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Not looking a state on holiday.

109 replies

scarediecat · 08/03/2023 15:17

How can I look effortless on a hot and sunny holiday?

I saw some ladies last time I went and they just seemed to have it nailed perfectly with black, casual linen style dresses and flats. I however was in a bright pink halter neck, trainers and demin shorts. My hair goes a murky ginger in the sun and I'm fairly pale. Size 14 with weight on belly/hips.

I'm planning to fake tan and maybe put a brown dye on my hair.

Can I have some clothing tips/examples?
Thank you!

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Ancientdecs · 08/03/2023 15:43

Hi OP, I'm a pale Celt and this question is close to my heart. After years of feeling a state my approach is now to go very classic, almost masculine, in my look, and keep to a simple palette. Cotton, denim, linen, leather bag and a roomy low key bag for towels etc beside the pool.
COS, Arket, and some French brands are where i feel safe. My main tip however is to get a seriously great pair of sunglasses. They really elevate even simple shorts and t shirt.
I am never going to look like the incredible people i see on holidays but at least when i plan ahead like this i feel I've done what i can.
Oh, and a pedi, maybe in a bright red or coral that gives my plainer clothes a little boost.

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scarediecat · 08/03/2023 17:43

Thank you. Great starting point for me. I'll take a look at those brands.

OP posts:
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VenusClapTrap · 08/03/2023 18:48

Aspiga maxi sundresses are beautiful wafty cotton and lovely to wear in the heat. You can wear them to the beach, for sightseeing, or dress them up for dinner.

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minidancer · 08/03/2023 18:56

I think it's about showing less skin but still being cool. So linen trousers and maxi dresses in neutral colours, not too many patterns. Big sun Gad and great glasses. Add some gold Jewelery for the evenings and a nice straw bag. Make sure your nails are done and a nice lip balm

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minidancer · 08/03/2023 18:56

Sun hat

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GoldenCagedBird · 08/03/2023 19:07

I had a similar epiphany when I was in my twenties and had severe envy towards some glossy older women in the resort I was staying at.

Here are some rules I’ve tried to follow since:

Neutral, neutral, neutrals. No jazzy flowery cover ups
or summery neon colours. I have a colour palette of beige, camel, black and white for all of my cover ups and summer dresses.

Following on from the above- my ‘evening’ summer dresses are a bit braver, but they are in the autumnal colours that suit my skin tone. Where printed- they are also ‘interesting’ prints if that makes sense. A tie dye,
gold threads, paisley - not the striped, polka dot or ditsy floral that I would have panic grabbed from New Look pre holiday, pre epiphany.

A good linen shirt- try on a few to find a nice cut for you. A couple of linen dresses too. Uniqlo and M&S are good.

Denim shorts that are long enough to show leg, but not short enough to show arse.

A nice pair of metallic sandals.

A nice straw beach bag or slouchy leather bag in a neutral colour.

Great sunglasses- Le Specs are around the £50-70 but look fab.

Not too much make up or overt styling - a good hair oil on your hair, a tinted balm on your lips, a sweep of bronzer with a bit of shimmer.

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LawksaMercyMissus · 08/03/2023 19:28

COS and good accessories.

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dreamingofsun · 08/03/2023 19:35

have you thought of having your colours done? there is another thread about this at the moment. I'm sure neutrals look lovely on some people - as suggested here - but on me they just look dull and grungy. I look much better in spring colours such as bright blue, pink.

being comfortable is a big bonus. especially if its hot

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scarediecat · 08/03/2023 20:52

Thank you all. I'm having a scout around Vinted as we speak!

OP posts:
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Verite1 · 08/03/2023 20:56

On holiday, I wear loose wafty maxi dresses in cheesecloth or cotton, a huuuuge sun hat and massive shades. Throw it all on in 10 seconds and you still look put together.

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AdoraBell · 08/03/2023 21:02

Linen. Long/midi linen skirt, loos fitting. Same with a linen dress. Either pastel shades or neutral like GoldenCagedBird suggests. Simple sandals or sneakers, not the trainers you’d use for gym or running. Large-ish and simple style straw hat.

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LapinR0se · 08/03/2023 21:09

Please do not dye your lovely hair brown. Also fake tan on very pale skin usually looks very fake. You could do a moisturiser with a bit of tan in to take the blue look off though.
For clothes: cotton, linen or silk dresses will always look better than denim shorts. Buy one or two very good pairs of leather sandals and get a beautiful pedi. Then you’ll look fab

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Kaftankween · 08/03/2023 21:09

Haven’t bought anything from Boden in years but saw this and thought it looked like a good style and fabric weight

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/relaxed-tiered-beach-dress-black/sty-d0422-blk

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Standbyguest · 08/03/2023 21:12

Neon is a no go, its Primarnis go-to summer palette.

TK maxx often have nice beachwear in. And agree Cos (or H&M if on a tighter budget) do nice neutral cotton and linen pieces

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declutteringmymind · 08/03/2023 21:16

Braid your hair
Simple clean lines
A big glamorous beach bag nicely hides a big bum. Gold or straw
Straw hat
Woven bracelets

I get my linen dresses from Etsy. They're pricey but I buy one a year and have finished my collection: they do them in loads of pretty colours:

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/966928368/

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userxx · 08/03/2023 21:30

Verite1 · 08/03/2023 20:56

On holiday, I wear loose wafty maxi dresses in cheesecloth or cotton, a huuuuge sun hat and massive shades. Throw it all on in 10 seconds and you still look put together.

How do you get a sun hat to the destination in one piece ?

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StephenDedalus · 08/03/2023 21:34

I agree with much of the advice you've already been given.
Plain well cut elegant clothes. Good
ibfeel put sunglasses, mani pedi, leather accessories only - bags, sandals etc

I'm now in my 50s & over the past few years I've invested in a summer wardrobe. It has lots of plain colours, navy, white, black, khaki, cream. Highlights of gold.

I feel put together now in the the hot weather

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VintageThoughts · 08/03/2023 21:38

Dye your eyelashes, where a nice big hat (great for keeping you cool and saving your hair) and some big sunglasses.

A few nice dresses and sandals and you'll look lovely!

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Verite1 · 08/03/2023 21:39

userxx · 08/03/2023 21:30

How do you get a sun hat to the destination in one piece ?

Show quote history

It comes with a plastic thing to keep it in shape. So I roll up small clothes inside it and then pack it in a suitcase.

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CinnamonJellyBeans · 08/03/2023 21:48

StephenDedalus · 08/03/2023 21:34

I agree with much of the advice you've already been given.
Plain well cut elegant clothes. Good
ibfeel put sunglasses, mani pedi, leather accessories only - bags, sandals etc

I'm now in my 50s & over the past few years I've invested in a summer wardrobe. It has lots of plain colours, navy, white, black, khaki, cream. Highlights of gold.

I feel put together now in the the hot weather

I agree with all of this. I spent several months putting my summer wardrobe together and I didn't need to spend a fortune. I followed a lot of the tips on this forum.

I also realised (again, thanks to mumsnet) that shorts are not obligatory, which is grand, as I look awful in them.

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userxx · 08/03/2023 21:53

@Verite1 so a floppy sun hat ? I've got a straw one but it's too bulky to pack. Think I need a floppy one.

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justasking111 · 08/03/2023 22:00

Floppy big sunhat. Big sunglasses. My friends went wild for a pair I bought at New Look. Those YSL I bought didn't get the same reaction.

Cover up loose clothing off the beach. I follow Joan Collins on Instagram. She nails it every time

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StrawHatOnTheParcelShelf · 08/03/2023 23:44

I'm now in my 50s & over the past few years I've invested in a summer wardrobe. It has lots of plain colours, navy, white, black, khaki, cream. Highlights of gold.

100% this, with tan leather accessories and good sunglasses. I've never related to the idea of buying a 'holiday wardrobe', I just take my summer clothes!

Tanned, moisturised to glowing skin. Bright coral pedicure and matching lip gloss. Hair tied up neatly if it's not blow dried. A bit of local jewellery if you pick up something you like - I like the look of leather pieces with non precious stones worn with linen clothing.

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amershamfc · 09/03/2023 06:45

Love this thread. So many good tips.

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minidancer · 09/03/2023 07:13

You can buy packable sun hats that you can roll up and pack or get a clip to clip them to your carry on bag

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