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is now feeling tight or just won’t fit, plus I have a lot of skinny jeans, leggings etc which I now feel frumpy and out of date in.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 am busty and hate my cleavage showing. I got myself a black and a white one of these. They were perfect! i had previously seen a modesty panel that you wear over your bra which I was going to get but I didn't want another layer.
https://shapermint.com/en-GB/products/truekind-convertible-strapless-bandeau-bra

I am busty and hate my cleavage showing. I got myself a black and a white one of these. They were perfect! I had previously seen a modesty panel that you wear over your bra which I was going to get but I didn't want another layer.
https://shapermint.com/en-GB/products/truekind-convertible-strapless-bandeau-bra

That's interesting, thank you. Are you pleased with them?
I recently got a Shapermint cami top after a lot of umming and ahhing... now find that I don't really wear it - too hot 🫤

Yes I was, they were perfect!
I don't think I'd recommend wearing them all day though as they started to dig in a bit.
On a side note, I might have bought the same cami top as you! God it was tight, like a corset to suck you in! (shapermint.com/en-GB/products/shapermint-essentials-all-day-every-day-scoop-neck-cami)

Yes, sounds like the same top!! 😯

https://www.melyr.co.uk/ Are my new favourite place. Tops are amazing and great colours. Trousers also great with great waistband and fit and flatter. Am so tempted with the new greens and navy options…….

Dresses tend to look most flattering I'd say

Love all the stuff on the Apache site - thanks @EyesOpening and love the drapey Melyr tops - especially the boat neck. Thanks @spaceprawn74

I'm not a 16, but do think it's a mainstream size within average ranges. Be confident and love yourself OP

I am same size but only 5 ft 4 - wear a lot of plunge neck stretchy wrap around dresses with good quality leggings and boots or sandals - I appreciate it might be a bit of a dated look but my H always says I look good in them as do my fashionable friends in their 40s - what I can’t do is anything high neck, anything with no sleeves, unless I wear a chiffon shirt over it or a jacket and nothing that isn’t either knee length or long - calf length stuff makes me feel frumpy - so it’s knee length or just above tops and dresses with or without leggings or ‘long’

Just seen the link and those Melflex trousers on Melyr, anyone tried them? I’m probably more of a 16 on the hips and big tummy but find sometimes things come up big - not sure if I should maybe order both and return

To add , I am a similar size and I have been wearing these sort of things a lot but I buy from Vinted . I don’t know if they really flatter me or not but they are so comfortable and they fit and skim in the right bits www.whistles.com/product/melanie-dress-40045.html

This jumpsuit in black from Halara. Really lovely light jersey and very flattering. I wear it a lot as it can look both smart and casual. I suppose halara is fast fashion but I havr found the quality to be better than most hugh street shops.

thehalara.co.uk/products/Adjustable--Removable-Strap-Side-Pocket-Wide-Leg-Resort-Jumpsuit-24-949?pmui=24.1.collection.list.43.Jumpsuits-Bodysuits&pmuih=Jumpsuits-Bodysuits&requestId=fdf0f647-22b4-4e45-a5f0-668f5af2c9c3&source=0&variant=3290883

@Mortigua ooh I like that whistles dress - think it would suit me too

I have various similar shapes from there and patterns , all Vinted . Worth a look and I find I can get away with a smaller size at times too as they are over sized

I agree that shirt dresses are really flattering - there is a V from the neck and a V from the bottom if you undo a few buttons - they have less fabric than an empire line and better proportioned around the waist for shorter women. In winter I wear with black tights and boots with many undone lower buttons and its a very flattering look.

I also wear these slim flare jeans with the 'magic' sucked in top - they are quite long length for me so wear with heeled boots or flatform trainers/sandals.

www.marksandspencer.com/magic-shaping-high-waisted-slim-flare-jeans/p/clp60627217?color=INDIGOMIX#intid=pid_pg1pip46g4r3c2

@Mullingar I forgot to mention shirt dresses on my post - yep , I have them in the mix too ,

I can't wear shirt dresses, too curvy. Boobs and hips make gaping buttons, I need a dress with some stretch but fitted at the waist.

I just got this and it looks like a shirt dress on top but fits much nicer around the waist.

https://www.disturbia.co.uk/collections/womens-sale/products/tulisa-check-button-up-mini-dress

Where is your puff sleeve T-shirt from, please?

I’m a 14 but short. I went out last night wearing black wide legged linen trousers, heels, a scoop necked short sleeved black T-shirt and a cream crochet waistcoat. It was quite a new look for me, but I felt nice in it and appropriate to the venue.

Another outfit I’m getting a lot of wear out at the moment is a black midi tube dress with a cropped broderie anglaise shirt worn open over it. It will also work with a denim shirt or a biker jacket for cooler days.

The one I'm wearing with the skirt is old but I did buy this one the other day which I really like.

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/lani-broderie-top-100087635114.html?istCompanyId=c38fe7a0-ffd0-4925-94b3-cff8df449484&istFeedId=5a41320b-c741-4d1e-b90d-1091450d147c&istItemId=qpprilrxl&istBid=t&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=22580106175&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22580106175&utm_content=183528896367&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22580106175&gbraid=0AAAAADumyC9bRC52gvlOUUlVDnLRXN_ts&gclid=Cj0KCQjws4fEBhD-ARIsACC3d29w__msUcW1Vb0Vr3WgKRznPj7j1xAK_FsL4NfwKxU0BLE87exNrBsaAii2EALw_wcB

Nice. A pity it’s not black!

It's lovely but it's £80 ! If the op is going to lose weight in August maybe some cheaper items for the holiday . I am 5ft size 14 and have had chemo so losing my hair and generally look rubbish . I've just been on holiday and felt very unattractive, fat and frumpy ! I'd suggest getting a few nice midi or maxi dresses and pretty sandals. Maybe Primark or similar as they may not fit you when you start losing.

This was on Lorraine last week, presenter was wearing this red and white one, I ordered and it's lovely (Viscose but feels good). I'm a size 16 so ordered large, wish I'd got extra large as it's a tiny bit close on the bust (I'm a 42C); (XL sold out, sorry); no pockets unfortunately but for £23 I think it's very good value. Sleeves are almost to the elbow, lots of material in the skirt. And the waist / belt seems to hit on my waist, where usually dresses are about two inches higher than my actual waist. I also bought the black dress, has small gold buttons.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1217576027.html?pr_oyster=coH8DxwouA&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mk_gb|ln_eng|pl_google|ct_fm|bu_ladies|kt_gen|bg_performance|cs_fmax|adt_all|sp_med|pi_gbg06anu3aa214&utm_term=&hier_id=go_cmp-21336737492_adg-_ad-__dev-c_ext-_prd-en-1217576027004_sig-EAIaIQobChMI4ZyCzfDfjgMVwaVQBh3cSBHIEAQYASABEgKKZ_D_BwE&utm_source=Google&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21330519522&gbraid=0AAAAADvrmzRABqk_s5hiT8wd4QDphX2mY&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4ZyCzfDfjgMVwaVQBh3cSBHIEAQYASABEgKKZ_D_BwE