If you’re a size 16, what do you wear that you feel nice in?

[OneDayIWillLearn]

I’m 5ft 6, currently weigh just over 13 stone and am a size 16. I’m fairly in proportion, I’m ’curvy’ and still got a waist and reasonable legs but tummy/ arms are sore points and I generally feel big and low on confidence. If you are at all similar size/ shape, do you have any particular clothes you wear that are comfortable but you feel good and not frumpy wearing?

For background, I’ve put on quite a lot of weight this year and have just tipped into BMI 30 and a solid size 16. Everything in my wardrobe is now feeling tight or just won’t fit, plus I have a lot of skinny jeans, leggings etc which I now feel frumpy and out of date in.

I’m going to loose weight (I’ve done it before and will again!) but realistically due to holidays/ travelling it will be the end of August before I’m doing it in earnest and actually loosing. I don’t want to buy a whole new wardrobe in size 16 but also at this rate I literally have nothing I like to pack and I’m worried the holidays are going to be overshadowed by feeling crap about my size and tight clothes.

So I’d love to buy a few things I can wear a lot for a month or two to see me through and hopefully feel good in for the trips abroad!

This, and I get a lot of compliments https://scampanddude.com/products/puff-sleeve-midi-dress-khaki-with-pink-and-black-mega-leopard

I think cheap layers are your friend here as is eBay while you lose weight.

I’m 14/16 and feel nice in everything I wear. That dress is lovely @NazeLife. For holidays I like linen trousers and tops, and dresses like the ones shown. I have this and I love it. https://www.newlook.com/uk/p/926636401?extcam=UK_SOC_APPPDPSHARE

Scamp and Dude dresses - with the V necks or sun dresses! I also wear long skirts and semi fitted t-shirts (Neon marl ones I really like) also Saint and Sofia Greenwich dress. In summer I am living in Rohan roamer capri trousers which are also cut well for me, loose enough and also stretchy and go with anything, summer blouses or t-shirts. I have a constant battle with my weight due to health issues which means everything seems to cause weight gain… i am similar size to you and this what works for me at the moment!

M&S carrot jeans, baggy tshirt tucked in. Colourful trainers.

midi dress with v neck, wrap front ideally, and a tiered style skirt. for some reason that shape just suits me better - the tiered skirts must be more A-line shape. I really love the Popsy ones (but I’m careful to not buy any weird prints.)

Knee/shin length does not look right on me. Makes my calves look funny.

I also wear quite a lot of scamp and dude dresses and shirts. Really flattering fit.

Anything V necked with a small waist, knee length dresses, tops tucked into bootleg trousers, shorts or pencil skirt.

That is a lovely dress. I know lots of people I think look great at size 16 - I believe I can/ could too but it’s hard to feel nice when everything is tight. Long time since I’ve had a wardrobe refresh too which I don’t think helps….

But I can imagine that shape working well on me!

Do you have a go-to pair of jeans or shorts?

Thank you for the jeans recommendation, I will try those!

I hadn’t heard of Scamp and Dude, thanks for the recommendation

Any particular brands or styles for t-shirts? Mine are all crew neck (and 3 or more years old!) so I could do with buying a few for the summer…

I ordered this and immediately returned it! It's a nice dress but VERY revealing if you are busty - I would have had to wear some sort of cami top underneath, which rather defeats the object of a lightweight summer dress. (Size 14 36D)

Might look good if you are more of a pear shape.

I am similar to you OP and think I look best in A line wrap dresses, the v neck is very flattering and the bow pulls me in to emphasise my waist. 3/4 sleeves ideally and hem hitting the slimmest part of your calf.

I think that would suit me too. Any brands you go to for this kind of dress??

I’m definitely busty (34/36 FF) so I would probably need a cami! But I’m used to that, it’s a rare dress that I don’t have to wear something under 🙄

I get mine mainly from Boden, and also like their T shirts (v neck or scoop neck ideally).

I wear lots of dresses, especially ones that I think you would call Empire line. They come in under the bust to the waist then flare out. Cover my podgy tummy

I think the key is clothes that fit. If yours feel too tight OP and they actually are then you won't look or feel nice.
I appreciate that you might not want to buy loads if you hope to lose weight but maybe have a look at Sainsburys for some cheap options that look good, I especially like their jeans

When i was a curvy size 16 I felt fabulous. . Empire line always looks great.

Where possible v neck are great if u have a substantial bust.

Same height and weight as you OP minus the boobs. Live in jeans and t-shirts and I hate it. I am 52 but look younger so whenever I've tried a dress I look pregnant. Some many people seem to look good whatever size they are but I just can't seem to do it.

I prefer midi but now midi seems to be almost maxi

Look a Cary’s Whittaker on instagram for ways to dress to disguise a tummy

I’m size 20 with big boobs and agree about wrap dresses and similar being a staple. I also think wide legged trousers (jersey type material in winter, linen in summer) with a nice top or T-short (I really love silk tops) look good on me. I really like Scamp and Dude too, also Sugarhill Brighton and Saint and Sofia. But I also find quite a lot of good basics at M and S especially the Autograph brand. And although the trousers from Mint Velvet sadly do not fit me, I find their sizing for tops and dresses usually generous so can fit into their size 18 stuff which is lovely especially for work or occasions where I need to be more formal, but also holiday clothes.

Recently bought a few different dresses from Mountain Warehouse. Got a lot going on in family life so don't want to lose weight right now. I am aware I need to lose though so trying to enjoy clothing in the meantime.