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.

I agree with mainly dresses, floaty short or long. However I love shorts and a baggy vest too too, nothing clingy unless it's the bikini top. H&M do really light fabric short shorts. Short shorts look better imo, and I don't give a fuck about showing off my less than perfect 50 year old legs. Personally I get more tanned having my legs uncovered, which makes them look nicer anyway.
Apologies if you don't need or want to tan ❤️

Daughters of India? I ADORE their dresses

I love linen now- polyester make me feel like I am melting

Loving the hat recommendations

I go to Greece every year in July or August and first thing I would say is step away from the denim shorts. Unbearable in 35 degree heat. Dresses, as so many have said are your friend.
Start with two really good bra size bikinis. I am 10 years older and a dress size larger than you and I swear by Freya, Fantasie or Pour Moi bikinis bought off Ebay or from sellers like Belle Lingerie. I try to find the matching cover up as well or if not then two or three toning beach dresses or kaftans - again Ebay has last seasons stock from.these brands for good prices. Then two pairs of sandals one tan, one metallic both flat. I then go for six dresses three knee length and three maxi that work for daytime sightseeing and evening tavernas. A widebrimmed hat, a big beach bag and a small cross body in toning colours and I am done. Works for two weeks if you bring a bottle of travel wash. Dresses are usually a mix of Boden, Whistles, Crew and whatever looks good on Brandalley but always cotton or linen mix. I personally find polyester or viscose uncomfortable in over 30 degrees. Hair wise I use a leave on conditioner like swimcap when on the beach and wash it out in the evening to avoid frizz. Mattifying Factor 50 on the face at all time and a little light foundation and powder in the evening to tone down any redness.

I know what everyone's saying re denim but I find lots of the locals in holiday spots still wear jeans regardless of how hot it gets!

Just back from a week in the sun in what seems like forever. Learnt a few lesson so here is revised list for If I go away In The summer.

2 bikinis/swimsuits
2 cover ups
2 shorts
5 t shirts
2 vests
5 dresses for daytime outings and evening time (midi maxi sun)
1 trousers
1 skirt
1 jersey jumpsuit
White Sleeveless linen Shirt

1 flip flop
1 leather sandal
1 tevas

I got burnt and was pleased I'd packed a shirt and maxi skirt.

We have a holiday home in the south of France and I keep hot weather clothes there - a selection of bikinis for sunbathing, swimsuits for proper swimming, lots of shorts and T-shirts with cheap flip flops for during the day around the village and linen trousers for going out for dinner in the evenings usually worn with colourful floaty tops

Definitely dresses are the key or colour coordinated separates it's been a while but I often do hand luggage only cause I'm tight
I've realised that my summer wardrobe needs a top up and have just bought these from hush not all will work in very hot weather.

Have a great time 🏖️

I like H&M for cotton summer dresses. I put 'cotton dress' in the search box then filter by 'women' then dress length (I like midi) and dress size.

Last year I bought this in blue - it's quite swingy and very light and comfy in hot weather although I did have to have it taken up a bit as I'm short: www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1046578005.html

This year I've bought this one in a beautiful Grecian blue but can't see that colour on offer any more. It's surprisingly flattering:
www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1061031003.html

I also like the look of this although I wouldn't buy as I have a holiday colour theme (boring I know but it works for me):

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1062248001.html

I bought this dress in the US in the sale and it looked great in the changing room. I'm thinking this is exactly the kind of thing that is likely to make me look like a washer woman once it hits hot weather - I do this every time! https://poshmark.com/listing/NWT-Old-Navy-Black-Seersucker-Maxi-Dress-US-size-M-623c92d6a4de4184f3525465?utmsource=gdm&utmmcampaign=14312058174&campaignid=14312058174&addpartner=google&gskid=pla-1636195417891&gcid=539599894297&ggid=127345200178&gdid=m&gnetwork=g&enableeguestbuyyflow=true&gbraid=0AAAAADwcDC-b8l0znXgrM0S6uG2hEx2Ew&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmPSSBhCNARIsAH3cYgY6vsn43nbuoRyBISluFXDhyCdoxrS7Txny1coSSPk7aV2yYK4kboaAqOsEALww_wcB

@ilovebencooper
I get my hats from the sales in Accessorize. I buy the packable ones as they spring back fairly well from being squished.

I've just bought few items from weird fish, they'll be wearable here but also in Greece, just check the reviews on sizes as,my purchases were 16,18 and 20 and they all fit well

@whiskeyfoxtrotcharlie can you advise what H&M sizing is like-are they pretty much true to size ?

H&M sizing can be a bit random so read the reviews. For reference I am a 12/14, E cup bra. I would buy a small in a dress or top but I'd need a 16 in trousers.

I am sure you will look lovely in that dress OP, I like the back.

What is it the makes you feel like a washer woman is it being hot and sticky? I find my hair being disheveled which being curly it is never far away from makes me feel messy.

I agree OP that is a great dress. I can see that like all black dresses it can look a bit flat without accessories but I also know that wearing extra accessories in the heat is hard work. There is a particular shade of green out there at the moment that would look really good with that and also looks good with hot pinks and other brights. Even a statement beach bag: shop.mango.com/gb/women/bags-shoppers/raffia-shopper-bag_27045754.html?c=43&talla=99&gbraid=0AAAAADqhEePInbJwf0a9wQu9V-taHpNo5&gbraid=0AAAAADqhEePInbJwf0a9wQu9V-taHpNo5&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3v6SBhCsARIsACyrRAnSUJCzFxJhgWr4pUHuFpcehXwFweN1UbaElVPAR3gOZIw91NSWyQMaAhX2EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I really like that bag! Beautiful colour.

I live in vest tops and linen shorts over bikinis during the day - mid thigh ones, not long and loose and with with an elasticated waist and tie detail. H&M do lovely ones. I bought them in every colour last summer.

Agree denim or longer chino style shorts way too hot and often unflattering. I also have 2 pairs of loose linen crop trousers - one black, one tan, which I wear to travel or when I need to cover up.

I have floaty cotton dresses or long skirts with linen tees for evening. Took a cream denim jacket which really worked well in the cooler evenings.

Birkenstock's in metallic or white go with everything. Plus espadrille sandals.

Just done a mini break packing black, caramel and white clothes only. Was so easy as everything worked together. I'm not afraid of a few creases.

I bought a pair of chino shorts in J Crew for an astonishing amount of money. I don't usually wear shorts but these seem to be magic and are v flattering and really quite short. Oh well. Money you spend in a foreign country doesn't count, right?

I agree dresses are a good holiday option. I just hate that ‘holiday wardrobe’ which marks you out as a British tourist!

I'm not sure if it can be curated but the look to go for is the one that draws people to you for directions because you look at ease with your destination.

www.fantasie.com/uk/en/swimwear/bikini-tops/full-cup-bikini-tops/halkidiki-uw-gathered-full-cup-bikini-top/p/fs501901ord/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9fPQ1ZOq9wIVxevtCh3h5QxDEAQYByABEgIJevD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

www.accessorize.com/uk/tropical-chiffon-kaftan-pink-39719470.html

just ordered the above- will report back

What I've always wanted to channel is the I-had-a-farm-in-Africa look, but I think that looks better on thin people and I worry about straying into Roger-Moore's-safari-suit by accident.

I'm very pleased with my J Crew shorts and linen t-shirts. I've tried them on since I got home and they are still good. I think I look as if I'm about to go and dig for clams, which is quite a good look. Better than washer woman, anyway.

I find you can't go wrong with a few maxi dresses. X

OMZIN Women Party Dress Boho Printed Summer Dress Swing Floral Evening Dress XS-XXL www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B084S3DBMH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HJ5MY6YJNTC24F1BJY3K?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this back in February and have worn it a couple of times, people will say it’s horrible as it’s man made material but I’ve had loads of compliments and I’m the same height and size/shape as you.