I'm going on a once in a lifetime trip with my DH, DD3 and DD9m round France and Spain. We'll be away for 6 weeks from late May to early July. We're mostly staying in villas in coastal towns/cities,. including a week in Ibiza. I'm really excited but have absolutely NO IDEA what I should wear and how to pack most efficiently, which is why I'm turning to the wise folk of S&B (where I'm a long time lurker) for some advice.
We are driving so space isn't hugely tight but my stuff will definitely take a back seat to the disproportionate quantity of crap two small girls require.
I'm 5'10, size 16, 38DD and feeling pretty awful about myself since having 2 babies in 2.5 years. My legs used to be my best feature but now my thighs are all flabby. My stomach is a disaster and my hips are permanently widened. I would say best features remain my legs but nothing much above the knee. Thanks to COVID I haven't been abroad since becoming a mum and I have no idea how to dress this new (awful) figure.
My usual style is quite simple (boring) and I tend towards a mum uniform of jeans, jumpers and trainers in blue/black/white. I'm also still breastfeeding so need to consider this with tops/dresses.
Ideally I would look casual but well put together, however will settle for not having people look me up and down with disdain.
I'd love some suggestions as to what key pieces would be and perhaps some guidance towards specific items. I'm thinking so far:
Lightweight trench coat
Light kimono-style jacket/cover up
Cross-body straw bag
Sandals of some kind
Sunglasses of some kind
Swimming costume
My budget is definitely mat leave (the part where you don't get paid any more) but I've also got some John Lewis vouchers stashed away so can splash out on a couple of items if I'll get a fair amount of wear out of them.
I'm putting myself in your hands!!