Plus size tops I’m going to cry!

[Wallawallakoala]

Please help!

I’m 38, size 16/18 and a short arse. But I’m in desperate need of tops for the summer.

i hate my arms so living in vest and shirt combos at the moment and it’s driving me mad.

looking online I am really struggling to find anything that’s either not frumpy or not a crop top?!

please help!!!

Have you tried the bubble hem tops from Next? I find they work quite well on my tummy

The clothes from Punt Roma are great but not sure if they are available where you are. Every time I wear them people compliment me. They use a lot of layered options, and are so easy to wear. And look far nicer in real life!

https://www.puntroma.com/GLOBAL/en/

@Twelftytwo I did have one but my nephew asked me if I was having another baby (I wasn’t) so it went to the charity shop 😂 they are lovely though I thought it would have been a good solution!

@m00rfarm oh love the styles!

Cos have sone great tops and linen dresses.

This New Look top is lovely. A good length if you’re shorter, but not too short: www.newlook.com/uk/p/919655810?extcam=UK_SOC_APPPDPSHARE

Don't you like any of these, @Wallawallakoala? The peplum-type tops, in particular, could be what you're looking for - shape, with tum disguise.
https://www.nobodyschild.com/collections/tops?options.size=16&namedtags.sleeve-length=short+sleeve%2Clong+sleeve%2C3%2F4+sleeve

ETA: I've got some of their peplum tops. I'm 5'7" with a long middle, and they come up a bit short on me - the peplum flares over my (barely existent) waist. Not all that flattering on me, but should work very well for a shorter wearer wanting a defined waist and looser below.

I have spent 15 years wearing dresses alone and have recently come to the conclusion that I don’t like dresses in the summer. So off I popped for wide legged trousers best tops and shirts/ kimonos exactly what you are trying to get out of 😂 I think the vest and shirt looks classy, light shirts like beach cover ups and kimonos look good.

@Itsnotallaboutyoulikeyouthink I’ve got two black very sheer chiffon shirts off the dreaded SHEIN and use those over vest tops or even dresses at night - cheap as chips ( yes I know the issues with SHEIN) but they are ideal

I'm glad it's not just me that has this issue! Maxi? Great. Knee length? Perfect. Midi? Looks bloody awful in most dresses!

I've stuck a couple of these dresses in my Amazon basket too as they look great. I'm 5'8" so hopefully tall enough for the knee length look.

Thanks to both of you for sharing!

I live in dresses in the summer months and these are right up my street.

I've tried linen before in tops and trousers but I just find it too thick and even hotter, plus you actually have to iron, which I don't do!

Even though I'm a size 20, I find that a fitted style is much more flattering on me than oversized tunics, etc. My ex MIL on the other hand looked stunning in them and wouldn't be able to get away with fitted.

Kit from the catalogue era?

Arm socks????

I think this looks really shapeless

@GarlicMile jackpot, spoilt for choice! Thank you!

I'm ridiculously happy to hear! Enjoy yourself 🤗

Do you have Instagram? Follow dressedtothemax for great inspiration x

www.goose-island.co.uk

Swansea based company!

They are indeed! Im Welsh myself so may be biased 🤣

Thanks for replying.

Not at all. She stays with friends in Swansea most weekends.

I'm wondering if it's the lady who has a room in a building next to a car park a little behind the Kingsway. Pell Street maybe? Surely not. I haven't been there for 20 years.

This lady is on Facebook, called Nam’s Needles, near Tesco, Fforestfach.
she’s a very straightforward Thai lady!

Thank you. I'll check her out. It's close to where my daughter stays so better than going into town. I hear the one way system is a nightmare!

Nam is lovely! I’ve been using her regularly since last December as I’ve lost a lot of weight and have been getting clothes altered to fit.
Body image has been a problem, getting my head around what suits my new shape, my daughter lives in London so not much use in gaining her opinion and my husband is wary of giving a negative opinion 🤣. Nam has offered me to take any new purchase I’m unsure about, try it on in front of her and she will tell me if it’s good or to return it. She can be quite blunt so I’m sure she will tell the truth!
I rarely bother with the centre of Swansea these days, the one way system is a pain and there’s not many shops worth going to. I go to Cardiff.

Congratulations on the weight loss. I've been very slowly losing for the last 10 years. Only 5 stone over all that time but I'm disabled so can't exercise. I maintain on 12-1300 calories a day but lose on 800 which isn't sustainable for a long time (at least not for me), so it's come off in blocks. I've kept a daily diary on MyFitnessPal for years so haven't overeaten but I started pregabalin last year and have put 2 stone back on. Gutted.

All my clothes have to be altered back out again!

An honest opinion is invaluable but can always be given nicely. My OH is also wary of giving one, though he's also a bit blunt at times so I look at his face before asking 😂Nam sounds great. We're moving back down Swansea way soon so getting locals recs is great. Though I'll be shopping in Cardiff, too. Swansea sounds dead these days.

Thanks again.

Confession, I used Mounjaro, it worked really well but was no walk in the park, I’ve stopped now as I was in danger of replacing flab with sag!
Swansea centre isn’t exciting, the new Arena is attracting some good entertainment and is the main reason we venture there, along with an excellent Asian and other cultures food store where the fruit and veg is cheap and outstanding as are the spices available
We live on the edge of Gower, close to the motorway so we can avoid the centre .