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Instant holiday capsule wardrobe please

32 replies

Bumblebzz · 23/07/2017 18:23

Hello
I am going on a sun/beach/active(isn) holiday in a couple of weeks and I desperately need to organise some clothes.
It's easier to say what I have (2 pairs of shorts: white and denim, denim skirts and two bikinis, 1 pair navy saltwater sandals) than what I don't have. I got through the UK summer with basically no nice summer clothes because I work full time so I've been in office gear throughout all the heat waves.
I think I need tops/tshirts most urgently, but scoop necks suit me best and I'm not having much luck online. I'd also like a kaftan and a couple of easy to throw on dresses. Plus maybe some that can be dressed up for night I want to avoid polyester etc and I'm a 'summer' in terms of colour (so pale/pastel/cream etc all good, I can't wear yellow based colours or I look ill) and like navy rather than black.
Any tips gratefully received...!
Online is best as I have no time to go to shops before holidays :o
Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Bumblebzz · 24/07/2017 17:24

Bumping this as I need help and I'm worried I'll do the usual last minute thing and buy crap i don't really like and waste £££.
I'd love to buy some tops that I can wear again and again, not just for holidays. Cotton/linen or even a silk mix would be fab.
And nice day/beach/evening dress that isn't polyester or viscose.
I'm around a small size 12, not very curvy, broad shoulders, athletic build (in theory ahem, when I haven't been at the ice cream).

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 24/07/2017 17:49

M&S have v cheap cotton vest tops.
This kimono thing is nice irl but is viscose and a bit expensive for what it is.

If you look on John Lewis, you can search for silk tops.

Bumblebzz · 24/07/2017 21:56

Thanks Remus

I just looked at m&s and the supima cotton tees looked nice but the reviews were very critical of the sizing which put me off.
Currently browsing John Lewis - thanks for the tip

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 24/07/2017 22:02

The Supima tees come up v big and also the necks go a bit saggy. The vests seem to be holding their shape pretty well.

Catinthecorner · 25/07/2017 01:26

I've done well with asos own brand silk mix t-shirts (assuming they still do them) I've got two or three and have worn them every week three season a year for the last three years. I'll probably need to replace them this autumn but I think that's pretty good going.

Tanks I buy from H&m and chuck after a year. I've tried more expensive ones and they don't seem to last longer.

I too would love a none polyester summer dress. Watching with interest

2gorgeousboys · 26/07/2017 07:40

Watching with interest as I've got a similar issue and want some ideas before going shopping on Saturday

Another thread has just commented on H&M linen t shirts reduced to £5 in the sale so they might be worth a look.

I'm on the hunt for a bikini!

Pinkkahori · 26/07/2017 08:16

Look at the cotton pocket dress in Next. Comes in navy and two patterns. I haven't tried it but looks like a possibility.

junebirthdaygirl · 26/07/2017 08:21

Just get a few vest tops in Primark. Bright colours. So cheap you can throw them out when get home. Or wear them in bed!

junebirthdaygirl · 26/07/2017 08:22

Just get a few vest tops in Primark. Bright colours. So cheap you can throw them out when get home. Or wear them in bed!

DejaVuDieter · 26/07/2017 08:33

Me & Em have some nice things in their sale <a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=www.meandem.com/drawstring-summer-dress-1" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">https://www.meandem.com/drawstring-summer-dress-1

<a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=www.meandem.com/swing-stripe-slub-vest-1-1-1-1-1" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">https://www.meandem.com/swing-stripe-slub-vest-1-1-1-1-1

Hush have some nice t-shirts in the sale as well.

I mostly wear a mix of Hush and H&M on holiday. I've found that the vests from H&M are all see through this year though. Uniqlo has nice vests and t-shirts and are very inexpensive.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/07/2017 09:08

No sign of silk mix t-shirts on ASOS, sadly, or I'd have been ordering a few.

Monsoon kaftan thing.

Catinthecorner · 26/07/2017 13:25

I'm sorry for the bad steer. No idea what I'll buy when these few die on me then. They were excellent value so they've probably been discontinued

WellTidy · 26/07/2017 13:33

My holiday wardrobe in no way belongs in S&B but it works really well for me. Basically, I just wear dresses for the whole holiday. No need to co-ordinate anything as you're only wearing one item. In the day, I wear my swimsuit under a pull on loose dress. In the night, I wear a dress that is slightly more fitted. All of them are jersey, though. I take two pairs of sandals (one for the day, one for the evening). Very, very limited jewellery. Two hats.

My go to dress for holidays is the Boden Blackberry dress. They do it every year, so I have loads and they wash and wear brilliantly.

BagelGoesWalking · 26/07/2017 14:50

I think I'll wear this a lot after the pool, strolling around etc.
www.styleheist.co.uk/khaki-green-harem-pant-kady-jumpsuit/

Bumblebzz · 26/07/2017 15:00

Thanks all

Hush dresses looked good and on sale but nearly all rayon or viscose or polyester

I've ordered some things which I'll report back on

I think I know the online sale stock at John Lewis intimately at this stage!

I forgot about bikinis and I really need to try these on in store :(

OP posts:
hellswelshy · 26/07/2017 18:00

Agree with pp's re dresses, they are just what you need. I bought the Next navy linen one and liked it so much I've ordered the white flowery one. Simple to throw on in the evening with pretty jewellery. Also I found if you buy a few kaftan/pool cover ups that are more dress like you can use them for days and evenings at a push ( my holidays are more casual dress wise) - there are a few nice ones in Bonn Marche in the sale suprisingly, it's not some where I ever shop but noticed they have a good range of beach wear.
Have a great time Smile

Nospringflower · 26/07/2017 21:24

I've just bought the monsoon kaftan!

Bumblebzz · 27/07/2017 11:16

I've ordered a few boohoo things and 2xdresses and 2 x tees from Hush sale, plus a few other random things. Fully expect to be returning some so I over ordered. Will report back!

OP posts:
littleredpear · 27/07/2017 23:33

Whistles sale has linen t shirts in it. Short and long sleeved.

Bumblebzz · 30/07/2017 18:34

I just had a load of stuff ordered but I'm sending most of it back :(

From Hush www.hush-uk.com/m/womenswear/daywear/dresses_skirts/iris_dress_blue_triangle_print.htm
Too big/balloon like, high neckline and fabric is awful rayon
www.hush-uk.com/m/womenswear/daywear/dresses_skirts/sleeveless_solana_washed_black.htm
I had great hopes for this but the shape is weird on me, baggy around waist but fitted on hips so just weird

I also ordered the Aloha t shirt and a blue tie dye but the shape of both is a bit plain (again a high neckline which doesn't suit me I've realised). Nice cotton fabric though so shame.

I'm also returning a strappy dress from boohoo (recommended on another thread) as it's huge and shapeless on me, and a couple of other things.

One success was the seafolly amnesia kaftan in turquoise.

So the search continues!

OP posts:
HughLauriesStubble · 30/07/2017 18:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bumblebzz · 31/07/2017 16:56

Every shop I've been into (gap, fcuk, oasis) ... their tshirts are all 100% viscose at best, sometimes polyester. They're not even cheap/on sale..! £30 for a nice cream but plain viscose tshirt in FCUK.
Maybe viscose is absolutely fine to be honest - and I am just being difficult expecting cotton t-shirts.
I haven't sent the hush ones back yet and maybe they are as good at it gets!

OP posts:

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nextchapterplease · 01/08/2017 07:22

There isn't much stock left now but I can vouch for the whistles linen in sale - have got this one and a longer sleeved one they hang really nicely

https://www.whistles.com/women/sale/tops/short-sleeve-linen-boat-neck-25429.html?dwvarshort-sleeve-linen-boat-neck-254299_color=Pale%20Pink#prefn1=subCategory&srule=product-name-descending&prefv1=Tops&start=1

nextchapterplease · 01/08/2017 07:24

Oh also OP it's tricky online I know but one of my most loved summer tops and dresses- incidentally both whistles too are viscose but feel light and airy and look great so maybe don't rule out if not clingy ?

Annebronte · 01/08/2017 15:08

Have a look at Winser London: they had some good linen Ts and jersey dresses.

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