Help! Packing for week away in Spain with family - need to know the basics

[ThirtyTwoTwo]

I’ve no difficulty deciding what to wear day to day in this country but I’ve not been abroad for so long and it’s going to be hot! Daytime is fine but in the evening what do you wear? Will be eating in the hotel, will I look frumpy in my summer floral maxi dresses? I’m 50 and size 14 if that helps and hate my legs. Normally I’m a jeans and nice top in this country if I go out in the evening.

Also haven’t a clue about what to wear on the flight.

I usually wear floaty maxi dresses or shorter dresses, maybe nice shorts with flat sandals. You might just need a cardi for the evenings. For the flight just comfy really! Usually leggings, layers and trainers!

The whole point of holidays is that you shouldn't have to give very much thought to how you look. I'd have thought a couple of tidy casual dresses and/or relaxed linen trousers with a nice floaty top.

For the flight, linen trousers, top, Jersey and covered in shoes. Flights get cold.

Lots of linen, cotton and loose fitting. Maxi dresses are perfect. Take a linen shirt to throw over if it gets chilly.

I’m always surprised at how dressed down people are at night. Some people just throw on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
personally I wear a floaty dress and a pair of sparkly sliders/

@kangarookenny because many of us have corporate roles that involve good grooming every single day. Holidays are a place to relax. Probably why we do the villa route because having to dress for dinner would be in the same circle of hell as camping for me.

I go the other way on holiday - at least 30% of the photos taken of me in a year are on weekends away. I wear jeans to work and am at home with DS 2 days a week in scruffs.

I normally wear a dress and metallic sandals at night, or tailored shorts, a tank top tucked in, necklace and sandals.

What part of Spain OP? Some parts are very relaxed and everything goes from a totally hippy or relaxed look to quite dressed up and others are smarter / more dressy. I think light dresses work best. I'm in southern Spain at the moment and it is very hot.

Wear the maxi dresses.

I wear maxi dresses every evening on holiday, with flip flops. It's like having a nightie on really!

I wear
Daytime: shorts, T shirts, loose floaty dresses, sun dresses, a lightweight long sleeved shirt to slip on in the hottest part of the day if we’re out. ( blonde blue, eyes and fair skinned.) Beach: a two piece instead of an all in one swimming costume, easier for loo trips, a loose cover up garment for trips from beach to cafe, slip it over your beach wear.
Evening: capri pants, nice tops, linen trousers, calf length pants, smart casual really. Sandals, canvas shoes, trainers or trekking sandals.Beach foot wear, flip flops or sandals you can rinse under the tap. I use talc to get sand off skin.
A cardi or shrug, it can get cool of an evening.

Loving the 6 pairs of shoes @Thinkingblonde.

I’m in Spain at the moment - if you are in the South or Madrid you won’t need a cardigan. Lots of people wearing maxi dresses in the evening - I’m petite so don’t wear them but I have worn a silk summer dress; a linen summer dress: a linen long shirt with shorts; a cotton summer dress; on my trips out to dinner so far. Each has been suitable - people are wearing everything from maxi dresses to shorts and T-shirts. No one is wearing heels.

I packed sandals but have ended up wearing my Birkenstocks or Havana’s all the time!!! I wear runners to hike but it’s too hot to wear them out and about during the day / evening.

hope this helps.

I wore my favourite comfy jeans with a t shirt and the linen shirt on the plane - most others were in light jeans or leggings and a t- shirt/ shirt.

enjoy the trip.

Maxi dresses with sparkly sandals /low wedge sandals
I always take wide leg linen trousers and a maxi linen skirt in white, plus a few floaty tops or vest tops.

For the flight I wear anything comfortable - yoga type pants, short sleeve top, loose thin cardi, and comfy fit flops.

Chose something you are comfortable in! It will be hit even in the evenings so cotton or linen but no polyester etc….

Floral maxi dresses are ok btw. You are in hols. No one is expecting you to be dressed up like if it was a black tie event. Just clean and tidy will be plenty.

Thank you all so much. I think because I see people all dressed up on Instagram, I needed to dress up too! I realised that I haven’t been on a summer beach holiday for 30 years!

Ha, I have over done it on the shoes haven’t?
I’ve been known to buy shoes on holiday.

Perhaps leave out the trainers and the canvas shoes.

I used to plan every outfit, an outfit a day and one for each evening plus spares,
wouldn’t wear anything twice. Everything matched: accessories, handbags, beach bags, shoes. All six pairs…good job I’ve got small feet.
And then I got married and had to do my holiday washing instead of leaving it to my poor long suffering mother. (Sorry mum)

I'm in Spain at the moment. 37C during the day, and about 25C at night in my area. I tend to wear shorts and a T-shirt during the day, change T-shirt after lunch as it gets sweaty, and then light long dress in the evening. I've been wearing the same birkenstock all week as my feet are swollen from the heat