Holiday in the heat- what to wear for a larger woman

[pantsofshame]

Would any of you stylish larger ladies be able to give me a few tips on what to wear to be comfortable but look OK in the heat?

I have put on quite a bit of weight since I last went on holiday somewhere hot and have no idea how to dress. I was hoping to slim down but thanks to menopause/life/etc this has not gone as well as I wanted so I am due to go on holiday in a few weeks and currently size 16-18 with a particularly large middle area. The temperature with be in the 30s during the day and still hot at night. In the past I would have worn vest tops and light weight shorts during the day and a strappy dress at night. I've tried the same things in my current size and it's not a good look. I have tried empire line dresses too and I look very pregnant (to the extent that I have been asked if I am, which is quite upsetting since I have just gone through an early menopause). I also get terrible thigh chaffing if I wear a dress without tights. I am also incredibly pale which does not help the overall look.

I plan to do some sightseeing, a few beach days and evenings at restaurants/low key bars. Does anyone have any ideas on what I could wear to look and feel a little better? Thank you

The idea of shapewear in 30 degree heat is making me itch, I have to say! I would have a look for some cycling shorts which are as close to 100% cotton as you can get - these from Yours for example.

I am much larger than you so will be in my trusty 100% cotton tunics and linen trousers to try and stay cool. More fabric doesn't have to mean hotter, and less sun exposure as well.

Ate the magic pants not sweaty ?

My stone coloured ones....

Another vote for Snag, I got some of these recently and they were great this past, hot weekend in London: snagtights.com/collections/chub-rub-shorts

For hot weather hols, I usually go for a selection of lightweight patterned cotton trousers and shorts, a load of black floaty strappy tops (though black probably isn't the best choice in the hot sun) and lightweight t-shirts or kimono-style tops for covering up, and try and bring things in a limited colour palette that I can mix and match with each other for minimal packing. I style it up with jewellery when I need to.

And I try really hard not to care what other people might think about my size because I'm fed up of all the stuff I've avoided doing over the years due to what I think other people might think!

Have a lovely hol in the sun! ☀

Sundress and sandals
You can wear lightweight shorts under a dress to stop the chafing

Lightweight trousers

Flippy shorts (basically lightweight shorts that are quite wide and don't cling to your legs - they work well if you have large thighs)

Tank tops/ sleeveless tops that aren't strappy and have a good length

Knee length shorts/ cropped trousers

Balance it out with accessories like a big sun hat, colourful jewellery, sunglasses - takes the focus off your body

Wear darker colours where you feel self conscious and brighter colours on areas you're happier with

another vote for Snag chub rub shorts - very light and breathable, range of colours, no chafing!

These anti chafing shorts are very comfy:

www.thebigbloomerscompany.co.uk/products/urban-slip-shorts

Are you on Instagram? Have a look at this lady, she looks bloody gorgeous at a similar size/ shape to what youve described instagram.com/inpolife?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Also recommend snag chub rub shorts. I've just invested, and I'm about to buy some more. They're awesome and fit to your size so no more rolling down

I swear by Triple B cream. Sometimes it is just too damned hot to wear anti-chafe pants. Also excellent for under breasts.

www.amazon.co.uk/Neat-3B-Action-Cream-75g/dp/B001D8D7D0

Definitely Snags chubby rubs.

www.tillettsclothing.co.uk/collections/new-arrivals, have a good selection in bigger sizes/ one size fits all, they're on Instagram.

@pantsofshame the magic pants are ankle length on me and i'm 5ft7. I roll them up a few times to make them just above the ankle.

When it's really hot, the last thing I want to do is add another layer by using shorts under a dress to avoid chafing. Try Lanacane anti-chafing gel which is made for just this purpose. It's non-greasy and leaves a sort of silky surface so your skin doesn't rub.

As a side note, it also makes an excellent makeup primer. Was recommended on various makeup forums instead of the Smashbox primer I'd used for years. It looks, feels and acts exactly the same and is a fraction of the price.

Shorts, trousers etc - no no not in the heat! Why do British people dress like this in extremely hot weather?

There is nothing neater and better looking than a dress esp for a larger size. There are masses of dresses out there which won't make you look pregnant - a lot of it depends on the material eg www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-printed-midaxi-tiered-dress/p/clp60549333?color=BLACKMIX

Loads of ideas on this thread.
Personally I like skirts with t shirts. I have a few cotton midi skirts with pockets and elasticated back and I wear with a V neck cotton t shirt.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4510220-Please-help-Warm-weather-city-break-dressing-with-a-voluminous-perimenopausal-middle

I was in Bali a few weeks ago and it was very hot and humid. I bought some dresses in the local market, they were very “one size fits all” kaftan style. I abandoned the clothes I had brought and just wore those. I am 14/16 with no boobs (mastectomy) and they were SO comfy.

I've bought this top www.marksandspencer.com/pure-linen-puff-sleeve-blouse/p/clp60525246?color=ROYALBLUE&prevPage=srp in the blue and the white, I plan to wear it with shorts in the summer - legs are still pretty good - or at the minute with these www.gemini-woman.co.uk/item/Foil/Trapeze-7-8-Pull-on-Trouser/FXFC#.YoM8iy_TWhA which I think may be similar to magic trousers.
Brakeburn also have some nice dresses with slightly higher - but not Empire line - waists.

I'm in NZ and live in loose linen dresses in the summer. I find dresses/skirts to be far cooler to wear in the heat than shorts.

How about a pair of nice linen trousers for when it gets cooler in the evening.

I also wear maxi dresses. There lots of options out there - if your bigger boob go for a canoe one, and if your smaller go for a round neck. Maxi dresses are great cause you can wear them casually for the day and dress them up for the night.

canoe? V-neck.

So how do the magic trousers fit a size 8 and a size 16? 🤯

That's really cheered me up as an autocorrect - just been googling canoe neck as I thought I was hopelessly out of it.....

What about deep shirred waist palazzo pants? You can get these in all sorts of fabrics, also linen. A nice alternative to a maxi skirt, by day with a t-shirt or loose vest top but would be lovely and swishy for evenings too with a floaty cami and big earrings?

@Rino -thanks for pic of your magic trousers !

@ChristinePerfect and thank you for Tillets link ,hours of happy browsing and some tempting items .

Magic trousers are great but am 5’9” and they are a little too cropped for my liking for wearing outside the house, but inside are perfect - all a similar size to you OP