Summer clothes stocky/chubby size 16

[workthewobble]

Need some advice please to help me get ready for first sun holiday in 3 years. I was already quite overweight before Covid, but I've put on a couple of stones and am at my heaviest ever now and struggling with what to wear for beach holiday. I'm a generous 16, edging towards 18 on top. I suppose I'm what you'd call stocky...5'2", biggish boobs and huge stomach. Thick legs though they don't look too bad tanned and in a heel, though I struggle with a heel now because I am so heavy. Wedges are ok.😫Obviously the solution is to lose weight but as I'm not going to lose much in the next month or so, I've got to work with what I've got right now.

So...what do my fellow chunky women wear? I've a couple of long dresses and since I got chub rub shorts these have been a godsend but I need some variety. I can't (won't) wear shorts, they're beyond hideous on me. Culottes look daft as they're too long usually. I'd love to find trousers that are suitable for holidays - are cropped trousers or cargo pants too awful for words? Linens? My daughter declares them too mumsy. I struggle with sleeveless or strappy tops as I've huge fatty lumpy bits under my arms which just spill out and make me self conscious.

Other tips welcome - I'm guessing good grooming such as tan and nails will make me feel better. Thank you

I've re-read my message and I realise I'm being very hard on myself. I'm lovely really 😀 I've got a good complexion and nice hair and look younger than my late 40s. But I need a bit of help to make the best of the larger me! Swimsuit advice welcome too (tankini is my preference if not also hideously mumsy)

A fellow fatty following for tips, I'm off the Baleriacs in July!

There's loads of wide leg trousers out at the moment which I think look fab, I picked up some cropped linen(ish) trousers from Matalan which are really cool and comfy. Maxi dresses cover a multitude of sins, I practically live in them!

I'm a size 16/18 UK and 5"3 so feel your pain. I got a ton of stuff from Shein (I know, I know... But I'm on a tight budget) and tbh the sizing isn't that bad and there are often codes/ vouchers to take down the price. I got some lovely floaty trousers but sized up to make sure the legs fit as my thighs are big. Needless to say, they would have fit in my regular size but now they are extra comfy! I get my swimsuits from there too. Very flattering. There's a lot of awfully funny looking clothes on there but I can say that some of the stuff I've bought I wear all the time!

I've also had some great skirts and jumpsuit sets as well from there. They help me feel comfy and cool. And the midi dresses are all the rage ATM. I like the milkmaid style (if you've got it flaunt it)

I saw a tiktok the other month that said "they already know you're fat so just wear the damn dress" and that attitude has been life changing for me.

These are the trousers from shein. I wore a crop top and cardi with them. The whole outfit was from shein and you know what, I felt amazing.

I could be you OP except a bit fatter and older (I'm 48). I carry my weight all over though I do have a (fat) hourglass silhouette which helps. chunky legs, big tummy, good boobs and I'm told a nice bum for my size (thank you lovely younger sister!).

I hate my knees and find midi skirts or dresses are just the wrong length on me generally as they hit the chunkiest bit of my calves (not hard tbf there's a lot of chunk to hit). I find either just over the knee or full maxi works best. Maxis don't have to swamp you, as long as you wear something fairly fitted on top, like a vest (v wide straps are more flattering) or t-shirt.

I tend to go for elbow length sleeves in summer tops, or a vest as anything in between is just horrible on my upper arms.

I hate cropped trousers on me I look like Les Dawson on a celebrity golf day but maybe I haven't found the right ones.

I have some nice wide legged linen mix trousers (M&S do loads of nice ones). Length is key so I have a pair to wear with flats and a longer option for wedges. Prefer a linen mix as nowhere near as creasable as pure linen.

Dresses are easy as that's your outfit done just pop sandals on, so I wear either maxis or knee length and dress up/down as needed. A few separates as mentioned above and I'm good to go.

I won't on any account wear shorts or culottes either you re not alone OP!

I generally avoid anything with flounces / ruffles / peplum or handkerchief hems as they look overly fussy / overdesigned. Clean, simple lines are our friend.

Oh and I live in Birkenstocks during the day and many evenings (have various colours / styles) but do have a couple of pair of smartish wide fit wedges that are great for evenings

Oh thank you very much ladies. Les Dawson ref made me laugh out loud!! We could be twins Serenity as I'm also 48 and I think have the same good features and chunky hourglass figure as you. And yes Urban, "wear the damn dress" is great advice (hence my temporary user name "workthewobble"). I'm not going to be thinner by the time the holidays come round so just going to style it out!