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.

Whilst I am not a size 16, I do have problematic boobs and belly and find that a line T-shirt dresses suit me best.

Have you got some sunglasses you love? I Often find putting those on makes me instantly feel better about myself as I look better but also feel a little bit more ‘hidden’. Not that you should hide of course, I’m just sharing my experience. Just a thought!

Vinted will be ideal for not spending too much. Try dresses with a shirred waist as they are very flattering over tummy or wide leg cropped trousers as they're everywhere.

If you're not a shorts person then don't wear them as you'll end up feeling self conscious. I don't as I'm heavy around tummy so do cropped trousers - love the Roman very stretchy ones and a simple capped sleeve t shirt.

I’m sure you’ll look fine, OP. Please don’t be self-conscious. You’ll look just as good as the other women 😊 I can’t help with clothes except to say choose prints carefully and don’t go too garish or OTT. I’d also say that making sure your hair looks good each day, wearing some jewellery like pretty beaded bracelets, etc, can look really nice. Those are what I notice on other women - the finishing touches.

Have a wonderful holiday x

In the general scheme of things a size 16 is normal, fine, lovely, womanly. I’ve had weight loss surgery and am utterly thrilled and delighted to be a size 16 (only just) . Please be happy and confident in your body as it is now. A person radiating confidence and vitality is attractive

They certainly are.

Assuming you’re in UK, OP?

Isn't 16 now the average?

There are so many gorgeous long floaty sundresses around. If you like your arms you'll probably look and feel amazing in a strappy one. Depending on where you are going, there might be some great markets with affordable and lovely summer clothes when you get there.

Have an amazing time and don't beat yourself up about not loosing the weight. I was exactly the same - planned to get fit and toned before going away but work, life etc got in the way. I'm just back from holiday, had a great time, wore a bikini and didn't give a monkeys in the end.

I like a dress with a shirred bodice, flaring a bit over the hips and stomach. Comfy too and often cheap.

Doesn’t shirring emphasise an area? I have a disproportionate big belly and always steer clear of shirring as I think it will cling to that? Happy to learn though!

Personally I think loose clothing drowns you and looks worse. Semi fitted best for all unless you're skeletal.

If you like your legs and arms then shorts and vest tops for running around after your DC, I am loving bright oversized t shirts at the moment. I also like floaty trousers with a vest tucked in, took me ages to realise this was more flattering as always tried to ‘hide’ my stomach but with the right trousers it works. And then maybe some fit and flare summer style dresses or wrap dresses for when you want to look a bit fancier. I promise you that no-one will notice or care what you look like and when you think back to your holiday it will be of all the fun stuff you did and memories made rather than what you looked like!

My suggestion is summer dresses. Try a few on to see if full length of midi suits you best. Make sure you have a waist in what you wear. I bought a red thick belt and it goes over the top of almost any dress well. It gives me a bit of shape and when you go in at the waist it does make you look smaller.

I have the same sort of figure as you and this works well for me.

If you have good legs and arms you’re half way there! I hate my arms and legs and keep them covered raising my temp to very uncomfortable (and it’s bollocks that long sleeves keep you cool). In you shoes (sandals) I’d wear lose fitting sleeveless tops over shorts. If you like to tuck them a belt will add definition to your waist.

Many size 16s and over look fantastic. You’re not that big anyway. Think of yourself as voluptuos.

i am sure others will have more practical styling tips but i urge you to think of yourself as very attractive and when negative thoughts arise vanish them with positive affirmations. Try to not spend too much time checking mirrored. We all compare our real selves with the idealised version we have in our heads.

Im a size 14/16 (from a size 20 in January after a 3 stone loss) this is what worked for me last week

Primark Chino Shorts in green
next barrel leg linen trousers in green (these are the best!)
Matalan high waist denim shorts in black
4 vest tops - grey / stripe/ black /pink from f&f/ primark/
4 T-shirt two plain frill from Asda pink and green and 2 logo White ant green
1 new look “summer dress” in a tile print
1 Zara from Vinted geometric Dress
1 pattern wide leg crop from Vinted (stitch fix) like cullotew
sleecless double cloth shirt in white
1 bikini + linen shirt
1 swim suit and cover up dress
Teva
pool slides (fake birkinstocks from primark)
nice sandals (mine are from fat face)

I wish I had some nice light shorts though too so I’m looking for some of these!

Do not wear leggings and a tunic will feel awful 😢 I’ve done it x

I'm a 14-16 and the best place I've found for summer dresses is Apricot. They look really flattering on, they have a lovely shape. Both maxi and midi dresses are fab, and their 'Milkmaid' style dresses are lovely. They give you a nice waist and have lovely necklines that are feminine - and a lot of their summer dresses are in the sale now: Dresses | Womenswear | Apricot Clothing

Thin arms and legs are a bonus!

You can wear shift dresses.

I'd also wear long floaty skirts and vest tops. Heels for evenings.

Google skater dresses - if you’ve got good boobs I find lowish cut tight fit and flare skater dresses or wrap dresses in good fabrics and ideally knee length look great- regardless of whether in fashion or not!!! And I then team with leggings and boots in winter, sandals in summer - something like this

https://amzn.eu/d/8wjSybo

I’m a 16 too OP - down from an 18 -

Where are you going on holiday? What's the weather forecast? How will you spend your days so what sort of clothes do you need?
What colours suit you?

If it's warm, I would avoid long sleeved polyester tops. Stick to cotton.

16 is pretty average these days and with slim arms and legs, you can look fab.

I have lived in Next's relaxed boyfriend denim shorts this summer.

Or if the previous one I suggested was a bit girly - something like this maybe

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUSELILY-Summer-Dresses-Drawstring-Pockets/dp/B0DM8XPW86

If you carry your weight on your hips etc, are you pear shaped? Ie. Smaller on top, good arms, wider hips etc. If do, then the rule of thumb is patterned and/or brighter top half, and plainer, darker below.

eg,
Patterned top
-halter neck tops,
-flared or bootcut jeans
wide leg linen trousers

Regarding dresses, then the empire line looks good (and also milkmaid dresses) - look at Nobody’s Child range, or the Fatface Adele dress. New look has some good stuff as well, and always seems to have reductions.

Have a fab holiday!

https://theconceptwardrobe.com/build-a-wardrobe/pear-body-shape

Someone once said to me that you can wear what you like on holiday because no one will ever see you again.

Plus everyone is too busy worrying about their own humidity induced frizz or conscious of showing bits of their body that never see the light of day in the UK. Everyone has their own worries and body concerns which I bet you wouldnt even notice.

Your 6 year old wont care.

Some ideas

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/blue-crinkled-jersey-checked-milkmaid-midi-dress/p/928887349

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/red-tile-print-square-neck-midi-dress/p/918795169

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/off-white-floral-polka-dot-milkmaid-midi-dress/p/922059911

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/cream-checked-ruffle-trim-mini-dress/p/928863111

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/blue-pattern-print-tiered-hem-mini-dress/p/921997849

So true. Your six year will remember building sandcastles, eating icecream, not what you wore.