.

I'm 5"2, and a size 12/14- yup- prob a little overweight but don't view myself as being "fat". Quite like the curves! Summer time I wear dresses and converse mainly. Or tailored shorts and pretty tops.

I really don't find it an issue.

Dresses are mainly Boden, have a couple from Apricot.
Shorts from m&s (not very exciting!)
Tops from Gap!

I'm slimmer on top so tend to accentuate that bit!

😊

What on earth is going on with the run of posters so down on themselves that the only way they can describe themselves is as fat or overweight, when they're actually the UK average size or below?

Because I am! In fact I was bigging myself up referring to myself as “overweight” - as I am obese (BMI 31).

I am technically apple shaped - more like a lumpy irregular cooking apple. I have lost 1:5 stone in the last two months so only 1lb short of being “overweight” - and a further 2 stone to go before I am a healthy BMI......when my original hour glass shape will be restored.

I have had skin cancer so need to keep covered head to toe. I was thinking about some bias cut long linen dresses with short cardi .... the dresses with sleeves make me look wide with all the same fabric as I have broad shoulders and a full chest.

How about going down the floaty cover up route rather than trying to find a sleeved dress? These are nice and would go with plain jeans and tees or a simple midi or maxi dress. M & S do have lots of nice dresses at the mo.

www.mandco.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-MandCo-Master/default/dwc1d219a5/6009186_navy_om_medium.jpg
www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/tops/rust-tile-print-long-kimono/p/686528319

This site seem to be made with the British weather in mind. They do quite a few elbow length or 3/4 length sleeves. They're well made. I have a plain blue dress from there that my husband told me I look gorgeous in, for the first time since our wedding day. m.patra.com/Category/Women

Ooh thanks for this - the kimono idea is genius ! Also love those fitted dresses with 2/3 sleeves