Size 20? What do you wear to look smart / professional and stay cool?

[OvertiredandConfused]

Really struggling to find clothes that are smart enough for work but not hot, uncomfortable or unflattering.

I need to be fairly smart but not full on corporate / suit smart. No air con and quite a lot of driving.

38DD, decent waist and big tummy & hips (waist is a good size smaller than hips).

Help please

Don't shoot me but I did see some quite nice dresses in the marks and Spencer's plus range. They had a couple of smart ones, there was a nice dark blue tunic style with elbow length sleeves.

Didn't look at the material though!

Oh there was also a striped midi dress with waist detail which I thought was nice.

I've got some skinny black 'treggings' (yes 'trouser-leggings') from M&S (I know, I know), and cream blouses with black graphic pattern (also dreaded M&S).

I wear them with black fishnet ankle socks and interesting shoes... I'll find links.

Shirt:
http://www.marksandspencer.com/printed-long-sleeve-shirt/p/p22501211?image=SD011T435397TTNUXXEC90&color=NEUTRAL&prevPage=plpp_

Treggings:_
http://www.marksandspencer.com/pull-on-treggings-with-staynew/p/p22400888?image=SDD_01T5997880RY00XECC_90&color=BLACK&prevPage=srp

Shoes:
http://www.marksandspencer.com/leather-flat-heel-pumps-with-insolia-flex/p/p22473842?image=SD011T027082BBN4XXEC90&color=BROWNMIX&prevPage=plp

This is the only one I can see in M&S and it isn't really giving me the cool and professional vibe. But I could be missing the others?

I've bought some linen outfits from here

www.box2.co.uk/plus-size/fashion/essentials/default.aspx

I really like some of that stuff earlymorningtea. How badly does it crease?

Navabi had some nice looking dresses. And I think phase right has a plus line - studio 8

Mango Violeta range online is great

Asos Curve too.

Cheaper pieces go to Very.

I don't do actual 'shops' just online

Although if you have a big Sainsbury's near you they have some nice pieces

Studio 8 usually has some good stuff - it's phase 8 in sizes over 18. Something like dress

I'm an 18 too and similar proportions to you, I just bought the dress attached and it is so flattering and lovely - I got it in the sale last week and not sure if it's still on the site but I get so many work dresses from yours so definitely worth a look.

Ooh ooh I got some lovely stuff in Debenhams from Nine by Savannah Miller.

I'm wearing lots of short sleeve wrap dresses to work this summer - in stretch viscose.

They are flattering, cool, comfy and they look great. I'm a busty 20.

I really like some of that stuff earlymorningtea. How badly does it crease?

The trousers, top & jacket I bought have a sort of natural crease throughout the fabric so the creases don't really show in the same way as they do on some linen. I wore it last week when I went up to London and still looked fairly respectable at the end of the day despite sweltering on the tube.

Definitely Boden. They have a good selection of summer dresses and go up to 22. There's always a 20% code around too.

I'm a size 16-18 and currently looking for work clothes too, I was looking at this Autograph Dress. They also do it in a blue stripe.

I'll post below with anything else I come up with.

Another vote for Boden. And I've got a few pieces from the Pure Collection which work well.

What kingfishergreen said, basically.

At the moment I wear treggings : no chub rub. And light tunics/ long shirts, with flats. Liking the idea of fishnet ankle socks: presumably most Next/MandS type places would sell them??

Sainsburys are good for work dresses.

Found this today in my hunt for summer workwear which may work for you too. www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_54510+230294050_-1

Have you tried JoanieClothing.com

Free returns and up to a size 24 xx

Www.joanieclothing.com xxx

Also these nice trousers www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_54510+130009050_-1