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is now feeling tight or just won’t fit, plus I have a lot of skinny jeans, leggings etc which I now feel frumpy and out of date in.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’m a size 14-16 with big boobs, too old to want to have any cleavage on display, and I really like these T-shirts. They are cheap, look cheerful with jeans and stretchy very comfy. https://www.crewclothing.co.uk/womens/clothing-and-accessories/womens-tops-and-tshirts/printed-tshirt-blue-wwe019/

I might try their notch neck cotton T-shirts too.

Oh I LOVE that dress
would it work for someone busty?

Try vinted for a few summery things that are hopefully cheaper

All of my jeans are from M&S. I like the wide leg ones and the boyfriend jeans.

Agree with wrap/tea/skater shaped dresses. For day to day I love wearing flared leggings or wide leg smart joggers with slightly oversized band tees or a vest with oversized open shirt. It’s the accessories that bring them to life (I like a bit of a grungy vibe so love a chunky chain). Confidence is the key, find items you love and just go for it x

I'm more apple than hourglass so I can't say for definite but it's quite loose-fitting in the chest so probably!

More inspo here (size 16)
vm.tiktok.com/ZNdmt1EvY/

Joanie is another of my favorites https://joanieclothing.com/clothing/dresses/dresses-with-pockets.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22739448434&gbraid=0AAAAACq8HUtkAXJETOmsdVeg4GnIkM-7q&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyvfDBhDYARIsAItzbZFbbuNR3hBuPpWuT-ZgtVjiOtEgm4nWWPmkcJFwECvQSHsGQjqGv88aAsriEALw_wcB
and they do a pre-owned link too. I have found these to be on the small side for my bust.

The dress I'm wearing now, cotton/linen, notch neck, empire line, just above knee length, skirt not too flared and not too tight, 3/4 sleeves. No puffs, flounces, frills. Simple, comfortable.

OP, I’m almost exactly the same proportions as you. What I’ve found works for me to feel comfortable and is flattering:

Jumpsuits, wide leg. I got a linen Next one off Vinted, which has an elasticated/drawstring waist. It is so comfortable.

Any midi length dress that has a drawstring or pulled in waist (anything that pulls in at the waist reduces the amount of material and accentuates your shape. I have a few from White Stuff which are lovely, but not the jersey ones which can be shapeless.

Carrot leg jeans, from M&S, really flattering cut. I wear them with the Next V neck cotton modal t-shirts which are more drapey and flattering than normal t-shirts.

As a rule I go for anything that skims, v necks, midi length dresses, wide or carrot leg trousers/jeans, and either drawstring/shirred/elasticated waist dresses. Avoid empire line with a big bust as it just emphasises them rather than drawing the eye away.

Vinted is your friend if you want to not spend too much but still have flattering stuff to wear. You can then sell on if you buy decent items

Have a look at Allison Hope Murray on Instagram. She's a 16 and she dresses amazingly.

Another vote for a wide leg jumpsuit.

I tend to size up to an 18 (from a 16) if they are belted so they are a bit roomier round the bust and my stomach then I tie the belt tighter to give me a waist.

My favourites are from neon marl, sainsburys, next and Asda.

I’m 5ft 9 and they are all long enough for me.

@LittleGwyneth great recommendation, thanks!

Look at Mollie Campsie on instagram - I essentially buy everything she wears! Or Charlotte Jacklin if your style is more colourful.

I don't think I looked particularly large at size 16 apart from my bum. I've lost weight since now 12 top 14 bottom.
I like layering, it's a lot more flattering.
Double denim, trousers, T, denim jacket or top.
Uniqlo dress and jacket, lots of summer weight ones or crochet cardigans which are not hot at all.
I have a thing about leopard at the moment. I just bought some puma leopard trousers which are on half price in their sale which Ill wear with a black T and a denim jacket.
I tend to wear the colourful stuff on my slim areas to take the focus off my fat areas. It works.
If you want to cover your arms there are lots of balloon sleeves around. I just bought this one from Cotton Traders it looks amazing on. Everyone is selling them.
https://www.cottontraders.com/products/broderie-long-sleeved-blouse/AB12678.html?dwvar_AB12678_color=Cream#q=Blouse&start=7&list=search%20result&p=4

I like hot squash dresses, they aren't cheap but I've built up a collection of them. Quite forgiving!

I ordered a Scamp & Dude dress because of a recommendation on here but sent it back, I found the fabric was weirdly heavy, the stitching was not good quality and itchy around the middle and the print was overly lurid. It's a brand that gets recommended strangely regularly on similar threads. Ditto Joanie, which gets recommended even when it's wildly unsuitable for the brief given.

I wear mostly wide leg linen trousers in the summer or mid calf skirts. I’m 5ft 4 and around 12 stone - 14 on the bottom but 16 on top due to huge boobs. At the moment I love the Halara wide leg pull on jeans too. I tend to wear tops that are a bit fitted or looser but with the tighter/wide waistband otherwise I feel huge.

My current favourite outfits are wide leg linen trousers with a more fitted waistcoat style top. I also got a lovely floaty layered animal print skirt with a puff sleeve t shirt. Wear both with some rose gold haviana sandals and a very unfashionable denim jacket. I'm wearing boot leg jeans as they are my favourite and suit my curvier shape unlike many of the current trends.

What an unpleasant comment. Reported.

Just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone for posting, it’s been very encouraging and inspiring and has given me loads of ideas of new things to order to try. I’ve gone for a mixture of new and Vinted, some things will be going back I’m sure but I’m excited to have plenty to try.

I’ve really enjoyed reading about people’s different journeys and styles too. A really good and heartening reminder that enjoying clothes and having my own style isn’t something I need to give up on.

So thanks again and hopefully I can update you once I’ve tried some things on!

I bought a couple of (ok a few) dresses from Apache clothing.
The ones I picked are stretchy under the bust (it's quite a long stretchy bit so it goes down to maybe the bottom of your ribs) and loose fitting, so they're not too tight and skim over my belly (especially good after eating and to still fit at the end of the holiday!)
and they will still fit after you've lost weight!
This is my favourite but I also bought a black lacy one and a shorter white one.
Someone else mentioned cleavage on show but I bought a white and a black "boob tube" bras from Shapermint and they were perfect.
https://apacheshops.com/products/parrot-paradise-dress