Fat girl summer - let's slay 💅

[Lwrenn]

So, for those of us who are chunky yet funky, what's the plan ladies?

Shall we give no fucks and wear nice comfy summery clothes or do we worry about keeping every inch of us covered head to toe in black until we sweat so hard we melt? What's the plan?

Currently a size 20/22 myself, unlikely to get down to a magical size 14 by July so I'm looking at the nice comfy looking linen pants, few maxi dresses, shorts because I'm a wee chubby pale rebel and to really go wild a jumpsuit or two.

Simply be has some lovely things at the moment including shoes, asos curve is looking alright and vinted is my best pal.

I'm 35 for a few more months and don't want to have another summer in my 30s hating my body, so this year I'm going to embrace it. Anyone with me?

@BollockstoThis1
I'm the same age as you and I've got thread veins above my knees and on my calves and whereas years ago I was quite self conscious, I've given up caring so much now. I wouldn't wear short-shorts but I have the knee length linen shorts from Next and I'm quite happily wearing these.

You need chub rub shorts! Various suggestions upthread - personally I live in my snag ones, I have bright colours to match my dresses. They come with the benefit that I can run around after my kids and not worry about flashing my kickers!

Roman is good for long flowing style tops. I’ve just ordered myself a couple of long line vest tops from Taking Shape which I’m hoping will open up the floaty kimono styles for me!

I wear Snag chub rub shorts but just want cool to wear, wafty non clingy in the middle dresses.

Anyone any ideas to links or any shops that may have anything suitable? No shirring or waist detailing as I don’t have one and it just emphasises my massive middle. Must be at least midi or maxi length on me as it would be shorter on me and ideally not black which will make me feel more even hotter.

I am size 22-24 and tall thanks.

I follow Laura Adlington on insta she is about 5’8’. She wore a very flattering colourful Fatface dress which looked great on her if you don’t mind colour and pattern. I tried it but wasn’t keen on the puffy sleeves on me but it may work for some. I will try and find a link.

@rosalyana that link doesn’t work.

@ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea thanks I do Seasalt culotte/crop things but that is about my limit. I didn’t mind the little spidery veins. But now I am very aware of my knees and my legs and calves look very fat and I have a few unsightly new bigger patches of larger veins which I don’t want on display.

I have a weekend coming up with DH’s family in the next couple of weeks a BBQ one day and a meal out another day. I felt so hot and awful yesterday I am stressing about feeling like not going at all. I am what I am so don’t mind colour and my arms are fairly slim compared to the rest of me but I just want to feel cool and comfortable and look semi ok or the best version of myself. Especially with two younger and much slimmer sil’s into the mix. Any ideas what I can wear to feel cool and comfortable.

Thank you for this thread!!

I am trying so hard no to give a fuck but in reality I am an 18/20/22 and hate how I look.

I know I need to stop wearing clothes that are too big for me! But they help me hide

Thank you for this thread!!

I am trying so hard not to give a fuck but in reality I am an 18/20/22 and hate how I look. It’s obsessive. I hate looking in the mirror but equally can’t stop.

I know I need to stop wearing clothes that are too big for me! But they help me hide.

What frustrates me the most is that I look at people a similar size and bigger and think they look fabulous

What are the opinions on shein here?

I'm normally one for going for more expensive brands but buying one or two good quality items rather than bulk shops. But I want a collection of light weight dresses, tops, shorts. My friends rate it highly for summer clothes.

I made some progress yesterday. Put on a jumpsuit, but was too conscious of it hugging my lower stomach so changed to a maxi dress, normally I'd put on a shall to cover upper arms but just let my arms be free (and got burnt) So small steps.

Please don't compare yourself to anyone, you really aren't comparable to another human, none of us are, were all unique and have our loveliness in our own way!

What is your budget/size?

Bbqs are great for maxi dresses, especially if you've nice arms! Get some of the chub rub shorts to run around after the kids!

I don't know what people wear for meals anymore, I have a son with autism and taking him restaurants is ... hellish 😂

I used to love trying unusual and new places, or a bit fancy, anyway the fanciest we get now is the local chippy 😂

I need to absorb this thread in detail. I'm an apple shaped blob and 51. I usually wear denim shorts and tshirts on holiday but I feel so uncomfortable trying them on. So, what is flattering for an apple (maybe more pumpkin) shaped body! I was thinking maybe cami top, cycling shorts and a light shirt over the top? Dresses at night? Shape? Style? I've spent my life as a size 8 but now a menopausal 16/18 and have no clue how to dress

Slay away but sadly I can't join anymore. My blood sugars came back VERY high. I am on a strict keto diet and have lost 1 stone with more to go.
I am walking 12-15K steps daily and only stopping when I am normal BMI.

I am also surrounded by very skinny people - I feel like I can never wear anything nice unless it's baggy.

Aw thanks @Lwrenn for starting this thread and for your lovely and kind comments.

I am in my 50’s but young at heart my DC are now late teens (and yours will be too soon). They won’t be coming as its end of year Uni silly season.

Budget between £25-£80 for a nice dress that will keep me cool and help me feel confident (size 22-24 but long in length as tall). Prefer cool casual comfort rather than smart and sophisticated which really isn’t me lol. I think the meal will be a nice Italian or an upmarket pub/restaurant (so nowhere too flash but they live in quite an expensive area).

So I’ve been buying clothes off the live TikTok shops. The clothes I’ve been buying usually go from a size8/10 right up to a size 20-24 depending on what is is. Seriously, I’ve been very impressed with these clothes. I’ve bought beautiful short sets and some dresses and trousers suits and all a really reasonable
oroce!!

These have been the best buy of my summer so far. They are cool, comfy and surprisingly flattering. Also no digging in at the waist. I am size 22 normally and 22 here fitted too. They are a bit tight when first put on but the fabric relaxes quickly, so if you buy and think at first the sizing is wrong, give it an hour or so.

https://lucyandyak.com/en-no/products/jenny-dungaree-organic-cotton-linen-navy-blue?_pos=8&_sid=20bf98518&_ss=r

@BollockstoThis1 if you’re good with colourful, I highly recommend this:

https://takingshape.com/UK/natural-abstract-palm-dress/V71253.9001.html

and this is similar but black and white:

https://takingshape.com/UK/cotton-gauze-favourite-dress/V71080.0249.html

Really lightweight fabric. No stretch, pull on, just wafty, gauzy. Wasn’t sure I’d like them as normally I wear things that go in at the waist but my one from last year is my favourite summer dress. I’ve just ordered this! I wear a size down to normal. And although it says no returns if you check their T&Cs you do have the normal 14 days to return if you’re buying from the UK.

Thanks @GoingDownDown don’t mind the prints and colours but worried they will be too short on my 5’11’ frame but will measure where they would come to on me later.

Thank you so much again for this thread @Lwrenn - the positivity is really lovely.

I wish I could learn to like my arms but even though I weight train 3 x a week they're still a flabby mess.

Haruka Clothing - not particularly summery mind you, but check her out. Beautiful, quality dresses in particular, up to about a 20 in most lines. Absurdly flattering dress here..

Life is too short! I decided a few years ago just to fuck it and wear what I wanted. I have a pretty good idea of what suits me, 5’5”, size 20/22, Big boobs, big tummy.

I wear wide leg trousers, including cropped (don’t give a fuck if they make me look about 2’ tall, I like them). Loose tops, tunics - nothing I can’t wear a decent bra under!

Boho midi and maxi dresses, lots of paisley, abstract floral etc - nothing ditsy or chintzy, nothing with added frill, nothing too structured or I look like piece of furniture.

flat shoes, love Uin - comfy and fab colours and patterns. Also fitflops and Hotter.

I buy pretty much everything on eBay., as and when I see something I like. I have a good saved search set up and browse a few evenings week while watching tv. I rarely get upset about missing out on anything - my budget is about £15 for tops or trousers, about £25 for dresses and same for shoes.

if it doesn’t fit or I don’t like it I sell it back on eBay.

I now have a fabulous wardrobe of things I love to wear. I get tonnes of compliments ( twice today in Waitrose, wearing a Global Mandala dress and Uin shoes!) and am proud to say I do NOT own anything plain black, even shoes.

my tips are make sure it fits well, and don’t save anything for best!

Oh, and avoid polyester like the plague!!

Some gorgeous stuff, thank you!

I hope your blood sugars get sorted x

For some stupid reason and I'm also like this I'd rather show my belly off than arms, they're really my low point!

Oh! Tip! Fragrantica. com. You will go down such a rabbit hole there. On the side bar you can look up perfumes by “notes,” so for summer, I was looking up “citrus.” Or if you see a perfume somewhere but aren’t sure about it, you can look at Fragrantica and see what other people say it smells like. Or you can search for a perfume that, say, smells like oranges, but doesn’t contain the smell of roses at the same time. Also, I find that for really crisp, citrusy, summer scents, I actually like unisex or men’s scents, ha. People really rate Zara scents too; say they’re a great knock on more expensive perfumes like Jo Malone. I LOOOOVE things that have a top note of grapefruit or mandarin and don’t have much, or any, musk in them.

@Mumwithbaggage yay to red lippy!! I hope you wore it and stayed.

@McMcMc thank you! It's not easy, withna life time of being told slim people are more beautiful, happier, deserve love more, are more successful and so on. Its a lot to undo.

I love h and most of my wardrobe is from there. I got some great linen mux trousers and a striped t-shirt recently. Next up is one of their tied shirt dresses, and I need an outfit for a 50th. I'm planning on getting something that can be worn on my holiday too, so not sure if a dress, or trousers with a good top...