Please help me find a capsule holiday wardrobe that doesn't cost a fortune

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Hi, that really! I've put a few pounds on and am going on holiday abroad in 3 weeks. I have seen some nice stuff on Boden but quite expensive so could do with some high street basics that won't make me look like a heffa! Longer shorts because I don't like my thighs- t shirts and skirts etc. I'm about a size 12-14 so not big but a bit bigger than I'd like. I also struggle to pair tops and skirts together. Thanks

What do you think to supermarket clothes? I found Sainsbury's had a really good selection of shorts, tops and dresses. It didn't cost too much, either.

Where are you going and what will you be doing and how long for?

H&m have some really nice shorts in navy, beige etc. I've got a few pairs of those and i really rate their plain basic tees. I just mix and match those and accessories with nice bags, sunglasses, sandles and jewellery. Cheap and really easy. I find h&m much longer in the fit than primark etc.

I would go to somewhere like Matalan. They do longer denim shorts, chino shorts (look good with tan sandals) and longer looser shorts like these:

Here

They're also cheap so no worries about suncream stains.

As a PP suggested Sainsbury's Tu is good, as is New Look. Uniqlo and ASOS own brand are good for t shirts.

Here

Thanks, are the H&M shorts tight fitting or ok? I can never find anything in primark true to size. I will go and have a look today though. Sainsbury's never seems to last long for me although if it's for holiday it might be ok.
We're going to Crete for a week so chilled out family holiday.

Thanks @hammeringinmyhead. I like the shorts and the t shirt.

H&M shorts generally come a size smaller than you'd expect, except for the elasticated ones which are huge.

First off instead of randomly selecting bits from all over the place, choose a colour palette. Mine is always navy, cream and coral for holidays because they're the colours I wear anyway, and I know they suit me.

Very has some cute white t-shirts, vests and tops to mix and match which are cheap. H&M's chino shorts are great, as are Gap's ones. Next does linen summer dresses which wash and wear well from one year to the next and Asda does the occasional cute summer dress. Gap's vests are lovely this year, too, and they've always got 40% off on their offers.

Hi OP i am same size and got some tops frim uniqlo, new look for 5-6£ and a culottes .. new look has a sale as well and very reasonably priced.. you can get click n collect for 20 pounds.
As pp said for Sainsburys TU clothing... loved their range this year. Also bought a pair of green sandals and i am using them for long walks on my holiday.

Thank you. I like the idea of a colour palette. I have some nice dresses for evening so at least I have a start. The shorts at gap and h and m all look scarily short on the website and I have a real bad view of how my thighs look! I'm going to the shops now though so will try some on! Thanks everyone. I will look at Sainsbury's as well later.

Oysho are really good for dresses and t shirts and several are in the sale.
Next do good shorts. I am a size 14 and the next boyfriend denim shorts and black frayed cut offs look good on. Long shorts look awful on me and make me look fatter surprisingly.
Tk Maxx have a brilliant beach wear section online and are good for flip flops etc.

It sounds like we are similar shapes. This summer I have lived in:
Denim shorts (boy fit) from Sainsbury's- run up okay sized, 12 fits well
Denim shorts and linen looking shorts from Matalan- went for a 14 for a looser, comfier fit. These are £10-12 a pair, and are a nice length, a bit longer than mid thigh/above the knee, so cover the worst of the wobble.

Tops- again Matalan for basic plain vests, h&m has some fun prints but you need to try on. I like quirky t-shirts for day times, and my go to places are bershka, Zara and pull and bear (online), they do really cool ones for £6 each.

For evenings, I find that jumpsuits are my go to. In particular, ones with a wrap front (easier to go for a wee in!) and cullotte bottoms. Asda have some nice cullottes in for evenings too, althougj the sizes aren't great, but I have 3 pairs of the Zara ones in different prints, £20 a pair but I live in them.

I struggle for tops for an evening, so I'll check back on others responses for myself!

I'm a 14. Recently got some Levis denim shorts, and they are really good.

Sainsbury's sometimes good for cotton playsuits and sundresses.

Play suits then you don't have to match tops and bottoms - I got some nice ones from boohoo, very and matalan

Thanks everyone. I got some linen shorts from white stuff and took the plunge and wore them yesterday. I was so paranoid about my thighs but I'm feeling a bit more confident. Also got some knee length 'bermuda' shorts from fat face kind of denim but a teal colour and going to order their cargo shorts. I've ordered some stuff online with discount codes. I tried H & M but it was like a jumble sale and the shorts were too short. Gap had hardly any bit thanks to all your tips I've managed to mix and match quite a lot so I'm nearly done. Just need swimming costumes and a beach cover-up.