What do you wear in the summer? Size 14

[BiscuitLover3678]

I was always a size 10, 12 for a bit after my first baby then back to size 10. Now I’m a proper size 14 after my second. I don’t know if this should make much difference but obviously none of my previous summer clothes fit. I’m very bottom heavy and don’t like how I look in shorts anymore, but maybe there is a better style? Also very slight tummy whereas that part of me was always flat before. I don’t know if skirts or dresses are better but then I have the chub rub issue. What’s in style?

Ive never been great at this. At least when I was a size 10 with a young face I could get away with anything. 🙄 I love bright colours.

Oh and please don’t just tell me to lose weight. Yes I will at one point but I’m postpartum and life is quite stressful right now so I’d like to buy clothes that actually fit.

when i was unsure i went into a shop i liked during a quiet period, picked out a shop assistant who looked like they had reasonable taste and asked them what they would suggest. they bought me a load of stuff i wouldnt ordinarily have picked and we reviewed stuff together. some places like john lewis have bookable people.

That’s a nice idea thank you. Don’t really have time to go in by myself atm (older child is quite challenging). What’s even in? Do people wear linen trousers? Is it skirts?

Having been out at a shopping centre recently most people seem to wear trousers for everyday. I’m a size 14 at the moment so just wear what I normally did when I was smaller. I think linen trousers can go saggy quite quickly but places like M and S have loads of chinos and wide legged trousers at the moment. Pair them with a shirt or blouse with maybe a shacket or light jumper over the top.

Linen trousers are everywhere, high waisted with small pleats might suit your shape. For rubbing you can get special shorts for under dresses.

Snag tights for under dresses (the shorts)

I'd go for comfy flowy summer dresses, flattering and feminine.

Any nice ones you’ve seen?

You sound a very similar shape to me, after I had my second- she's 4.5 now and I'm still this shape, so I guess it's just me now. Size 14 pear shaped.

Things I've bought for summer that I feel nice in:
A maxi skirt- I've bought both of these
this in the long length to take it to the top of my shoes
looks pretty on

Loose trousers
Stripe trouser
heavier linen casual trousers
Trousers with the pleat on the front can be good too- I have a really flattering pair from Asda studio edit.

these basic t-shirts are nice on, and not short like they look on the model- size up, I wear XL as a 14

these shorts are super flattering on a chunkier thigh

I tend to wear a stripe/ patterned bottom then a t-shirt with them a lot of the time. I also have a few short sleeve linen/ patterned shirts that I wear over a vest top with shorts/ jeans.

I'm getting a lot of wear out of this cardigan with jeans

Dresses wise, I go for a fit and flare, and I personally stay away from strappy most of the time, as for me it makes me feel really out of proportion as I don't have generous boobs. I like a good shirt dress, and I've found some really nice ones this season in tk Maxx, but that involves hunting in store really. I'll link more as I remember it!

I'm also a size 14. I don't wear shorts as I don't like my legs and I don't wear strappy dresses. Things I get a lot of wear out of are:

Palazzo style trousers in a bold pattern with a plain v neck t shirt tucked in.

Midi or maxi dresses, usually wrap style or shirt dresses but something with a v neck. You can get shorts to wear under them for chub rub. The snag ones are good but I also got some cheap ones from Amazon that don't make me too hot.

Jumpsuits in lightweight fabrics.

Denim jackets or thin, longline cardigans for layering.

What tops do you wear with the maxi skirts?

I’m currently a 14/16 apple shaped and these shorts are brilliant, the only flattering ones I’ve ever found, and super comfortable too. https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/3257915 In case the link doesn’t work, they’re the Acai activewear treck shorts, but much cheaper on Sport Pursuit than their own website.

They look really tight on the model but don’t look like that in real life, just a nice fit without lots of extra fabric adding bulk.

@BiscuitLover3678 as the weather gets better I'll wear with a slightly racer back vest or a sleeveless top, but at the minute I wear a t-shirt that I can took in, or a very fine knit.
I bought this which goes with both

this t-shirt in a medium with the white skirt

these jumpers

Both Alexandra steadman and Charissa Rae on Instagram have the white skirt, and have shown styling videos

Have a search online for mid size fashion inspiration...there are loads of Instagram accounts with outfit ideas for your size.

Wrap dresses. Skim past tummy/bum.

I’m a size 14 (slimmed down from 18-20) and love midi dresses, ideally with short sleeves rather than no sleeves as I hate my arms. I also wear skinny jeans with fitted (not tight) tops. I think at this size you have lots of options as long as you are fairly in proportion. I am also bottom heavy with a slight tummy and find dresses particularly flattering as they tend to skim over both areas. I avoid anything loose as that just makes me look wide.

I'm a size 14 bottom, 12 on top. Things I love at the moment and find flattering are "mom" jeans - I prefer them cropped. Denim midi skirt. Graphic print midi skirts. Graphic print shirt or wrap midi dresses. Wide legged trousers. Wide legged jumpsuits. H&M have some brilliant dresses in at the moment which are a bargain and v. flattering. I wear a M or a S, if it's one of those really oversized dresses. Tops wise I am in to a decent tee shirt at the moment - something casual to balance out a more formal skirt or trouser. A lot of them are stripey! I also love a fitted lightweight cardigan, but wear it like a teeshirt, if you know what I mean. A cropped jumper looks great over a dress or with a midi skirt imho. Shoes wise in summer I have crocks, white trainers or leather Birkenstocks (sandals and clogs) as my staples. I am obsessed with Vinted right now - loads of BNWT stuff that I have been snapping up for a steal!

I'm the same size after a child.

I need practical things I can run around after my 3 year old in. My staples are dresses from H and M that have a v neck, skim over everything without being floaty mand just under my knee so not too frumpy but don't show off my legs too much either. Also, skinny jeans with t shirts over to hide my tummy and trainers to run around in.

It's my uniform and I'm sticking to it 😂

I'm a 16 and wear linen wide leg trousers, cotton harems or slim cropped trousers, or cotton or linen dresses from knee length to maxi. I like Fat Face, Boden, Hush, Sugarhill Brighton and the odd thing from New Look or Sainsbury's.

I'm not a size 14 but did have to adjust clothing after children and through ill health am chunky round my middle at the moment.
I find jersey dresses very forgiving ( shaped but not tight!) Leggings and tunics can also work.
Also, if wearing separates either go fitted on top or bottom with something looser on the other half. This gives some shape to your figure.......
Also, if your size is fluctuating a bit, if you find a style that works for you, it is worth raiding eBay or similar for more in that style without spending a lot.
Definitely worth following up on PP suggestion of seeking help from a sales assistant.....

love these suggestions! Will use! thanks

I like cotton/twill chinos as they feel cool and comfy but look smart all day. Supermarkets always have a version. These are good https://direct.asda.com/george/women/trousers/green-stretch-casual-chino-trousers/GEM1118158,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C8

Linen trousers are comfy but bag at the knee after a few hours so I'll wear those at home or if we're just out for lunch or dinner. I have the knee length linen blend shorts from Next that obviously don't have the baggy knee issue Next shorts

I have these shorts in all colours and they are super comfy and stretchy, bung in the wash and don't need ironing.
https://amzn.eu/d/6icAJPt

Next £6 basic tshirts are great, not too thin or thick.

Weird Fish knee length dresses are very flattering and I love their tshirts but wish they had some in plain colours but it's nice to have something with some colour for holidays etc

Weird Fish Dress

Joanie is excellent (on line) for flattering dresses and jump suits.

I second the Snag chub rub shorts!

I’ve been in a similar position and wore wide legged trousers or jeans with a good quality classic T-shirt and a decent bra which fits well.

I mostly wore maxi dresses, ideally with a v neck and or button style front as it elongated. Natural fabrics. Wafty, flattering, versatile.

midi dresses stopped mid calf on me which was really unflattering.

maxi skirts never sat right with my slightly larger tummy (previously was flat fronted)

trousers needed to be flat fronted, any pleats seemed to make said tummy look larger.

some shorts were ok, wider legged again to balance overall.

i avoided ankle straps on sandals as they shortened my legs, so I’d go for sling back style with a lower cut on the toe strap.

Never strappy tops, so I could always wear a bra.

Have you link
to the dresses please

I’d really recommend having a look on Vinted for some nice second hand skirts by Whistles. I’m a size 14, two kids later and got sick of wearing cheap clothes but couldn’t justify buying anything as expensive as Whistles. I was pleasantly suprised that Vinted had some gorgeous midi/long flowy skirts and honestly the fit and cut was so much better than most cheap high street brands I usually buy from.