Help me look stylish but warm in Cornwall

[tulpe]

We are off to St Ives in Cornwall for half term. Give me a holiday in the Med and I can pack without problems. UK holidays send me in to a panic-induced "throw it all in and then wonder what the hell I was thinking when I unpack at destination".

DCs are learning to surf so there will be at least 2 hours beach time per day irrespective of weather.

I keep thinking I should pack chunky jumpers, jeans and Converse but am also hoping that it might be shorts/skirts weather?

Am also assuming I will not be required to "dress up" at all for evenings in pubs/restaurants. Dress over leggings at most?

Any outfit ideas greatly appreciated. I am size 8-10 and 40 (if that has any bearing).

BTW, there was a thread on here last August about this started by another MNer......but descended into bun-fight about best way to eat scones so not terribly helpful :o

We are supposed to be having a heatwave over half term :o

We often go to Pembrokeshire and the weather can be glorious or very dodgy indeed. I tend to hope for the best and take shorts/skirts and something warm to bung on top just in case (and and of course a raincoat!)

Wear a wetsuit and learn to surf with them - its great fun

I live in Devon so i know where you're coming from!
Id get a pair of roll up hem cargo trousers - you can wear the hem rolled up - as 3/4 length trousers if it's hot or roll them down if it gets suddenly cold. i'd also pack some nice cardi's and perhaps a maxi beachy dress. some flip flops or flat sandals, a pair of converse or plimsolls. Also what i usually wear in the summer is a longline white shirt that can be worn open as a cover up for the beach over a tee or a cami or buttoned up over leggings with a belt for something a bit smarter but not too much.
hope this helps x

tried to edit my post but i found i can't do that!

www.marksandspencer.com/Pure-Cotton-Smocked-Multiway-Dress/dp/B00437EYOO?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_1&nodeId=635128031&sr=1-1&qid=1305550431&pf_rd_r=1BY8Z71ZSNV4JWJSV7NA&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=635128031&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3

this is a great piece as it can be worn as a short dress for the beach or, thanks to the elasticated bit at the top, you can also wear it as a skirt with a cami or nice top x

ugh ! sorry

here for the dress/skirt

We have had some fantastic holidays in St Ives with our 2 DDs.

I just tend to pack lots of things which can be layered and usually spend most days putting layers on then taking them off again

You are right about not having to dress up for the evening. It's a very casual place.

Have a fantastic time.

Ah yes, regarding shoes, go for rubber soles, I always wear Havaianas as there are lots of cobbles which when wet or you are tipsey can be very slippery.

tulpe I remember the thread well as I was trying to look for it (and another) with regard to the packing list.

Last year I ended up buying wellies and warm jogging bottoms to wear in the evenings in front of the TV! I'll be taking warm PJs and a dressing gown this year.

Don't take anything remotely dressy unless you're definitely going out for a meal or two somewhere very glam. All pretty sandals/maxis/dresses got left in the case in favour of jeans/cardies/waterproofs. Nice flip flops weren't worn either and I spent ages looking for some cheap ones that would get wrecked.

I bought this in navy for the beach. Anything else I think would be too cool (in more ways than one!).

Sorry for the sneaky hijack Tulpe - but that dress does looks nice alizee should the weather be good this year. I'm an 10/12 though, so is it voluminous or snug?

hmm, have you got an M&S store nearby so you could try it on? the reviews are mixed about the size but considering it is elasticated i don't think a 12/14 would hang off you iykwim x

My local M&S is bad for beachwear.
I have ordered a multitude of sizes to collect in a food store as I understand they sell out (and have done in some sizes already) quickly. We shall see soon hopefully

Dotty - I can only hope! We booked this over the Easter holidays as we were lulled into the illusion that summer was here with all that glorious warm sunshine :o

snowmummy - I am tempted to learn, actually. Just not sure I can cope with DH's reaction to me in a wetsuit which will be either uncomfortable public adoration or making penguin references!

Alizee, Morag & QLB - loads of brilliant ideas thank you. Like the idea of using a white shirt as a beach cover up. I have a tunic style collarless one with pintuck pleating on the front which is perfect for the job.

So my packing list should now include:
wellies,
waterproof,
Converse,
flip flops
straightleg jeans (loose enough at ankle to roll up)
chinos (to be rolled up to cropped length if weather permits)
cotton skirt
navy shorts
long sleeve tees

short sleeve tees
vest tops

white shirt
1 cardigan
1 hoody
1 chunky jumper for freezing days
light weight merino henley for so-so days
possibly Boden chambray dress - although concerned I will be one of many!!
bikini (optimistic)
variety of scarves & beads to make stuff a little more interesting
oh and warm pjs & Uggs for cosy nights in

Seems like an awful lot of stuff for 1 week but I guess it's better to be prepared and warm.

Oh I would second the Uggs. It can get a bit chilly at nightime so they are very useful.

In fact I once forgot them and was so miserable that DH offered to drive home and get them for me. I didn't take up his offer, although I badly wanted too

I had better not forget my Uggs. Can't see DH offering to drive a 10 hour-round trip to get a pair of boots for me!

Tulpe just throw in all your best Boden buys and hope for the best
We went to Devon for a week and I took the following:
wellies, uggs, pumps, flipflops, wedges (for evenings)
dark wash slim jeans, linen trousers, shorts, leggings
Dress, denim skirt
breton tops, t's, vests, cardigan, jumper, hoody
swimwear
scarves, jewellery
Berghaus jacket

Lots of people in St Ives wear surf/outdoorsy gear, so if you have anything from Animal/Fat Face etc I'd buy that. I'd go for cotton prints & jerseys to layer, chinos/cargo trousers, knee-length skirt & dress. Definitely no heels. Big scarf/shawl for sitting on/sarong/scarf for chilly evenings.

Dress over leggings for evening is perfect.

Clothes shopping in St Ives is pretty good, actually, so maybe pack a little less and treat yourself to something when you get there. I think they have Joules, Cath Kidston, White Stuff and the like, plus some nice little local boutiques.

You will have a lovely time. Check out the kids' room at Tate St Ives and Cafe Art.

Oh another thing - St Ives is windy and hilly. Floaty maxi dress perhaps not the best choice (memories of flashing pants & midriff on the harbour)

Sindy - sounds like the kind of flashing I am prone to - usually just when I am feeling comfortable with my sartorial choices for the day :o

I am also after "a nice cardi".....preferably chunky-knit cotton and looking cosy but stylish to keep me warm on the breezy beach. Have sent myself into a total tail-spin trying to find something here and on tinterweb so will abandon DH and DCs to do a little local boutique trawling for a good catch :)

Leggings are your friend. They roll up small in a bag, don't crease, and you just pull them on under your dress/skirt. Likewise lightweight long-sleeved tops and chunky cardies. It's all about layering!

It's not been overly cold down here really, wet occasionally yes. Layers and a mac are your best bet.

Thanks Katy. I am a skinnies and breton tops girl too so will be packing those. I have a rain-jacket. Tis a very un-chic Trespass red number but it is cool in a surfy kind of way so hopefully that will suffice and very sweaty warm

Lady - yes will definitely pack leggings and 1 dress. Trouble is I really feel the cold and even leggings won't make me feel snuggly if it is cool & breezy but teamed with Uggs will probably do the job.

Berry am very of your living in Cornwall. Thanks for the weather precis and agree layers are the way forward.

I am actually looking forward to packing now!

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in.
We live local and on the weekend were in surferish pub in the middle of no where, next to a table of tourists.
Just as I now feel uncomfortable in London, they looked ridiculous in Cornwall, brand new clothes from a catalogue, covered up in an ugly anorak because it was n't as sunny as the Whitestuff catalogue, 'technical' footwear.....
Boden, Fatface, Uggs - you'll fit in with the other tourists
Get a wetsuit on and get in the water and you'll look like a local and have a lot more fun.

...But don't wear your wetsuits as a family for the whole day at the beach - to sit in, eat in etc. I've never understood that :o

I agree with Border...wear what you are comfortable in! Although it is beautiful down here when the weather is hot, when it's not, it can be miserable.

Also, we usually seem to miss the heatwaves predicted and then have our own while the rest of the country is wet!

Not much help there but hope you enjoy your time in St Ives!