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!

Another one with a piddly little tie belt that you can just ditch, as it's un-waisted. I like the green, blue & pink/burgundy.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1275645008.html

Great print! Drop the belt or tie at the back, & as it flares out it may sit well on you?

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1297789001.html

@EleanorMc67 has done sterling work here, with all the links! I found this image of what is obviously a long kimono (gorgeous print!) worn over linen trousers and a top. Any shirt dress that unbuttons completely would work for this look, and the top doesn't have to be tight or short.

Ha! You mean this One Hundred Stars one?!!! Yes it's lovely - I'm just not quite sure if it will fit a 24, as per my posts above.

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/products/susani-blue-duster-jacket

I love that look too - despite having told I look as if I'm wearing my dressing gown a few times ... who cares?!!! Though the shorter kimono jackets are also great, & will help avoid comments by fools who wouldn't know a stylish woman if she hit them in the face* ...!!!

I have several vintage haori (short kimono) jackets that I wear a lot (cultural adoration, not appropriation). They go with so many things.

On a side note, doesn't the model look rather like a young Rudolf Nureyev ...??

*Violence is not condoned!!

https://www.marksandspencer.com/printed-v-neck-midaxi-smock-dress-with-linen/p/clp23029630?color=IVORYMIX#intid=pid_pg2pip31g2r2c1%7Cprodflag_Just%20Arrived

Any good?

If you search for womens summer dresses size 24 on m and s there are some good choices.

You could lose the belt with this one and it goes up to a 26.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-broderie-belted-midi-tiered-dress/p/clp23065023#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r18c1%7Cprodflag_Just%20Arrived

This is the problem. I can't wear a t-shirt this short any more.

Pre-DC, I existed in jeans or trousers and t-shirts or blouses and shirts which is endlessly versatile and you can dress up or down. You'd rarely find me in a dress.

But two children, over a decade of working at home and rubbish willpower has wrecked my body. I now have a huge apron belly, I literally look heavily pregnant. I don't feel comfortable at all if I'm wearing anything that shows off the shape of my stomach, I hate it.

On this photo, I'd need a top to come to about where the top of the strap of her bag is, to not feel exposed in it.

The answer is for me to exercise and lose weight, not learn to love it.

So, these days I wear dresses, tunics or oversized tops.

Any top that ends at a standard length doesn't sufficiently cover my stomach, so any outfits like this are out. It's one of the main reasons I find this stuff so hard - I can't go to my go-tos any more.

As in my previous post, unfortunately this t-shirt isn't long enough for me to be comfortable wearing it.

I'm not sure how blazers work with tunic length tops. Gah! I really wish I could go somewhere and try this stuff on!

I like this and the denim one, but as you say, to hot for summer. I'm hopeful the summer stuff will appear soon though, I'm always shocked at how early the shops bring in the next season's stuff!

For reference, this is the kind of length top I mean. Anything shorter and I feel very exposed.

The yellow one is pushing it, I'd have to try it on to see if it was ok.

That is a nice print! I don't usually like prints with white backgrounds, but this is a nice one :)

That is nice! 🙂

Sorry, I now I realise when I said bias cut I used the wrong term entirely!

I was trying to say I like asymmetrical things, like I've had a couple of tops with asymmetrical cut at the bottom which I've really liked, not sure why my brain came up with bias cut! I'm going to blame menopause brain, sorry!

Anything on this website suit?
https://www.kitandkaboodal.com/collections/plus-size-dresses

Some nice Monsoon dresses

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/elma-print-midi-beach-dress-green-20008970105.html

I have news! This one arrived and it's great!

It fits me well, and the material is thinner than I imagined from the picture, so hopefully good in hot weather.

I'm really pleased with it, thanks so much for the suggestion @EleanorMc67

As nice as what it is, there’s far too much material to be wearing abroad for me!

Dunnes Stores have some lovely stuff, I got beautiful green linen trousers, with a cami top and a lace cardigan.

I love Kit and Kaboodle clothes for everyday wear.

In fact I'm wearing a Kit and Kaboodle dress right now! Not dissimilar to this. I have several of their large billowing dresses as I feel really comfortable in them, really free.

However, there's not a lot of summer stuff on the site just now.

Also worth mentioning in case anyone else is interested, they're cheap but also not the most amazing quality - the colours tend to fade quickly, and so although I love some of the styles, the dresses move quite quickly from feeling new and smart to "well loved". Having said that, a lot of their stuff is made of natural materials, so it does feel nice to wear.

I still buy them, but I have a feeling they're maybe copying more expensive, higher quality brands and I'd be interested in finding out who they're copying.

Thanks, but it doesn't go up to size 24 sadly :(

Oh I'm so pleased!! And it's good that it feels more lightweight than expected, as the perceived weightiness of a fabric isn't always mentioned - but is actually very important.

Now you just have to think of a jacket that will suit ... 😁!!

Did any of the ones I posted (the plain coloured ones rather than the patterned kimono styles) take your fancy?

Here's a kimono-type jacket in plain indigo cotton denim though ... with either a terracotta or green lining, & it's reversible!

I am really tempted by this myself - it looks as if it manages to be both utilitarian/modern and feminine/elegant. All my own short & longer kimono-type jackets are patterned ...

https://kimonorie.com/en-gb/products/denim-kimono-jacket-kimura

Just came across this. Which is a bargain and would suit your needs i think OP

https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/navy-swirl-rope-ruched-front-short-sleeve-midi-dress/GEM1378505,default,pd.html

Also comes in leopard print and another couple of prints

https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/leopard-print-ruched-bust-midi-dress/GEM1378507,default,pd.html

They do it in a shorter length (different patterns) which I'd ordered and was really impressed with how flattering it was.
https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/black-v-neckline-abstract-short-sleeve-mini-dress/GEM1378511,default,pd.html

Had another look on the website and found the longer length ones. Sadly this is out of stock in my size but I have ordered the leopard print version. Will be perfect for my holiday this summer

I haven't read all the comments on this subject but the company Live Unlimited do up to size 26.They do kimonos, you might be lucky enough to find their clothes on eBay/Vinted.

Possibly a bit of Marina Rinaldi?!! Super expensive ... but some beautiful clothing.