Smart casual - plus size?

[FfaCoffi]

I need clothes for a work trip on a month or so - we're going away for training for a few days, and it's near some gorgeous countryside, so I guess we may walk to a country pub. (Relatively short walks, not hiking)

We usually WFH so I normally only need to look presentable from the top of my arms up! It's been so long since I spent time in real life with work colleagues, I'm not sure where to start - help!

What kind of thing would you wear?

I'm size 24, round and can't do waists - my tops need to be long line, or dress. I can't wear anything that needs tucking in, or has a waist.

Do you need work clothes or walking clothes OP? (Or both?)

Both. We won't be working though, we'll be in training, it's not at all public facing, so I'm wondering if my going to the country pub clothes don't need to be that different, just sensible footwear.

Last time we went on one of these (before the pandemic!), people wore pretty casual clothes, in that effortlessly thrown-together but still looking well groomed way that some people just seem great at - and I'm terrible at!

I'll need 3 days worth of outfits.

Looking at these boots in a sale, what do you think?

(Barbour and Panama Jack)

What do people even wear to work on their feet these days?!

I've don't think I've seen any of my colleagues feet for years!

I've totally gone off heels. The heels on those boots in the photo would be the highest I've work since before lockdown.

How about these? (Geox)

i am a 20/22 and quite round, but I wear a variety of shapes. I think it can be quite hard to get longer tops to look put together, and I often wear a top tucked or French tucked despite having quite a lot of tummy because it just looks neater and more modern.

For a 3-day training / countywide work thing in mid-Mar I would wear/pack the below. Not saying this is what you should take! Just giving you an idea. I suit strong colours / bright white so my wardrobe plays to that. I’m mid 40s, senior. I also tend to overpack but am presuming you might want to change your top for dinner.

Girlfriend jeans
Navy cords in a similar cut
2 x relaxed cashmere v necks in jewel colours
1 x white poplin shirt
1 x patterned silk shirt
1 x navy knitted vest for over shirts if cold
DM boots
Chunky loafers or trainers
Good jewellery
Wool shacket type coat.

If I was driving, I’d definitely leave a proper waterproof coat and walking boots in the car. If I was going on the train I might even swap out my wool coat for my 3-in-one Peter Storm and not worry about the cagoule rustle and lack of style!

Patterned

@FfaCoffi how old are you? what is your go to clothing shop?
I’m not a fan of those boots. I’d go for something more classic/plain.
@Tangelo has a great list.

Can you recommend where to buy for this size range?

Thanks Tangelo. I have a nice shacket already, mentally packing that now!

I do like DMs, the boots a over were my attempt at being a bit more grown up! But if you say you're relatively senior and wear DMs, that is reassuring and great news, thank you!

I agree that it's harder to look well put together with no waist, but this is non negotiable, sadly.

I hold all my weight in my gut, pretty much. I am a similar shape to what I was when I was heavily pregnant, except my weight now hangs down and wobbles rather than sticks out! My stomach looks awful. Tucking clothes is is absolutely not an option. I would feel utterly humiliated if I had to stand in front of my colleagues with it on show.

I haven't worn anything with a waist on show in years, and would rather not go, than wear a tucked in shirt!

(The solution to this is doing something about my weight, not accepting it).

I'm late 40s (but people usually think I am younger).

Please can I ask, what kind of boots are you thinking of, by "more classic / plain"?

I usually buy clothes from places that fit me! It's hard to find stuff in size 24 IME.

In the town I live in, not a single high street store stocks my size. The only place I can buy clothes from an actual shop here is the supermarkets.

Online, I used to like Boden but they only go up to a 22. I've got a lot of stuff from Fat Face recently.

I look at large stores like Next and Debenhams online and filter by size.

I really don't know what brands to look for.

I find a lot of the stuff in plus sizes ranges I really don't like, it looks tacky or frumpy or too old. I suspect there are nice, stylish plus size ranges out there that I would like but are probably pretty expensive! I was hoping I might get some better quality stuff in the winter sales. But I don't can't seem to find plus size ranges that fit the bill.

Day to day, I wear jeans and long line tops, or dresses with boots, usually shirt dresses. My boots and shoes I have here are too scruffy though, definitely need new ones.

If you're uncomfortable with your stomach then something I often do is a long line stretchy fitted vest, then you're not as restricted with what you wear over the top as the vest makes everything smoother. Plus I'm tall so it means I can then wear something a bit shorter over it!
I'm v boring and mostly wear skinny jeans with longer line tops, cardigans and boots

There's loads of plain colours (search slouchy tunic) but I have a few of these which are great

https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/nd651

These puff sleeve cardigans are lovely too, and they come up large, I always feel less "exposed" with a cardigan!

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/knitwear/burgundy-knit-long-puff-sleeve-cardigan/p/827796467

Can't remember your exact size but they have a curves version too

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/knitwear/curves-black-knit-long-puff-sleeve-cardigan/p/849849101

If you wanted something a bit smarter (again comes up large, I went one size down)

https://www.next.co.uk/style/st025008/t59199#t59199

Not as put together as the list with cashmere jumpers above.

But Fatface go up to a size 24 as does Monsoon, Joules, Next, Seasalt and John Lewis although all or mostly online. Have a look for inspo.

For country walks in March it could be very cold still or it could be quite warm.
I would take a pair of Approach shoes (like walking boots/sturdy trainers) incase its very muddy and probably wear trainers or boots similar to the last pair you highlighted. Saint & Sofia (the returns policy is awful) have some apartment pants which go up to a 22 in different leg lengths. Or you might find similar in M & S but I would buy and take a pair of these for comfort they are stretchy so the 22 would fit you and not sure what else depends on what you like.

Merrell Approach shoes

Ooh, I'll have a look, thank you!

That was a reply to Rebel, but January some great ideas there too, thanks! Hadn't thought of Joules and forgot about Seasalt!

Off to Google Approach....

The MERRELLS look comfy
long term a nice leather Chelsey boot, slip on clean lines.

I like the list above! I would probably do something similar. You might have a look at Seasalt, as they have some nice dresses, tops and tunics. Pick carefully though, otherwise you end up looking like a Sunday School teacher!

I’d avoid anything too loose fitting as it will just make you look bigger and more shapeless. Go for skimming rather than sloppy. A well cut jacket (I got one from M & S Autograph) can also give the illusion of a waist.

Live Unlimited do nice tops that often have layers that give some interest and helps them to flow over your tummy area. You can order from their online shop or get some stuff via John Lewis.

My first thought was shirt dresses and I see you've commented to say you wear those already so that's a great start. With a tummy I think dresses can't be beaten for being flattering. Seasalt does a few pinafore dresses you could put a shirt under if you're coming up short on new shirt dress options or want to add some colour to your top half to draw away from your tummy. If you're happy with fashion jewellery maybe a long statement necklace.

Remember too that Duo boots does wide calf sizes so you could get some knee high boots which look so smart if well fitted. I'd get suede rather than leather as I find shiny material over chunkier calves works less well.

Id stay away from leggings, floaty scarves, patterns. Very hard to make them flattering.

I got some nice Seasalt dresses recently from M&S, and in size 24.

Sea salt is great for not having a waist. Unfortunately I’m al arse, so I need a waist.

I forgot about Live Unlimited. Also Asos and Curvissa as well, watching with interest.

Although controversial and I am big myself also with an embarrassingly big tummy. I had two big events one year and got my bum in gear lost two stones (with watching what I ate and exercise) to look and feel the best I could. I was still big but felt amazing and my confidence was through the roof. I bought a new outfit, new underwear, new matching jewellery and had my hair done.

Another vote for Live Unlimited.
I also like scarves.

@BernieWinters
I like M&S jeans - lots of choice to a 24 and decent denim.
My cords are Seasalt. You have to be careful but they have more minimal, Toastish stuff in there.
Cashmere - Pure go to a 24 in some styles and are good quality. Poetry is lovely wool and their 22 is generous
Best cotton shirt is from M&S, but I also have great shirts in linen and cotton from H&M+
I like Anna Scholz for silk shirts - they quite often go in the sale and are very well cut.
My wool shacket is Kin from JL - lots of it is very oversized so worth a look even tho it stops at a 20. I also like Mango for jackets and tailoring - it’s well cut for a plus figure and has a good size range.

OK, I've made a start! I got this tunic from Seasalt. It doesn't look that amazing in the pic, but I have exactly the same one in purple and it suits me well. (Too washed out to wear for work these days though)

I'm enjoying the sales - this tunic was £37, reduced from £65. I got some slippers too (£15 reduced from £38) as I need some, then there's another 20% off code on the website, so I got this scarf also to get it back up over £50 for free postage.

Grand total, £53. Feeling pleased with that so far...

Thanks for reminding me about Seasalt 😘

Hmmm... I'm falling down a sales rabbit hole. But really not sure what I'm looking for.

Gah! I wish I had some shops in my town that stocked my size! I find it really hard to put an outfit together in my mind.