What do you pack for a holiday abroad when in your 40s

[MissMiss1]

I'm off on holiday and am pulling my hair out trying to decide what to buy. I don't really have a lot of summer clothes except for a few pairs of shorts. I'm in my 40s n don't want to look frumpy
What do you pack that you'd suggest I take to
I need beach day wear and evening wear also footwear
I really don't know where to start, I'm stressing out about it
Any links would be good

It's important you feel fabulous in every outfit so don't just buy a load of plain vest tops without getting sunglasses, sandals or jewellery to help.

My bestest find of the last few years is the strapy black harem jumpsuit. I have a crinkle cotton one so no ironing. It looks very glam in the evening with pretty metallic sandals ( buy some leather ones to wear all summer) but simple ( and thin ) enough to wear to the beach with flip flops.

It's replaced my dress wearing if I'm honest.

I also like vest tops with glittery bits. They look good with black or white jeans of an evening. Not try hard as a dress and easy to wear in the uk with a cardi for our summer nights.

Fremantle where do you buy your jumpsuits, I've been looking at some but was unsure
Also, glittery tops?

I'm doing my holiday planning (though I'm in my 50s)

First on my list is proper supportive swimwear. A couple of years ago I bought some bikini tops/bottoms seperates at Sansburys (bargain, I thought) but they weren't. The bottoms were fine but the tops were really flimsy, had to tie them so tight round my neck to hoik up my bust the straps rubbed my neck and it didn't cover.

So this year - shaping, support and I'll buy 2 good bikinis rather than 3-4 rubbish ones.

I'm still working on the rest

I buy a couple of properly fitted bikini/tankini tops, then buy bikini bottoms that flatter more (e.g. For me, fold over bikini bottoms) in one of the colours on the bikini/tankini.

I would also take

• 2-3 pairs of loose wide leg trousers
• some nice but comfy sandals (matching small bag for evenings)
• 2-3 tshirt dresses
• 6-7 fitted t-shirts/vest tops
• several pairs of sunglasses
• one cardigan/jacket for evenings

Smart shorts x 2
Pool shorts x 2
Bikini x 3
Tshirt x 4
Linen vest x 2
Short dress
Long dress x 2
Pool dress
Sarong

This is my list from last year. With a washing machine in the apartment.

Blue shorts
Blacks shorts - I like the floaty ones
Bikini
Swimsuit
Tshirt loose
Vest tops
Black trouser for evening
Pool cover up dress
3/4 loose dresses for either evening or general
Fit flops - these will do for evening as we don't tend to 'go out'
Converse

Black. Navy. White.

My usual pack list:
Two light trousers (one probably black)
A pair of jeans
Flipflops strictly to the beach
Flipflops for the house/room
Flat walking sandals
Nicer sandals
Sports shoes
A few spaghetti tops
A few t-shirts/tops
One informal shirt
A couple of dresses - informal and more formal
A couple of skirts or shorts
A beach/pool dress/combo - it tends to stain or get yellow with sun cream so choose it carefully.
A cardigan or something warmer for the occasional bad weather/cool night/visit to local windy place
A few bikinis with properly fitted bras.

Choose lighter colours and colours that match so you can mix all tops and bottoms.

If you want ideas you can look on Pinterest or there is a blog, Midlife Chic, which might help. I find I need visual ideas. Also what sort of holiday are you going on?

I avoid shorts as TBH I only ever see the very young and long of tanned legs look good in them. Not-patterned dresses and jumpsuits for me.

Even in really warm climes, navy, black and olive.

What sort of holiday and what sort of body shape do you have?

Don't buy anything too tight.
It will make you sweaty and will show all the inevitable 40s bumps.

Look at how it fits at the back.

Exactly what I’ve always packed.

Don’t label and limit yourself.

Pack whatever you normally take in the size that you are. Properly fitting bras make anything you wear look a hundred times better. So buy a multiway bra in a neutral is a must.

Bikinis buy again buy them that are in your bra size they look fantastic.

Exactly what I’ve always packed.

Don’t label and limit yourself.

I agree with this.

Where are you going and what sort of place are you staying? Completely different clothes if you are staying in a posh hotel with just you and your DP than if you are staying AI with kids. IME err on the side of comfy/casual - but we stay in an apartment and eat out in fairly casual restaurants so this might not be you and your holiday.

Going to Cyprus, with children, I'm not very good at knowing what to buy
I'm 5ft 8 and a size 8- 10

MissMiss.... 5ft 8 and size 8-10..... I don't think you need any help, you can just wear whatever you like.
I know you asked where I got my jumpsuit but I am 5ft3 and a bit dumpy. I don't think I'll be any help.
Seriously you can wear anything. My only tip is buy bikinis not swimsuits. 100% more flattering and everyone abroad wears them regardless of size and shape.

I was in my late twenties when I went on my first holiday abroad, I was borderline obese at the time and took no swimwe2 whatsoever because I felt that bad about my body. While I was there I saw a woman bigger than me wearing a bikini. It was then I realised I should not give a fuck about age or body shape regarding what I should wear.

Missmiss- at your size/height you can definitely wear whatever you want to!!!! I'm about that height (though a LOT rounder!!) and find tankinis better than one pieces for body length. You sound like could rock a bikini though.
I'd recommend plenty of short dresses you can wear over bathers along with flip flops. Great for beach- easier than struggling in/out of shorts and look good going straight to lunch/ships etc.
choose a nice hat before you go - a large straw type one can be very flattering and you'll need it on beach (don't ruin your glam look with baseball cap ) and downs time choosing sunnies that suit you and you can wear all day.

Long dresses and cardigans for evening. Or wide leg trousers as PPS said.
And most of all ...enjoy!!!

Spend not downs