Size 16-18 what are you wearing in this heat?

[Strawblue]

I realised I looked awful today in black 3/4 trousers, pink linen-mix T-shirt and Fit Flops sandals. Not at all summery with the black trousers and boring overall.

For anyone a size 16-18 what are you wearing to keep cool? I’m particularly interested in skirts and long dresses- I never wear these as I can never find anything that suits me.

Looking at High St retailers clothing, mid-range.

I'm a 16/18 and 5' 2" so I think floaty dresses ,midi dresses etc wide legged trousers are out .
And I'm not a fan of patterns or strappy tops .

Prefer something with a bit of structure -as poster above said good quality cotton as opposed to the lovely drapey viscose - and more tailored .

I do like the shift dresses at Asda and wonder if I could wear with some sort of short legging .And I guess they'd be easy to shorten (sigh) .
direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/green-shift-dress/GEM911014,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1&placement_id=item_page.pdp1&strategy=bab_v2&config_id=item_page.pdp1&parent_item_id=GEM911016&product_id=GEM911014&slotClicked=1

I like the soft sagey green/khaki colour .

I am a 20 and find dresses that are fitted at the top and flare out a bit cover my worst bits. I have several of these dresses in navy and white print, black and white print, lilac with white trim, red and white, royal blue and black.

I really like this
www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-broderie-shirred-midi-dress/p/clp60545214?color=BLACK&prevPage=srp
as suggested by others .
It wouldn't work for me and probably sold out but thought I'd pass it on .

I've been wearing some culottes mainly from m&s which were under £20, wide and cropped, so so comfy and cool. In fact feel cooler than a dress as the material is so light and allows for lots of air flow! Went back to get the coral pattern but sold out at present, will snap up another pair if I see them in store.

Charity shops are heaving with floaty dresses, and you can hack and chop them freely :)

I cut a floaty dress down to a skirt as the top didn't work for me.

Shorter body, shorten the straps.

Cut off any extraneous nonsense such as ties with beads on etc.

Go mad and have fun 😊

So many out in denim shorts yesterday - I don't get it. Tight, hot fabric , restrictive and no air to your bits.

I wore a maxi dress to work yesterday and then cotton trousers and tshirt to a social thing in the evening. I've just been to Pilates today so am in cycling shorts and a vest. I look like shit but hey ho 😂

A poster above has mentioned a jersey tiered dress from Next - if it's the same one I have I thoroughly recommend - midi length and a very fine cotton jersey - so comfortable .

TBH I think its the same as with jeans, you have to get some that fit properly. If you do they are durable, completely stop chub rub, have pockets, and go with anything.

I have lovely cotton shorts but my thighs rub through them in one season, my denim shorts I've had for years.

I like mine as they are comfy and I wear them with a vest top and floaty shirt over the top which ends up going a long way to disguise my peri-belly and balance me out.

I did see someone in a lovely oversized striped shirt with denim shorts yesterday that I need to find.

On the subject of chub rub shorts, where do you find them, and does the dress material tend to stick to them or create static?

Long Tall Sally maxi dresses. I LOVE them. They’re floaty, gorgeous, forgiving and perfect for hot weather. Timberland sandals that I bought based on MN recommendations and are the comfiest thing ever.

These are my favourite ones -

www.yoursclothing.co.uk/nude-anti-chafing-shorts-p

Being honest they’re actually just like tights BUT if you wash them in the washing machine (despite the label telling you not to!) they soften up really well and are actually really soft and comfortable and not at all hot. I really, really love them. They’ve completely changed things for me in that now I can comfortably wear dresses again!

I also size up in them - I’m a size 18 ish and I went for a size 22 so they’re not tight and they don’t squeeze me or ride up (or fall down)!

I have ibs and autoimmune issues so can’t stand anything too tight round my middle and these are just perfect.

@LadySpratt this www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4550393-holiday-in-the-heat-what-to-wear-for-a-larger-woman?page=1
recent thread discussed chub rub quite a lot and Snag shorts
snagtights.com/collections/chub-rub-shorts
seemed most mentioned but there were also these comments

I have three different brands of chub rub shorts, Snag, Sloggi and Jockey. By a long mile, the jockey ones are the best. Not at all hot - if anything they do actually keep me cool and less sweaty. I have them in Large, and I'd say I'm around a 16 pushing 18 in trouser size. I have black and beige long, for some reason the beige have started rolling up a bit, but that's probably because I've gained a fair bit of lockdown weight too so need to either lose it or buy the next size up! Black ones are still staying solidly in place though
www.amazon.co.uk/stores/page/D21F3A48-F8AA-4953-AEC6-632601AB49D9?ingress=2&visitId=c962c9fe-958c-4074-9e21-7daaf7c15aa2&ref_=ast_bln

Try cottonon.com for cotton cycling shorts, or try some mens boxer shorts, the stretchy ones - they are so comfortable, and much easier to find in good quality 100% cotton than women's pants.

www.thebigbloomerscompany.co.uk/products/urban-slip-shorts
and mention of anti chafing gel/cream
www.amazon.co.uk/Neat-3B-Action-Cream-75g/dp/B001D8D7D0

Thank you, @Afterfire and @peridito. I’m going to take a look at them now. 😊

I’m babywearing all day 🙃 but you mean actual clothes… 😄 joggers, T-shirts, no bra, maxi dresses, knee length dresses. The usual really. Never wear jeans anyway!

Re chub rubi just cut the bottoms off any old leggings I have/buy cheap from primark or sains and chop the legs off.

I’m babywearing all day oh that made me laugh @MassiveSalad22 .
I remember those days .Used to think velcro patches would be a good idea and leave hands free.

Can I ask a bit of a daft question - when wearing the anti-chub-rub shorts, do you still wear your knickers/panties under them or are they instead of them?

I still wear my knickers - I like cotton next to my skin.

M & S midi skirt range is fab. I’m early 50’s pear shaped 16/18 and this has been my life saver!

Better Tights or Snag Tights offer the best quality/most comfortable IMO. No static.