Please help with a summer beach/pool holiday wardrobe

[Ilovecrumpets]

Hi everyone

Sorry I realise this sounds a bit ridiculous but I’m looking for some suggestions for a beach/pool type holiday wardrobe.

I’m a single mum with 2 kids - going away on a group holiday. Will be activities but also lounging round the pool, eating together. So am looking for casual but stylish clothes ( kids are 4 and 7 so still require some wrangling).

I’ve totally lost myself the last few years and never been in this type of holiday plus am rubbish at summer clothes. I’m 5’3, early 40s, short and curvy ( E 32 size 10) and English pale with a blonde bob. I’d just like some stuff to feel confident in - don’t need to be glamorous but just not too frumpy!! I’m about half a stone heavier than I usually am which isn’t helping in the feeling short and dumpy stakes.

If anyone has any ideas to help I’d be really grateful! Only going for a week so just need a few outfits that work ( but if anyone has suggestions for non holiday wardrobe also gratefully received!!).

Not sure if it’s too understated but I like h&m for simple summer dresses (knee length, v neck or scoop neck). Bit of jewellery or a hat and you look very put together.

Thanks Essential will take a look - this is also part of my problem I don’t even know where to start looking

What I also like about them is that they tend to do the same style in multiple colours - so if you find something that works you can buy alternatives there and then. That’s how I shop, anyway.

Ok. This is what I do:

For the beach I tend to wear flip flops (embellished ones) from eg Accessorize or even Primark.

Then I wear bikins usually pretty ones with halterneck underwired bra size tops from Figleaves online as I'm a G cup so it's hard to find my size in the shops.
I then throw a short beach dress over my bikini to wear to & from the beach. I've got lovely ones from Monsoon, Accessorize & River Island.

At the beach I find I often need to wear a short kaftan or kimono that covers my shoulders as despite wearing factor 30 I burn easily. So I've got some nice kaftans & kimonos from River Island, Debenhams & Topshop.
A decent beach bag to carry all the stuff you need... mine is from Accessorize.
Finally you need sunglasses & probably a hat. If the sun gets too much I've got a pale pink baseball cap from Topshop I can put on.

Oh yes I'm 42, size 12-14 but slowly losing weight!

To sit by the pool & eat I just wear shorts or my white broderie skirt & vest tops (from Dorothy Perkins), but if I'm going out to eat in the evening on holiday I wear a nice dress.
Midi length is in fashion but as I'm quite short I go for shorter length dresses.
Ive got an embroidered cotton white dress from New Look, & a new black broderie cotton mini dress from Topshop.
I've also got a short silky dress from Oasis.

Hope you have a good holiday!

Thanks all for the ideas. I’m kid free this weekend so will venture to the shops!