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Help - what should I wear on holiday (Spain in July)

15 replies

ladymarian · 10/03/2018 22:57

Recently booked a family holiday in Spain in July. We haven't been abroad for more than 10 years and this is our first family holiday. I don't really have any summer clothes and don't feel comfortable at all flashing the flesh. I'm small, just over 5ft and a size 12-14, hourglass shape but I hate my legs! They're basically short and fat and wobbly Confused and normally they don't see the light of day ever! I don't think a pair of shorts exist that can make my legs look acceptable! Im also concerned about thigh chafing. What can I wear? It will be hot!

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NearWildHeaven · 11/03/2018 09:30

I the same height as you and have now done a couple of family sun holidays. I prefer shorts and a vest or short tunic style dresses.

My favourite summer things are from Boden (where you can order different colours and lengths of shorts!), Next petite (I like their tunic thrown summer dresses and linen shorts!) and Primark.

NearWildHeaven · 11/03/2018 09:34

Sorry I also meant to say that in terms of
shapes, honestly, no one is looking at your legs. Everyone has so many different shapes and they're all just there for the same thing, enjoying the sun with family or friends. Please try not to hide away, I'm positive you'll look great. My legs are blue and veiny but I make myself get them out on holiday even if they're in opaques in the UK!

pinkmagic1 · 11/03/2018 09:39

I also don't feel confident getting my legs out in public. It is alright people saying that no one will be looking, but if you feel really self conscious it is difficult to enjoy yourself.
I tend to go for loose, thin cotton trousers and a vest or the shirt.

Hellywelly10 · 11/03/2018 09:39

Just get some shorts in a natural fabric. Mix with cotton tops. The shops in Spain are cheaper than in the uk, the clothing is also more appropriate to the weather there. M&S has a linin range every summer.

CiderwithBuda · 11/03/2018 09:40

Nobody will be judging you. Honestly. You are not overweight at a size 12-14. You might feel wobbly but you can do a lot about that but summer if you want to. Exercise will make a big difference.

And fake tan before you go so you don’t feel your legs are really white. A friend of mine gets a spray tan before her holidays. I usually just use something like the Dove moisturiser with self tan in.

I was in Next yesterday and noticed some nice simple linen dresses.

elQuintoConyo · 11/03/2018 09:40

As little as possible as it will be the hottest month. Where i am it is also humid.

People are all shapes and sizes and no one bats an eyelid at upper arm circumference or thighs in shorts (as long as they're not right up your bum!).

Linen may be unfashionable but it is a godsend in this heat, the naturally crinkly-looking stuff.

Wear natural fabrics as much as possible, anything slightly poliester/viscose etc will make you feel like you're melting.

I wear short-sleeved tops/tshirts mostly from h&m, one or two from zara. I avoid strappy tops as i don't have the prettiest skin on shoulders/back.

I have a handful of maxiskirts (oldest i bought in 2002) and prefer them to knee length or short skirts (the faff of shaving Grin ).

Bring enough clothes that you can change twice a day, if possible, even though i'm accustomed to the heat i find i have to change clothes after lunch! Bring a shawl for overly airconditioned restaurants. It'll be super hot enough to eat outside every evening.

If you buy sandals for your hols, try and wear them in before your holiday as new shoes + hot slidey sweaty feet = minging! You can buy compeed blister thingies from pharmacy or little shops called Clarel.

Enjoy!

elQuintoConyo · 11/03/2018 09:44

Oh and linen trousers are the mutt's nuts!

If you want to wear a skirt i have some 'bandolettes' that look like the top of hold-up stocking and they prevent thigh rub chaffing.

ladymarian · 11/03/2018 09:48

Thanks for your super helpful replies! I am very self conscious about my legs but will start looking for suitable things ( longer length tailored shorts?) I like the sound of maxi skirts/dresses but being small means that they are usually about a foot too long! I am planning to diet/exercise before we go so hopefully will be a bit leads wobbly. As for fake tan it just doesn't work for me. I'm very pale and also not very groomed/glamorous so whenever I've tried it in the past I've ended up streaky or like an oompa loompa! I'd rather be pale!

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mrs2cats · 11/03/2018 18:16

Cropped trousers and knee length shorts. I don't tend to wear sleeveless tops but I do wear loose tops with short sleeves. Anything in natural fabrics and loose.

elQuintoConyo · 11/03/2018 19:32

I'm paler than the palest milk and i'll still get my legs out of a day!

I'm in Catalunya and some of the Catalans are paler than me.

I would say for clothes, if you have fitted/tailored trousers, wear a floaty top. Floaty skirt - wear a more fitted or stryctured top. Top and bottom both floaty - i look like a boat in full sail!

If you do buy a maxidress/maxiskirt, see if you can cut a chunk off the bottom and sew up. Often they are panelled skirts, so i have chopped off the bottom level and really simply and basically tidied up the bottom with needle and thread. I'm a 14/16 and 5ft4, apple shaped with lovely wide legs from hip to foot. I sound such a catch!

May i ask where you're going?

travailtotravel · 11/03/2018 19:50

Linen linen linen all the way. Wafty and light!

Lucked · 11/03/2018 20:08

I tend to wear knee length dresses like this boden one, in fact I hadn’t seen that dress before and all three colours would suit me.

Mostly around the hotel/ beach I just wear a beach dress over my swimsuit with flip flops. Probably no one can see any part of me due to the ginormous beach bag with everything two small children need plus lilo, plus crying child that I am swamped under.

PerfumeIsAMessage · 11/03/2018 20:17

I was in the same boat as you last August, first time to Menorca in over 20 years, and no holiday clothes at all...to the point that the swimsuit was picked up at the airport!

I ended up wearing (and rinsing out in the sink) a pair of drawstring linen navy trousers from Next (also at the airport!) and a succession of plain white t shirts (M & S do a fab "better quality" one for about £9, I have about 8 of them and have a couple from Mango as well) and a navy sleeveless silk/cotton mix maxi dress. White leather fitflop trainers. And that was it. Obviously, I took a suitcase full of other stuff, and none of it got worn!

Going to Portugal this year and will be better! (will stick extra t shirts in Grin

Mumontherocks1 · 11/03/2018 20:26

Black maxi dress accessorised with jewellery. I got a few from Asda last summer and they were fab. A complete revelation was how cool long dresses keep you in the heat. A mazing!! Don't worry about your shape, get out there and have a blast!

ladymarian · 11/03/2018 20:48

Thanks for all your kind and encouraging comments! We're going to Ibiza. Once I've found some clothes I'm comfortable in I'm sure I'll enjoy it

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