Beach/pool kaftan/dress for LARGER laaaaady - and general summer holiday clothing

[lifeisforliving49]

I have decided to embrace my largeness. I am currently modifying my diet and have lost a stone in about 6 weeks. Pleased with that - but still leaves me at size 20 - Going on holiday end of August - so would love to lose another stone - but think will still be size 20 - maybe 18 if do well.

I need a capsule wardrobe for hot weather holiday. I am looking at good quality swimwear for as much support as possible - have already got a panache one and look for another.

I need something to throw on at pool/beach for when walking around. Don't want to flash my upper thighs (TBH - would prefer to keep my knees to myself too but that might be more challenging)

Anybody got ideass where to get stylish holiday items in larger sizes- but not too expensive - because I will be much smaller next summer .

Going to quite an up-market place and when went last time lots of Boden and similar wear on show. I don't really want to rock up in my Tesco F&F tops . Especially as a good friend will be there for our 2nd week and she is a walking Boden advert (and a size 12) - good job I love her company

All help appreciated.

I am body brushing (like a maniac) and have a few beauty treatments planned pre -hols - as well as a spray tan - so I know all of these things will help.

Thanks

[JennyOnAPlate]

Can't help but watching with interest because I'm also a size 20 and on holiday in August!

[DelphiniumBlue]

Violeta ( mango curve) has sale on, some very nice holiday stuff.

[Raeray]

Monsoon- I had a lovely cossie from there once. They go up to a 22 and quite often have kaftan type things and gorgeous beach dresses too.
Check eBay too they quite often have new with tags monsoon bits.

[Raeray]

Ooh also I've bought some swimming shorts (a bit like cycling shorts but in swimming costume type fabric) and I felt much more confident whilst wearing them in and around pool.

[HelpMeGetOutOfHere]

At a 20you can wear Boden. They go up to a 22. The maxi dresses are very flattering and they have a couple of kaftans. The swimsuits are very flattering as well.

Monsoon, next etc all go up to a 22 and have some great items you just need to look through lots and lots to find the gems.

Lots here in next that looks great and more expensive that's next. www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-productaffiliation-swimwear/size-20#1_780

[Itscurtainsforyou]

Matalan has some good basics (denim shorts, long vests etc) for not much money (there's a 20% off code bouncing around somewhere). They go up to size 20.

Elomi swimwear is great.

La redoute goes up to (& beyond) size 20 and has money off. (I've recently had some nice linen clothes from there)

Next is also good for basics.

[AdventureBe]

I like a t-shirt dress as a beach cover up, Kaftans are usually too short to be flattering and stop just to highlight the bits you'd rather not show and I'm not a flouncy person. The dresses seem more "normal" to me

Gap have short or long up to XXL (18-20)

[lifeisforliving49]

Thanks for hints.

AdventureBe - I know what you mean about flouncy - I am not normally - but can find that on the beach I can sometimes like a bit of floating and flouncing

Those who mention Boden - yes I have a couple of Boden dresses but it depends on the cut with Boden for me - I can't currently get away with wearing either of them - but another month and I should be ok - so by end of August should be loose on me (always hopeful)

I have large boobs - so have to go for expensive swimwear with built in bras - which then tend to boost them up and point them in the right direction - all good there.

It is the basic wardrobe I suppose and not wanting to spend a fortune. I bought some dresses in Turkey a few years ago that looked great on the beach and just threw them over my head. They looked much more expensive than they were - trying to look on ebay for some of them. If I remember they had dipped hems so sort of hippy looking.

JennyOnAPlate - maybe we can share finds on here - let each other know if we come across exceptionally good items.

[lentilpot]

I love m&s swimming cover ups as they are so modest you can wear them as dresses if need be.

[lifeisforliving49]

Hi - update on holiday shopping. I have bought a few sundresses from ebay and went to debenhams last week and got another costume. they had a massive sale of beachwear.

I just need some beach cover up type things. I had a lovely white shirt/beach cover up from Matalan a couple of years ago but i must have thrown it out - looking for something similar.

Anybody else found any large size loveliness for summer days?

[lizabeth0607]

Bravissimo for the swimwear, they have built in bra's- I wouldn't be without them!!

And have a look at asos curve, they have some beautiful holiday pieces and all on sale ATM too!!!

[sunniest]

I love the elomi swim range. It's a bit pricey but often cheaper on eBay. I have the swim bra and briefs and then one close-fitting tankini top for swimming and one of the flared tankini tops for posing! Some of them have matching kaftans in the range too.