Bye, bye, booty shorts: A curvy girl’s guide to dressing for the heat

Chub rub, am I right?

Yes, summer can be tough for us curvy girls - as the temperatures continue to soar, the pain and discomfort that goes along with it lingers. And while magazines boast about the 'perfect summer wardrobe', they never seem to keep us chunkier in mind. Yes, shopping for clothes that keep us both comfortable and stylish can be next to impossible. From trying to find a pair of denim shorts that don’t make us feel like a tightly cling-filmed chicken fillet, to dresses that rise up so short they would make the Geordie Shore girls blush – it can all leave us feeling a bit fed up and resorting to oversized everything to get us by. Trying to maintain a sense of style in the heat can be a challenge – however, we think we’ve got you covered with these eight amazing pieces.  

1. Move over maxi

Miss Selfridge - €55

The maxi dress has been a staple in everyone's summer wardrobe for years now, however, they can oftentimes be fairly flimsy and leave you pulling and tugging at yourself for the day. We recommend ditching all that skirt and adding more structure to the top - enter the midi dress. We're not talking your standard bandage midi for nights out, we're talking pretty patterns, nicer fabrics and more flattering shapes.

2. Jumping for joy

Missguided - €34

While dresses are always pretty in the summer, sometimes the effort of shaving and tanning your legs just doesn't seem worth it. If this sounds like you, then meet your new best friend. Go for a jumpsuit with with a wide leg for ultimate comfort. We love layering ours over t-shirts during the day for a more relaxed look.  

3. Cool-ottes

Boohoo - €24

While you may have to rip our skinny jeans from our cold dead hands during the cooler months, when the suns out, we'd happily part with our black skinnies. Our go-to trouser this time of year is culottes. Perfect for casual days out, a busy day of meetings and the beer garden on a Friday night - once you own one pair, you won't stop adding to the collection.  

4. Lovely layers

New Look - €29.99

Sometimes, it's nice to have that extra layer for comfort. It can also help disguise any areas we may feel self-conscious about. However, it's a shame to hide a nice outfit under a big cardigan. A printed kimono is the perfect cover-up for the summer months. Whether you wear it with jeans and a string top, or over that dress that's just a little too short in the back, it's the perfect combination of comfort and style.  

5. Time for tea

ASOS - €37.84

Is there anything cuter than a tea dress in the summer? Answer - no. From the wrap waist, to the flowy skirt, to the perfect sleeve length, they are simply perfect on all shapes for the hot weather. We recommend choosing one from the tall section - those few extra centimetres will provide enough material to cover our curvier hips and bum.

6. The cold shoulder

River Island - €40

Off-the-shoulder tops are everywhere again this year. However, when your cup size is anything above a B, strapless bras can be a no-go. The cold shoulder trend is the perfect in-between for bigger busted ladies. With enough strap to disguise a proper bra, you can show off a bit of the décolletage and keep cool, without having to yank up the girls every five minutes.  

7. Glorified joggers

Zara - €19.95

We live in tracksuit bottoms at home for the majority of the year. However, on the rare occasion that we do enjoy some sunshine, it's hard to bid farewell to our beloved joggers. Thanks the continuing sports luxe trend, you can now get tracksuit bottoms in a range of materials and prints that are perfect for everyday wear. With a loose fit and a light fabric, they are the perfect smart summer trouser.  

8. Terrific togs

Topshop - €44

Long gone are the days of gross one-pieces and unflattering bikinis. Yes, the high street shops have finally heard our cries and are now making seriously stylish one-piece swimsuits for those of us who don't feel brave enough to bare all on the beach. From pretty prints to cool detailing, we're now spoiled for choice when it comes to our togs.   Feature image: Instagram.