How can I look nice as a size 16?

[UpsetOverWeight]

Please help, I’m going on my first holiday in 8 years and I didn’t manage to lose weight. I feel self-conscious and really upset. I feel like cancelling but this will be my 6 year olds first proper holiday. How can I look nicer as a size 16? My arms and legs are surprisingly skinner as the weight is my stomach, hips and bottom. So I need clothes to fit my stomach - I look pregnant on some days. I don’t have much money so I’m looking at high street shops only, any ideas what I can wear? I can’t wear what I have as I wear the same thing everyday - black leggings and a tunic over them in different colours. I’m so upset with myself for not even trying. I don’t want to ruin this for my kids I really don’t but I feel
so self conscious.

Assuming you are going somewhere warm, then as pp have said linen trousers and shorts. I also like the Next linen shift dresses - they are always for sale on eBay and are great for an apple shape.

As a size 16 you will look lovely. I feel your perception of yourself is what’s going on here. Honestly size 16 is not bad x

OP You do look nice. Your confidence is low.
I’m a size 18 and just had a fabulous holiday on a beach most days, paddle boarding. I felt great 😊

Dresses with cotton feel chub rub shorts underneath are your friend. Try vinted if you’re not feeling flush - then you can get better deals:

These type of linen dresses in M&S are really flattering and cool: https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6769407666-gorgeous-maximum-dress

Wirapa chub rubs are best and come in loads of colours:
https://amzn.eu/d/7MzGgiW

And I found these Next tummy control swimsuits to be excellent - i bought 2 to alternate. They really hold your tummy in and fit massive boobs!

https://www.next.co.uk/shop/productaffiliation-swimwear/style-shapeenhancing

I personally go for big buckle Birkenstocks to be comfy on holiday as well as classy - I know they are pricey but again, if you like that sort of thing you can get new ones on vinted a lot of the time (or get dupes)
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6849715420-birkenstocks-arizona-gold-big-buckle-size-39

Hope that’s helpful!!
Remember nobody cares what other people look like, they are all focused on themselves.
Enjoy your holiday with your little one.
You won’t worry so much once you get there and are feeling relaxed I promise 🌴

Look at insta accounts for mid sized clothing mammalovesleopard / rantsandbigpants /

new looks also has some great value dresses:

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/curves-pink-gingham-print-seersucker-smock-midi-dress/p/919694679

Anyone can look nice at any size and 16 really isn’t that big. If you had been a size bigger and lost weight and gone down to a 16 you’d be all “ ooh go me!” And loving life. I think that’s the kind of energy to try and channel because “ I hate myself” puts you in a negative mindset for everything.

What you wear on holiday slightly depends on the type of holiday that you’re going on and your personal style. ( “camouflage” is not a style fyi ) I like a pair or longer shorts with a resort shirt for hot weather site seeing. You could swap the shirt for a loose vest. I bought some draw string linen shorts from M&S that are easy to wear. I also liked their mom shorts in denim ( they’re not tight on the legs).

And despite the fact I hate Next I somehow managed to buy some white elasticated waist white trousers from there which I like with a black vest or coloured tee shirt ( I used to quite like men’s t shirts for the fit. If you want to create some shape you can take an elastic band and pull a section inside and secure it with the band. This can create a bit of shape wherever you want it. ). My other favourite buy was from Next and was a black dress. Really easy to throw on for anything really. I had some black leather flip flops I’ve had for years and barely worn. Nice earring.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su537332/aw0162

Are we doing cozzies? I bought a bright coral one piece from Sainsburys which is not my normal thing but I thought it was good for the price. I’ve also had good ones from Amazon with tummy control etc if that’s what you want. European ladies of all shapes and sizes mostly wear bikinis if you happen to be going abroad

i think the biggest problem now will be finding summer clothes in the shops. I was shopping 2 weeks ago and they were clearing out summer things then. Next I found still had lots in the shops.

Remember you are buying clothes for a fun event rather than a problem that needs fixing.

I’m just back from Spain and all the chic tourists were wearing doting striped shirts knotted in front or left loose, generally with shorts. Toi don’t need to bear your arms!

I’m a size 16-18, down from a size 28 this time last year.

ive said fuck it. I’m going to wear strappy dresses and shorts and short skirts. Life is short!

How tall are you? I'm now a 16 after being a 20 and love how I look in wide leg trousers and a v neck top.

I empathise OP. I lost 2.5 stone for my hols last year and felt great. I lost my Dad in November and comfort ate my way to gaining back a stone which I haven't managed to lose and am now just a month away from my holiday and am sooo annoyed with myself
I have accepted the way I am - at the end of the day ,people come in all shapes and sizes and im sure no one is going to give your shape a second thought.
I love the Yours brand for clothes- easy to wear, floaty styles and pretty prints for 14 + ladies. They have an online shop and there are pages of sales stuff. If pennies are tight, they accept Klarna so you can spread the cost over 3 payments.

Check out Shein Curve - absolutely gorgeous and flattering clothes and selfies of people who’ve bought them ( so how they look on ‘ real
people’ )
You're gorgeous - just pop some sunglasses on your head and have a brilliant time ☀️ xxx

A-Line dresses suit me really well. I have reasonable legs, it's my tummy and c-section flap I hate!

When we went on holidays last time I brought two really nice dresses that I wore on the days we went sight seeing. I knew pictures would be taken of me and I wanted to look nice. I know for me if I was in shorts/ tshirt I would have hated my stomach in pictures. I know that it wasn't what it was about, it was about my sons 1st holiday but it is nice to feel nice. So try out a few outfits before going for days you know your photo will be taken. And DO TAKE THE PHOTO.

Don’t buy Shein, @UpsetOverWeight. Look up their ethics records …

I am the same size and shape as you.

Roman are excellent for blouses and posh tops that are slimming - they have a vest like thing underneath, with a flowing overtop. They are not expensive, maybe £20-£30, however, you can often get them on Vinted for less than a fiver.

This top is currently £20 on Roman, and I got the exact same on Vinted last week for £5 :

https://www.roman.co.uk/sequin-hem-overlay-stretch-top-19315330

Rotita are excellent for bubble hem tankini's that hide a multitude of sins.

https://www.rotita.com/rotita-lace-hollow-mint-green-tankini-top-g321785.html

The quality is excellent, they last for years!

You'll look and feel great OP, you'll be on holiday and no-one cares anyway, size 16 is nothing.

I just bought these trousers in the sale from Arket, very light and floaty, good quality, and goes with so many tops:

https://www.arket.com/en-gb/product/wide-linen-trousers-white-1162042002/

I'm a 14 and I got the L, but I could have sized down - the legs are wide and the waist is fully elasticated. I've been living in them all week as it's boiling here.

To add, I also got these ones: https://www.arket.com/en-gb/product/linen-drawstring-trousers-beige-1068990002/

Loads of good holiday stuff in the Arket sale at the moment.

OP, think cotton and linen - whether your size 16 or 6 it makes no odds, lots of great suggestions here already but check the fabric so it’s comfortable in the heat. Enjoy!

These are lovely as well: https://www.arket.com/en-gb/product/linen-trousers-beigeblack-1273386005/

Have to remind myself I don't need any more bloody linen trousers!

🤣🤣🤣

I love a kaftan, but not to hide my fatsome body, just because they're fun and a bit glam. I like to think I look more Margo Leadbetter than Demis Roussos, but am probably landing somewhere in between - Eddie Monsoon in Marrakech?

She is very self conscious, so I doubt just because you’ve said you wear vest tops and shorts that that’s suddenly going to be her style.

I was trying to help.

Me too! I’m a 10/12 and love to wear kaftans. They often come in lovely patterns and colours and I feel confident knowing my mum bumps are covered whilst I tuck into the local cuisine.

I haven’t worn a tight vest top in years, not because I don’t think I can, but because I no longer feel comfortable in them.

Each to their own - no idea why other posters are rejecting kaftans - floaty clothes are lovely!

I bought a black jersey dress from Asda for our holiday next week to Cyprus. Just checked and it’s sold out, but this is similar from next.
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su537332/aw0162
also bought these trousers to wear with a black vest. I know it’s two black outfits, but I’ll be wearing them with a long silver necklace, going for the understated, casual , chic look 😂
https://direct.asda.com/george/women/trousers/black-crepe-leg-co-ord-trousers/GEM1328027,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C8
these also sold out, but might give you an idea for similar if this is to your style.

I’ve got a couple of summer dresses from previous years, and have found similar on Vinted from monsoon. I find their summer dresses quite flattering as they skim over the middle area and are quite cool in the heat.
https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6146146128-monsoon-pretty-long-blue-dress-with-tassel-tie-in-size-16?referrer=catalog
this kind of style.

Day time I’ve got a couple of swimsuits from next, underwired with tummy control and ruching across the front, plain black and patterned black, I find the more muted the less old fashioned they look 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 and have splashed out on a black crochet type cover up for around the pool, to feel a bit glamorous whilst covering up the lumps and bumps!
I also have a couple of pairs of plain jersey shorts to wear with vests and a line jersey dresses for day trips.

As many have said, I try to channel my inner nobody is looking at me, and there are people of all shapes and sizes.
i hope you have a great time.

Recent thread about size 16 -
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5376801-if-youre-a-size-16-what-do-you-wear-that-you-feel-nice-in?page=1

I have this one (and the black one), light, airy, cheap and lovely on.
https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1217576027.html?gad_campaignid=21330519522&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADvrmzRABqk_s5hiT8wd4QDphX2mY&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4ZyCzfDfjgMVwaVQBh3cSBHIEAQYASABEgKKZ_D_BwE&hier_id=go_cmp-21336737492_adg-_ad-__dev-c_ext-_prd-en-1217576027004_sig-EAIaIQobChMI4ZyCzfDfjgMVwaVQBh3cSBHIEAQYASABEgKKZ_D_BwE&pr_oyster=coH8DxwouA

I tend to agree with this. When I was a size 16 with big boobs and slim legs, the whole flowy top/leggings thing only emphasised what I was trying to conceal. It was the least flattering look for me.

Rebalancing my body made me feel 100% better - wise legs or full, loose skirt, and clean cut, plain top. There are some great vests that are tailored to flatter, not just cling.

I also lived in dark, plain jersey dresses that skimmed my body, rather than surrounding it with fabric.

I am a similar size OP.Its very average now.Lots of people are bigger and enjoying themselves to the fullest! Go and have a great time .No one notices how you look .Im sure you look great anyway.I think a nice couple of summer dresses a cool top and some linen trousers would look great.Big smiles and happy faces go a long way too

Easily. Smile, be happy and enjoy your holiday. Your family probably already think you look fabulous.