Travel classic comfortable non frumpy clothes tall and plus size don’t want to look stand out British

[BollockstoThis1]

Thinking ahead to travel and really don’t suit black I look too pale and ghostly. I need some comfortable practical cool to wear clothing that looks effortless but well put together and not black. So I avoid looking obviously British. I am early 50’s, tall and plus sized. Size 20-24 depending on brand so nothing that digs into my middle. Thinking maybe lightweight jacket either denim, beige, navy or pale green and very comfortable bottoms with a classic plain or plainish top unlike my usual bright colours and garish prints and comfortable footwear. Thanks

For flights (especially long haul), I'm going from home to hotel so I genuinely don't care a jot how I look, I just want comfy.

So it's always yoga leggings, a cotton T Shirt and a comfy sweater.

Then doesn't get worn again until it's coming home time. But flights are absolutely amongst the days where comfort 100% wins over looking good.

(I don't travel for my job - can you tell?!)

Years ago I was in SFrance and went for lunch with Italian friends.
All the women were in white or light beige with a bit of navy. Except me - in bright colours - but they were all tanned and I wasn’t. In future I’d wear similar to them but it wouldn’t particularly sui me as I’m pale skinned.

https://www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Organic-Cotton-Poplin-Broderie-Dress/p/A10990
Black cotton dress, it has a broderie design, but is otherwise plain.

The stereotype of a British woman abroad to me is dressed in ill fitting polyester or overly sporty hiking clothes technical clothes, cheap plasticky leather shoes or flipflops, tattoos specially on women's chest and forearms, pale sunburnt skin or orange fake tan, lots of flesh on show, brightly coloured hair or OTT curled/mermaid wave extensions or dead straight thin hair, huge eyelashes and white or neon nails. Sunglasses with gem embellishments on them.

I think go for natural fibers in neutral colours as patterns are trickier to get right, you can also mix and match for a capsule wardrobe/easy and lighter packing which is ideal for a holiday.
Wear European brands like Mango and H&M however quality classic plain neutrals from British shops like Seasalt and M&S shouldn't be overlooked. Look at plus size shops in the country you are visiting and see what sort of styles they sell.

If black doesn't suit, navy is the darkest I would do or any colour that suits your colouring season, it could be dark green for example or mustard.

Try to have a chic haircut in a natural hair colour and cover up more.

Focus on neutral, classic and natural.

https://uk.theory.com/short-sleeve-shirt-dress-in-good-cotton/O0204614_001.html?lang=en_GB
Black cotton dress, 15% off. I can recommend!

@TheAmpleBiscuit
Well maybe stop going to Benidorm then.

Anyway, OP just go on Pinterest and type in neutral travel clothes, fill your boots, and then we can not have another thread bashing British women. Isn't the godawful weather enlighten for us to contend with.
And I say that as someone who has lived in three other countries asides dear beleaguered Blighty and have seen plenty of the natives look an absolute state btw including (maybe I should whisper this) the revered Italians.

JFC that's horrible @TheAmpleBiscuit - such a snob

Blimey, these comments.

Anyway OP, I wonder if you would find Zalando helpful? There is a huge range of brands on there.

I have managed to pick up a lot of basic easy pieces from there. I'm wearing what you describe I think - so relaxed trousers, a plain top and probably a muted jacket type thing.

For trousers, I do find M&S to be quite good. There will be things with elasticated waist and pockets and so on.

I am currently about a size 16 I think and I do have to watch sizing in Zalando. Some of the European brands size a lot differently than UK brands, but I think there might be something on there that suggests which size you should go for.

How about this kind of thing?https://luvvey.com/products/hannah-plain-linen-tunic-top?variant=46369239892199&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwxLKxBhA7EiwAXO0R0GXrES8PiUBVW99dQQaREGM_B7vvfYWMMxwEmhdYnXcxi7sRHOVsoRoCl20QAvD_BwE

I take it you are being sarcastic? Because despite being "made in Italy" (or probably made in a Chinese owned sweatshop in Italy) that's ghastly.

I'm with baaflin on this. The "Europeans are so much more stylish" guff is tedious.

Agreed, unfortunately we tend to look lumpen, shabby, washed out, crumpled and just generally scruffy. Everyone else looks well put together with clothes that fit them and dont swamp them, less focus on leisure clothing abroad.

I havent found the secret yet though

Its Lagnlook stuff (or like it) and it looks really stylish if its done right

What a confusing post. Isn't the OP saying she doesn't want to wear black? Or do I need more coffee?

It's strange. Someone asks for style advice, I make suggestions and provide links on what they asked for, then... nothing.

God almighty, she might have been doing something else last night and now its first thing Sunday morning, be patient

Although she did specify not black and without a clear waist and your suggestions are black with a clear waist

I'm always being mistaken for a local in Italy, Spain, Portugal etc. It's nothing to do with style as I'm not at all stylish but entirely because I have what's thought of as Mediterranean type colouring.

God Almighty she could have fallen down a disused mine shaft. True.
She then said that she thought other women looked stylish in black wardrobes - so I gave her some ideas. There are colour variants on each garment, should she decide against black. All the items have loose waists - I own a couple. As God is Almighty, they were genuine suggestions.

To me the British look is Whistles, Boden, etc. Anything Kate Middleton would wear. Ok, it’s not my preferred way of dressing, but I can’t see anything inherently awful about it. I have no idea where the poster above goes on holiday, but I have never encountered a look like that. Especially sunglasses with gem embellishments, are you holidaying with Elton John?!!!

I would say bright prints wouldn’t be a stereotypical British look, i tend to see people in navy, black, beige etc.

I'm in another country OP. Years ago the loud floral prints were usually a bit of a giveaway.

Things I notice more now, is someone hauling about a rucksack and wearing walking sandals. And trainers with every outfit that doesn't quite suit is another one.

And if you would be going to the opposite season, either having a bit of a pasty look (sorry I know that can't be helped) or the opposite quite overdone with fake tan.

I do notice more now is how very well co-ordinated woman look. Even for a beach outfit or something in a more casual setting.

Budget would also be useful. That Theory dress is lovely but ££££

My Mum just went to a personal shopper. They’ve picked her out some lovely mix and match pieces. Almost like a summer capsule wardrobe with the bonus of when she got home, she had another few pieces that fit right in!

im considering going myself as I’m stuck in a hut of a clothing rut…

Perhaps recommend clothes that go up to a 20-24 size?

What are your recommendations?

I am 5 9'' and a 20 having dropped from a 24.
I have to travel overseas for work and wear business appropriate clothes.
I wear Marina Rinaldi. I also buy Lands End and this season I will be buying linen shirts, jackets and trousers. They have a beautiful blue, green and pink set.
You can often find Marina Rinaldi on ebay. If I wear black it's silk and wool autograph trousers from Marks. I have four pairs and they go up to a 24. I wash mine. Wool wash on cold.
Asda also do great linen trousers in larger sizes. Good knickers are a must under thinner fabrics. Sloggi or Big Bloomers.

Thanks all will read through genuine suggestions later when I get a moment.

I wanted to look and feel comfortable, but more stylish and more well put together (maybe I didn’t explain myself well and offended some).

Yes, lots of outfits on pinterest but many aren’t available beyond a size 20 in tall (i.e. M&S and Next) and trouser lengths are too short if your 5’10’ and above. Long Tall Sally is appalling quality now.

I don’t suit black at all. So I am thinking of a lightweight non crease beige/camel coloured jacket (in tall and plus size) that will match with navy and other colours so maybe a summer travel to Europe capsule wardrobe.