What can I wear this summer?!

[Ilovechocolate87]

I'm a size 16 on top 16/18 on bottom.In my mid 30s.
I have for several years now worn leggings and a short dress/tunic top all year round...in the winter it's a long sleeved/jumper dress, in the summer it's a short sleeved one.
In winter long leggings, in summer either cropped leggings or the black privacy shorts under the dress if very hot.
Tbh, the cropped leggings make me feel fat and frumpy.I want a change of summer style.
I've tried shorts but they do the same.Cropped jeans seem a no no as since having kids (especially the second one!) and leftover stomach fat, they all dig in too much and I can never get a good fit with them generally.
Please recommend something I can wear that makes me feel comfortable, yet reasonably stylish and young!

Oh and recommendations for reasonably fashionable sandal type shoes please....and outfits that work with converse are a bonus too.

Don't cringe, but I went into M&S today on a yellow sticker hunt. To get to the food hall, you have to go through womens' clothes.

Wow! I could have spent an awful lot of money!

They have some lovely linen blend stuff - wide legged trousers, maxi and midi dresses, floaty tops. A real hippy vibe, so I loved it all!

I'm a size 20, so bigger than you, but I was very inspired!

M and S have lovely linen cropped trousers, I love in them in the summer. Don't even need ironing.

Nice linen trousers, simple tops, maxi skirts

Gosh, your previous wardrobe does sound a little depressing, @Ilovechocolate87!

I’m not clear why you haven’t felt able to wear a simple Summer dress by itself? Or a shirt / t shirt and lightweight trousers that don’t dig in like heavy denim.

Both

Uniqlo (cheaper)

and

Community Clothing (higher prices, ethically and environmentally preferable)

have a range of hard wearing casual clothes that won’t go out of fashion after one season. With the latter they’re expanding their range of sizes so not everything will be available in an 18 yet but quite a lot is.

Don’t know if they would be your style or suit your budget but

Palava

make wonderful, characterful clothes in a good range of sizes. Even a single shirt or pair of trousers would definitely reinvigorate your wardrobe.

I haven't bought from them myself but a lot of people seem to like this Beyond Nine brand for comfortable clothes https://www.instagram.com/_beyond_nine?igsh=MWpnODJobmM3ejY0cg==
If it's too expensive, you could find something's elsewhere I'm sure but maybe the styling would be helpful.

Also I noticed both fat face and Oliver Bonas has nice elasticated waist trousers recently.

This isn’t necessarily a suggestion to buy - but I wonder if you might find

Batsheva

inspiring to browse. Probably better outside the sale period but they offer a wonderfully broad range of sizes (American sizing so you’d be a 12/14) and if you scroll through the photos for individual items they often show them on larger sized models - who look incredibly stylish and individual.

You haven’t said what diet of budget you have for new clothes, @Ilovechocolate87?

Thanks- budget as low as possible really- I use vinted alot, supermarkets, shein x

I have bought a couple of shired sun dresses lately. Like you, I am smaller on top and find that the shiring to my waist and then flowing skirt is really flattering. I tend to wear cycling shorts under them.
I wore a black one with my high tops today and felt good.
Most supermarket have some variation in stock this year.

Are you still looking OP?