What to wear on a beach holiday - size 18

[Outandup]

We are going to an all-inclusive beach resort and the temp will be mid-20’s max. Could I please have some ideas for what I can wear for a size 18?

I hate how I look and usually live in linen trousers in summer. I never wear dresses or skirts because I carry my weight around my stomach, hips and bottom and just look pregnant in them. Never wear shorts either due to fat legs, but will wear 3/4 trousers. I’m late 40’s.

I am losing weight so I would prefer not to spend ££££ on clothing yet - thinking more High St prices such as M&S, Next etc.

I would recommend Vinted so you can look at different styles and much cheaper.

I would say that linen trousers, particularly wide legged ones at the moment with sandals and a t-shirt would look great, you don't need to wear dresses.

Think about the bits of your body you do like and want to draw attention to.
It always helps to define your waist as the eye is drawn to that rather than stomach, legs etc so perhaps a couple of belts that you could use with dresses to cinch in at the waist?

Have to disagree about Vinted, as someone of a similar size to you. As much as I love it for children's clothes, I've had more misses than hits in terms of things fitting from there and it ends up being a waste of money.

If Inwas going away, I'd be looking at one piece swim suit with a floaty cover up dress for the day time.

Evenings, I agree with wide leg linen trousers with a t shirt. I've recently bought these and really like them.

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/trousers/brown-leopard-print-high-waist-crop-trousers/p/863274129?cclid=GoogleeCjwKCAjw586hBhBrEiwAQYEnHU3rvTzaLLrHNpD3P3KBB7HFcBxvttakzYvUea7Tta9m6bRf65KGxoCGBMQAvDBwE&extcam=UKKPPCPLAADesignerNCCGoogleDVVmAGIDD126584461636PRIDD8633293&gclid=CjwKCAjw586hBhBrEiwAQYEnHU3rvTzaLLrHNpD3P3KBB7HFcBxvttakzYvUea7Tta9m6bRf65KGxoCGBMQAvDBwE

I am your size and this is what I do on holiday. I buy bra size swimwear from sellers like Belle Lingerie on Ebay - brands like Freya Fantasie and Elomi are excellent and you can get last season for half price I am going to suggest you get a bikini with high waist bottoms and a swimsuit. I know a bikini sounds counter intuitive but honestly it is less conspicuous then a swimsuit. Then get two beach cover ups that tone with the swimwear. Linen wide leg crop trousers - one neutral and one bright colour - M&S and Next both have good options and four t shirts that mix and match with them and then a couple of knee length shift dressers and you are done. Pick a base colour like navy and make sure everything works round that. For example I have two pairs of wide leg linen trousers from Marks - one is navy and the other vivid green and the tops that go with them are plain white white, navy and bright pink and a pattern with a navy base. I also bought a bright pink over size linen shirt from Marks that works as a cover up layer and a couple of t shirt dresses. Once everything goes together you look pulled together with no effort. Spend time choosing a flattering pair of sunnies and a co ordinating hat and beach bag and you are done.

I’m a similar size to you and wear high waisted 1950s style bikinis which only reveal about an inch of skin around my midriff. It took me until my forties to be brave enough to wear a bikini, but nobody noticed or cared and it felt really good. For cover ups around the pool I like belted, flowy kimonos.

In the evenings I prefer skirts and dresses as they suit me more than trousers and feel much lighter. To avoid the pregnancy look I belt in midi and maxi dresses just above my natural waist, or I French tuck t shirts into silky maxi skirts and it defines my waist despite my tummy.

My current obsession is One Hundred Stars silk dresses, again belted in to add definition. They are very flexible on their sizing and I can lose or gain a couple of stone and the same dress still works for me.

I am a size 16 and sound a similar shape. I have just got some new things from John Lewis - their own brand has some lovely drapey-fabric t shirts that make a change from jersey ones, and I found some nice linen shorts despite not normally liking shorts.

There's plenty of expensive things jn John Lewis. But their own label is on a similar level to M&S etc.

I don't agree with second hand clothes when you don't know exactly what you want and what suits you as there is no refund so it's false economy. Wear what you always wear, no need to buy special clothes. Focus on footwear, bras and swimming costume if you're swimming.
If you're not used to dresses you might be shocked at chub rub and how flimsy they are in windy weather or how you need to be mindful of how you move in skirts and dresses without flashing everyone.

Have a look on Instagram at Claire Watkins stylist. I'd hazard a guess she's around an 18 & dresses beautifully. You can identify the styles that might suit you & then look online to buy similar styles. I never understand people recommending charity shops or Vinted for individuals asking for help in how to dress. As you have to know what you're looking for, otherwise you will be utterly confused & demoralised.

What about yours. Lots of stuff in size 18.

@hobbledyhoy I would recommend Vinted so you can look at different styles and much cheaper.
I completely disagree. If you know what you want but otherwise it's hopeless as if it doesn't fit or look good you are stuck with it cheap or not.

I've just bought Sloggi zero feel bralettes - they'd be more comfy than bras in hot weather. I'm a 38D and the large fits. Also they will wash and dry quickly.
One Hundred Stars sell really nice long open kimonos, which would be lovely over a sleeveless top and trousers in the evening.
I'd go for long neutral cover ups or loose dress for over a bikini/swimsuit - not a fan of bright colours /patterns if not spending a lot of money. They can look a bit cheap imo.
TKMAXX for sunglasses, if you don't have nice ones already.
Yy to chub tub shorts if you do buy dresses.

Placemarking as I am a size 18 to 20 but only 5ft 2” & I also carry a lot of weight around my tum. Currently live in leggings so need to get braver! I hate my legs as I have a load of broken capillaries which are really unsightly.

PetitPorpoise just looked at those trousers & they’re lovely but sadly no size 18. I will try my local branch.

I'm the same size as you, I tend to go for midi dresses rather than trousers or shirts (I hate shirts), as for by the pool I thought 'sod it' last year and wore a bikini, no one batted an eyelid tbh

I agree. They have some really lovely midi dresses.

@SunshineLollipopsAndRainbows they're nicely elastic - you could definitely size up and they wouldn't look weird. I'm going to be wearing them to death with black tshirts! They don't hug my tummy at all like some wide leg trousers do.

Fantastic advice from @criminallyvulgar

Simply be are marvellous for bra-sized underwear. Huge stock and efficient returns policy.

I wouldn't discount dresses completely, if you try different shapes (especially adding belt), you may find something that suits you. It's nice to have a dress or two for the evenings.

I am your size and never spend too much on holiday wear, as it tends to get damaged from sunscreen and insect repellent. I usually wear long shorts, with a vest top and floatly long, oversized shirts for the day. Primark have some great beach shirts in at the moment, alongside a few other cover ups and I wore their shirts / Matalan lightweight shorts last year in Kos and the clothing coped very well with high 20s. I have also bought more of the Primark shirts in the last couple of weeks, to add to the collection and they have holiday wear in now, so worth a look. I went down a size and they were still oversized and nearly to the knee and I am 5'6" tall, so can be swimsuit cover-ups too. I also have a black and a blue jump suit, purchased on a recommendation from ASDA, very soft, 3/4 legs, wide straps and elastic rushing on the back for bust support, which I wore in the evening with a oversized lightweight shirt and nothing underneath and they were very comfortable and looked good too, so I recommend thinking about a jumpsuit. Men's shirting might be worth looking at and something like an oversized grandad shirt works great over shorts, or again to cover up over a swimsuit. Try Matalan and Tu as I find their holiday wear is great for the price. Enjoy your holiday and don't worry about your size, wear it all with a smile and no one will notice honestly.