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!

Have a look at Yours Clothing who now own Evans, the Evans stuff is generally good quality https://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/clothing?f=t&brand=evans&sortby=ourfavourites

Also https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/ both are online but you can return what you don't like.

I have a sort-of-leopard-print kaftan dress from H&M (via eBay) that I love as an easy throw-on in summer.

I'm not personally keen on the rope-print as I think it looks dated. And the dress to me looks rather too waisted for someone who's an apple not a pear - but that could be the photos???

I also (& I don't think I'm being snobby or judgmental here - I hope not) feel uncomfortable about a dress that costs £12 brand-new from a shop ... I am not at all well-off these days as I've become self-employed. But I barely buy anything new these days &, to me, getting a really good-quality piece of clothing that cost £100 for, say £18 on Vinted/eBay, is a positive thing all around. The seller gets some money for a dress she's bored of wearing/that no longer fits. And I get a fab silk Jigsaw or cotton COS dress that I wouldn't usually be able to justify full-price these days!! And I feel better for reducing my contribution to the fast-fashion model.

I realise, though, that I'm being somewhat hypocritical in, say, buying a secondhand H&M dress - but I'm not perfect - just trying to do my best!! And I've had & worn that dress for seven years now ... 😊

On a side note, the well-padded amongst us have an embarrassment of riches to buy from now on eBay/Vinted etc - thanks to weight-loss injections & all the people selling off their old wardrobes!!! Oh the bargains to be had ... 😁!!!

I like this one - looks like a good shape.

I absolutely love broderie anglaise! Always have. This too could be lovely (quite tempted myself ...!).

So basically, you want any top to come past the base of your crotch? Is it necessary to be that length to cover your stomach, or do you just feel that it is? Sorry if I'm persisting with this - I just thought this did look longer than a normal T-shirt. And it's on a 5' 9" model so would be 3 inches longer on you? It's 64cm long in a size 12.

*Actually, scratch that. The White Stuff (rather than the JL website) shows several colourways (I love the green!) & it doesn't look long at all!!!

Pity ...

This is cotton & quite nice actually?

https://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/evans-curve-indigo-blue-button-through-denim-dress-p

@falalalalalalalallama This is the same model who was wearing your polka dot dress! She must be popular ,,,

I only looked dresses on Yours, & after that one cotton denim one I posted it seemed to be a sea of shiny polyester horrors, dated florals & mesh stuff. Wtf is it with mesh in plus-sized fashion???!!

JD Williams at least allowed me to filter by fabric, which was good. A few nice options I thought?

Cotton! If you like blue, it's a pretty dress?

https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/qq272

A bit too tiered & flouncy for my taste, but cotton & cool & pretty?

https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/qq359

This Anthology range at JD Williams is easily the best though. This could be Jigsaw. Cotton blend & really great-looking. Please order this @falalalalalalalallama - it's beautiful!

www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/qq050

And this one too - just style it like she's wearing, it looks really sleek & chic!

https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/hv800

Currently just in 22 or 26, but another great dress!!!

https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/qq064

I was just trying to be helpful 🙄
OP says she shops in supermarkets so something easily available like this is exactly what she was asking for.
If you don't like the print, fine but as mentioned there are other designs. And in response to the waist issue , I have a big tummy and it skimmed it nicely which was the whole reason I suggested it.
Everyone knows fast fashion is a problem, but the OP needs a few different options for a specific trip. Most people can't spend £100 several times over for new clothes for a one off situation and while yes, vinted can be great, it can also be a nightmare if you're not a typical shape so jog on with your judgement

Sorry, JD Williams is out. They have a lot of shapes I like. But I bought a large basket of stuff from them online about a year ago when I had a couple of events I needed new clothes for. I loved how the clothes looked in the pictures.

Every single item was a disappointment. Cheaply made, didn't hang like in the pics, or the material felt nasty, or just cut badly. I sent every item back.

I don't trust them now.

It needs to be that length for me to feel comfortable. Normal t-shirts just aren't long enough sadly.

Ooh, I'd forgotten about Marina Rinaldi. One for Vinted!

Thanks for the link. I tend to forget other supermarkets exist for clothes, as we have a big Sainsbury's near us with clothes in them, but the other supermarkets are the other side of town so I only ever order food online from them.

I had a look at the lnk and found these two which I like, I'd need to try them on to see if I can get away with the waistiness (that is a word, honest ) of them.
https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/brown-short-sleeve-t-shirt-dress/GEM1385793,default,pd.html

https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/black-ladder-trim-short-sleeve-midi-shirt-dress-with-linen/GEM1361847,default,pd.html

I like the mini-dress you shared but only do mini dresses with cropped leggings in the summer, and although I couldn't care less that people think that's a fashion no-no - I wear them at home all the time :) - it doesn't quite feel smart enough for this trip I think.

This is a really nice shape, but I don't trust JD Williams sadly!

I just bought this for myself in the sale. The XXL would be a 24 and the reviews say it runs large: https://www.monsoon.co.uk/roz-floral-wrap-midi-dress-red-1000740900.html

If you’re looking for longer than average tshirts, ONLY Carmoster is great: https://www.only.com/en-gb/product/15332082_2161/regular-fit-o-neck-t-shirt

They’re a staple in my wardrobe. I have several.

I know what you mean about the length, I wear tunics/shorter dresses with leggings too as I feel more comfortable that way.

I've recently lost a significant amount of weight but am still very conscious of my body (especially now I have loose skin to consider)

The length isn't too bad though, I'm 5ft 10 with a long body so dresses always end up short on me but the shorter length were just above the knee and I found them a bit longer at the back (although it doesn't look that way online) so I'm going to have to see whether I feel confident enough to go for it bare legged in the summer.

I have also ordered this one which I'm not sure about just yet, will see what it's like when it comes but I like the arm coverage and it is cotton https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/black-scallop-edge-2-in-1-midi-dress/GEM1390297,default,pd.html

Like the ladder trim one (I like little details like that, where a bit of skin is exposed). Again, remove the belt or tie it to the back & the "waistiness" should disappear?!!!

Last summer there were lots of waistcoat and wideleg trouser sets around, i was looking at them A LOT for possible wedding wear. Sounds like I'm similar size/ style to you. Tailored so v flattering and many in linen or viscose mix so cooler. Some come with a jacket too then you can mix and match the various parts with a couple of other loose shell type tops, floaty vests or shirts, and a long skirt with the waistcoat on top. Advise getting in a neutral colour for most amount of wear possibilities.

And I was just saying that I try to stick to being as green (as well as economical) as possible - but that I'm guilty of buying fast fashion stuff too!

Tbh, I think Vinted can be a nightmare for anyone to make wise purchases on - even a "perfect" size 10 model-type!!!

After over two decades of buying & (some) selling on eBay, I've only just started buying on Vinted. The photos are often shit, no one puts measurements or proper fabric composition on, their own size brackets don't match UK sizes - & some people's ideas of excellent condition do not match mine ...!!!

... but there are so many (seemingly) great bargains on it. And as it's all Buy It Now or offers, it encourages you to snap things up straight away without checking on the width, length etc. It's a really clever model - but has sort of turned into fast second-hand fashion ...??

So after making a couple of mistakes, I try to only buy something straightaway if I know the make really well, or already have the same/similar in a different colour/pattern. Otherwise I ask for more info including measurements & wait!!

That looks like a decent basic &, as you say, it's cotton, & has a nice neck detail - what does 2-in-1 mean though? Two different fabrics?

some really gorgeous long dresses here

hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/wrap-dresses?page=2&utm_content=%7B%7Bad_name%7D%7D_%7B%7Bad_id%7D%7D&utm_source=fb+&utm_medium=paid_social+&utm_campaign=%7B%7Bcampaign_name%7D%7D+&utm_id=120204453244080327&utm_term=120225633071630327&fbclid=IwVERDUAQSd7NleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQBqyy0pEC313NydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5YgEJvayC_FO8jvOsR5194JwAvf_MR5OiqwbDl-mw4RswQouM7m0xtpgc1Vw_aem_biYCCkJWoTL6ZiPci3Qh8w