Not looking a state on holiday.

Also not style but I've just come across this product which looks genius.

Hard to pull off effortless glamour when your beach towel clashes with your outfit and keeps slipping down and all your stuff is jumbled up or you have to keep rooting around in your oversized tote for everything...

Not had time to read the whole thread yet but just wanted to ask if anyone has been watching Amanda & Alan's Italian Job? Amanda Holden always looks very chic and pulled together and dressed perfectly for the Sicilian climate. Mix of classic shorts, sundresses, jumpsuits and more bouji bright wafty kaftans.

I've done it again 🤦🏻‍♀️

need more coffee

Forgot photos...

It's actually this dress from M&S not Hush which was only £39.50. I will wear it with the top couple of buttons open because I've got a hefty bosom so need an open neck to balance out and I replace the little string belt thing with a stretchy woven sand coloured belt to nip the waist in and break up the pattern. I just pair with my casual straw tote shopper (think the kind of thing French people of my imagination take to the local market to pick up fresh baguettes), big sunnies, floppy sun hat and gold flip flops

I also wear mainly neutrals - navy, khaki, tan/sand, white, cream, etc.

I tend to pair with metallic sandals, usually gold.

Straw bags, I have a large straw tote that was about £20 that I adore.

I do wear more exciting prints but keep this to a couple of dresses that can be worn day or evening as they give me that holiday vibe but I keep everything else toned down when I wear them (I love this one in the pic at the moment).

Like the PP I wear black or navy plain swimwear but usually a print glam kaftan that can be pulled in at the waist (I have the one in the pics from Monsoon for my holiday next month)

I'm eyeing up a navy Hot Squash maxi for my upcoming holiday.

I'm curvy fat so I need a maxi with shape to it rather than just the trapeze or straight up and down style.

They're expensive but look like they might be worth it for me

I have swimwear in navy and black but then a bright expensive maxi kaftan nipped in at the waist. Worn with sunglasses and straw hat. Always looks elegant.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with colour or pattern as long as everything else is plain and you’ve bought the best quality you can afford.
I agree that decent leather sandals and maxi dresses always look effortless

I don't buy anything tan or beige. It's too close to my pale skin colour.
Stick to plain Navy and white. they look good on freshly tanned skin.
A new white tee every holiday is a must.

On the back of this thread I've ditched my pink "out of office" beach bag for something more understated. I'm quite liking the big square sunglasses but not sure if I'll look a knob.

I'm loving this thread and hope we can keep it going.
I loved Aubrey Plazas Sandro shirts over her bikinis in the White Lotus. Long shirts a big help to those of us who are pale.

I live in a really hot country and wear maxi dresses and sandals and sun dresses and sandals. Hair up so you don’t get sweaty and big sunglasses. Stay away from tight clothing as it makes you sweat.

I really recommend getting your colours done with house of colour and a style session, it’s so helpful! I pretty much knew what I couldn’t wear (colours, lengths and shapes) but good to have it confirmed that I’m not going mad and legit cannot wear black. They cover everything down to swimwear/underwear, will stop you making poor purchases ever again and always feel good!

A long linen shirt always works well I find.

I always go with minimalist now. No overtly bright colours or patterns. Go for simple plain t-shirts/shirts & sandals with a nice pair of shorts that can be dressed up with a couple of key accessories. Evening normally a maxi dress. If the dress does have a bit of colour or pattern then tone down the accessories. Let the dress me the statement

simple nails & toes. And a good skin care routine so you look naturally glowing. Drink plenty of water

I stick to loose dresses in the summer if I can but my god I was on the hottest holiday ever last year and NO ONE looked good and it was too hot to wear a dress. Everyone was just a sweaty mess and there was no way round it.

Don't dye your hair before a sunny holiday! I dyed my blonde hair mahogany, and it turned ginger in the sun in Barcelona.

I agree with taupe being a great neutral, also black summer clothes always look good, sometimes we just think of it as a winter colour.

I like to take something of each style as I love my clothes and get bored easily! So I take a midi skirt, maxi dress, knee length dress, cami dress, jumpsuit, floaty trousers, white magic trousers, kimono and camis. Metallic sandals for evening, tan sandals for day. I also have some tiered maxi skirts on a yoga style waistband that are great as little strapless sun dresses too. They're all so light and take up hardly any room. I do try and buy something when I'm on holiday too 🙈

@CharlotteStreetW1 That is genius.

I also got my sunhat from primark last year. I think mine was £3 and I will get many years of wear out of it.

I have to say that the clip-on hat thing and getting the airline staff to find a space for your hat is a bit extra.

@Branster You have this colour thing nailed!

And don't take too much. It's okay to wear a dress / item 2-3 times on holiday. So invest in a very good piece. Very goo white linen shorts and they go with multiple tops. Capsule wardrobe for the evening can be: 2-3 dresses, 1 white linen trousers, 1 nice pair of shorts and 4 tops. Add 2 necklaces and that's enough for 7 night break

Oh that was a bit of an essay. Sorry.

I wear chub rub shorts by The Big Bloomers Company who do various colours & lengths; a little more expensive than some but I found them quite cooling even during a heatwave in Lanzarote!

I like bright neon colours but as I'm pale & blonde I can't wear them & look good so I look for items like my cream linen River Island shirt dress which has some neon colours in embroidered stitching. Or my white cotton Accessorize shirt dress with pink stitching.

I've bought some basic tan gladiators with gold embellishment.. I wear minimal gold jewellery & make sure my crossbody & my beach bag also have gold hardware eg zips etc. to match.

Definitely you need sunglasses as they protect your eyes from cataracts as well as looking good. I have 2 prescription pairs plus a £1 primark pair for going in the sea!

Hats wise.. i don't get on with big hats personally but they look nice on others like my stylish sister.

I have wavy / frizzy / fine hair that does not look good when it's windy or humid, or if I'm on a boat trip.
So I invested in hair accessories because even if I tie it into a bun you can guarantee bits of frizz will stick up if I don't also use a hair wrap or Alice band for example!! And it's too fine to actually braid.

If you are very pale you may need to get some cover ups to wear over your bikini. I usually wear cotton mini kaftans that have some beading or embellishment. Or a boyfriend fit tshirt in a nice colour.

To walk on hot sand I really recommend sliders over sandals & flip flops!! I learnt this on my last holiday. However my sister admitted she now wants to burn my favourite pink Adidas sliders and has bought me an 'acceptable' to her pair.

As a paler person I also need spf30 on my body at least and found last year that P20 is amazing! Sand doesn't stick to it, it stays on in the sea & pool & doesn't need reapplying too often.
I wear a different spf50 facial sun lotion though & apply it often.

Primark have a great packable (says so on the label!) Panama hat at the moment for £5.

Fill the crown with underwear.