Casual summer clothes for the curvy?

Hi y'all! Long-time lurker, first-time poster here.

I'm in Australia, so we've just started Spring here. All Fall and Winter I've been living in jeans, boots, button-down shirts and a leather jacket, occasionally mixing in some Converse for variety. I used to be a Dress And Heels Person, but I need to wear protective clothes for uni and I've become obsessed with how comfy jeans and boots are (I literally didn't own jeans until about 6 months ago). Basically, my style has transitioned from being super-feminine to relaxed and casual.

But now it's getting warmer! Today was almost 80 degrees and humid. I have NO IDEA what to wear this summer. I've been clipping pictures of outfits I like from magazines, and I'm liking the tailored shorts and miniskirts and tank tops I've been seeing, so I went shopping to try on a few examples (since I own none of these things) and they look RIDICULOUS. I'm average-sized (an Australian 12, which I think is about a US 8) but VERY curvy. Think Christina Hendricks. Now picture Christina Hendricks (specifically, Christina Hendrick's thighs and chest) encased in a tank top and shorts. Yikes.

My old summer uniform (sundress and sandals) is out. I can't wear it in the lab, and I feel like my style has "moved on". But the summer clothes that seem to fit into my new aesthetic don't flatter me. Does anyone here share my body type and a casual, student-ish sort of style? What do you wear during summer? Is there a way to balance my proportions and stay cool (and modest!)?

(Wow, that was an essay! Thanks for reading!)

15 years ago

Itari

(website)

Active Member

I am curvy and a student. High five

Dresses! Dresses and skirts with stretchy tops. I look way better in dresses than in shorts. Wrap dresses and tops are a good idea too. On the other hand, I'm not sure how would a hourglass look in my clothes

Queen Mum

Veteran

Hi Jayne and welcome to the forum. Wow... team Australia is really gaining a large membership base here

Since dresses aren't going to work, how about walk shorts or clams and casual woven shirts? And how about some flowy sleeveless tops?

does anything on this page strike your fancy?
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=5441

Jayne

High five right back atcha! I had thought about wrap dresses - they are supposed to suit my body type. I worry about looking too formal, and also about what shoes to pair with them. I can't get my head around wearing dresses without some sort of heel! But I really need proper closed shoes for uni (which is why I love my boots so very much).

For example: I own a dress almost identical to this -
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?id=21765242
- except the belt is white, not black. It is flattering, but very loud, and it draws a lot of attention to my curves. I think it looks better in the black (http://www.polyvore.com/bow_dr.....d=21007907) as far as casualness goes, so maybe that's an option. But then...shoes? I like ballet flats, but they don't provide enough foot coverage. I love the look of those little ankle-length moto boots, but I'm not sure they'd work with the dress, and I worry they'd make me look a bit stumpy (I have a long torso and short legs).

I'm leaning towards wearing short-sleeved button down shirts like this: http://www.ardenb.com/catalog/.....ctId=37593 which flatter me without screaming "hey look! BOOBS! I HAZ THEM!". In Model World, this shirt would be worn with a denim mini or some cutoffs, and my beloved Converse. However in Short Stumpy Leg World, this is...not a good look. Sigh.

jayne.. you can totally wear dresses without heels. But, if ballet flats are not an option, I'm not sure what you'd do for summer. Are you in a lab all day working, or just for portions of the day? Can you find a comfortable pair of fashion type sneakers to slip on just for the lab? (Angie is probably having an apoplexy at that suggestion... but I was thinking if you're just in a lab for small portions of the day....)

Thanks for the welcome Queenie! The stuff on the page you linked is pretty much exactly "my look" (I own that exact same black leather jacket!). I'm kind of shy around sleeveless tops though.

I think I could get away with slim-cut shorts (Not. Baggy. Shorts!, as I learned in a fitting room the other day) if I balanced them out with a more voluminous top. How long are "walk shorts"? Knee length? Calf? What shoes would work with the look?

Sorry for stupid questions! If this were a thread with someone looking to put together an outfit with a dress, I'd be all over that. But casual stuff is foreign to me.

Re: wearing different shoes in the lab - Good thinking! Even if I just slip on my Converse (which I plan to be buried in someday) on my way in, that would work! Thanks!

I spend around half my on-campus hours around either soldering materials (HOT!) or server racks (surprisingly heavy), so I am fussy about covered feet. I've seen guys show up in flip-flops though!

Maya

It seems like you are falling into extremes. Why not just wear your dresses more casually? Add leggings and swap out the heels for flats. If they're short enough, wear them as tunics over jeans. I don't think you have to choose between all dolled up and surfer chic.

I'm also very curvy on top and I don't like wearing knits anymore. You could absolutely do it if there is enough shape but I don't personally like how they stretch ridiculously over the bust. It makes me look even bigger on top. Finding woven tops that fit hasn't actually been too terribly hard, but part of the reason is because I am okay with surrendering my waistline (not that I have much to surrender) and I'm happy wearing more relaxed fits. If you want your tops to be more fitted it might be more difficult because what fits in the bust often doesn't fit in the shoulders and waist.

walk shorts are usually knee length. Would these be too loose on your leg?
http://youlookfab.com/store/20.....da-shorts/
I''m actually not sure what the difference between walk shorts and bermudas is.

These are nice too..
http://youlookfab.com/store/20.....da-shorts/

I'm drawing a blank on shoes if you can't wear sandals or ballet flats. Can you wear a loafer type shoe? or a flat pump?

Barbara

Welcome Jayne! I agree with the comments about dresses. As Maya so wisely said: wear them more casually and with stretch. Wrap dresses are made for the curvy gal. Fitted tops in linen with longer cut 'city shorts' will flatter your body AND keep you cool. Do surrender your waistline - I just started doing this recently and it's very liberating! And don't forget accessories. Working in a lab doesn't mean you cannot wear jewelry, you just have to be a bit more selective! I'm a part-time design student who sometimes works with torches so I know exactly what NOT to wear - no super-sized earrings or too-long necklaces when playing with fire!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Welcome to the forum, Jayne! You are in good company as there are several Australian forum members here.

I don't have anything to add since the members have covered it, but I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

@Maya: 100% agree that knitted tops are not for me - they do make me look bigger than I am. I'm a fan of woven, collared shirts (oddly, the mens' shirts from Esprit fit me perfectly - much better than any women's shirts I tried on!) My top half isn't nearly as hard to dress as my oddly-proportioned lower half.

I do like the look of leggings - I've only just started wearing them recently. I agree they could work under dresses, but perhaps not on 90 or 100-degree days Although frankly when it gets that hot nobody cares what they, or anyone else, looks like.

Thanks for your advice - I always look forward to reading your comments on Angie's posts.

(PS - Is it weird that I've been finding a lot of inspiration in Angie's Mom-On-The-Go series? A lot of those looks would be great for uni.)

Thanks for the welcome, Angie! I feel like I'm talking to a celebrity

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'll be heading to the shops to look at leggings (perhaps even jeggings/leans?), longer shorts, and some casual stretchy dresses.

"I don't think you have to choose between all dolled up and surfer chic." - Thanks Maya, I just might print that out and tape it to my mirror.

Jayne- not weird at all. Angie's MOTG posts aren't just for moms. They are really for anyone who wants to dress casually yet stylishly. Perfect for your situation.

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