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!

M&S have some lovely palazzo pants
Don’t know how to do the link thingy

Oh sorry, I meant the Palazzo pants / long shirt dress gathers at the back of the waist combination, not just the trousers on their own.

That sounds like something I'd like but I'm struggling to visualise it.

I'll have a Google and see what I can find...

It's one week. All great advice, thanks!

I did wonder about these before I posted - & then thought definitely not when you said you were selfconsciousness about both your stomach & upper arms!

I'm fat around the middle too & was looking for an A-line long dress with no waist detail/belt - but came across these before you'd replied about what your gos & no-gos were. I do think a long loose plain dress, with a crisp striped short-sleeved shirt or similar, is a really useful day outfit. And the shirt can also go over a T-shirt & wide-leg trousers (or palazzo pants if you prefer!!).

Have you already got any jackets or cover-ups for evening? Ye olde denim jacket perhaps (done to death but with good reason). Do you need something smarter too?

Another great one, IMO, that's well-reduced. I love kaftan-type dresses! Their XXL is a 24.

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/indah-print-kaftan-dress-blue-1000610244.html

I’m a bit smaller than you, but also apple shaped. How about some loose fitting linen trousers (Lands End are good quality) and a fitted tee shirt? Comfy and gives the illusion of a waist.

I tried this on. It made me look square and shapeless but should work in principle.

You can smarten anything up with a light weight jacket, plus belts and bags.

i would get some lightweight cropped trousers, these go up to size 24.

Linen Rich Wide Leg Cropped Trousers | M&S | M&S https://share.google/UrRUowaOUU6PIJphr

Or possibly a floaty skirt as well.

Then you can add a drapey shirt or t shirt, but I would tuck the shirt in a little.

Then a jacket or crisp shirt over the top to smarten things up. This one is nice and light and would also layer over a dress to smarten that up as well.

https://www.asos.com/vero-moda-curve/vero-moda-curve-linen-touch-blazer-in-stone/prd/207929562

Look for inspiration on Pinterest for outfits. I've added a couple of screen shots to show you ideas.

Would you consider coordinating sets of linen shirt and linen trousers? That’s my smart ish summer go to. M&S had some good ones when I was in there the other day.

Have you had a look at Roman Curve? I find flutter or three quarter sleeve dresses the most flattering. I've started shopping, I've got a couple of dresses from the Very, Roman and Matalan gets the odd nice midi tea dress in. Not popular, but Shein does anything you need, they don't look any different than the brands you've mentioned.

Some really nice suggestions here from @EleanorMc67.

I'd definitely get some cropped wide-leg linen trousers - M&S do excellent ones with a half-elasticated waist and pockets. There are usually loads of Vinted. In chambray blue and black or navy maybe?

I love the Monsoon kaftan-type dress above.

I also love a sundress with a big linen striped shirt over the top - I prefer the H&M linen/cotton mix ones to pure linen. Pale blue with a white stripe goes with a lot - sort of like an upgraded denim shirt.

Also what about a jersey maxi skirt? Versatile and doesn't crease too much, can wear with the linen overshirt.

H&M do a range of shirt dresses every year that are budget friendly and very flattering. There's not much in the way of larger sizes available at the moment but they're worth keeping an eye out for as they will get restocked I'm sure. You can probably also find them fairly easily on vinted.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1217576026.html

I would look at M &S - lots of nice linen trousers and tops. Also look on Vinted. My go tos for hot weather are Aspiga and One Season Australia. A friend of mine likes One Hundred Stars. Make sure you fill out the personalisation section with the makes you already like (such as Boden which you mentioned).

This sort of thing maybe? I have this and I wear it with cropped trousers (possibly a "middle aged cliché" but I am middle aged and it suits me.

Apologies for epic link!

www.whitestuff.com/p/5134/Blake-Linen-Tunic/DARK_NAVY?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Croud_UK_PMAX_CatchAll_Markdown&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17727847919&gbraid=0AAAAACZTmvYfm7SE73gubi9cuch3PiMSl&gclid=CjwKCAiAnoXNBhAZEiwAnItcG6EPHhTN0va5fGQza5a8W6UdCkeP_KM6uXZ5iLjyljjBwNxX2omkvhoCwHgQAvD_BwE

How about something like this? There's 25% off plus they do many dresses in larger sizes at very good prices. https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/cn667

This is One Hundred Stars (though sold by Plumo).

https://www.plumo.com/products/primula-dress?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19966795420&gbraid=0AAAAADltM07qmC7Jstx3mxllzvYoAWolR

If you like their style (very beautifully designed patterns, artsy, boho dresses & short/long kimonos, plus tops, trousers & skirts), there are what seems like a hundred variants out there!! And old patterns on eBay/Vinted.

Long kimono (lightweight).

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/products/grande-kimono-acer-red

Agree with much of that - though I think cropped trousers can be shortening & can look a bit dated - as with everything, it depends ...!!

The other thing is - linen & all the recommendations - on holiday I'd avoid it as you will inevitably end up hot, sweaty, & creased & crumpled too!!! Instead, I'd go for a linen & viscose mix.

Just spotted these linen/viscose wide-leg ones by Hush - they come in two lengths, several colours, have an elasticated waist - & pockets on the bum to break up the expanse!!! I may just order myself a pair right now ...!!!

If they suit & fit, they'll be great for that linen look without the crumpled arse!!!

https://www.hush-uk.com/linen-blend-petunia-wide-leg-trousers-ecru-black-stripe/012955-0003.html

I was about to recommend their kaftan-type dresses. Got my two (one black, one a smudgy leopard print) on eBay. I also have a similar beautiful black linen one from M&S - but I wear the viscose H&M ones far more as I don't need to iron them, ever!!!

Will try & find some links. I think mine might even be a medium as they come up pretty large.

I would go and have a look around Next if that’s where you like to shop. They are just getting their summer stuff in and often have some nice dresses, I also noticed they had some nice summer trousers when I was there last week.

It's a fair point about linen @EleanorMc67! I made my peace with creases years ago as I just find linen comfortable in warm weather, but am generally a stranger to the ironing board, so I just sort of go with it now!

Cropped-trousers-wise - I like a sort of 7/8ths length now, and either in wide legs or a sort of harem/tapered style. Any shorter than that is very progressive 1950s housewife on me.

No, I don't have any spring / summer evening jackets, definitely a gap in my wardrobe and something I need for this trip.

Ooh, these are gorgeous, thanks!!

Most are a fair bit out of my price range, so one for Vinted, but that's good to know as I never know what brands to look for.

I'll have a good look - I could go to £150 or so for a really nice dress.

I see someone has suggested H&M shirt dresses. I saw they had these in stock in store yesterday so I imagine they will have the full range of sizes online soon if they don’t already. If they come with a belt, my tip would be to ditch that belt and play around with different widths of belt at different positions around your waist/tummy area. Once you’ve decided what position looks best, if it doesn’t line up with the belt loops, take a look and see if you can unpick them. It’s often just a couple of stitches

Ah I wish I could!

Not a single shop in my town stocks my size (24) except the supermarkets. Next stocks 24s online, but in-store it only goes up to size 20.

It's been years since I've been able to simply go into a shop and try clothes on, and I used to enjoy that.

Now I have to buy online (or from Sainsbury's). It's an expensive pain as I often end up not sending things back on time, and I don't get to try lots of things on.

If anyone knows a shop that stocks a decent range of size 24 clothes I could try on, I'd travel for it! London, maybe?