Smart casual summer clothes for trip - plus size

[falalalalalalalallama]

I've been invited on holiday to a hot country with a group of people I do a hobby with, at Easter.

I was really looking forward to it till I realised I'll need a new wardrobe and I'm rubbish at clothes!

I work from home and usually prioritise comfort over smarts.

But for this holiday, I'll need to look well put together. No idea where to start!

It'll probably be about 26-28 degrees.

I don't do heat well and although I appreciate lots of people love it, I get really uncomfortable and overheated quickly.

I'm also a size 24 and round!

In the summer I usually wear cropped jeans with an oversized t-shirt (to hide the bulge!) or a nice floaty dress, but feel they're too casual really.

I like a v neck and a shirt dress, and used to like Boden before I sized out of it.

Any ideas much appreciated!

https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/ul760

https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/uf797

https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/uf944

What do you want that's smarter than a floaty dress? As that sounds quite smart for holidays to me?! What's your height, hairstyle, your colouring, & what colours do you usually suit/wear? What is your dress-up style/vibe? Flouncy/bright/boho/minimalist etc?

Do you want recommendations for casual walking around daytime stuff (ie a notch above the baggy T-shirt/cropped jeans combo), as well as evening outfits? And do you prefer to keep certain bits like tops of arms/legs covered, or do you want to get a tan!

And is Boden your type of budget?

Some dress ideas.

Viscose striped shirtdress, which I really like. It looks cool & smart & effortless. If you're very round in the middle, wear it without the belt? And if you're short, take it up a bit so that it's just below your calf.

https://www.johnlewis.com/yumi-stripe-belted-shirt-midi-dress/green-white/p114720919

For cooler evenings, if the colours would suit you - this is Ecovero so cooler than jersey etc.

https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-lucy-floral-dress-green-pink/p114787217

I like the colour, less so the print but it's fine. But it's a good shape if you're an apple shape, as it will skim not cling. A cotton/Modal mix so you'll stay cool.

https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-rua-abstract-jersey-dress-pink-multi/p114787229

Cute if you suit olive green - though if i was going to wear a short dress I'd probably want short sleeves too.

https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-meg-abstract-print-dress-green-multi/p114787219

I really like the crisp look of this viscose one - best without the little string of a belt though.

https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-polka-dot-shirt-midaxi-dress/blue/p114753864

Similar print to the pink one - the shape of this may not work so well if your middle is where all your weight is. Worth a try though?

https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-leah-abstract-jersey-dress-green-multi/p114787216

Possibly good for daytime?

https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-leah-abstract-jersey-dress-green-multi/p114787216

These linen-blend ones look comfy & pretty & good for getting a tan! Very well-reduced too.

https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-curve-drawstring-linen-blend-dress-pink/p113540678

https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-curve-sleeveless-midi-dress/p113507762

Pure linen so an absolute bargain! And so cool ...

www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-iris-pure-linen-dress-green/p112972866

Thanks everyone.

It needs to be a bit smarter than your usual holiday fare. We'll be doing some stuff to do with our hobby where I'd want to be more presentable than I'd usually be on holiday.

Similar to if you were going to a meeting or event for work I guess, where smart casual was the thing.

I'm 5'6, I like colour - blues suit me plus purples, deep pinks, green, charcoal, black.

I don't like pastels or very pale clothes and can't be trusted with white, I'm too clumsy!

Not into getting a tan, this won't be a sitting on the beach type holiday. I'm more interested in practical but smart clothes I won't overheat in when we have a fair bit of walking to do.

I'm in my 50s, and don't tend to wear dresses much above the knee, and find I usually feel comfortable in longer dresses these days.

I usually feel better with tops of arms covered if possible, but I wonder if I might change my mind about that in the heat!

Regarding style, I dunno really, haven't really got one! I do like boho. I like a bias cut. I tend to buy stuff from Fat Face, White Stuff, Phase Eight, occasionally Seasalt, Sainsbury's (only shop in my town that stocks my size!) and Next.

Boden is reluctantly my kind of budget. I don't have a lot of spare money, but I've found buying cheap is often a false economy, and when I have spent a bit extra it's been worth it.

Also this on the JL website in cotton. Similar to the linen-blend ones above, so it depends which styles suit better.

And the pink one above comes in turquoise green too.

https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-curve-v-neck-sleeveless-dress-purple/p113645650

https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-curve-drawstring-linen-blend-dress-green/p113507739

These colours are lovely!

Ooh, I like this! Thanks.

This would look awful on me I'm afraid. I have a huge belly and it would accentuate it, plus show off my upper arms.

The shape definitely wouldn't work with my round belly.

This one is too short, I'd prefer something longer.d

What about a long shirt dress gathers at the back of the waist with palazzo styled trousers

This is my favourite so far, I'm going to order it to try on. Thanks! :)

I had to Google Palazzo trousers! They look great. :)

Are you able to share a picture of what you mean?

This sounds like something that might really work for me "on paper" but I'm struggling to visualise it.

It's a lovely print, isnt it? Though I do think it would only be evening wear when cooler. Maybe get it anyway for non-holiday wear?!

Is it a week you're away, or two?

I think it's a good idea to have a rough colour palette to stick to as it makes things so much easier (this has been hard-earned wisdom gained after years of overpacking & coming home with half of the suitcase contents unworn!!).

And to have a pair of good-looking but comfy trainers, a pair of comfy but dressy sandals (ideally day & evening), a crossbody bag for day that will ideally do for evening too! I have great metallic gold & silver flatform-type sandals that I can walk easily around cities & parks in for miles. Though if walking involved proper hills etc then I'd get togged up for that with walking sandals. I also have a comfy metallic crossbody bag (I hate rucksacks!) that is big enough for a water bottle, guidebook, tissues, suncream & sunglasses etc. I used to bring an extra pair of evening sandals & an evening bag but just wore the metallic ones!!