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is now feeling tight or just won’t fit, plus I have a lot of skinny jeans, leggings etc which I now feel frumpy and out of date in.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!

I’ve gone from a 14 to a 16 since last year so all my summer clothes didn’t fit. I’m 5ft7 and 13.5 stones 36DD bust.
I’ve managed to get a few nice things from Vinted. Clothes with Ruching look nice. Also if you’re planning to lose weight buy elasticated waists!
I’ve started embracing my curves instead of hiding them and hiding my belly with baggy tops which I used to do a few years back. Now I tuck them in! I wore a black clingy stretch maxi dress yesterday which emphasised all my curves, I felt great, and had so many looks from men 🤣 my favourite item at the moment is my cropped black culottes so comfy elasticated waist and cool. 😎

I’ve watched a few of those Cary’s Whitaker vids on Facebook, love her. She’s definitely influenced me.

Congrats on your weight loss journey! That’s awesome!! And thanks for the ideas too, those MW dresses are a steal (and thanks for the laugh too 😆)

Gorgeous! Just ordered one, love that colour

OP It sounds like I am a similar size and shape. the answer kind of depends on your shape and taste obviously but if you have a waist I would go with shirt dresses over empire line. Empire hides your waist and can make you look bigger. Shirt dresses and buttons hide a lot (and usually in hot weather you can ditch the belt as they have some basic structure to them anyway so you don't feel like you are wearing a sack)

This linen blend skirt from Uniqlo is the hardest working piece in my wardrobe this summer. I've actually had to buy it twice (smaller size as I've lost a bit of weight since first purchase) It's THAT good. One of the only midis which sits flatteringly flat on a pair of hips. Can pair it with any top that is not too long.

this thick cotton boxy t-shirt from H&M also great - too short for shorts/jeans but great with skirts. Look for any tops that finish short enough that you don't need to tuck them in.

this style is flattering and comfortable as can be dressed up or down. If too hot then look for this in other fabrics. I don't have this one but have the zipped option which is useful. I went down a size and it's still comfortable.

this navy shirt dress could be really useful for holidays and on sale

All depends on how dressy you want to be but those would be a good start and would go with a lot you already have - probably

I bought a lot of jumpsuit wideleg they were comfy and looked good. I’ve lost weight now and still wear them

I agree with the comments above about empire lines. I look 7 months pregnant with them.
If the line comes down lower than under bust, it looks more flattering.
Love the oliverbonas dress and suggestions from @mustwashmycurtains.

I really like Whistles Rosa T-shirts. I get them on eBay mostly, though they do come in a gorgeous sage or rose pink this season. £35 new but they do wear very well. I'm a 16 & wear a Large.

I'm the same height as you and was 13st 4 at Easter. I've got 2 pairs of these H&M shorts that I've had for years and absolutely love - they have a stretchy waist are so, so comfy for casual days or pulling on over a swimsuit on holiday. I've also seen lots of people rave about the Abercrombie dad shorts - they have a really good sizing range nowadays too.

My favourite instagram pages for outfit inspiration are:
Rosie Henshaw - she's a size 16-18 and her outfits are amazing! Lots reasonably priced or from supermarkets.
Chloe Phillips - she's a size 14 and looks incredible in everything.
Styling With Rebecca
Bonnie Wyrick - she's American but has loads of lovely warmer weather outfits
Courtney Hamilton
Hannah Briggs
Abbi White

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/ladies/shop-by-product/dresses/shirt-dresses.html shirt dresses suit many occasions, I have the black floral one, and cheap so would see you through a short period

Ooh I forgot to mention BIBA is also good for me in terms of flattering my shape (only goes up to an 18 but again I find their sizing relatively generous so it works for most things even though I’m a 20) and White Stuff often has some nice dresses. I have also heard people my sort of size and shape recommend Popsy dresses. If I were a high street size I’d be looking in Oliver Bonas, Ted Baker and Whistles I think.

I think maxi dresses and puff sleeves can work (I have some of each of these things in my wardrobe), as long as the neckline is low and the puff sleeves aren’t too crazily big!

Agree for tops that scoop neck and square neck stuff look best on me, V neck can also look good. But can’t do halternecks or super high necklines.

Empire line dresses look ok on me as my weight is mostly on my tummy but my boobs still protrude more 🤣 But agree gathered knot waistlines and wrap dresses are also good and if your tummy isn’t huge are probably preferable.

In terms of materials I look for jersey, silk, linen and cotton partly for comfort but also because I think they tend to fall flatteringly.

I’m a 16-18 and I find the M&S relaxed fit t-shirts to be really good. It’s product code T413911 for the basic colours and they do striped ones aswell.

They’re a modern fit and really good quality aswell, plus they wash well

Thanks, bought them 😁

If you’re busty (i am too) then wrap dresses are in the no pile unfortunately for most.

Follow Maisie Comptom on insta. She is doing lots of videos on ‘dress my size 16 body’

I would add to do colour analysis and find out what suits you - for some reason larger sizes tend towards black or bright colours.

There are plenty of apps or you could ask chatgpt.

Size 16 here 🙋‍♀️ 36FF so busty
with heavy thighs .
My feel good clothes are
fit and flare dresses
belts to emphasise the waist
full skirts that swish with fitted t shirt
straight jeans
culottes
Try vinted where you can get high quality well cut clothes for the same price you’d pay in Primark.
it’s all about the cut and tailoring 😊

Summer- Midi dresses with cycling shorts underneath.
Spring/Autumn- Short sleeved above the knee length dresses with leggings
Winter- Long sleeved dresses and leggings.

Trousers NEVER suit me.They make my bum look huge and my legs look like tree trunks.

Thanks for the link to the linen skirts, I just ordered a couple!

Too late if I've got it wrong, but how did you find the sizing? I'm a 14 and ordered L.

Everything? Though at 13stone I was more of a size 14 at 5'7", I didn't feel particuarly restricted with clothes other then I was probably less likely to wear shorter or more clingy clothes than as a size 10, but was still pretty confident. Go for it and wear anything you feel comfortable in. I was mostly 12 and a half to thirteen and a half stone from the age of 33 to 49, and wore anything I fancied.

I’ve noticed this too. Midi used to mean below knee but not ankle length.

I wear skirts that show off my waist and then a more fitted T shirt .
I shop in new look and Roman online.

@OneDayIWillLearn I wear wide legged, trousers from h&m. You can get denim styles or linen but both hang well for me for work as well as going out. I tuck stuff in as leaving loose makes me look larger.

A dress that fits at the waist is always pretty and failing that I opt for a loose crisp shirt and linen trousers.

I'm shorter than you, but my go-to outfits are wide trousers, generally the linen ones from h and m. Paired with a shirt or t-shirt. I also wear skirts these days, after years of avoiding them. Some short, with tights and boots in the interior, long ones in the summer. The skin on my legs isn't great, but the shape is nice. Also fitted pencil skirt style. Over the years, I've gone more fitted than baggy, baggy just made me feel fatter (i was fatter, but i felt enormous), unattractive and unfashionable. Now i feel more confident with my choices. I'd recommend trying items you've previously avoided. I found some nice trousers in Sainsbury's last week that are pleated after watching a video about the type of pleat can make a difference to how they hang on your body. Before that i thought all pleated trousers were ugly on my belly. Try tucking tops in, or buying something shorter that ends where your bottom half starts if you feel its bulky. See if puffed sleeves, or shoulder pads, balance you out overall. Sometimes adding width in one place can actually give the illusion of being slimmer, if that's what you want.

My top tip is to buy in a colour palette. Especially if your weight changes quite a lot. It gives flexibility and lets you build different outfits. Almost every item of clothing I have is in white/cream/black/brown/taupe. I like animal print & stripes and don't really buy anything floral or spotty. I dont tend to buy patterns that are either small or large, small gets lost, and large overwhelms me. It's just what I prefer, and it means I can swap stuff around without buying masses of clothes. It also means I feel well-dressed, whatever the occasion.

I'm size 14 but shorter than you so I'm dumpy. I'm very self-conscious about my upper arms which are very flabby, so I prefer half-length or three-quarter-length sleeves over 'normal' short sleeves. I've worn this dress a lot in the hot weather and it feels lovely to wear: https://thisisunfolded.com/products/maddie-short-sleeve-midi-dress-wave-print

I also get tops and blouses from Roman. They have a huge selection of half- and three-quarter-length sleeve tops. I have several which I love.