Holiday clothes - please help me not to look like a pile of washing that got up and walked this year!

[ElizabethinherGermanGarden]

I'm 45, 5'5", the north end of size 14 and I'm off to Greece in July, having not been anywhere hot for 5 years.

None of my existing clothes that would be okay for the temperatures are any better than 'not totally shit'. I would like to buy myself some clothes just for the holiday that will actually look nice in the photos for a change.

Is anyone a similar size, shape and age and would be prepared to tell me what you've bought/worn for hot weather that made you look and feel good?

If anyone feels the need to tell me to lose weight, I'm going to try that too, but am realistic about my own willpower.

@Thinkle Do you have a steamer recommendation? This looks like a fantastic idea!

I'm early 60s and a similar size op. I stopped wearing shorts years ago. I tend to wear linen trousers and a longish top - tunicy or floaty and simple cotton/Jersey interlock/linen mix dresses. M&S, White Stuff, Boden, Toast. I only sunbathe in private now.

We never, ever dress up on holiday. When we went to Greece, years ago now, I recall it being very minimalist clothing wise.

I was also going to suggest the M&S fedora - I bought a biscuit colour one last week, and it's lovely.

I’m in Spain atm. Temp is 27c today. I’m a size 14-16. I’m aged over 60. I wear linen trousers/floaty tops. I also wear Seasalt dresses. Feel nice and cool and smartish.

[quote Ionlydomassiveones]This sort of thing:
www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0988912009.html[/quote]
Lordy, I'd look like I was wearing a nightie

Ionlydomassiveones - I agree! I think temps between 36 and 40° are likely. It's been a while!

@Ionlydomassiveones

I think when you shop in the uk you forget how hot it’s actually going to be. For Greece how anyone could recommend shorts or trousers is beyond me. I usually buy a load of knee length strappy viscose floaty dresses and live in them all week. H&M usually do some good ones. Cheaper and thinner the better.

Yes it never ceases to amaze me why people wear denim shorts here in the summer with a belt! Worse thing ever - tight and sweaty and no air.

I like Italian clothing. If you use the search terms Italian cotton summer dresses one size you get very well priced elegant clothing.
See link TEXTURE Ladies Womens Italian Lagenlook Floral Print Sleeveless Crinkle Cheesecloth Cotton Asymmetric Tunic Tulip Dress One Size www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QCGJGF9/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_T3WPW8ZM9PG42AXHHTQQ?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Second Aspiga, also the white company for really good natural fabrics. Only wear natural fibres.

I live in Birkenstocks or Tevas if walking around.

Ultra sun tinted sun cream covers a multitude of face and body flaws it's brilliant and looks totally natural.

I LOVE the idea of a hat but they make my head really hot (masses of hair).

Gel pedi always makes you look polished. And a gorgeous lip balm or gloss.

Summer dressing is my favourite topic! 🌞

Oh H and M do good value cotton dresses etc.

I've bought a couple of jersey dresses on Amazon, a top and cropped trousers from sainsburys and the rest was from the charity shops

I hadn't come across Aspiga. I am in town on Friday and shall definitely be taking a look. Website looks fantastic.

If going for 1 week I only take hand luggage so have to be quite sassy about packing. I usually take a crinkle cotton sleeveless dress, plus linen shorts and a few t-shirts for day, plus 2 swimsuits and a sarong. For evening a couple of pairs of linen trousers with smarter tops and a dress. Everything packs into a tiny suitcase. The key is to choose a colour scheme that will mix and match, so that you can combine separates to make different outfits. Also, I wear things more than once. There are good options in most high street stores at the moment, most of which have been mentioned above. Taking a few classy accessories will elevate any outfit. Flick through a few magazines and see what attracts you. Have fun!

Big fan of this thread! M&S hat and next jumpsuit, added to basket!

I always take so much on holiday then I don’t wear half of it, I’m off on holiday in may, I’ve just bought 5 T-shirt dresses from joules and 2 midi dresses from next. That’s all I’m taking apart from the obvious knickers, Bras, cardigan etc.

The TShirt dressed and very forgiving and don’t really need an iron.
www.joules.com/Women/Clothing/Riviera/Printed-Jersey-Short-Sleeve-Dress?size=10&id=216760|CRBOTANICL|10

A crucial thing for me to remember when holiday clothes shopping is that, whenever I am aboard, I bloat. This is partly to do with the heat but also the amount of alcohol and carbs I consume. Therefore, something that looks OK in a changing room with me sucking my tummy in will not look like that on day 4 of the holiday.

I'm similar but shorter! On holiday ATM in a fairly warm country and I do look frumpy in shorts and over sized t shirt (I think anyway) I think maxis are the way to go I packed only 1 as weather wasn't great but wishes I packed a few more with a nice belt.

I got a lovely brown straw trilby from Village Hats, they have loads of great hats and excellent service. www.hatsandcaps.co.uk/products/jaxon-james-tribeca-straw-trilby-hat-brown

[quote ElizabethinherGermanGarden]@Thinkle Do you have a steamer recommendation? This looks like a fantastic idea![/quote]
I have the Swan one off Amazon. I have no idea how it compares to others but for the money does a perfectly reasonable job. The other thing it’s good for is freshening up clothes that are hard to hand wash as the heat zaps any bacteria.

I have several of these wide leg jersey jumpsuits as they have wide straps to cover bra straps and just skim over everything so very flattering. I wear with sandals on holiday and trainers/denim jacket here.

manamou.co.uk/collections/dungarees-jumpsuits/products/wide-leg-jersey-jumpsuit-navy

Size 14-16 apple with 34g boobs here.
Currently on a hot holiday.
Swimwear I love Fantasie bra sized bikinis.
Cover ups: bought this that I love
www.esprit.co.uk/p/embroidered-tunic-made-of-lenzing--ecovero--992EF1A344.html#cgid=1330
I bought this
www2.next.co.uk/g70559s6/t58845#t58845
And this
www2.next.co.uk/g641027s9/824008#824008
To wear in the evening. I have a black and a navy bra and it looks ok with the strap showing as it matches.

First things first @ElizabethinherGermanGarden do not do the stupid Brit abroad and be on the sun lounger at the hottest point of the day. Invest in a very good suncream for face and body plus a hat - I have a foldable straw one. My day looks like this - breakfast at 8 with beach 9 to 12 30 then home for shower, lunch and a nap then back to beach at 4 ish until late then shower, dinner and drinks. If you want to explore then choose morning or evening. Think slow not rushing. It’s a relaxed pace of life for a reason.
Back to fashion - beach is bikinis and kaftans with hat. Out and about it’s dresses - just choose natural fabric rather than poly: I am pear shaped and look hideous in shorts. Don’t forget to wear suncream off the beach too. I bought this boden this year and it’s comfortable and flattering.

@MrsPear I agree Amelie is a very neat and forgiving dress and the cut is available in a few styles now. I don't think of it as a holiday frock for Greece but would wear it for sightseeing in a capital city. I bought the first one for 25th anniversary party and dressed it up! Mostly I wear it for work!