Please help, what do I need to take on this holiday?

[BarbaraVineFan]

I'm a single mum going on my first ever all-inclusive holiday with 4 year old DD in a couple of weeks. The resort is quite fancy I think and I'm going to be meeting a friend and her family there who are a lot wealthier than me. This shouldn't matter, but I've put on quite a bit of weight lately and I'm self conscious about that, also the fact that my clothes aren't very high end. I saw a thread recently recommending buying a really good coat to make yourself look put together, but not sure what the beach equivalent of that is!

Also just not sure about things like whether to take inflatables - will the hotel have them?- how much cash to take, tipping etc. If anyone could help with a little list of things I might need that I haven't thought of, I'd be really grateful!

Controversial but Shein at good and cheep for swim wear. I’ve got a few tankini types off there for me and my daughter (older teen in adult) where the top bit looks old a dress and covers up a bit more. They had long sleeve one as well which for us is essential as we are family that burn.

All inclusive you won’t need much money. Stick to the local drinks that are free. Sometimes you can pay extra for better branded drinks. Depends on resort as we’ve found some better than others.

You can’t usually go into restaurants wearing swim wear so make sure you have something you can throw over - even a dress - so you look fine for lunch times and breakfast. Many have a pool bar serving food snacks so don’t always need to go in.

Depending on swimming ability of your child we found a swim best buoyancy aid was good as the kids could swimming off safely.

Cash/card can be helpful if you’re wanting to buy crusts etc to take to your room. Or if you’re going off site for a wander. And for the shop - there’s always things the kids want. Maybe make sure you’ve got a card that doesn’t charge fees abroad then you can just use that when you want if you don’t want to carry cash. We use HyperJar and transfer over from main bank account what we need. Can’t take cash out with it though.

I'd look on Vinted or at an outlet mall in the first instance. Some of the new stuff people are linking to is looking a lot more expensive than it was a year or two ago.

Also look at this Instagram for ideas https://www.instagram.com/mamalovess_leopard?igsh=dHNocHozbmY3YXAx
https://www.peacocks.co.uk/4604165-natural-plain.html?utmsource=instagram&utmmmedium=organic+Social+&utmcampaign=Organiccsocialmamaaloveslepard

https://www.peacocks.co.uk/4603683B0114.html?utmsource=instagram&utmmmedium=organic+Social+&utmcampaign=Organiccsocialmamaaloveslepard

Also this is the best swimsuit

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CUPSHE-Swimsuit-Control-Bathing-Adjustable/dp/B09SZ73GB9?th=1&psc=1

Take your own inflatable. They are always a fortune in hotel shops.

Dont need to tip in an all inclusive but have funds to do day trips and buy stuff in the shops. Take a look at the hotel website they might say which trips you can do, I imagine you might like to do a day put at the town for example or a boat day. Check out the holiday club for the kids they often have high quality activities and day care. We stayed somewhere which had a full on nursery which was handy for an afternoon here and there to get a bit of rest Nd also occupies the kids. Have floaty swimsuits or arm bands for water safety. Be careful with balconies and ground floor access to pools, make sure you lock patio doors for example. Make use of the kids clubs for sure. Take some games and books for the room when yoh want to chill indoors if it gets too hot in the middle of the day.

I live in Roman cropped trousers. Having a sale atm. And then a few vest tops and t-shirts.
Snag chub rubs under a few cheap dresses for evenings.

Mix n match tankinis so if the bottoms don't dry you can switch around.

Walking sandals (teva)for traipsing around or going on walk's invaluable as nothing worse than flip flop blisters. Again on sale at ASOS.

Thats really nice I will order this

These are good too https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09PR34TTV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

depending on where your going lots of AI have lots of fizzy drinks and pure juices, but my kids mainly drink squash. I always pack the super concentrated robbinons squeeze in squash! They are small, don’t take up much room
in the case, they are light but are super easy to squeeze a drop into water and keep the kids hydrated.

Don’t take inflatables, shops around hotels and holiday resorts usually sell them and some families even abandon theirs after their holiday rather than take them home….
Three swimsuits a piece should suffice.
For dd- shorts, T-shirts, playsuits, trainers, sandals, a few wee dressy outfits for evening, flip flops, a couple of those big poncho towel things, hat
For you- linen shorts, t-shirts, vest tops, floaty over shirt type things for over your swimsuit, sandals/flipflops, trainers (I usually wear these on the plane), a few dressy tops with trousers or jeans for evening, a couple of light dresses, hat, sunglasses

For your holiday, pack weather-appropriate clothing, toiletries, travel documents, chargers, money, and entertainment. Consider footwear, outerwear, and travel accessories like a pillow or reusable water bottle. Don't forget medications, a first aid kit, and any necessary electronics. Tailor your packing list to your destination and planned activities. Safe travels!

Are you sure you can use inflatables in the hotel pool(s) ?

Last two hotels we’ve stayed at , they were banned. At least in the main pool. Inflatable arm bands were allowed.

Take two swimsuits so you never need to put a wet one on. Rinse them at the end of every day to remove salt and chlorine of course!

I pretty much exclusively wear kaftans on holiday and everyone always says how nice they are. They are forgiving, elegant but casual. I pack 5 for a week! (Along with other clothes of course.) I like this shop on Etsy (the long, cotton ones are the most comfortable and flattering. You can throw them on by the pool AND wear them to dinner. You really don't want to wear anything too fussy, often what feels nicely dressed up in the UK can feel OTT at a chic resort.

Simple gold jewellery and a nice hair clip to sweep your hair up gently, a rattan/straw bag or other casual beachy bag, some simple leather sandals, a pair of not too high lace up wedge espadrilles and you're good to go!

What country are you going to OP? Our advice would be different if you were going to a popular resort in Spain vs say The Gambia!

Does you room have a balcony and what will the weather be when there? Somewhere humid like Thailand/Singapore, things took ages to dry whereas somewhere with dry heat-much quicker.

Check on tripadvisor whether the hotel is near to any local shops/village etc. Sometimes they are miles away. Hotel shops can be expensive and limited, again depending on the country and what you need.

I have recommended this tankini SO many times. It looks like a one piece when on, but has the convenience of separate bottoms. The stomach control is great and despite being a G cup, its the only swimsuit I have without a wire in it.
https://www.matalan.co.uk/clothing/black-tummy-control-wrap-front-tankini-top/14307768.html

Other things I always take on holiday:

• A smart, light blazer for the evenings, meals outs
• Sunscreen (too many horror stories of people buying it overseas and it being inferior or not working at all)
• Ear plugs and eye mask (hotel curtains are never blackout and always have a halo) 😡
• Tampons if you use them. Difficult to find in some countries.
• Loose, linen trousers and natural fibre tops
• Sarong or coverup type dress
• A spray tan before you go can make you feel more confident, then I top up with a moisturiser type tan cream.

Sorry, other things:

• Mosquito/bug repellant and itch cream
• Again, depending on the country, check if you need vaccines prior to going
• Calpol, plasters and some first aid basics.

Try cupshe but order through Amazon as returns are quicker
join style me happy Facebook group for fashion ideas
take 2 swim costumes for both of you
loads of snacks from home for the plane
enjoy

some kind of light cotton or linen tunic, can double up & be worn with linen trousers etc.
something with sleeves if you get sunburnt !
https://www.etsy.com/fr/listing/932051736/top-tuniques-kurti-pour-femme-fait-main?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=indian+tunic&ref=sr_gallery-1-18&pro=1&frs=1&content_source=3a05d2dc40d403ff28284a88ec15fea1a7d56ffe%253A932051736&organic_search_click=1

At least three costumes, then a long floaty thing to go over your swimwear to go to the bar or the loo. Mine is from Molke and I love it.
Check reviews or the actual hotel website for dress code, we've been caught out at one which was super posh and expected long sleeved shirts and dresses at dinner every night where others were more relaxed.
Also, take clothes that are roomy, you WILL put on weight, especially if you hit the juicy cocktails, and you don't want to feel uncomfortable towards the end of your stay.
People tend to donate inflatables at the end of their stay so you should be able to get one. I always take some with us as they're far cheaper at home. Also, take all the sun screen you'll need plus a little more as it's really expensive on resorts. I budget a bottle per day for the five of us!
Hope that helps and have fun!

https://shop.mango.com/gb/women/dresses-and-jumpsuits-dresses/knotted-cotton-dress_67056735.html?c=06

Mango have dresses and swimming costumes in ATM as well as Zara too.

Not sure what your budget is but One Hundred Stars has kimono style cover ups:

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/collections/valentine

I am off on holiday in a few weeks, the hotel i am staying in doesn't allow adults to wear vest tops or shorts in the restaurants at anytime of the day and do not allow inflatables in the pool, so double check with your hotel.

Primark has lots of nice summer clothing and accessories at the moment. Don't take loads of floaties in case the hotel don't allow them

I'd go with maxi dresses and neutral wedge sandals for evening and flip flops for day or i like a jumpsuit for an easy all in one outfit you can dress up or down. When you say you've put on weight it depends what you mean but you could try following Laura Adlington- she's a size 26 and on insta shows loads of great high street fashion for plus sizes and shes very confidence boosting. Defo 2 swimmers each so you can wear one/dry one. I'd pack 1 small inflatable from amazon, some pools don't allow them so follow what others do. If it's europe, we don't really tip at all inclusive, in Mexico we did - so might depend where you're going! H and M and cupshe have some nice and reasonable beach cover ups. If you feel comfortable, you could just ask your friend what she's packing to get a vibe for whether she's dressing up for evenings or not. I'd try and relax, I'm always surprised at international resorts how varied it is - different cultures have different styles and different figures, at one restaurant you'll have people in t shirts, shorts and trainers and others in skintight dresses, gold jewellery and sky high heels - nobody is really looking at you, honestly (even if it never feels that way!) I hope you have a lovely time

I use the silicone rub that cyclists wear eg - bought it on amazon