Capsule holiday wardrobe, starting from scratch.

[Totesgawjushun69]

Hi

I'm looking for some advice/ ideas for a capsule holiday wardrobe to cover 14 nights in a tropical climate.

I've recently lost weight so literally nothing I own fits (finally facing this dilemma the way round I want to)!

I'm pear shaped if that helps?

Don't want to pack loads but don't want to be stingy either.

Any links to anything would be great too.

Thanks for any help offered in advance.

Congrats on your weight loss

I’d suggest choosing some colours that suit you and also each other so that you can mix many pieces. TKMaxx is great for a range of swimwear and coverups at pretty good prices.

Also, I know they are sometimes hated on here but a jersey maxi in a colour that suits you is one of my favourite things to take away as you can dress it up and down.

Remember to take bug spray and a high quality spf for your face particularly.

I am in exactly the same position! I have nothing, apart from 4 vest tops. I am particularly after nice shorts and tops, sorry for hijacking OP!

I did this last summer for a holiday in May and ended using the capsule all summer.
I picked a few colours, orange, white and brown and bought...

An orange cardi
A orange and white skirt
A orange, 2 x white, brown/white stripe Ts.
White shorts.
White trousers.
Orange belt
White espadrilles
Brown sandals
Orange flip flops.
White shirt.

I think that was it.

Thanks for the quick replies.

Good advice on matching colours.

Thanks Kate! I like TK maxx but I've only ever bought kids stuff from there, I will go early morning one day so I can have a good look around.

I haven't worn shorts since I was kid! Where is best for them?

Also are denim skirts ok to wear these days? [clueless emotion]!

Highjack away outward, if you don't ask you won't get any help!

Another one following here! Although I'm only away for 7 nights!

I like Gap for shorts but have found that you need to try on every style as the sizing is a bit off, any other ideas welcome!

Strangely Matalan is pretty good for shorts! Various styles and cuts. Not sure if they’ll have their summer stuff in yet. I also have a good few bikinis from there too that are cup sized so you can get a proper fit.

I wouldn’t wear a denim skirt unless it was a fitted pencil style with a fitted jumper so probably not summer attire! Although I am sure people do still wear the more summery ones

What size, budget, colours do you like?
Fashion forward or blend in?

Where and when?

mDenim will be way too hot in tropical climate go for linen or cotton
I suggest at least 2 x swimwear, beach coverup tunic dress/ kaftan
2 pairs shorts 1 pair trousers a skirt a longer dress 4-5 tops ,beach sandals, pair for walking in , beach bag sun hat preferably foldable sunglasses, light cardigan if evenings are cooler, check forecast if sudden downpours may need umbrella jewellery scarves to make same outfits suitable for evenings

Size 12 (maybe 10 on top).

I like black and coral suits my colouring.

I'm not fashion forward these days (just wore what fit) but now I'm slimmer I'm willing to be pointed in a direction and try some styles out.

SEA in August so I'm expecting a few down pours but mostly hot and sunny.

Thanks for all your help so far.

H&M have a lovely cotton cardi in lots of colours for £9.99. If you need one in the evening (helps keep mozzies off too). cardi here

I would go for loose linen and cotton fabrics and avoid man made fibres. Go for white and neutral shades with splashes of bold colours that you like such as white and coral. Black fabric makes you feel hotter and you will boil in denim. If you burn take a long cotton muslin scarf and use to wrap round neck and shoulders to protect skin (you can even dampen it with water to help cool you down).

Ankle length linen trousers and Capri pants are very on trend this summer. Wear with open toed slip ons. Plimsolls and closed in shoes get very hot and sweaty. Take one big tote /beach bag that folds flat and a nice hat in case you have a bad sweaty hair day.

Jaeger has some lovely well cut classics and not too pricey.

Boden has a nice holiday selection Boden link
So does The White Company
White Company link

Currently poolside in 30c and my bag has
2 silk monsoon knee lenght tunics (dresses or tops or coverups)
1 jaegar longer silk dress
Banana republic white linen dress
5 old navy lightweight white t-shirts
3 boden bistro shorts
1gap linen trousers
2 cotton aupermarket kaftans
2 ×swimmers
Boden Rash shirt
Boden swim shorts
Flip flops
Smart leather sandals
Cardy from Zara
2x zara white jeans (for plane )
belt
Fine knit jumper gap
Carvala summer pumps for plane/evening

Agree cotton and linen are best.
I stick to a colour palette of white, black and khaki with an accent colour... last year shades of blue, this year I'm thinking shades of pink.
For day: swimwear, cotton shorts, vests, oversize linen shirt, cotton sundress, straw hat, flipflops, birkenstocks
For evening: linen trousers, cotton midi dresses, cotton cardigan, wedge espadrilles, linen scarf.
I like Gap, Boden, M&S, Topshop and Accessorize.