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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What the hell am I supposed to wear on holiday?

34 replies

Kanfuzed123 · 27/04/2023 09:45

So we’ve got a naice (I hope, well it’s 5 and almost 5 on trip advisor) hotel booked in Turkey for the summer. Average temp when we’re going 32 degrees. Wise mumsnetters, please tell me what I can wear?

2 dcs. One toddler still breastfeeding so needs to be fairly accessible. I’m not tall so most maxi stuff is out because it drowns me and I realistically won’t take it to be tailored and I’m to shit at sewing, folding or whatever to amend it myself. In truth I don’t actually feel very good about myself so I want to lose a bit of weight before going (not a huge amount 2kg) but my tummy isn’t quite jiggly (thanks ibs for the extra bloating there). I don’t really like my arms either so would prefer the tops of them covered and anything mini, im too not graceful enough to not do a Paris Hilton circa 2005

is there anything I can wear? Or should I just get a sack and call it a day?

OP posts:
Original poster
Kanfuzed123 · 27/04/2023 09:49

id put a star and it’s made it bold, I meant a 5 star hotel

OP posts:
Original poster
Kanfuzed123 · 27/04/2023 10:04

HeddaGarbled · 27/04/2023 09:54

Oh that is nice! Looks nice as a co ord and with some jeans!

OP posts:
Stripeyhandbag · 27/04/2023 10:09

No to jeans!!!

Light linen trousers. Two pairs. Skirt of whatever length you like. T-shirts to go with both for day if you're out and about. Dressier tops for evening. Maybe a frock or two. All breastfeeding friendly.

For day - swimming stuff and cover ups.

Stick to a palette. I for example take black and khaki trousers and neutral tops.

Flipflops, shoes you can walk in (trainers?), Sandals.

I used to really overthink clothes for holiday and it took up too much headspace and suitcase space. If you're not really into clothes just keep it really simple. Mix and match. No one cares. Be comfy.

safetyfreak · 27/04/2023 10:10

HeddaGarbled · 27/04/2023 09:54

O lovely top.

I actually started buying some tops from Roman, I found they are great with covering my sore areas (top arms and bum) dorothy perkins have some nice itema too.

Stripeyhandbag · 27/04/2023 10:12

H&M for linen trousers.

Original poster
Kanfuzed123 · 27/04/2023 10:20

Stripeyhandbag · 27/04/2023 10:09

No to jeans!!!

Light linen trousers. Two pairs. Skirt of whatever length you like. T-shirts to go with both for day if you're out and about. Dressier tops for evening. Maybe a frock or two. All breastfeeding friendly.

For day - swimming stuff and cover ups.

Stick to a palette. I for example take black and khaki trousers and neutral tops.

Flipflops, shoes you can walk in (trainers?), Sandals.

I used to really overthink clothes for holiday and it took up too much headspace and suitcase space. If you're not really into clothes just keep it really simple. Mix and match. No one cares. Be comfy.

I meant jeans at home, so it’s not like you can just wear the aforementioned top on hols

ive not thought about linen trews, are they cool in 30 degree heat?

OP posts:
Nordicrain · 27/04/2023 10:28

I love loose clothes with thin breathable material on holiday. Zara often has loads - stuff like this which works both a little dressed up for the evening and around the pool:

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/short-printed-dress-p07521050.html?v1=229718163
https://www.zara.com/uk/en/short-printed-dress-p04437099.html?v1=245547418
https://www.zara.com/uk/en/short-printed-dress-p04437099.html?v1=245547418
https://www.zara.com/uk/en/printed-mini-dress-p09878142.html?v1=248818612

easy and cool to wear - and adaptable so you can wear it for more than one thing. When we went to Dubai recently I spent almost the whole holiday in a dress similar to the long one - first for dinner and then soemthing easy to throw on for the pool or breakfast.

Oversized shirt works well too - can be worn with shorts or as a pool/ beach coverup.

BereniceSchmerenice · 27/04/2023 10:33

I’d always take a nice oversized shirt for throwing over dresses, tops, making breastfeeding a bit more dignified in a swimsuit etc and helpful with the evening chill. Usually don’t like H&M but my favourite non-sheer white shirt is from here

second advice to stick to a palette.

I also think people overthink holiday wear and buy things for the holiday girl they want to be - think more about just what you’d wear here in the summer and you’ll be much more comfortable both physically and in knowing you like and looks good in the stuff you already love

BreviloquentBastard · 27/04/2023 10:46

When I went to Egypt the temps were similar. I ended up buying a bunch of wrap dresses from H&M and just living in them the entire time (even though I took a wardrobe worth of clothes with me). I don't do well in the heat so being comfortable without having to exist in a bikini was my main motivation 😂

They're comfy, flattering on most body shapes, cover the arms, and easy boob access if necessary!

They don't do the exact ones I got anymore, they were shorter, but they were similar to this in style Although may want to just browse around for a similar style but not in jersey, cotton or linen probably better in the heat!

Jersey wrap dress - Black - Ladies | H&M GB

Calf-length dress in soft jersey with a V-shaped neckline and a sewn-in wrapover at the front with narrow ties at one side. Short, wide sleeves, a seam at the waist and a gently flared skirt. Partly l...

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1128581001.html

Lcb123 · 27/04/2023 10:49

I’d go for light trousers and then you can wear BF friendly tops. I’ve seen some nice midi wrap dresses as well

BarbaraofSeville · 27/04/2023 10:54

T shirt dresses. Knee length or slightly longer. Great for just wearing with a bikini so you can take it off for the pool/beach then throw back on again when you go for lunch. If the top is low cut and loose you'll still be able to breast feed?

M&S have some good ones:

https://www.marksandspencer.com/MSFindItemsByKeyword?searchTerm=beach%20dress&filter=Categories%3DSC_Level_1_1

Also a llong shirt:

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-collarless-beach-cover-up-shirt/p/clp60581853?color=CLEMENTINE&prevPage=srp#intid=plpnav_pid_pg1pip43g4r2c1

Search results for "beach dress"

https://www.marksandspencer.com/MSFindItemsByKeyword?filter=Categories%3DSC_Level_1_1&searchTerm=beach+dress

Grimeduster · 27/04/2023 10:58

Jumpsuits are amazing on holiday and cover a multitude of sins. They are also easy to pack and take up less space. Google the flying squirrel outfit!

Brands I love are free people, fat face, H&M, Spell and the Gypsy. You can get them all cheap on Vinted.

HurryShadow · 27/04/2023 11:21

We go to Florida a lot and I have always worn shorts and t-shirts throughout the holiday. Last year I'd bought a casual summer dress and some chub rub shorts.

Honestly, I now am looking to buy a whole wardrobe of casual dresses for the summer as the comfort level was off the scale, especially in a hot climate! Waistbands in hot weather are horrible.

Quitelikeacatslife · 27/04/2023 11:28

I have an army of Boden day dresses, wear over here with vest undef and leggings cardi and in heat just in their own. I much prefer dresses in the heat. Get a nice cover up and you'll find people will put these on over cosi during the day to go down to pool etc , comfy Birkenstocks, plastic ones by pool and leather for everything else. I love a maxi dress in the evening with wedges . If you are really short then look at petit ranges or get a midi dress.

sunnydayhereandnow · 27/04/2023 11:34

I live in a similar climate to Turkey. I wear short sleeved knee length linen dresses all summer. Also linen trousers and loose t shirts. The key is linen and cotton and make sure it’s not double thickness or lined with synthetic - I find that a lot of UK summer clothes are too thick/synthetic for our summer. Next sometimes has good linen dresses.

Peachy2005 · 27/04/2023 11:34

Agree with @HurryShadow - I only brought long and 3/4-length dresses on our last summer holiday and it’s the best way to stay cool and avoid shorts if you don’t like your legs. Some were nicer brands (mostly from charity shops), others were from Peacocks, Wallis etc. For chafing, Sloggi do light cotton long johns that last for years or Peacocks and M&S have versions but check the M&S reviews. A few wraps/cardis and accessories to dress up/down and you can roll the dresses for ease of packing.

Original poster
Kanfuzed123 · 27/04/2023 11:35

HurryShadow · 27/04/2023 11:21

We go to Florida a lot and I have always worn shorts and t-shirts throughout the holiday. Last year I'd bought a casual summer dress and some chub rub shorts.

Honestly, I now am looking to buy a whole wardrobe of casual dresses for the summer as the comfort level was off the scale, especially in a hot climate! Waistbands in hot weather are horrible.

esp if it’s not elastic or if it’s the type of elastic that folds over and bunches up…

im not normally a dress person, think I look weird but I got some t shirt dresses when I went to the surface of the sun dubai in June, but they just aren’t bf friendly, well if you aren’t up for showing your pants to everyone lol.

im going to need to look into this midi wrap dress business

OP posts:
HungryandIknowit · 27/04/2023 11:36

Agree on light linen trousers and cotton or linen shirts. And factor 50 suncream plus a hat!

Original poster
Kanfuzed123 · 27/04/2023 11:38

linen creases like hell doesn’t it?

what can we get doesn’t crease? Ironing really isn’t my strong suit, I mean I don’t do it at home, I ain’t doing it on hols 😅

OP posts:
Bapbap · 27/04/2023 11:39

If its really hot you will miss not having a couple of pretty summer dresses, short ones.

Shufflebumnessie · 27/04/2023 11:40

Personally, with such hot temperatures I'd be tempted to stick with light dresses rather than trousers (I discovered this from personal experience last year in Florida in August!).
Next have a variety of button up dresses (several are linen) that would work well from the breast feeding aspect and most are around knee length. Many of them come in different colours. There are some with short or cap sleeves but some are sleeveless, however you could team them with a very light kimono to cover your arms (the Kimono could also be used around the pool, or with shorts.
https://www.next.co.uk/g9554s2/1hy913#1hy913
https://www.next.co.uk/g9581s3/d21816#d21816
https://www.next.co.uk/g95135s5/d16585#d16585
https://www.next.co.uk/g7656s4/c94019#c94019
https://www.next.co.uk/style/ls331687/k37221#k37221
https://www.next.co.uk/g76583s9/c72881#c72881
https://www.next.co.uk/g88100s4/c47806#c47806
https://www.next.co.uk/style/st286282/d14206#d14206

Lots of Kimonos and cover ups here
https://www.next.co.uk/search?w=kimono&p=1#0

This style would also work for breastfeeding as you can pull down (comes in different colours / prints);
https://www.next.co.uk/g95540s5/u77276#u77276

This is a maxi dress but it comes in petit length too, covers tops of arms and looks breast feeding friendly;
https://www.next.co.uk/style/st218810/c08344#c08344

Hope you find a few piece that make you feel fab!

Bapbap · 27/04/2023 11:40

Linen shirts and trousers sound horrible for a hot beach holiday.

Shufflebumnessie · 27/04/2023 11:42

Kanfuzed123 · 27/04/2023 11:38

linen creases like hell doesn’t it?

what can we get doesn’t crease? Ironing really isn’t my strong suit, I mean I don’t do it at home, I ain’t doing it on hols 😅

Most of the linen items I've bought recently haven't really creased much more (if at all) than non linen items. I remember linen years ago was horrendous for creasing but I've found the items from places like Next, Fat Face etc don't really do that any more.

MasterBeth · 27/04/2023 11:44

Bapbap · 27/04/2023 11:40

Linen shirts and trousers sound horrible for a hot beach holiday.

Why?

Cool, loose fitting, lightweight. What's not to like?

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