Help dress an 18-20 woman to be cool and comfy this summer

[SunSparkle]

Hello!

I’m asking for help! I’m a size 18-20, pear shaped, small bust, with a long torso and short legs.

I’ve got two young kids and spend a lot of time outside with them and getting up and running after them.

I’ve totally lost any sense of style and don’t know how to practically, stylishly and for this larger body.

I’ve got lots of culottes and wide drawstring trousers but I struggle with tops. I’ve given up on a shorts as they are always too tight on the thighs. I love dresses as can wear snag shorts underneath, and I love skirts but struggle with what top to wear with them.

I sunburn easy so tend to like short sleeves over vest/sleeveless styles.

can you suggest a capsule wardrobe? I tend to dress from next, h and m, marks and Spencer and a lot from supermarkets.

help me in my style crisis

Linen, wide leg trousers and vest tops.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/drawstring-wide-leg-trousers-with-linen/p/clp60775815?color=PEAT#intid=pid_pg1pip27g4r3c1%7Cprodflag_srp_ts_CBS_4

These trousers are fab

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-printed-puff-sleeve-blouse/p/clp60782483?color=YELLOWMIX

Wear with this blouse White with pinstripe version. Blouse also looks good with jeans.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-printed-puff-sleeve-blouse/p/clp60782483?color=YELLOWMIX

Linen, wide leg trousers and vest tops.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/drawstring-wide-leg-trousers-with-linen/p/clp60775815?color=PEAT#intid=pidpg1pip27g4r3c1%7CprodflagsrptsCBS4

These trousers are fab I have the peat ( brown) ones. Comes in different lemgths.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-printed-puff-sleeve-blouse/p/clp60782483?color=YELLOWMIX

Wear with this blouse White with pinstripe version. Blouse also looks good with jeans.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-printed-puff-sleeve-blouse/p/clp60782483?color=YELLOWMIX

This dress from new look. Looks lovely on.

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/dark-red-milkmaid-midi-dress/p/939298967

For the really hot days.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su911589/v29154?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9256171658&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UX30SiyOsdx15b3VqBtp483x&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1KaAm-3TlAMVEo9QBh30AzaiEAQYAyABEgKD4vD_BwE

White Stuff is having a sale, and jersey is comfortable!

https://www.whitestuff.com/p/7741/megan-jersey-short-sleeve-midi-v-neck-dress/PINK_PR

Thank you! I really struggle with tops. I don't really know what to wear with loose wide leg linen trousers that doesn't make me look all baggy, but I never think to wear vests because I feel it makes me look out of proportion

I’m in a rush so can’t send any links or write so much, but I note you said you wear snag shorts underneath skirts - Megababe anti-chafing stick is incredible, and if you use this you will no longer need the shorts.

I found out about Megababe last year and it has really helped me. I couldn’t stand having to wear shorts underneath as it’s yet another layer of fabric and adds to the heat.

I really like this Next t-shirt. Comes in loads of colours. I have a couple of sizes so I can balance out the bagginess of the bottoms I'm wearing. Looks a bit nicer than a normal t-shirt because of the slash neck. Plus shoulders are covered but arms are still cool.

Next Cap Sleeve T-shirt

I have a couple of these bubble hem tops from next, find them handy to wear with skirts and wide leg trousers.
https://www.next.ie/en/style/su878088/w66594

Wide leg trousers need a high wait and tucked in top. I was a similar shape and size before MJ. I love the next barrel trousers. And a fitted ribbed cotton t shirt but this is too hot in 28*+ so a loose fit top tucked in. I also love a midi or maxi skirt.

don’t give up on shorts I have jersey short from Asda size xl and high rise shorts without the turn up - this is important- from Matalan. These are a line. And wide in the leg. Sometimes need to sise up but I think shorts are better sized. Also the Asda utility shorts.

I prefer plain rather than print. My legs are dreadful with lipodema so I hate my legs as much as anything g but being comfy at home and then nice when facing the public is the aim!

capsule ideas:
green linen barrel
patterened culotte
pattern maxi skirt
white linen short
black denim short
jersey short
maxi skirt
maxi dress
vest - black, stripe, neutral, colour
t shirts, white stripe neutral colour
teva sandals
birks
linen over shirt

Thanks for the thread Op - watching myself with interest as I struggle too!

Me too!

and me !

You need a stash of fitted t-shirts.

In general, I try to stick to baggy on one half, fitted on the other. If I’m wearing fitted capri pants, then I’ll go for a loose, blousy top. If I’m wearing wide-legged trousers, then I’ll want something slimmer on top.

I worry about those elasticated tops riding up showing my flabby belly . And I wonder if suitable for big busts. Anyone else .?

@Nofeckingway - yep - same here!

Linen look trousers + knit or cotton waistcoats like these + Birkenstocks or Sambas https://www.marksandspencer.com/ie/cotton-blend-ribbed-knitted-waistcoat/p/clp60783898 (ROI link)

I have extremely untoned upper arms & skin so pale it glows in the dark, but sleeveless is still more flattering with trousers. Tees look better with wide leg culottes.

What height are you, OP? And do you have a defined waistline or a bit of a tummy? What's your skin/hair/eye colouring & what colours do you like/suit?

I'm not sure that culottes/cropped trousers are that flattering on most people. Especially if you're short (or short of leg as you say you are). They cut your proportions horizontally in the wrong place. Wide trousers can work on someone shorter if they're a neat style - not the billowing style with lots of fabric.

Do you have narrow shoulders as well as a small bust - notably narrower than your hips?

Slash necks would be good for the OP, as they'd help balance out her narrower top & wider bottom. Though that T-shirt looks more like a wide shallow boat neck - but would still be a good choice.

I Was the same shape as OP and culottes were fine.

Popsy and Joe browns Maxi dresses.

Lots of fabric/wide or boxy tops on your smaller top half will make you look larger all over - but very fitted tops/T-shirts may, depending on how pear-shaped you are, make you look bigger on the bottom by contrast.

I think that tops with a wider slash or boat neck, or capped-sleeved tops, that are a bit more fitted at the waist, would work well with your proportions, @SunSparkle ? These would work with trousers & midi-skirts.

This sort of thing? Massimo Dutti, Next & M&S respectively.

I'm a 16. I have many cotton and linen midi dresses, mostly sleeveless, and I have some a-line button down tops in cotton and linen that I use as a jacket or sun protection. I have about 15 pairs of the anti chaffing "shorts". This is my go to for a happy and comfortable summer.

Same size as you and I'm living in sleeveless t shirts tucked into £4 jogger shorts from Primark.

There are plenty of colours and means I can run after my little one 😊

Dress-wise, something that's got cap/short sleeves & skims over the hips without being TOO wide at the bottom - a narrow A-line shape - would work well. Someone just posted this dress on another thread. Plain or patterned viscose. Not sure if you're ok with your legs on show - although it would probably be knee-length on anyone on the short side? I like the black, & the green & white floral. (It's basically a short version of the long kaftan-style dress they did a couple of years ago.)

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1214786038.html