Poolside glamour

[Bluebell79]

I'm wondering what it's really like at smart hotels round the pool? Is it like towie and marbs? I've only ever stayed in very casual places, never at a hotel and want to blend in. As I was booking the lady said "it's very glamorous lots of Russians holiday there" now I'm in a panic. Have lots of dresses and wedges for evening, it's more round the pool, it's going to be very hot. Where can I find glamorous bikinis? My beach looks well used too, I have a large michael kors bag which might be suitable but worried it will get ruined by sun cream. Any advice appreciated.

I was in a 5* resort in Turkey a couple of years back plenty of Lebanese and Russians around. Not sure I would follow the Russians example of "style" the young women were in competition with each other and they were topless with just tiny thongs walking around trying to get attention.

Wear a bikini that fits well and makes you feel good, a lovely cover up kaftan or sarong and nice wide brimmed hat. If you feel good about yourself and have confidence it will show. Personally, I wouldn't take an expensive bag to the beach or pool. I got a couple of really nice bikinis last year in the J Crew sale. Shopbop sale has started you might find some nice ones there too.

I have cover ups similar to these

www.shopbop.com/boha-embroidered-coverup-ondademar/vp/v=1/1580812792.htm?folderID=2534374302067619&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall&os=false&colorId=74143

www.shopbop.com/tulum-cover-dress-9seed/vp/v=1/1527326158.htm?folderID=2534374302067619&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall&os=false&colorId=73495

In my experience some of the russians i have seen poolside have looked like pornstars, they do have a very erm... Interesting sense of style.
Google designer swimwear and many companies that specialise in good quality classy stuff will come up
Dependant upon budget i would say look for melissa odabash, heidi klein, eres, orlebar brown, vix, etc
Alternatively, figleaves have a good mid priced selection.

Get a swimming costume and / or bikini that fits well- bravissimo do nice ones and m&s have tummy control ones that are actually very good, look nice. Black is a sensible colour and goes with everything.

Get waxed, nails and toes done, a fake tan is good all over. Eyebrows done, well groomed:)

Sparkly flip flops, a shift cotton dress for arrivals and departure and a sarong for during the day. Sunglasses, lip gloss, hat if you like them. Cheap large cocktail ring if you're feeling a bit bling.

Bag - you need a large bag so a nice beach bag ( not a rucksack) in cotton and not gaudy:)

Take a riveting paperback that you just can't put down and then you won't care so much.

^ but your beachwear cover ups look lovely, anyway.

I'm with the other posters, many Russian Guests will have a different take on glamour .
Pedi, lash tint, stylish hat & sunnies and a good cover up.
If you want to share your destination maybe we could help a bit more?

You really don't have to spend much. A great bikini that holds you in is worth spending £50 on, but cover ups etc can be from Tesco, Primark, Matalan etc - it's all the same sheer floaty stuff. Same with beach bags - better to have a brand new one from Primark than an obvious handbag or battered old one. Big sunglasses, lipgloss, and find a way of having your unwashed chloriney hair up that looks stylish with zero effort like a topknot or low bun. And get a gel pedi in advance, mani too if you want.

Head to Primark with a £30 budget for bag, sunnies, and 3 coverups

We go to an Italian seaside spa hotel that is quite popular among Russians and landlocked Central Europeans. Beach cabanas and a roof terrace with a jacuzzi rather than a pool (there is one but hardly anybody ever uses it), people are very tastefully but fashionably dressed, usually can see on Russian guests what prints Dolce & Gabbana have done this season, and everyone has really nice bags. The German banker wife types prefer Tory Burch kaftans and most mothers use Neverfulls for their children's beach toys and sunscreen. Impeccable grooming and hair, no pornstars, mostly monochrome bikinis. The cars are flashier than the outfits. But provided that you are not wearing neon, nail art or a fake tan, you will not stand out.

intravelreport.blogspot.com/2013/10/russian-tourists-most-annoying-say.html

There was also a large group of Russians in Borneo when we were there late last year on one of the islands, the women were dressed similar to this. They love their bling.

remember that floaty see-through coverups provide no sun protection, so think of that if you want to avoid the attractive lobster look. (and also so you don't resemble your beach bag in later life)

if you are actually planning to swim, rash vest and boardies are good. Bikinis with ties and metal bits are the definition of impractical.

but unless you are trying to pull an oligarch, why worry? I'm sure the Russians are no more or less generically glamorous than any other nation.

Depends where in the world you're going. European glamour quite different to, for example, that in the Middle East.

Oh yes- poolside UK you'd need a parka:)

I've only done long haul posh hotels, in Europe we tend to do SC apartments. In honesty there no difference in how people dress in either. Your destination is relevant though, Carribbean can be quite relaxed, Cannes less so