How to look expensive on a beach holiday?

[Askinvillarblues]

Yes, I know this is ridiculous and no one will be looking at me or care where I buy my clothes from, but I’m remembering the ‘how to look expensive’ threads from a few of years ago and wondering how to translate those idea for a fancy beach holiday with friends who have much bigger budgets than I do. I have decent bikinis/swimsuits that I’m comfortable in, but I’d like to invest in a couple of things that could give the rest of my clothes a bit of a ‘lift’ so the overall look is more pulled together, e.g. a beautiful beach bag to replace my cheap one that’s covered in sun cream stains 🙈. Any of you stylish people have any good ideas? Please and thank you.

[Pinkbonbon]

When i think of expensive beach holiday vibes I usually think dolce and gabbana. Like the patterns they have in their bags and scarfs. Maybe Google their Summer pattern trends and see if you can find similar on neckties and shauls and bags ect.

[Pinkbonbon]

Was thinking of these sorta styles

[KatyS36]

If I want to 'dressy beach' (as opposed to 'wetsuit beach') mine are:

Beach bag - I think I would be able to find something beautiful for around £30

Sun hat - I've got two that always get compliments, £25 and £35 each

My 'Julia' sandels from think always get compliments, although not suitable for actual beach

I've got a blue panache beach dress, £30 in sales

I've got oakley sunglasses, which I love, but this is a bigger spend and from anything other than close up I don't think other can tell the difference between these and cheaper pairs. I've got some beautiful tiffany cat eye sunglasses, but I personally find they don't give the sun protection I need

Enjoy you holiday with you friends

[Askinvillarblues]

Oooh some great ideas here, thank you. Love those bags and that dress! Forgot about sunglasses - I do have some nice Tiffany prescription ones although they aren’t great at actual sun protection. Sandals/ shoes - are wedges still ok? Obviously not for the actual beach but for the evening. Any other ideas? Having a look for a beach bag but I can’t find anything I like on all the usual sites (asos, M&S, John Lewis…). Where else?! Had a look at net a porter but then saw the prices and closed it down quickly 🤣

[WowIlikereallyhateyou]

Sorry, but i think trying to copy expensive styles actually ends up looking cheap. Dolce poplin is of extremely high quality and you will find lots of copies,but they all look cheap.
Why not try to go for plainer, more elegant things that don’t look like you are trying to copy on the cheap?

[Mercurial123]

I'd agree with simple, unfussy styles. Muji do linen sundresses at affordable prices. I live in a hot country and find dressing in summer much easier. In high humidity I just slick Davines hair oil and forget about it. Simple jewelry and Rayban Wayfarers.

[Askinvillarblues]

Yes absolutely up for this too - any ideas? Also don’t mind spending a bit on one or two things that would make a difference to the overall look if that makes sense…

[Latara]

Well I start off looking quite nice on beach holidays then wind, sun, sand & sea happen to me.., I never get it quite right so following with interest.

Probably the answer is don't go swimming and don't lie anywhere near any sand.

[TabithaTittlemouse]

I go for a straw bag, linen dresses, big sunglasses and either a big floppy hat or a straw trilby.
I do spend on swimwear though! I like something that compliments my figure.
Sandals are ones I’ve had for years from clarkes of all places!

[TabithaTittlemouse]

Look on eBay or vinted for clothing and accessories.

[LaCerbiatta]

White linen oversized shirt and big sunglasses can look expensive 🙂

[DrWhoNowww]

Plain colours works better than patterns - patterns can look expensive but they generally have to be expensive if you want them to look good (cheaper shops don’t seem to take the trouble to pattern match which throws everything off).

Darker coloured swimwear with lighter coloured throw overs - I love a black bikini white shirt combo but the white needs to be white and stay white - which can be a challenge.

Nice beach bag is a must, there’s a line between nice and tacky though. An expensive beach bag will look tacky if your constantly worried about getting it dirty.

To be honest, I think that’s the secret to looking expensive - you have to not care what people think about what you look like or the fact that your super expensive bag has been covered in sun cream.

[LadyGAgain]

Accessories. Earrings and rings and necklaces. Gold strappy thongs. Kaftan. Sun glasses. Glossy lips in a sunshine neutral shade. A smile!!

[Llamasally]

Following

[Juzeezu]

I think color can help summer clothes look polished. Choose a color capsule with white, light blue, sand, and maybe some navy. Perhaps a pop of red. Maybe a striped mariner top. Tan sandals. Straw bag. A light golden self tan. Big black sunglasses, simple hair and groomed nails, a shiny red pedicure, a slick of lip gloss.

[Askinvillarblues]

Oh some great ideas here, thank you so much. So a nice beach bag, sunglasses, hat, sandals (am asssuming the reference to gold thongs means flip flop type ones rather than up-your-bum ones - no one needs to see me in one of those 🙈). Any ideas where to buy? I’m not inspired by my usual websites so would really appreciate links (either to shops or to people on instagram that I can follow for ideas). Am so excited - it’s been a rubbish couple of years for our family so I’m looking forward to some child free time away!

[Movinghouseatlast]

The people who looked expensive on a recent holiday I had had plain straw beach bags, straw hat, cotton or linen beach cover up, big sunglasses. Also, a big hammam style towel for the beach.

I think White Company do some great beach stuff.

[LapinR0se]

A Loewe raffia bag www.matchesfashion.com/intl/products/Loewe-Medium-raffia-basket-bag-1454862

A camilla silk kaftan www.mytheresa.com/en-ch/camilla-floral-silk-kaftan-2146694.html?catref=category

Hermes sandals www.hermes.com/fr/fr/product/sandales-oran-H212174Zv9M375/

This is all you need.

[Inmypjsagain]

@LapinR0se

A Loewe raffia bag www.matchesfashion.com/intl/products/Loewe-Medium-raffia-basket-bag-1454862

A camilla silk kaftan www.mytheresa.com/en-ch/camilla-floral-silk-kaftan-2146694.html?catref=category

Hermes sandals www.hermes.com/fr/fr/product/sandales-oran-H212174Zv9M375/

This is all you need.

I was about to say the Hermes sandals and Loewe bag. I’d also suggest the celine baby Audrey sunglasses, www.libertylondon.com/uk/baby-audrey-sunglasses-000620446.html.

Melissa Odabash does lovely bikinis, last well, wash well and supportive. I think she does some good cover ups too- my preference is plain linen rather than patterne.

It’s all pretty expensive though, but I’d imagine you can get lookalikes of the straw type bag on asos. Just did a quick google and saw this: www.asos.com/prd/22046442?acquisitionsource=pasteboard but it’s a darker colour.

Dune do similar sandals to Hermes for about £80. Sure you could find some lookalikes on eBay. I just like plain Havianas in a nude colour but they’re not really sophisticated!

a nice manicure and pedicure can just make you feel nice, if you tan well a whitey nude is flattering, like OPI bubble bath or Essie sand tropez. I’ve seen some women by the pool in jewellery that I think looks good, if not very practical. I guess it would have to be real gold to avoid tarnishing, brands like dlouise do waterproof jewellery though.

It’s people whose hair always looks good that I envy, mines normally a bit frizzy from the pool and a bit greasy from the heat. I can’t do buns at all but they can look chic imo! But I feel that helps people look put together!

Happy shopping and I hope you have a lovely holiday

[Askinvillarblues]

Oh wow, that Loewe bag 😍 and the kaftan! Gorgeous. Way above my budget but I get the idea, thank you!
Will have a look at the white company too, hadn’t thought to look there for beach stuff. I have a lovely dressing gown of theirs which I’ve been really pleased with, so hopefully I might find something lovely! Keep the ideas coming with links too please - I may not be able to afford the pricey stuff but it’s great to look and get the inspiration!

[Askinvillarblues]

Oh and now I want those Celine sunglasses too 😎. At this rate I’ll spend more on the accessories than I have on the actual holiday! (Not that I’m buying the Loewe bag or Hermes sandals as that really would be too much!)

[Inmypjsagain]

www.asos.com/prd/22046442?acquisitionsource=pasteboard Dune sandals

www.amazon.co.uk/Traditional-French-Market-leather-handles/dp/B00BGQ6LIC/ref=asc_df_B00BGQ6LIC/?hvlocphy=9045943&linkCode=df0&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=310081550764&hvdev=m&hvtargid=pla-492054927302&hvrand=15091826887664316668&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 Straw bag. Mango do a lovely one but it’s out of stock.

[Inmypjsagain]

@Askinvillarblues the sunglasses are lovely aren’t they? I think they’re worth the investment…! But Amazon do lookalikes, if you type in celine audreys loads will come up, just not baby Audrey’s as you’ll get pink flower glasses for children! Black Celeb Cat Eye Women Ladies Sunglasses Oversized Retro Vintage Cat Eye Reflective IBIZA UK <a class="break-all" href="https://smile.[[//amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NTM594N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_Z6NFD4NWWKSF3ST5MR2B?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">https://amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NTM594N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_Z6NFD4NWWKSF3ST5MR2B?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21]]

Here are some Hermes lookalikes www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274402534465?hash=item3fe3aa6441:g:5csAAOSwq~5e3m0E

YSL tribute sandals are also really lovely, I’m sure there are lookalikes for those too…

I agree with PP that lookalikes often aren’t quite the same but it’s the general idea, otherwise you could easily spend £2k on just bits and bobs!

[Lndnmummy]

I got some gorgeous linen dresses and kaftan from Brandalley years ago. They wash so well and I just keep wearing them. Also Linen yoga style pants. Short coral/red nails and pedicure in the same colour.

[CrimbleCrumble1]

A couple of nice cover ups, manicure, pedicure, lip
gloss.