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is now feeling tight or just won’t fit, plus I have a lot of skinny jeans, leggings etc which I now feel frumpy and out of date in.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 bought a couple of nice stretch, belted jersey shirt dresses for work.

I had the same problem with gaping and popping buttons so had a seamstress sew them up from bust to mid-thigh. They pull on and off over my head easily enough.

I wouldn't go out and buy that style again just to go to all that effort but it was a good way to save something I'd already bought but didn't like wearing!

Love the jumpsuit @Titsywoo What is the sizing like? I'm the same height as the OP, 13stone 10, and a curvy14/16. I carry most of my weight around my belly, hips and bum so not sure if I should go for the M or L.

does anyone have tips for holiday wear/dresses - im probably a 16/18, all my weight is on my belly but as im tall, it doesnt look that out of proportion. Looking for cotton/linen as it will be boiling. Panicking and quickly zooming through marks and spencer, as well as H&M

I like the Marks long cotton beach shirts, worn open over a vest and shorts. I cut the arms shorter and hem them, as they never seem to stay up if I roll them.

@Titsywoo I like that too but have awful arms so avoid anything sleeveless

Long A-line dresses.

@stealthsquirrelnutkin just searched for this thread to say thank you for mentioning the Zoe food podcast, I've been listening to it loads and I think it's really helping me improve my health, thank you.

Just thought I’d update you….

I bought and kept this dress from New Look (wearing it with leggings) - it isn’t perfect but it was cheap, it’s easy to wear and folds up small for packing: https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/black-broderie-anglaise-v-neck-mini-dress/p/917052801

I also bought and kept these two tops:
https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/tops/off-white-floral-print-lace-trim-tea-blouse/p/930554511
https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/tops/green-daisy-print-crepe-ruched-tea-blouse/p/924811339
The green one is on the low cut side for me but my husband is a big fan and you can adjust it to make it less revealing by loosening the ties.

Also these shorts:
https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/shorts/navy-a-line-denim-shorts/p/921758441
They do need a bit of wearing in though as they currently feel quite snug at the waist even in the size 16. But they fit and are flattering…

The green Oliver Bonas dress was lovely fabric but came up quite big and with the big sleeves felt like a bit of a tent (come Tudor fancy dress!) so it went back. Maybe size down and wear with a belt if you’re tempted by though!!

I have some new to me scoop neck t-shirts (Fat Face/ Joules etc) off Vinted and some cotton shirts off Vinted too which have been working hard on holiday too.

Left off jeans for now as the pair I bought were on the big side and it isn’t jeans weather at the moment so I think I’ll wait until September and maybe I’ll be a few pounds down!

@OneDayIWillLearn you see that new look dress is exactly how I described in my earlier posts and I’m exactly same size and height - I’ve got a ton of things like that and wear with leggings, boots or sandals and a cardi if it gets cooler!!

It’s a good one! I would ideally have it marginally longer and marginally less full in the ‘skirt’ bit ….but it’s under £20 and does the job of making me feel nice so I can forgive that!

I disagree with much of the previous advice 😆so here’s my tuppence worth just for fun .
if you’re busty ( which I am btw) I think v necks & wrap dresses look absolutely awful & accentuate the bust , T shirts are also tricky , however if you find the right neckline , not too high & definitely not boat neck , perhaps just showing or at your collar bones , in a fairly substantial fabric in a boxy shape , try Rapanui , they will look great with wide or barrel jeans & wide linen trousers …
loose linen shirts , preferably with a tuck or pleat at the back as they hang better skimming over ones bottom & hips , also look good with wide jeans . H & M do some nice ones , Fatface , White Stuff ,Sea Salt. If you avoid prints & stick to plainer colours you can still wear them over the coming seasons when you weigh a bit less . A loose shirt always looks nice if the details are on point .
if you wear skirts there are also some decent ones around which would work well with a boxy t or a loose shirt . Please refrain from the dated 1/2 tuck … or any tuck at all in fact ! No need to.
if you can stretch to a couple or 3 decent shirts you won’t regret it .
Sainsbury’s actually have some quite nice jeans in a variety of styles , always look for a minimum of stretch , 1% Lycra at the most . Also River Island. Jeans with no stretch may feel odd at first , if you’re used to stretch , but , they are more comfortable , also keep things:’ streamlined by slightly sucking you in which I’m a huge fan of .Jeans with too much , looking at you M & S , wash terribly tend to bag at the knee & bum and often fit oddly round the crotch .I puzzled by the rails & rails of jeans in M & S and they’re all absolutely grim , but if you can find some you like there well done , perhaps I was just unlucky . I saw Boyfriend ,or wide leg which could be nice if they fit you well , high waist is your friend and also far more comfortable.
Avoid platform trainers too, opt for flat or Fisherman Sandals …
☺️ and please enjoy your holiday and I hope you find just a few new things to wear which you feel comfortable and happy in. Im about your size and think I always look quite nice !

I agree about wrap dresses.
I am a size 16 hourglass and they do nothing for me.

I’m the same height and weight as you @OneDayIWillLearnand also curvy in proportion.
I think I look best in jeans. Wide leg or straight jeans in a range of different washes worn with silk cotton blouses or good quality t shirts. Well cut jacket, mac or coat.
I know skirts are having a moment but I don’t think I look particularly great in them.
The best shape of dress on me is a cotton shirt dress with A line skirt.

I’m wearing the M&S harper jeans today and feel really comfortable in them and I think they look nice as well

These are my favourite jeans and I've got them in three colours! I think they look good with boots, trainers and sandals.

I just picked up another pair on vinted that look brand new for £5

How is the sizing?

Pretty much spot on, which is very unusual for Marks!

I’m similar to you, 14 on bottom and 16 on top thanks to large bust. I’ve been wearing 3/4 length linen trousers with quite a high waist, a vest top tucked in (square or scoop neck, I avoid high neck always) and a lightweight linen or cotton shirt over the top unbuttoned. This also works well with a midi skirt instead of the trousers and sometimes I wear a linen blazer instead of the shirt. I also find waisted dresses like this are flattering www.albaray.co.uk/products/linen-waisted-dress-ss25?variant=53259234738563&country=GB&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=uk+-+shopping+-+pmax+-+new+season&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17347551320&gclid=CjwKCAjwy7HEBhBJEiwA5hQNonZrGVN1yVUOnwejSidO9s4saJ9v99EQ9bJbvnaIrcYhwvrkPLAxsxoCcHYQAvD_BwE

In the autumn/winter i wear high waisted jeans, trousers, and long sleeve tops with a blazer or cardigan.

Pretty spot on for me
I would say if you’re on the edge size down not up so 14/16 I would go 14