Does anyone else struggle with holiday clothes?

[eltonlonng]

Got a week in Cyprus coming up in a couple of months and I have the dread.
I hate myself in summer clothes and bikinis scare me (mostly the bottoms )
So far I have a swimsuit and 2 cover ups
1 bikini top and 2 pairs of shorts (can't stand the tiny bottoms )
2 dresses and 1 maxi skirt..Il just take my own tops.
Is it just me ?

Shameless bump

I've got my capsule wardrobe off to a tee for summer holidays. It's years old but I know I use it all and it's tried and trusted.

Firstly I picked my favourite colour - in my case blue. Then I picked my favourite neutrals to pair with that, which for summer, is white and navy Then I added in two accent colours that go with all of those - I picked mustard and grey. That way I can mix and match and you get several looks out of a very small variety of clothes. I add in a few black pieces such as cardigans and they go with everything.

I don't bring shoes. I bring really comfortable jelly flip flops for the beach and for day trips. I've two pairs of flip flops for the evening - a sparkly gold pair and a sparkly silver pair.

I've got 3 strappy dresses - mine are just to the knee, and of a light chiffon type material. Those with fancy flip flops are enough for a night out tbh, and a cardigan if you need it.

Wraparound skirts are brilliant. They can be anything from a beach cover up to a temporary picnic blanket! I always bring about three of those and they can be as long or as short as you like. I've a few tee-shirts that go with each of those and that's what I wear day to day really.

Maxi dresses are also a great choice.
For beach wear, honestly wear whatever you feel good in. If you don't like bikinis, don't wear them. I buy bikinis but what I do is buy two different bottoms and 2 different tops and that way I can mix them up a bit more.

You are NOT the only one! I hate summer clothes. I’ve had to buy shorts (I wouldn’t be seen dead in them in the U.K/maxi dresses/cover ups and still need to get swimwear, so either a tankini or one piece.. and I’ll look shit in it all! 😩😩

For me the problem is when you get there the stuff you wear here seems so dull and boring and yet when you're shopping here for holiday stuff I'm never brave enough to go for brighter, skimpier 'holiday' stuff 🤦🏻‍♀️

I try to take different styles of Summer clothes, so I take:

7 Nights :-
Loose jumpsuit
Maxi dress
Midi dress
Hi Lo dress
Flared trousers and cami
Knee length skirt and cami
Flippy shorts and cami
Day:-
Magic shorts
Magic trousers
Loose vest tops x3
Kimono - wear over swimwear and the camis in evening
Over shirt - wear as cover up and with magics
Breakfast/pool/day dresses x 3

Metallic sandals and flip flops
White trainers

what are magic shorts and trousers?

What about a swimming costume or bikni that has a skirt attached. They're really popular now and quite flattering.

It's so difficult isn't it.
Thankyou for the advice I think I will write a list and try and do a capsule wardrobe myself
I didn't even realise the short /bikini things were a thing...thankyou
I will have a look in M&S

I just can’t bring myself to spend much money on clothes I know I’ll look crap in! 😂

I am in my element in summer clothes. It’s occasion clothes I cannot do. When I get an invite to a wedding etc my heart sinks.

@AnyFucker I also dread that too.
I don't suit dresses so normally stick to midi skirts for weddings with a cami or some sort of bodysuit.

@Dontsayyouloveme same ha ha ...I seen a lovely skirt but it was £59 and I would wear it once and look like a twat so didn't bother

I do like bermuda length shorts, so I have 3 or 4 pairs in denim or neutral colours.
A few pairs of linen trousers/cropped chinos.
Tankini or one-piece for the pool with kids.
Sandals, walking shoes (we're talking Superga or New Balance not hiking boots).
Bright tops and t-shirts.
Couple of dresses or jumpsuits.
I own way too many print skirts (though I have cut down) but am now wearing them for work with leggings under rather than for holidays.

@Rina66 what is a hi low dress?

@eltonlonng my recent middle aged revelation is to buy holiday clothes that make me happy not what I think I’m expected to wear to look elegant. I will never look elegant in head to toe linen because I will spend the whole time smoothing and adjusting and being scared of my children’s grubby hands.

having said this M&S do nice longline linen shirts for £25 and I do have one of those.

@TheOriginalClownfish I do something similar with my regular and holiday wardrobes, have a signature colour and then add complementary and neutrals to mix and match

But consider how cut/style goes together too, I usually tend to the floaty/loose for tops and more fitted for bottoms

I've actually not been on holiday for years but I'm an expert packer! (Military brat!)

My tips are:

Wear your heavy items on the plane - coat, jeans/joggers, trainers so they're not tipping your allowance over and taking up too much room.

Underwear - no of nights you're away for + 3 in cabin baggage if taking hold and cabin

Yes to fancy flip flops! Super flexible option.

My thing I love to take is spaghetti strap camisole tops (£1.80 in primark!) I have tons! They are also super flexible! can wear as they are, work as a cool pj top, over swimwear, under sarong tops/dresses so you're not worrying about a potential "wardrobe malfunction and I've even used them on occasion as a "shrug" on dd when she was little and felt a chill and she'd refused to bring a cardi!

Which brings me to sarongs/floaty scarves - extremely versatile and handy as clothing, blanket, makeshift bag etc

Comfort is most important thing but I've long since stopped worrying about other people being offended by me in a cami top just cos I'm short fat and nearly 50! When it's 30°!! Fuck that shit!

I abandoned the notion that you need to look 'nice' on holidays - makeup slides off my face in the heat so I pair it right back to just a bit of powder for the shine, a bit of eye-shadow, mascara and liner. Forget the rest.

I no longer bring straighteners, and embrace the frizzy beachy vibe my hair is giving off. And also don't really bother with hair products apart from shampoo and conditioner. So that cuts down on the packing.

I don't bring fancy jewellery or accessories - maybe sunglasses and a bandana. I've two statement clutch bags that I'll mix in to outfits. And a beach tote for daytime.

Wax before you go. That way you don't have to try to shave sun-sensitive skin, get shaving rash and sun rash together or accidentally lop off mosquito scabs with a razor!

I'm on the pill so I'll always go right onto the next pack so I don't have to deal with periods on holiday.

I bring 7 pairs of nude pants, a nude strapless bra with removable straps and that's it. Pants get a quick wash and are dry in about an hour, and you wear a bikini or a swim suit all day anyway so only need the bra for a few hours in the evening anyway, and again, a quick wash and it's dry in an hour anyway.

I don't bring jeans to a sun holiday or heels after they languished in my case for the duration what with being too hot to wear them. I bring a pair of well loved black linen trousers and that's it.

@Chocolatecoatedkettlebell
A hi lo dress is just shorter at the front and longer at the back, this is my latest one.....

@Yodaisawally magic shorts and trousers are made from super stretchy material, side pockets, elasticated waist - almost like smart joggers, come in loads of colours but the stone and white are fab for summer, look so much nicer than chinos or white jeans. I travel in them, they're so comfortable.

https://manamou.co.uk/products/tie-waist-pocket-shorts-white?pos=4&&sid=0e33321f9&ss=r

https://manamou.co.uk/products/magic-trousers-stone?pos=4&&sid=7d31553a0&ss=r

I have loads of snag chub rubs and capris to wear with dresses and tunics. Then a pair of rose and a ditsy print trainers, 1 pair of flip flops for pool, 2 swimdresses and a wrap.

I can't be doing with jeans and/or shorts as I like to waft around in my own private self-view of being the star of my movie style holiday. In reality probably a hot mess.

I do agree it's a bit of a struggle to look nice when it's 30 degrees! I don't like the heat (or showing lots of flesh) so wouldn't be on a beach/pool holiday to begin with.

I don't get the "I hate summer clothes" mantra. Summer clothes don't need to be skimpy or tight fitting, just loose and made from natural materials.

So, if you wear jeans at home, get some loose cotton or linen trousers. Wear loose, flowing tops.

There are summer clothes to suit every shape and size.