Help me panic buy a summer holiday wardrobe!

[DrWhy]

So, I’m 5ft 7” and a size 14-16 with a fatter tummy than hips. I am still breastfeeding a 6 month old, have a 2.5 year old and still look about 5 months pregnant (I suspect separated abs).
I started to put together a list of what I needed to buy the DC for holiday and realised I have very little that fits me. We are leaving on Saturday and it’s a week in Crete so mid 20s in the daytime and mid to high teens at night. Worse still I’m travelling with family including my stunning sister who is 5ft11 a size 10 absolute max and slings together an outfit from Matalan and looks like she’s walked out of Vogue!
I reckon I can scrap together a couple of pairs of shorts, board shorts, swim stuff and short sleeved feeding tops that I can get through the days (albeit looking a mess) but for the evening I have one pair of yellows beige wide leg linen trousers that were fashionable (ish) about 10 year ago.
I’ve got one possible afternoon in town with baby but no toddler or online orders need to arrive by Friday.
Where do I even start? What do I need and from where? I’d like to look slightly put together but without spending a fortune as I live in Northern Scotland so it’s not going to get a lot of wear afterwards and I’m hoping to be back to a size 12-14 by next year.
Please help!!

Right, I can pop into Asda and Matalan on the way back from swimming lessons at lunchtime - they are in a retail park so don’t require the trek into town. Wish me luck - I’d much rather be in the garden!

How did you get on?

@wildhairdontcare I got a genuinely lovely navy and white striped maxi skirt in Matalan, plus a pair of denim shorts (which aren’t exactly stylish but are comfortable) and a red top. I tried on lots of linen wide leg trousers but I can’t get over anything striped looking like PJ bottoms and a lot of them were see through! I remembered that I’m not brave enough for big loud patterns and I’m not a fan of a lot of synthetic fabrics.
I got a white shirt and vest top in Asda that I figured would go with the skirt.
I’ve seen some potential shoes in next online. I think I need tops for the evening that go with the new skirt and old trousers plus one other skirt or trousers and something lightweight and warm for the evening, some kind of jacket / cardigan or similar - any ideas?

www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2710332_c079/stripe-split-jersey-maxi-skirt-navy?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9vz1zt6b4gIV7bvtCh3jHQugEAQYASABEgJngPD_BwE

This is super flattering on your body shape www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0718370001.html

How about a denim jacket for eveings?

@Jon65 I actually really like that jumpsuit but I’m not sure I’m brave enough - how do I go to the loo?!
I think a denim jacked is a good option for the evening but I suspect I’ll manage to make it look scruffy somehow.

I bought a lovely dark, fitted denim jacket from next recently. It has loads of stretch too.

Sounds great, love the skirt!

Some Instagrammer had a nice collarless biker style denim jacket from JD Williams.

Wallis do short waterfall jackets in cream and navy.

Thanks folks, I had an absolutely hopeless afternoon in town yesterday, bought lots of lovely stuff for both children (definitely more than they needed!) and one pair of shoes for me! I get totally overwhelmed, there’s so much that I don’t know where to start, I do t really like any of it, none of it looks good on me and DD will only let me stay still for a few minutes at a time.
I have commenced packing this morning and established that my lower half is fine. Tops are an issue because of the feeding thing. I’ve got 3 or 4 feeding tops that are a bit over warm but probably manageable, I’m going to buy two or three oversized plain t-shirts in Asda later and another of their shirts but to wear as a jacket type thing in the evening. I am also hoping they will have flip flops. People will just have to get flashed when I’m feeding I think.
I am so bloody stressed about this whole thing!!

Have you got a big Sainsbury's nearby the Tu range can throw up some little beauties and I love the undies individual not in a pack.

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/oasis/lace-kaftan-ad6642#colcode=ad664200 Over a swimsuit/bikini

www.riverisland.com/p/white-belted-button-front-midi-dress-731334 Button fronted

Zara tote www.zara.com/uk/en/natural-jute-tote-bag-p02571005.html?v1=7886467&v2=1180421

If you can get to somewhere with a Mango some great button through dresses. Plain bit.ly/2WNmLcy or patterned which I prefer and is 100% cotton
bit.ly/2YAcrW1

Think ASOS could be your friend. If you spend £100 you get free next day delivery and it is free returns.

Thanks folks, I just don’t know where to start with the sheer volume of stuff on a site like ASOS!

It’s all too late now anyway, I’ve hit utter panic. I’ve had to stop to feed the baby but I’m trying to make piles for me and the DCs of stuff for the hot holiday and stuff for the UK bit either side. I’ve got to be in a nursery meeting in 2.5 hours, the baby has not had lunch yet, the cleaner is coming in 15 mins and there are clothes and stuff everywhere. It’s DHs birthday today so after the nursery meeting I’m going via Asda to get a cake, re buy the birthday cards I’ve lost and buy any gaps in the packing. The toddler is home tomorrow so everything needs to be in cases by then and we leave on Saturday morning.

I am hopelessly disorganised to I can’t even find things I know I own like sunglasses and flip flops.

I desperately want to organise my life, house, wardrobe and declutter and I have 3 more months of mat leave left to do it in.

I don’t even want to be going on this holiday - it’s a family get together for my mums birthday and she and DH can’t stand each other so we are spending a lot of money, time and hassle on something that’s unlikely to be much fun anyway.

Sorry - I don’t think this belongs in S&B anymore!

Okay don't panic ask your husband to look after the children and paint your toe nails, file your nails anything that is a little something for you.

They have clothes shops at the airport so if you are stuck there make time to shop and your DH can sit with the baby and toddler.

You don't have to spend every minute with your mum. So do some family things just as a four. Attend the main functions and show your face, with two little ones your can cry off early and NO ONE should whinge.

2 shorts
2 dress or skirt
1 cover up
1 hat
1 swimmer
1 jacket
Sunnies
Flipflips
Nicer sandals
3 casual tops
2 dressy tops
Nice beads
Big funky beach bag
Small cross bag day to day bag-

Go get a manicure at the airport

The sleeveless, slightly A line linen dresses from Next are surprisingly good and a reasonable price. I have several and wear them with pewter gladiator type sandals. And Next will deliver super quick!

I know you’re breastfeeding but you can drink small rose topped up with soda water with ice and a little alcohol will certainly take the edge off family dynamics.