Have you just gone through your Summer clothes switchover, and found yourself feeling a little overwhelmed?
Hi, friend. I’m Alessia, the writer and founder behind Italy with an Italian.
If that’s how you’re feeling right now, I want you to know it’s completely normal.
That’s exactly why this guide comes at the perfect time.
I have curated 16 plus size summer outfits to inspire you to try something new this season.
What I love most about these outfits is that they’re timeless, effortlessly put together, and very Italian in their approach to style, even the most casual ones.
We’re not reinventing the wheel here, but many of these looks will probably feel fresh because you may not have considered certain styling combinations before.
And that’s the beauty of it.
Table of Contents
Casual Chic Plus Size Summer Outfits
Let me paint a picture for you. I want you to see how these plus size summer outfits can naturally fit into your everyday summer life. Think of this as a little journey through the season, where each look reflects a different moment of your day.
For Your Summer Vacation
I am sure that the one occasion you’re most excited for is your Summer vacation, no matter how short or close to home that is. So, let’s start exactly with that.
What can a plus size wear on vacation to feel chic and comfortable?
Simple answer: whatever you want. Don’t let your clothing size define the way you dress.
That’s exactly why these outfits work for smaller and larger sizes too. To give you an idea, most of these outfits are a US size 16 (which I believe it’s a UK size 12/14 and European 46/48).
Let’s start with the kind of outfits most of you are going to want to wear all day long. They are comfortable, but so chic you’ll feel perfectly fine going for a normal early dinner. (We’ll look at dressed up dinner options later on).
This is my favorite – the one I like to call one of the Italian uniforms, and you can see how it works as beautiful on a plus size as it does on the more standard sizes you’re used to see online.
It can also work for larger sizes too. Just make sure the pieces have the above cuts: cap sleeves, cinched waist, midi flared skirt, fits well but is neither oversized nor clingy.
If you’re not pear shape and haven’t got lower tummy issues you can also go with a lighter and less flared skirt. This second example is more modern, while the first feels a little more timeless Italian, but both are stylish and classy.
Don’t like wearing skirts when you have to walk a lot? I am the same, and when I do, I always wear a pair of shorts. So, let’s move to trousers. I will give you two perfect morning looks, both with linen pants – one pair is culottes and one pair is normal length, all wide leg.
Wide leg are your best friend when you are plus size. And that’s especially true if you’re also pear shaped or have a large tummy.
You might also enjoy this:
Pear Shaped Body Outfits: Formulas (Plus What I’d Avoid)
Can you see how well those outfits work, while being so simple and easy to recreate?
It’s all about ticking these boxes: tailored fit, elevated accessories (shoes, bag, belt) and a great color palette that works for your color season.
You can learn more about color seasons here:
Simplified Color Analysis For Clothes + Steps To Do Yours
If you’d like more color, these next two outfits give you exactly that.
Outfit one is another example of that uniform outfit formula I shared earlier, but with more color and a maxi skirt.
Outfit two is probably the typical outfit most women tend to wear on their Summer vacation, a comfortable linen dress. I think this style works perfect for a plus size. It’s like a longer A line shift dress. With the right undergarments you’ll be both very comfortable and won’t have to worry about tummy rolls or lines showing.
For The Office
Before moving onto dressier outfits for the evening, let’s talk about work.
Which plus size summer outfits can work for the office?
It all depends on where you work. All the outfits I shared above can work for different, more casual work environments.
If you need or prefer dressing up for work, here are three outfit ideas that are perfect – comfortable but feel a little more put together.
All three are very chic Italian classic outfit choices for work, or whenever you want to feel a little more elevated.
If you need to carry a lot with you, you can of course switch to a larger work bag. And you can also tone down the jewellery.
Outfit one and three are sets. If you’ve been reading my blog, you know I love monochrome outfits. I think they are classic, easy, and so flattering. You should give them a try. Set one shows that monotone doesn’t mean all black or blue, so if you love color, you can still do it!
Outfit two is the most classic no brainer outfit idea to look chic but also feel comfortable for a long day.
Dressed-Up Plus Size Summer Outfits (For Day or Night)
This section includes all outfits with heels, and for most of us that usually means special occasion, evening, date night outfits – the type of outfits you wear for a few hours.
But if you’re like many Italian women, who are seem to be born in heels, and can walk in them all day, by all means, go ahead and wear these outfits for daytime, or even work (depending on where you work!). The first four I am sharing could definitely work for the morning time.
These lighter colors can work for the morning but also the evening because it’s Summer, and if you love color, you should embrace it throughout this season.
These two next outfits feel dressy but not like you’re trying too hard. You could change to flats and even wear these for daytime. And that’s the beauty of Summer outfits. And that’s also how you know these are perfect for Summer vacation or a weekend staycation, because they are flexible. You can wear them with heels on one night, and then wear them again for another morning.
And then there are those outfits that can work beautifully for date nights, special dinners (think birthday, anniversary celebrations, or maybe a fancy restaurant). These are the outfits I have in mind – still very minimal, timeless, with a modern edge. Outfit three is probably the dressier and also the most classic. That way, whatever is your stile, I think you can find one look to inspire you.
All these outfits location are based in Italy because Italian style is the inspiration. However, you could wear these in New York, LA, Paris, Seoul, you get it. It’s all about your style and the occasion you’re dressing for.
More Plus Size Inspiration
I trust you enjoyed this guide and found a few outfit ideas to recreate. If you don’t know how to go about doing that, here’s a simple tip.
Pull out three or 5 pieces from your wardrobe (they could be bottoms or tops, or a mix of both) and think how you could use these outfits to inspire you to wear them differently.
For instance, do you have a flared skirt? Then scroll and find flared skirt outfits in this guide, and see which other pieces you can pull out from your closet to wear them that way. If you don’t have a wrap style shirt, it can be a normal shirt. And if you’d like a new one, you can add it to your Summer shopping list.
Find more inspiration here:
15 Plus Size Outfits From Milan That Celebrate Curves
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Thank you so much.
A presto,
Alessia
