What do people wear on the beach?

[iwouldgoouttonight]

Going to northern France in a couple of weeks, we've not been on an abroad summer holiday for years, we tend to go to Wales where I can wear floaty top and leggings or t-shirt and cropped trousers to the beach and then keep them on because it's not warm enough to take them off.

So I'm not sure how much warmer than here it will be in Brittany, I'm guessing it's not like Mediterranean lying on the beach in a bikini type weather, but I may be wrong. Also I'm not really a bikini type of person, we're going with a group of friends and I'd feel really self conscious running around after the kids in a bikini or swimsuit.

Do you think shorts and a vest top? My thighs aren't my best feature (large) so will short shorts look ridiculous? Can you get longer shorts?

Or a dress? But then will I be forever holding it down to stop the wind catching it and revealing my pants?

I may be over thinking this but I really have no clue! I have quite a small budget for buying new clothes so any links to things I could buy fairly cheaply (new look, h&m, supermarkets, etc) would be really helpful!!

How about a swimsuit with a floaty 'cover-up' type thing over the top?

North of south brittany? weather not much different on north coast than in cornwall..

If you do not swim, I would wear shorts and a vest or tee-shirt. You may want to bring a long sleeve top too in case it is windy.

I would not wear a dress as it is not as practical as shorts. You rarely see them being worn on Brittany beaches either.

I go to the Atlantic Coast of France a lot and wear either shorts and a t-shirt or a beach dress. I have a couple of Jersey ones and a towelling one I wear.

I'm off to northern France in a couple of weeks and have been before. Generally not much warmer than southern England.

For beach days I wear, denim shorts, t-shirt and flip flops. Or bandeau style cotton beach dresses over a swimming costume.

For a beach holiday in Northern France I have worn everything between a bikini and a fleece plus waterproof!

Thanks for all the advice. Shorts and vest top is a good plan then. I'm unlikely to be swimming so that should be fine. We're about 20-30 mins south of Mount St Michel, not sure if that is north or south Brittany

Now just need to try and do something about my thighs...

Look as though its north Brittany - just inside the border form Normandy.

Mont-St-Michel is worth a visit. It's pretty spectacular

Yes we would like to go there, probably not with the kids though, I've heard there is a lot of uphill walking and it's busier than the eiffel Tower.

We took our 2 - they were 7 and 4 and they really enjoyed it. It's v small but there are a lot of steps to the top of the Citadel. It's like being in Harry Potter DS thought. We stayed over which I wouldn't recommend as it's phenomenally expensive and the food isn't great but we did have a lovely time.

Jeans or light trousers or shorts if it´s warm enough. If you are sitting down you will probably want a long-sleeved top. Wear a hat too, even if it´s not that hot there is still a risk of sun damage to the delicate skin on your face (also use a facial moisturiser with SPF).

I hope you have a lovely holiday.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lepel-Atomic-Beach-Cover-up-dress-size-14-/251588593404?pt=UK_Women_s_Dresses&hash=item3a93d946fc

I'm just back from holiday, and have a couple of these (in different patterns). They are so handy, and I wore them every day on top of my swimsuit.

I believe the north coast is generally a bit cooler, we live in South Brittany where pretty much anything goes - teeny tiny bikinis or jeans and a hoody and everything in between. It's warm today (25) and apparently to be 30+ tomorrow and Thursday, so I shall be thinking what can I wear in the sea rather than the beach!