OK I know this has been done, but humour me please

[StellaDallas]

Off on my hols in three weeks time.
I am Northern European girl. Fair, fat (well size 14), and forty-something. I burn easily and never tan.
And now for the first time in my life I am spending two weeks in the sun. On a boat in Greece in August, to be precise.
This obviously throws up several sartorial dilemmas.
One, dare I wear a bikini? I need a bra-sized one and there is nothing I can like and can afford on Bravissimo - any other suggestions, pretty please?
Two, I have never owned a pair of shorts. I need knee-length or crops. How many pairs for a two week holiday?
Three, any suggestions for cover ups to keep my shoulders from frying?
I know I sound clueless, but I've spent so much of my adult life trying to avoid the sun, that I really don't know what to wear at all.

[LittleMyDancingForJoy]

Have you tried figleaves.co.uk for the bikini? they have some nice ones in bra sizes.

if you want to get a brown tummy but not flash it around all day, why not a tankini? then you can roll it up to sunbathe and roll it down for gambolling on the boat.

shorts - one don't-mind-if-they-get-sun-cream-all-over-them pair, and one or two good pairs for going ashore during the daytime

shoulder coverups - get a sarong, they have so many uses. You can cover up your shoulders, or wear them as a skirt, or wipe sweat off with them, or use them as a towel. truly multi functional.

and don't forget a large straw hat, elegant but practical for keeping that sun off your head.

[StellaDallas]

I've just gone and had a look - aaaagh too scary, exposing all that flesh, I can't do it. Sarong and a straw hat, now that's a look I can live with.
Maybe compromise on a tankini?

[Flier]

You should buy a bikini, you may surprise yourself while on the boat and want to wear one.
I own a few white cotton/linen shirts and use these all the time when on holiday to protect my arms and shoulders from the sun (also very fair skinned)

I've seen some similiar shirts in monsoon and also usually see them in principles.

[bagsforlife]

I would take several loose linen shirts, useful for a cover up over swimming costume plus can be worn in evening over other tops etc. Also, very thin linen cropped trousers work well instead of shorts, sometimes thick material shorts can be v hot! As Flier says you may need a bikini (regardless of figure) as it may be very hot and one pieces can get v hot. You can always have a sarong by side continually to fling on in emergencies! If you are not used to going on hot holidays, you will prob get very hot and flustered easily (speaking from experience) so you need a lot of very, very cool clothes and a hat. I am sure it will be a fab holiday.

[StellaDallas]

OK have been on M&S sale and bought
Underwired swimsuit
Black bikini
Three pairs linen shorts
plus a large but - crucially - foldable straw hat from Tesco this morning for a bargain £3.

[StellaDallas]

Bags for life - thanks for reminding me I have a couple of lovely loose linen shirts from the 90s that I never got rid of because I loved them so much, I will dig them out.
I am getting quite excited now.

[marmalady]

Think m and s do supportive swimwear.

Cab't go wrong with a floaty kaftan and pretty flip flops.

Not sure where to get shorts as i never wear them.

Have fab holiday

[Lola234]

why not buy a one piece, and then have a kaftan.

[themoon66]

Bra sized bikinis in the Debenhams sale right now. I got a 34DD one for £12 last week.