Help needed kind of urgently!

[mulberrybag]

Hello.
I have a last minute surprise holiday booked to a quite smart hotel in Italy for 4 nights with my partner, we've been together a year and not been on holiday together before, he's effortlessly stylish and a bit city ish and I'm a total country jeans and tshirt type. I'm nearly 40 and I'm totally out of touch with what people that don't live in the arse end of nowhere wear and feel like an old mess.
Nothing in my wardrobe is really going to work for smart meals out and days sightseeing. I usually wear jeans and a nice top plus or minus heels but
I want to look smart and gorgeous and classy. (I'm aware of how utterly crap this sounds .)
I'm a size 8 too and 8-10ish bottom but it's a non toned bottom - not sure if/why this is relevant.
Could anyone please help me with some outfit ideas ? I also really struggle to match shoes with an outfit!
We leave on Friday and I've gone into panic mode, any help would be very very gratefully received &

*top not too

It's going to be very hot!

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/clearance/womens-dresses/day-dresses/ww194-ecr/womens-ivory-holiday-floral-casual-linen-tunic

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-drape-sleeveless-dress-409084COL01SMA004000.html?LGWCODE=409084COL01SMA004000;136477;6475&utm_source=Google&utm_term=&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw45_bBRD_ARIsAJ6wUXQalDiwrh8ubZVfmtsxPjcxcsmeNR-Zp1X-7gtlql3NESDrHL0OYYAaAooZEALw_wcB

These are only starters for ten, but a loose simple dress that won't drown you, as you are petite? Shorts and a light cotton blouse for sightseeing (may need shoulders covered if going to churches). Bit hat. You'll have a wonderful time but I expect to be hot! No idea on shoes I'm afraid.

PS Next have lots of day dresses. You can choose fabric and select linen / cotton and daywear. Something like this?
www.next.co.uk/g67144s1#514691

Dresses are a good idea, as they don't need to match.

You need comfortable, pretty sandals for walking around, a sunhat (Accessorize?), and a crossbody bag that zips up for your cash, phone, etc. to stay safe from pickpockets.

A large, lightweight scarf is a good idea as it can shield you from the sun for short periods and also keep you warm on the aeroplane.

Whereabouts in Italy are you going? Will you need bikinis?

You need to tell us more about you: how tall are you, what colours suit you, will you be at a resort only or will you go into a big city for sightseeing and shopping?

I would avoid anything floral, if you are tanned or have dark skin go for white linen drsses and tops, a plain short black dress with big jewellery for dinner, silver or gold flat sandals and nice clutch. Stylish kaftans for pool, couple of bikinis and flip flops. Big bag for beach (silver or gold) to match outfits and jewellery.

Where in Italy? What will you be doing?

What's your luggage allowance?

I've just come back from France. I'm a jeans-and-jumper type too and I'd been plunged into a serious case of the fears by the French threads on here.

I carefully crafted a wardrobe that would look chic as chic as I can manage anyway to sashay round the streets of France looking as fabulous as the natives...and you know what? Even by more Southerly standards it's fecking hot this year, no-one looks chic and everyone is sweating. Yes, even the women sitting at cafes in their Chanel shades.

From my experience for 4 nights I'd suggest:

• 3 good shirts (lighter to wear than t-shirts and don't stick to the skin with sweat)
• 2 flattering skirts (or shorts if you prefer)
• 1 pair of jeans for travelling (we're forecast rain here in the coming week)
• 2 dresses
• 2 pairs of comfy sandals or flip flops you can walk in
• 2 swimming costumes if you are near a beach or pool
• trainers or comfy shoes for travelling
• a light cardigan, just in case

I wouldn't normally suggest you pick this much for 4 nights but if it stays this hot you may want to change a few times an hour.

What colours/skirt lengths/types of dresses do you like and what's your budget?

Stick to two or three colours, no fussy florals or frills, black cream and pale pink, or white grey and yellow for instance. Add colour with jewellery or a floaty scarf. Wear underwear to match your outer clothes. Take a lovely perfume or buy one in duty free.
Wear flat shoes for sightseeing, cobbles are death for ankles. Look out for pick pockets, don't use a backpack style hand bag. Wear a sunhat.

Where are you going? Don't worry it will all be fabulous!

Agh you're all fabulous, thank you!!!
We're going to Sorrento, will be doing lots of eating, sightseeing and hopefully a chunk of poolside time as I'm totally shattered and need a break.
I'm 5'5 with ashy blonde hair, blue eyes and lots of wrinkles. I can't/don't really wear reds at all, coral at a push. Love navy and black. Floral stuff doesn't suit me at all. I think I need one smart evening outfit and some smart ish day wear. At the moment I stick a dress on with a pair of converse and look a bit like an overgrown teenager, I don't feel stylish at all.
Thank you lovelies, you've given me some great ideas

Sorrento is lovely, take a trip to Herculaneum, a fascinating half day, not as exhausting in the heat as Pompeii.
Fab restaurants along that coast too.

Have a wonderful time.

I think jumpsuits work well, you can wear with flats of most sorts. They are loose, cool and dont need matched.

Get the dresses, wear with flats during the day, heels at night.

Do you suit jewel colours?

P. S Sorrento is beautiful, be sure to visit Capri too.

Try Monsoon. A lot of the beachwear is in the sale. Cotton maxi skirts & dresses with vest tops & nice sunglasses. Alternatively M&S have some good linen sundresses this year. Yes, echo the comfy walking shoes/flip flops necessity and shady hat/straw basket look.