Please help me buy/pack for holiday!!!!

[LemonViolet]

I am seriously out of practice in buying clothes. Or even wearing clothes really!

I moved house during the pandemic and got rid of most of my old clothes; and I haven’t really gone anywhere for ages that wasn’t work or dog walking so apart from work clothes (uniform/scrubs), I have one pair of jeans and a handful of vests/tops to wear with it for when I’ve been out in public. Other than that I’ve lived in pjs, joggers and old band tshirts at home, doing the garden etc, and jeans/joggers and a hoodie for walking the dogs.

I need a whole new wardrobe basically.

But most urgently I am spending a week in Devon at the end of the month; we will be seeing family, going to pubs, restaurants, touristy days out, the beach, dog walking and relaxing at the holiday cottage which has a lovely garden.

I’m a size 14, 36G, 5’2 shortarse, winter complexion with blue eyes and dark brown/dyed dark blue hair. I used to like dresses and skirts from places like Apricot, White Stuff, Joe Browns, Desigual, Animal, Fat Face etc, have never really found any trousers/shorts I feel comfy in (apart from my 1 pair of Levi jeans), like colour, pattern, boho/slightly hippy styling.

If anyone has aspirations of being a personal shopper and could help me plan a holiday wardrobe/packing list I’d be most grateful!!!! Can probably justify spending up to £500 or so especially if it’s versatile things. I can make 1 or max 2 trips for a few hours to a Westfield mall otherwise will need to order online, and we have 2 weeks!!

I'd think about what clothes you need for your life generally, rather than 'holiday clothes'.

Another pair of Levis, as you like them
A couple of tops to wear with jeans
Do you need new trainers for day to day wear?
A couple of midi dresses
Have you got a raincoat and a lightweight casual jacket of some sort?

I wear trainers to work every day so wear the same pair everywhere, and an older pair (of the same trainers, well they’re walking shoes really) for dog walks. I do have an unpacked box of shoes I could ‘shop’, there’s some boots and sandals and things in there. And I bought myself some nice flip flops for going to the swimming pool so they’ll do for the beach :-)

Only coat is a massive parka for winter.

Sounds like you need to start with a jacket and maybe a raincoat!

This is nice. Would be good with jeans or over a midi dress.

Or this Fatface one.

Ooh that is nice Thankyou!!! Wouldn’t have thought of looking at it but you’re right really versatile and will go nicely with the kind of dresses I like (if I can find any!) as well as vests/tops with jeans.

I’m going to be in Westfield on Thursday so will order it for c&c there :-) at least you know with JL their returns policy is fine.

I bought this dress and have been wearing it loads with a denim jacket. Will work with a biker when it's colder too. It comes up HUGE though, so if you like it size down at least one size and maybe two.

I thought some trainer style sandals, a plain v neck tiered dress and a denim dress maybe?
You also need to try magic trousers and magic shorts, they are so flattering.

https://manamou.co.uk/products/tie-waist-pocket-shorts-khaki?pos=6&&sid=e130c8e14&ss=r

Magic shorts sound like an interesting idea, I am very sceptical of one-size though, that model has very slim thighs!!! They would not look like that on me.

I think I’d trip over that dress too Remus! I love the look of lots of maxi dresses but they would just trail on the floor for me sadly.

Do you think baggy things like that black dress look good on average size people? Oversize clothing looks stylish on slim people; over a 10-12 doesn’t it just look like a tent you’re trying to hide yourself in?

I just don’t know what clothes to wear at all any more. I know I can’t spend my entire life in scrubs, joggers and pjs though!

I'm a 14 - I find that a denim or biker jacket over a baggier dress works fine. I like the dresses less on their own - the jackets seem to nip them in a bit and help them work on me. I have a similar one to the black one that Rina posted, and it's so comfortable and easy to wear.

If you live near one I would totally recommend the personal shopper at John Lewis or similar. I've been twice both times different requests and they have chosen lovely things that I would never have chosen myself. Also I was worried they would only choose expensive stuff as the actual appointment you don't have to pay for but the were within budget both times.

Don’t think I’ll have time before holiday, will only have a short time on Thursday there after donating blood.

Am taking to ordering things from Amazon…… this could be disastrous or bargainous!

God no - don't order clothes from Amazon!

I went on a 7 week trip with just carry on a few years ago. Reversible clothing was my big success purchase. I had a lovely skirt and cardigan from white stuff. Found a couple of reversible dresses by searching online and tops. Also i still use my Peter Storm walking trousers now. They are light weight, dry quick and you can fold them over to make crops on very hot days. I am only 5ft2in size 16 and the short size is perfect

Midi dresses are shorter than maxi dresses so they shouldn't trail on the floor for you OP! I would definitely invest in a few as they look great with a denim / leather jacket which you can dress up and down. Have a look on eBay for a denim jacket I bought a second hand Lipsy one for a fraction of the price. You'd never tell!

Midi dresses - I've bought mine from New Look and H&M. I've always found the quality good and they wash well too. ASOS have nice ones in stock as well.

Could be worth investing in some biker boots they can be worn with jeans and midi dresses, given it will be autumn soon.

And agree with a PP a rain coat is an essential! I've just got back from Cornwall and it was very well used.

I'm 5'2, and haven't tripped over the Fatface dress.

This looks as if it could be useful as a holiday dress/lounging around at home etc dress.

Don’t order from Amazon. Rubbish clothes. Do a big John Lewis shop, collect the next day from your nearest JL or Waitrose, try it all on and send back.
I’d get some summer dresses, sandals, coats, a cashmere jumper and another pair of jeans you like. You sound like you have nothing so may need to up your budget a bit?

Please don't order from Amazon!

You can pick a website you like and filter by clothes on sale, size 14. See if you can add to your wardrobe with the search results.

For example, look here: all the clothes on sale, size 14, in Mango: shop.mango.com/gb/women/featured/sale_d14760544?size=14

£100 would buy you, for instance: this dress: shop.mango.com/gb/women/dresses-and-jumpsuits-midi/ruffled-floral-dress_87007155.html

This oversize white blouse: shop.mango.com/gb/women/shirts-blouses/oversize-cotton-blouse_87088633.html?c=02

This oversize print blouse: shop.mango.com/gb/women/shirts-blouses/oversize-cotton-blouse_87088633.html

These trousers shop.mango.com/gb/women/trousers-culotte/cotton-linen-culotte-trousers_87098630.html?c=01

Just an example.

A couple of midi dresses:

www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-shirred-bodice-midi-smock-dress-with-tie-sleeves-in-white-based-floral-print/prd/23596325?colourwayid=60496197&SearchQuery=midi+dress

www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-shirred-bodice-cotton-midi-smock-sundress-in-mono-spot-print/prd/23730348?colourwayid=60507744&SearchQuery=midi+dress

www.asos.com/nobodys-child/nobodys-child-midi-tea-dress-with-shirred-cuffs-and-thigh-split-in-retro-floral/prd/22150004?colourwayid=60377141&SearchQuery=midi+dress

I'd maybe get a pair of converse as well.

For shorts maybe get the "paper bag" style, I'm pear shaped and I think they are flattering. Here's an example

www.asos.com/vero-moda/vero-moda-paperbag-waist-shorts-in-black-tropical-print/prd/23869451?colourwayid=60519248&SearchQuery=paperbag+shorts

I would say that you need a great waterproof jacket to start with eg this one from Joules - either this olive or one of the bright colour ones , a pair of sandals ( masses in the Joules sale) and a jumpsuit also in the sale .

I just bought this dress from Matalan and it is so cheap and perfect to throw in the bag in case we get some sunny days .

www.matalan.co.uk/product/detail/s2838347_c101/black-seersucker-knee-length-dress-black

Goodness. This is why I have no clothes, I get overwhelmed very quickly thinking about it! So many of these links look nice pictures but I can’t imagine me wearing them and I don’t think many would work on short/curvy/big boobs :-(

I need a holiday to have time to
prepare for my holiday!

I am short, curvy, big boobed and old.

Boho/hippy-esque top for wearing with jeans?

shirt for wearing with jeans - would be cute with Converse.

Another boho type top Could be worn with a few buttons undone to allow for boobage.

I've got this and really like it.

Bargain silk shirt for dressing up a pair of jeans maybe

www.superdry.com/sale/womens/jackets/details/176624/echo-beach-cagoule--yellow
www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/sale/womens?fq_attr_category=Skirts&fq_all_size_availability=instock%7ESize%5E14&fq_all_fit_availability=instock%7EFit%5EPetite&intid=SB_CB6&page=1
actually think boden might be key..comfy but cut weel-petite fits too maybe a shirt,some ts,also check lagenlookuk?
keep it simple,comfortable...can boho tune with scarves etc?

On the more practical side these are great. They come up fairly small. I wear them all the time. I have them in black and green. Great with a T-shirt/trainers/sandals can also be smartened up.

acaioutdoorwear.com/products/casual-stroll-pants-black