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!

@falalalalalalalallama I can't quite figure out from the photos exactly how this dress fastens at the waist - but it's a really lovely kimono shape in viscose (so good in hot weather) that comes in a 24. I love the warm coral tone.

https://www.debenhams.com/product/monsoon-jasmine-kimono-midi-dress_p-e3bb34bf-5628-4bf2-b8a9-8cbd56621baf

I think it's the type that is one string tie that is attached to the wrap front at one end & the other is attached inside the dress - & you slot them through a hole in the waist & tie together? Not sure if that makes sense ... but what it does mean is that it's not fixed as such, & you can tie it more loosely, finishing with a single tie or bow at the front or the side?

Down to £90 from £180 ...! Quite tempted myself ...

@falalalalalalalallama I know you said you don't do pale shades - but this is the same Monsoon dress in a different pattern I think. £70 down from £140 & up to XXL/24 ...

https://www.debenhams.com/product/monsoon-june-floral-kimono-maxi-dress-ivory_p-f063c53b-c761-4400-8d19-9d2556d6816f

I still can't quite make out how it fastens. But if it's just a thin tie belt through loops, what I often do is leave it quite loose but tie it at the back instead? That way it gives a hint of waist at the front, as the sides are very slightly pulled in - but you don't get that tie encircling your middle.

This style of dress I'm in two minds about.

It's cotton & a great colour. Tiers are considered passé by the fashion-forward no doubt, but so what. The ruched bit under the bust CAN work on an apple shape - as it's essentially an empire line dress so it skims over the stomach - but also OUT over the stomach too ... Like you, OP, I've been quizzed about pregnancy when I wore this style of dress ... but they're very comfy & I'm too old to be asked that question now!!!

I know there are lots of puff sleeve haters on MN but I like sleeve details & this has just a little bit of gathering at the top & then flares out - they call it a flutter sleeve.

https://www.debenhams.com/product/karen-millen-plus-size-shirred-cotton-tiered-woven-midaxi-dress_bkk24771

Another cotton-blend Karen Millen one that would be cool but smart. Again, it would be worth trying without the belt or tying it loosely at the back?

https://www.debenhams.com/product/karen-millen-plus-size-bold-stripe-cotton-woven-maxi-shirt-dress_bkk27904

This is the same make as the polka dot one you've ordered, @falalalalalalalallama . Wrap-style, so may be too waisted for you, even if tied loosely. I like a versatile black dress in summer - as do Greek, Spanish & Italian women, so it's summery enough for me! Good with gold, tan, denim ...

https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-wrap-front-short-sleeve-midaxi-dress-black/p114753868

Too covered up for warm weather?

https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-floral-puff-sleeve-midi-dress-blue/p114753854

Several similar variations on wrap/smock with cap or longer sleeves by Live Unlimited on the JL website, lots reduced well too. Depends on whether you think they might suit or not. I think the pink one might well work?

https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-floral-puff-sleeve-midi-dress-blue/p114753854

https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-ditsy-ruffle-midi-dress-pink/p114753866

I'm posting this as it's a really versatile year-round, day-to-evening dress, so I think it's worth the price. Not for your holiday though, @falalalalalalalallama - unless it's very cool in the evening!

I also realise it's not for all apple shapes - as it'll depend on boobs to stomach ratio!!

https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-curve-denim-v-neck-midaxi-dress-blue/p114692735

Great reduction, very smart & could be worn without the belt or it tied to the back instead. Easily styled down with, say, tan chunky flatforms - but too covered up for hot days, just cooler evenings?

https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-curve-stripe-shirt-dress-black/p114095302

I wonder if there'll be new summer dresses by Live Unlimited coming in soon? As most of the really well-reduced ones aren't summery enough. This is a great-looking dress for most seasons in the UK! But again, not for summer days in the heat.

But I'd keep an eye on this make OP - as it seems to be a cut above a lot of the other plus-size makes in terms of quality & cut & not looking dreadfully frumpy or tacky? More expensive of course but, as you say, it's often worth it ...

https://www.johnlewis.com/live-unlimited-lace-up-blouson-sleeve-midi-dress/p114095306

@falalalalalalalallama You said you needed a summer jacket or two as well? I like this indigo cotton denim jacket - semi-smart but not formal, & would go with lots?

Also, would you consider trying out similar-shaped trousers (with an elasticated waist) & T-shirt? I know you said you never wore T-shirts & sounded horrified at a PP's suggestion of a fitted T-shirt!!! But a straight-cut, long but not overly baggy T-shirt - one that finishes just past your stomach (which is around the slightly strained zip on my jeans for me!) could work well with pull-on slightly (not too) barrel-leg jeans or drawstring wide-legs? And by wide-legs I mean the straighter type - not the big flared reams of fabric type!!! There IS an in-between cut that suits apple shapes, especially if the tops you wear with them come to the right cut-off point.

https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-evelyn-jersey-blazer/dark-denim/p112050925

This little Phase 8 jacket with 3/4 sleeves is worn very formally here - but I could see it used to smarten up simple jersey dresses or tops with casual wide trousers - & it would be very smart with the polka-dot dress you ordered?

I think slightly shorter jackets are good on apple shapes as they help follow the 1/3 to 2/3 balance in the body. Jackets that are too long just bisect you horizontally & make you look wider, IMO.

https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-catherine-collarless-jacket/navy/p114489935

An alternative to the indigo blazer - a shacket style in linen, in navy or dark red. Really good for everyday, though a bit less smart than the denim one.

https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-isabel-pure-linen-jacket-midnight/p114538233

The red is great too, though less versatile than navy I suppose. Could be worn with denim, white, navy, stripes ...

Another really good White Stuff jacket (I love the whole khaki as a neutral thing, but unfortunately khaki doesn't love me!!).

As I mentioned before, I find it far & away easiest if I think of my capsule holiday wardrobe, limit the colours to two or three main coordinating ones, & then add some contrast with bags/jewellery/sandals etc. And metallics* go with everything & make even the most casual outfit a little dressier.

*As long as they're muted golds/platinums & footwear/bags are real leather!! No shiny vinyl/pleather ...

https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-eden-relaxed-fit-denim-jacket-khaki/p113638074

Now this is how NOT to mix lengths & proportions IMO! The actual coat is quite nice - but worn over an A-line simple knee-length dress, or with just above the ankle barrel/roll-cuff trousers.

That too-long, too-ruffled dress with the shorter coat makes even the model look odd!!

I'm impressed by the White Stuff jackets! A good slightly long loose indigo denim one. Organic cotton too.

https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-eden-organic-cotton-denim-jacket/dark-blue/p113638073

Won't post all the links on the JL website - but these are all good too.

Personally, I'd probably go for one of the indigo denim/linen ones that I linked above, that would go with pretty much everything? Or maybe two - indigo & a khaki one (if it suits you & your holiday colour palette)?

@falalalalalalalallama This is out-of-stock in your size - plus it's white - but this is the sort of shape & length of T-shirt/top that I was meaning with wide trousers, IYSWIM? Just covers the stomach area but doesn't cut you in two?

Would you consider trying something like that in a bright or darker colour, with pull-on cotton/linen-mix trousers?

https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-ash-linen-blend-top-containing-lenzing-ecovero-viscose/p113310053

This cotton/viscose T-shirt from Hush also has potential, as it looks straight & longish. An XL is an 18 but reviews say it's very oversized. Haven't looked yet but I'm sure H&M etc would do something similar if this isn't quite generous enough in fit.

www.johnlewis.com/hush-reece-drape-v-neck-t-shirt/navy/p113411050

Now to skirts! Still on the JL website, & after filtering out all the polyester shite I wasn't impressed with what was left.

You did say you like bias cut - this Ghost one is in your size & is lovely. Bias cut & with an elasticated waist - but I'm surprised you like bias cut as I no longer wear that cut due to my fat stomach, as I think it's really unforgiving.

https://www.johnlewis.com/ghost-luna-bias-cut-satin-slip-skirt/khaki/p114355675

The only skirt on the JL site right now that I would wear is this one. Although it's a gathered skirt, it has a really deep elasticated waistband & I can wear those to sit just above my natural (fat, non-existent) waistline, where I'm slightly narrower. It's similar to Kemi Telford skirts, which I can also wear (& was surprised by that).

I would happily wear that with something like the V-neck longish Hush T-shirt, to come a few inches below the waistband.

https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-shelly-linen-blend-midi-skirt-blue-multi/p114542383

These White Stuff linen trousers are what I mean by wide-leg but straight-cut, if that makes sense? Which I think technically speaking is the definition of a palazzo pant!!!

They look a bit too plain over the bum in some pics, but worth trying on with, again, a top that is just long enough to go past your stomach but not longer.

https://www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-ally-pure-linen-trousers/red/p114533876

Edited to say that I think they're also worn too short in some of these photos & that's what is annoying me about them. As you're probably a few inches shorter, that shouldn't be the case on you.

I do prefer the slightly more generous fit of these Hush ones - I think it's partly because they're a linen blend so more flowing/relaxed - but they stop at 18. There will be similar somewhere though ...

Please do consider some linen-blend wide-leg long trousers - if you get the right cut & style them properly, I think you might be very pleasantly surprised!!!!

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

Back to H&M & their dresses. This is very Spanish/Italian/Greek in a good way! Belt is removable so it's actually a slim non-waisted A-line shape. Might need a size up but it's a lovely summer dress. In white or blue (not keen on the shade as it looks cheaper). Mostly viscose.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1292807003.html

Great linen/cotton shirt dresses - & for once they show a model wearing it without the belt as I keep banging on about!

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1278042005.html