Help style me for a beach holiday in the UK

[LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood]

Going to Cornwall for half term.

I'm 47. Quite nice skin and hair for my age. Though i do look tired. But very pale and a bit overweight. I can look quite polished at work etc but the pale skin plus the flabby bits let me down on the beach. I don't really want to do fake tan.

I'm a size 14/16. More a 16. Will be trying to lose weight before we go. But it's a struggle. I want to look nice even if I don't loose much.

Tummy and upper thighs biggest problem. Quite nice boobs and lower legs.

I know how to do work clothes and party clothes but I struggle with casual clothes; especially beach clothes. I have 3 DCs (13, 9 and 2). I'd like them not feel embarrassed by me on the beach or walking the cliff paths, visiting local attractions. To be clear they haven't said they are embarrassed by me but I'm feeling a bit old and drab.

I've struggled looks and style wise since
DS who I had aged 44. He is a blessing and a delight but I've struggled to lose all the baby weight and the sleepiness nights have taken their toll a bit. I've lost my way style wise I suppose.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Linen trousers are good for daytime going into evening.

Think a spray tan would be good really. Not too dark though.

I would take

Black linen trews
Navy linen trews
2 cardigans
Mixed bag tshirts
Lots of accessories eg scarves and necklaces
2 sarongs
Swimsuits
A line skirt for evenings
Flip flops for beach
Pumps for day
Lightweight jacket

We're going to Cornwall soon so I am thinking about this too. I am taking breton t shirts, jeans, a couple of warm cardies/hoodies and a lightweight jacket. Will take a dress, skirt and vests for if it's hot. Walking shoes, pumps, flips flops and a pair of wedges and jersey blazer for looking smarter if needed. Everything will be shades of blue or grey because it coordinates, but the jacket is red.

Lands End do excellent swimwear, from traditional one-pieces with "control panels", to tankinis with little skirts. The swim tees look useful, either for warmth or prevent sunburn. Not cheap, but very good quality. (Their casual stuff is good too)

Thankyou all for responding. I'm kind of ok with the basic premise of what I should take ( I've been doing this sort of holiday since I was a child).

I'm hoping that someone might be able to suggest some specific pieces or styles that would help me feel good. I'm bigger and a bit older looking than I am entirely happy with.

Thanks.

Ok, sorry! What do you like wearing to work? I.e what style do you like? Where do you normally shop/would you like to shop? If you feel comfortable in work clothes you may be a more classic dresser and that's why you struggle with casual clothes?

I'm not being ungrateful - I'm pleased you are taking an interest. I have to wear very formal clothes for work - black or dark suits. I shop in planet, jaegar, some M and S, coast, and debenhams in various departments.

But I'm not looking to recreate that on holiday!

In my teens I was a bit of a goth and in my twenties dressed a bit hippyish (long skirts etc). That's still my style home but my age is against me. I really happiest in a long floaty skirt but worry those days are gone. But don't really suit jeans. Or at least I've not found any that suit me.

I suppose what I'm saying is I've learned through necessity to do the work look - but that is not my look IYSWIM.

But I feel my look is dated now.

And that this has come to a head with an impending family holiday when is like to look nice.

So work clothes are like a uniform and not really you. That's really helpful. There's no reason you can't wear a maxi skirt, or a midi length to show off your lower legs. What height are you? Either skirt with a wedge heel would look lovely.

I wasn't being sarcastic there!!

Is it worth you trying to get to John Lewis or HoF before you go, for an appt with their personal shopper? You don't necessarily have to buy anything from them, but it might give you some ideas.

To be honest I'm having the same problem in advance of a UK holiday this year, although I only have one child. I'm just finding I don't like anything at all in my wardrobe!! I'm 32 and finding it very hard being a mum without looking mumsy, which sounds ridiculous but really isn't. I think it's easier in winter!

I like these paired with this or this if you want a warmer layer

You might like this scarf

What do you think?

Oh. Thankyou. That's helpful - I knew you weren't being sarcastic. Could tell you were trying very hard to help.

You are right. Work clothes are a uniform. I do it well but its still a uniform.
Want to look forward to the holiday but am feeling drab.

I'm 5'5. But look taller so I'm told!

Am feeling a bit encouraged now. Will investigate your suggestions further. Though the personal shopper idea fills me with dread. Think I'd rather go on holiday naked!

IME of Cornwall in May it can be boiling hot or freezing and blowing a gale.

If it's hot it's, proper floaty mid calf hippy skirt, Debenhams summer dress and sandals hot (and you won't look out of place looking slightly hippyish what ever your age).

If it's cold you want jeans, and a good quality hoody.

In between times I guess chinos and a bretton top and/or good quality Tshirt

Cardigans and possibly a nice, not to structured blazer to smarten up the summer dresses and chinos for a nice evening meal.

No good asking me about swim wear, I wear an ordinary Speedo costume (or a cheap tanki) under a rash vest on the beach even in the Med.

Midi length tube skirts sound like they would suit your shape and show off your lower legs. Perhaps with a slubby material tshirt.

Next have got some great two layer dresses - one is midi length which again would show off your legs but skim over the bits you don't like.

Do you like this sort of thing?
http://www.fatface.com/search?q=*&parentCategoryRef=womensall&sort=manual&order=ascend with a denim jacket or cardigan for evening/cooler days
http://m.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Skirts/Denim-Skirts/WG512/Womens-Chic-Denim-Skirt.html this looks lovely, yellow tops look rank on me though!
Hush do really useful style guides https://www.hush-uk.com/style_guides/style_file_april here

I would browse online as m6ch as you can then go for a days shopping to try and replicate.

Sorry, I have problems with links obviously!

Your younger DCs won't care what you wear and my 13y is fine with hoody, bretton top, skinny jeans and converse or wedge sandals.

She isn't mad keen on chino style trouses and she'd be puzzled by a blazer (but your DCs must have seen you being smart)

Honestly it doesn't matter, most people in Corwall ar 1/2 term are camping or visiting relatives. Even if they have hired a house most of their car will be full of toys, wind breaks, wetsuits and body boards not clothes.

Seriously, Uv tops and cheap wetsuits are the most valuable clothes to pack.

Do you think I could wear skinny jeans then?

What on top.

I have a nice wetsuit. It's very flattering. I wish I could wear it all the time!

Have spent the last 3 years having uk based beach holidays and lots of weekends and bank holiday breaks too. I'm a bit older than you but size 14 and 3 kids. What gets worn by me a lot :- ( depending on weather and in no particular order) comfortable jeans, either straight leg or boyfriend ( doing very well with Next slim boy fit at the moment), navy chinos, loads of Breton stripe tops with short or three quarter sleeves, short sleeve scoop-neck t shirts, long or three quarter sleeve plain coloured t shirts for layering, always take a couple of light weight snoods/ scarfs to add colour or warmth if brisk coastal breeze!, leggings and very long vests ( hush or baukjen) with looser top or floaty blouse ( H & M ) layered over, black linen trousers and fitted t shirt or vest with cropped cardi if needed, linen longish shorts, black or grey boyfriend cardi, knee length or long floaty skirt and fitted top or vest, Landsend tankinis with mix and match bottoms...do quite well with the skirted bottoms, my short Saress, warm fleece (mea culpa) and kagoule.
What stays in the cupboard...smart jackets, anything too restrictive like tight skirts or bodycon dresses.
Sorry for the lack of links. Haven't figured out how on iPad. Have a lovely holiday.

Hadn't thought of wedges either. I have nice ankles so that is something for the list.

Thanks. I am taking comfort from all this.

I have a big arse, M&S 5 pocket jeggings happen to be what fits and I love long boots, so like trousers I can tuck in them in winter.

I probably look like a parsnip.

If your used to formal trousers for work, you'll probably feel more comfortable in straight legged jeans.

(Also, DD2(13) developed all her view of fashion in the era of skinny jeans and I don't get teased for them. Since she cares far more what I look like than I do, thats fine by me).

I am a similar age/weight/height and I like the surfy look which is popular in Cornwall...so beachy styled hair and some White Stuff gear would do me fine...does that appeal to you? A jersey Maxi dress for evenings. Surfy isn't that far off hippy.

Gap had some lovely jersey maxi dresses in which could be worn with a denim jacket and flip flops.....they had some very nice stuff!