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!

Some nice suggestions here thanks everyone!

Have to go do dinner, will have a proper look later...

I usually get on the Shein website and order a lot of items, when they come I try them on and send back what I don’t like!
Maybe a possibility for you

Yes I think the pink version I posted (same print in pink, different shape) would work better for an apple shape. Especially as the poster considers her stomach to be huge.

Tbh I had posted this & a couple of others based on the OP's original post. I'm an apple but could get away with this & the sleeveless linen/cotton mix dresses I posted. From the OP's subsequent posts, her stomach is her key "problem area" in clothing, & she's not bothered about tanning & would prefer her upper arms covered.

What I've posted since then hopefully takes her subsequent posts more on board!!!

I'm way too round for that I'm afraid!

Throughout my 30s and 40s, people often offered me a seat on the train as they thought I was pregnant. I've pretty much aged out of it now, even though my stomach is still as large - although I do occasionally still get offered a seat. Now in my 50s, I can't tell if they're offering me a seat because of age (I feel way too young for that though) or if they still think I'm pregnant - or maybe both!

I haven't worn a fitted tshirt in public for at least 15 years! I don't wear anything that stops at the waist or hips, or which clings. So, no standard-length t-shirts, blouses, shirts or jumpers. Definitely nothing fitted or with a waist.

Instead I wear dresses with no waist, or tunics or oversized tops that end somewhere on my legs.

I like this a lot - it's sold out in my size, but not to matter, I already have about 4 tunics / dresses that are very similar! This is basically what I wear

I'd discounted them though as I think this will be too warm for hot weather, won't it?

OK, so I've ordered this one suggested by EleanorMc67
https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-polka-dot-shirt-midaxi-dress/blue/p114753864

And also this tunic from Whitestuff - the right length for me and it has interesting detailing on the back tht I like. I don't usually go for stuff with a white background, but the shape has won me over. https://www.whitestuff.com/p/7032/Bianca-Linen-Tunic/IVORY_MLT

So that's 2.5 outfits out of 7, minus shoes and accessories!

Oh, I thought it would do a photo on the links! Here's pics of what I ordered instead.

Come to think of it, this tunic might be too warm too! Hmmm... I'll see what it's like when it turns up.

Also, I'm totally with you on this! "possibly a "middle aged cliché" but I am middle aged and it suits me."

The thing about being middle aged, is I care so little about what other people think is "in", these days! So freeing

The dress looks lovely, and the top looks as though you would be able to wear it quite often. I think you have chosen well. Cotton t shirts could be useful from Yours , Simply Be and M&S. What would you think of getting a long skirt as you could wear it with your new top and any t-shirts you either have already or that you will be buying. A long skirt can keep you cool.

Oh I do hope that dress suits, OP! It's really lovely, I think, & hopefully a good shape in reality.

I'm less keen on the tunic - but more so the pattern. I think the White Stuff one that @CharlotteStreetW1 posted is linen - so would be cool (if you don't mind the crumple factor! Not so bad if it's dark though?). Out of stock I know, but worth looking out for as it would be versatile? I'd thought it was a sort of curving-out-at-the-hem shape first of all (as per first pic), but see it's an A-line shape & more of an artist's smock look (as per second pic). So I think it's a good shape (if it wouldn't be overly long on you, that is?).

May I ask what you wear WITH your tunics? I personally really dislike the "jegging" type things that both the Fat Face & White Stuff ones are paired with. But then I think jeggings are an abomination on anyone!

Yes, the tunic & cropped trousers look might be a bit of a cliché - but it has its uses. And, I think, getting the proportions right can update it considerably.

IMO, women wearing that long top/tunic & cropped trousers look, often wear the top too long & the trousers too short. So that the body is cut across at the wrong points & makes them look shorter & wider. I understand why - being large of stomach myself - but I think the top needs to only just cover the stomach area you want to hide, plus a few inches for movement - & no more.

Same with the cropped trousers - they should be as long as possible (as @HellenicOfTroy mentioned, 7/8ths length is good).

I will see if I can find some images of how to do it best IMO. If not, I might have to do some more diagrams ... 😁!!!

Have a look at tunic dresses as well as some of their other dresses in H&M. App won’t let me link but they go up to xxl

Pic where that linen tunic looks too curved, & one where it looks A-line & good.

But I don't think it would look right if overly long on someone short - as it will slice you up too much horizontally when worn with short cropped trousers. I'm thinking rolled-up/cuffed straight trousers would be better ... but it's quite a casual not smart look, which the OP is after?

A dress of the same shape, but long enough to come to an over-the-knee or calf-length, would be better IMO? Such as this one?

I bought this recently in an XL (I’m a size 20/22) and it’s really lovely and comfortable.

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/posey-sleeveless-linen-midi-dress-blue-1000983963.html

A good shape, but the OP is a 24. Seems that 20/22 is a cut-off point for lots of ranges?

H&M is a good shout as their XXL = 24 I believe. These tunic dresses are too short for the OP though - I think she said she prefers at least over-the-knee & is comfiest in even longer, so I'm assuming calf-length. These, IMO, are too long to wear with trousers - as the proportions would be shortening & unflattering.

Glad you like this range! Unlike so many of the offerings out there for plus-sized women, the patterns are genuinely beautiful. I dislike many of the patterns by Seasalt, White Stuff, Fat Face & Boden as they get it wrong a lot & they look dated. These don't - though they are distinctive. But in an artsy boho way, I think.

They have a guide to the length of their dresses online, but as you're 5' 6" they should all be ok on you. You could always order one of each in the styles you like, to try them on for size/length/suitable cut etc? And then keep an eye out on Vinted/eBay for the styles you like best?

They still tend not to sell that cheaply secondhand, especially archived patterns - but worth it for something that's both lovely AND flattering?

These might be your colours? This is a one-off by One Hundred Stars, sold by them on eBay via their own shop - so it is returnable. It's one size but very generous & the measurements are provided. I like the way you simply adjust the ties at the front to pull it in to the size you want. £75 is pretty good for one of their dresses ...

https://ebay.us/m/L1NbcM

They do an XXL which I assume would work for a 24 if the XL fits me at 20/22.

Actually I’ve just checked and the XXL is a 24.

Ooh love that tunic! And the dress! I’m a similar size @falalalalalalalallama, find it so hard to dress when it’s hot. I’m always so hot and bothered

@EleanorMc67 Is the One Hundred Stars M/L very generous? I’d always assumed I was too big for that brand but I’ve admired it may times!

Damn it, @falalalalalalalallama - I hadn't realised that depending on the style, their clothes fit an upper end size of anywhere between an 18 & a 24 - but mostly up to a 20 ...

They say that a few of their dress styles go up to a 22, so depending on a thorough check of the specific measurements (I'd do it against clothes you already own), they may or may not be ok ... sorry to have misled you! It's a bit weird, really, that their upper end sizing varies so much!!

Even the ones that do go up to a 22, when you check the chest sizes etc they all vary - so I think checking their actual garment measurements would be the critical thing? At least they do provide all those details - which is more than most clothing ranges do ...

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/pages/size-guide

So they do - I hadn't noticed that!

I'd been looking at Poetry & Sahara because of the dress shapes - but that's where they stop, annoyingly so as they'd be great for the OP on holidays if there were some on Vinted/eBay (they're rather expensive full-price).

@user593 See the size chart I just posted - I think the answer is, it depends on which style? They list several as fitting up to a 20, another couple as 22, & a coat as 24. But then when you read the chest measurements, some that are meant to only fit up to an 18 are wider than the garments that are meant to fit a 20 or 22 ... 🤔

I have not bought from them - yet! But had my eye on a particular dress. So I will now take my own advice & check the actual measurements - & my own - very carefully!!!!