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!

I love seersucker for summer.

https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/dresses/midi-dresses/seersucker-short-sleeve-v-neck-midi-dress/p/839746100-1128

https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/dresses/maxi-dresses/lace-trimmed-short-sleeve-midi-dress/p/829399100-1130

https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/dresses/maxi-dresses/drawstring-waist-cap-sleeve-v-neck-dress/p/838835730-1130

https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/dresses/more-dresses/a-line-split-neck-short-sleeve-midi-dress/p/829639740-1128

https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/dresses/maxi-dresses/textured-flounce-dress/p/829366130-1132

An asymmetric one, OP!
https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/dresses/midi-dresses/asymmetric-flounce-panel-3-4-sleeve-dress/p/836106740-1131

Good paisley print.
https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/dresses/midi-dresses/paisley-print-cap-sleeve-dress/p/828072130-1130

https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/dresses/more-dresses/tiered-bell-sleeve-muslin-dress/p/827333538-1129

This is a nice shop that may suit you. Mix and matching cool, comfy trousers with stylish tops may be the way to go?
https://www.l-ayr.com

https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/dresses/more-dresses/textured-short-sleeve-split-neck-muslin-dress/p/827384804-1130

Excellent print.
https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/dresses/more-dresses/rainbow-zebra-print-balloon-sleeve-dress/p/829629150-1131

A bargain £32 linen-mix dress!
https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/dresses/midi-dresses/linen-blend-short-sleeve-button-down-shirt-dress/p/818420741-1130

https://www.ullapopken.co.uk/en/dresses/more-dresses/pink-floral-print-empire-dress/p/824553420-1130

H&M kaftans are great. Size down one.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1314758002.html

I know you said you aren't keen on pale clothing, but it's viscose/cotton & a pretty print. More pastel than pale?

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1239045013.html

I've never bought anything from them myself. But the Anthology range (which these are except for the pale blue dress) is "designed as a more premium, higher-quality alternative to their standard offerings, focusing on better fabrics, construction, and, according to the company, superior fit".

Apparently!!! It's their high-end collection & meant to be more investment pieces while still affordable.

I'm really impressed by the look of the cotton & denim dresses - so I might have a look at them & check if the quality & cut is as they claim!!

I thought that either of these might go well with your polka-dot dress, plus other skirts/trousers? Anthology again, if you feel like taking a risk!
https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/sr589
https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/sr363

Decent price for linen-mix maxi skirt.
https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/sr363

And I thought these barrel-leg linen-mix trousers were really nice-looking. Not TOO barrel-leg either - I think the linen softens the look as it's not stiff like denim etc. I'd try rolling them slightly with your tunic top & dressy trainers/chunky flatform sandals.
https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/xl101

More expensive I know, but this shade of green is great on most people. And it would look good with the barrel-leg linen trousers above. A bit more contemporary than wearing tunics with cropped trousers/leggings. As would wearing with long wide linen-mix trousers.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/artists-journey-linen-shirt

Seasalt has some stuff just in - & having said I find a lot of their prints dated, I do like this dress.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/chateaux-maxi-dress

I used to suffer so badly in the heat because I never wore the right clothes because I felt so self conscious.

i bought three pairs of anti chaffing shorts from a company called big bloomers and then a few thin material dresses - so much more comfortable than the usual leggings I’d wear before.

Also think this skirt & top are lovely, & you could wear the blouse out loose over the skirt. The skirt has a deep elasticated waistband at the back - I find that style comfy if I wear it slightly high on the body with something long enough to cover the waistband.
https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/moor-grass-aline-organic-cotton-shirt
https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/mevagissey-aline-organic-cotton-midi-skirt

And this is a lovely tunic, a bit pared-down boho.
https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/op-art-double-gauze-organic-cotton-tunic

Really nice simple dress too.
https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/water-mint-jersey-midi-dress

(Can you tell I love navy & green together??!!!)

As is this rose pink one.
https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/fen-violet-linen-midi-dress

@falalalalalalalallama Not sure if you know, but there is an official Seasalt outlet shop on eBay? Well-reduced & a bit more failsafe than Vinted/secondhand? You can return stuff too!

https://ebay.us/m/syasuG
https://ebay.us/m/XLXVVE
https://ebay.us/m/qysvsj
https://ebay.us/m/zQ0OHF
https://ebay.us/m/v3lJpg

More outlet goodies. They're all in your size.

https://ebay.us/m/9xAwpC
https://ebay.us/m/ooPucA
https://ebay.us/m/Ni1NDM
https://ebay.us/m/ZOT9W2
https://ebay.us/m/qjYq3X

Lots of jackets in a 24 on the outlet shop too - linen/cotton/denim. Even a linen waistcoat if you fancied trying that with trousers & a tunic, or a dress? I like the last collarless jacket as a semi-smart option.

https://ebay.us/m/b9B2zB
https://ebay.us/m/AWhQ5Y
https://ebay.us/m/oArgeQ
https://ebay.us/m/IFrU2S
https://ebay.us/m/UMbbhr

Lots more too, but I shall stop now ...!!!

The Roz dress arrived today and it’s lovely! Nicely oversized but you can customise the shape by using the ties. I would definitely recommend it, looks very expensive.