How do you look effortlessly beautiful by the pool?

[MozzchopsThirty]

I'm going on a 'naice' holiday with boyfriend.
I always look like shit! Sweaty, straggly hair, some ill fitting throw over thing.

Please help! I want to look lovely.
What can I do with my hair? Even in a ponytail it's awful, it's thin & shoulder length
I've purchased 2 lovely bikinis so just gotta get the rest to work

[mimishimmi]

Dominique Sachse, a gorgeous woman in at least her forties (can't place her age), has a good Youtube video on poolside beauty/style.

[BeJayKayven]

I'm going for linen shifts this year for evenings. Very simple and easy, and they suit my shape. Next have some lovely ones, and so does Asda! I posted this on the other thread - Asda, pure cotton and lovely on.

[flupcake]

Inspired by this thread I pulled all my swimming costumes and bikinis out and tried them all on - and took photos - I definitely need some new ones! Also I was surprised I didn't look that awful in the bikinis, in fact one of my one-piece costumes gives me quite a thick waist.

However I definitely need bikinis with good support up top, I found a couple of the triangle-style bikinis that I used to wear before I had kids when my boobs were a lot smaller and perkier - not a good look for me now....

There are some Lands End cover ups that look quite nice, they are more like tunic dresses than kaftans:
www.landsend.co.uk/Swimwear/Womens/Shop_By_Silhouette/Swimtees%2C_Rashguards_Cover-ups/ix-9005?brand=2&sz=all&endless=true
I am a bit unsure of the sizing as they are 10-12 or 14-16 (I am a 14 on the bottom but 12 on top) but think I will order one and see. I worry with the big print kaftans that I will look huge, so would prefer something plain or a small print. Also I don't like things too see-through.

What do you think works well for eating out in the evening (usually the local beach bars) without looking too dressed up, but also not too beachy? (I've got the message about no high heels!)

[MozzchopsThirty]

Yes flupcake wear a bikini. I'm a 10 with a stomach that looks like a satchel after 3 pregnancies and an emergency abdo surgery
But I refuse to wear a one piece!
There are some lovely flattering bikinis out there.
Have you tried Boux avenue?

[poppym12]

i think the best thing is to wear what you feel comfortable and confident in. so many people worry about what they look like on holiday but the reality is, no one else actually cares what you're wearing or how much make up you have on.
i prefer simple cotton dresses to kaftans or cover up things, or maybe shorts and a drapey vest top. painted toes nails looks good and for footwear, i wear birkenstocks or converse .
my colours tend to be quite neutral, natural fabrics and no garish colours or loud prints/sequins.
hair is tied back loosely and i sometimes wrap a scarf around my head (hair band style) rather than wear a hat as hats make me sweat too much. i never bother with makeup apart from an spf lip balm.
decent sunglasses are a must.

[netflixandicecream]

flupcake definately wear a bikini! nice all over tan always looks great

[flupcake]

I am having this dilemma too! Thanks for the tips on here. We go to Spain every year for a beach holiday, and I always feel frumpy and not stylish enough. This year I am determined to get it right! It's so hard when packing in rainy England to imagine what will feel right in hot and humid Spain. I have learnt that my fitted linen Boden numbers just feel too uncomfortable. Loose cotton dresses are better.

Also, I really want to get more efficient at packing as I always seem to take a load of stuff I don't wear. I thought a Pinterest board mentioned upthread was a good idea. I think I will take photos of the clothes I already have that do work well in Spain, and look what is missing.

I have seen a few similar threads on this issue (like this www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2655636-simple-knee-length-throw-it-on-dress-for-holidays) -
Maybe we need a Mumsnet Holiday Wardrobe Pinterest Board!

Also every year I have the bikini versus swimming costume dilemma ... in the UK I wouldn't be seen dead in a bikini (I am a size 12 with a flabby post-kids tummy that is resistant to sit-ups!) but in Spain everyone wears bikinis, even the old ladies, and I feel a bit old fashioned in my one-piece! So - to bare the wobble or not?

[AnneEtAramis]

I am floored at a this prep. We spend most summer on a med island not frequented by foreign tourists and everyone just has shorts/t shirt or sometimes a kaftan, always flip flops and hair just tied up in a bun. No make up (except the odd occasions some Russians came, they wore lots). Literally everyone from your 16 year old to 65 year old basically adopted this. I think though that everyone is basically super relaxed and that's why they look great.

I don't really give this a second thought. I spend all of my time in the sea/sitting on the edge of the sea so cover up is only for going home/to the beach. I think I look better wet actually.

Have a great holiday op.

[HappyGirlNow]

I try to avoid viscose as sometimes it can be REALLY bad for creasing... Plus, although it's a semi natural fibre and meant to be breathable it can be sticky and clingy..

[LostQueen]

I just ordered this from new look for my holiday in a couple of weeks time. I haven't tried it on yet but I'm sure this fit will be fine for the purpose. They have a shorter version too but I'm 5'9 so went for the longer one

www.newlook.com/shop/womens/swimwear/white-longline-long-sleeve-beach-shirt_379235810

[Glamorousglitter]

I honestly believe it finest matter where you buy your bikini from - just ensure it fits well, try it on bend move and wriggle in it
I have two seafolly ones and 2 h and m ones. I love buying a few from the high st every year to change up the look. And I don't mind if they don't last forever! I like my holiday photos with different bikinis year on year.

I m still carrying a stone extra (Dd2 is 6 months old) and before I arrived I was really concerned about not looking as good as I usually do - (so I m a wobbly 12 when I n usually an 8/10).

Plus with the dc I haven't had lots of time for prep - or anything really.

I use st tropez everyday before we came so I have a light colour and top it up every second day. I m fair anyway so only take a light tan and tend to avoid sun.

Once I m here i ve seen there s all body shapes and sizes here and no ones bothered.


My cover ups are new look and seafolly. Both ancient. Both come out every holiday - and to be honest- not a whole
Lot of different in terms of quality.

[RunRabbitRunRabbit]

Act happy and confident, as if you feel quietly beautiful, even after you realise a giant bogie has been stuck to your face since you got out of the pool and that fake tan streaked weirdly under your left buttock.

[netflixandicecream]

i never wear expensive clothes and have never spent more than primark and h&m prices on a bikini.

i got a plain white bikini for £4 last year in primark and it looked amazing if i may say so myself i honestly can't imagine anyone looking at me and thinking 'fuck me thats a cheap swimsuit' i'm 5"8 and size 8 so it may be that i am still at a stage where i can get away with just about anything

[MildlyattractiveBetty]

I could definitely do the plait but I do draw a line at the anklet.

[MozzchopsThirty]

Agreed, my hair would just about go in a plait but flyaway bits by my face would hang down or stick out
No way could I wear it down then for the night
I have fine, blonde hair which looks awful most of the time

[JigokuShojou]

It all depends on the beach-I live 45 minutes away from one but there aren't any shower facilities so I just wait until I get home. (Short hair, btw.)

[pfft123]

Can people REALLY put their hair in a plait for lying by the pool and then just let it down in the evening? I'm envious if you can - I would feel revolting not washing it. All that sweat, chlorine, sun cream, sand or sea water

[Madbengalmum]

I guess it all depends on the type of hotel and quality of accomodation people are staying in and whether they want to blend in or look a bit different.
I really didnt think anyone still wore heels to the beach, but i genuinely believe that you get what you pay for where swimwear is concerned, and you can tell quality from a mile off. I prefer something a bit different and would sooner have one good quality outfit than ten from the high st and this applies to swimwear too.

[wickedfairy]

Marking place - I camp so am never glamorous but I can live in hope!

Diana - your bikini and beach cover up are lovely! I am really, really white - do you all think that would look ok or do you need a tan to pull those colours off?

[YorkieDorkie]

Tint brows and lashes so you need minimal makeup.
I saw something that advertised "shiny legs" on the TV - looked good.
French plait for the day and tuck the end in - add pretty flower.
Take down plait for evenings and voila! Lovely wavy hair.
Sparkly shellac on hands and feet.
Anklet.
Glamorous sun hat and large shades.
Big bright tote.

[Madbengalmum]

Is this thread about how to create a mumsnet uniform by the beach??😄

[pandarific]

OOH - and I forgot! Since having the weave, I have needed to straighten my hair, as it's wavy, unlike my own - if you are on the market for a hair straightener, check this out! quid on Amazon and it's great for people like me who have no idea about hair, you just brush it through like a normal brush and it straightens it - very easy!

[JigokuShojou]

If you can get this online, it literally won't budge, come sea or sweat. //www.p2bus.com based in London's Chinatown might sell it. This mascara sticks like glue.

[JigokuShojou]

These can be used as make-up fixing sprays-they all contain high SPFs.

[pandarific]

Spend the money on a GOOD mascara - all the rest of makeup you can economise on, but even the best chemist mascara can't compete with a really good one. Wait till you're at the airport and get one of those Lancome mascara packs that have 2 or 3 in the Duty Free. I'd suggest one with the waterproof Lancome Hypnose and one with the regular Hypnose or Hypnose Drama.

Oh, and is your hair wavy? If so, and if you would like more body/longer hair, you could look into getting a track or two of a weave put in, or a few micro-ring extensions. I'm caucasian with very fine hair, and honestly, the difference having a little bit of extra is amazing!