Holiday clothes

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Hopefully going on a ‘hot’ holiday this summer and will need to pretty much start from scratch for a capsule wardrobe, as all I’ve got in my existing wardrobe are one very light cotton’wafting’ dress and a couple of well loved very soft cotton shirts.

I’m small and a bit round these days - size 14.

I like the look of Arket linen shorts and trousers, so will go and try those on.

I mainly like black and white in the summer. Any ideas for what I should be looking for? Arket prices are as high as I’m willing to go.

Not everyone is facing financial hardship. The UK is full of people who are financially well off.

I’m not in financial hardship but I’m also not generally someone who spends £100 on a summer dress, especially as I need at least two dresses.

The mini one is lovely but I wanted midi.

The viscose one is also lovely but too sweaty/sticky for me in the heat.

Thanks for all of these. If anything it’s made me cross with M&S. The one in the OP is stupidly thick for a summer dress. Yet another example of flawed thinking by them. Grrr.

If it helps, I tried on a few summer items in Matalan and their sizing is reasonably generous. I'm a 12-14 and the 14's were too big on the top.

In my browsing, I’ve fallen a bit in love with this but my god, the price! Consoling myself with the reminder that Jigsaw stuff is never as nice in the flesh these days. https://www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/beachwear/products/broderie-beach-kaftan-dress-green

This is a cotton version of the Aztec dress in a stronger black - but I do think most of the cotton versions of this style dress are quite thick.

www.thecotswoldshed.com/collections/aztec-dresses/products/aztec-maxi-dress-black-1

I quite like viscose, I don't find it makes me sweat, perhaps it's because it's made from trees? They call it a semi synthetic, I'm not sure what that means!

There's a 20% off code for Jigsaw STYLIST 20 - that gets it down to nearer your £100 budget?

Uniqlo is always worth a look. Their linen shirts are great, and they have a lot of reasonably priced dresses. Last year I bought this t-shirt dress for a late spring break in Rome https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/uniqlo-u-airism-cotton-short-sleeved-dress-455688.html?dwvar_455688_color=COL09&cgid=IDshortsleeved2830 - it worked well - its quite heavy but 100% cotton so didn't feel too warm. If you're near a shop they often have sizes/colours which have sold out online.

I know it’s expensive but the op did mention Arket pricing as a limit and the John Lewis dress is a similar price to them.

Also it pretty much fits the bill for a mostly black with white print dress which she asked about.

Clothing prices seem to have gone up quite a lot recently but if it’s something you will wear for years and goes with everything it could be worth the investment in the long term. Just a suggestion anyway 🤷‍♀️

TKMaxx had some really nice cotton shirts when I was in there a few weeks ago

There is quite a bit of broderie around this year, like this dress from Tu / Tesco £30:
https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc142239130

Tescos had some nice looking stuff in yesterday, but they've gone and shut their changing rooms. I'm not buying without trying as I live 15 miles from the store.

Having seen this I popped into Matalan earlier with great hopes. Unfortunately it’s really thick heavy material - it’s winter thickness but in the summer range. 😞

My budget isn't £100. I'm hoping to get two dresses for £100 if possible! :)

I find jersey t-shirt dresses far too hot in the heat.

The dress I'm hoping to find a version of was from Zara last summer. It's really, really thin cotton, not quite see through but really lightweight. Imagine a hanky that your granny has washed hundreds of times.

I'll try to see it in store, but I'd have to love it almost as much as my children to pay that much for a holiday dress.

Sainsbury's (Tu) might be worth a look? How about this: https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc142528011

Thanks @Motorina I looked on Tu earlier, but that is viscose.

For holiday inspiration, the Arket vacation edit on their site has some good wardrobe building basics, even if their black and white dress is long-sleeved.

So 2 dresses, white and black shorts or linen pants, and about 5 sleeveless tops, and a longer sleeved linen top to use as cover up, bathing suit and maybe colourful handbag and sandals. Also cool sunglasses!

Good tips! I'm a bit self conscious about sleeveless but I've got 2 lovely very thin cotton shirts for layering over vests and am going to get a linen one.

Have you looked in the m&s beachwear section rather than just dresses? I got some nice long line loose linen tops in that section a couple of years ago which are perfect for the beach or over a vest with shorts.

When you say 'hot' holiday to you mean beach, city or rural? I find M&S and next both good for holiday basics, even though I don't shop there very often otherwise. M&S had some good swimwear last year, and some nice linen shirt beach cover ups. Next is pretty good for basic shorts in different lengths and fabrics.

For floaty dresses, I like to try and have a day look and an evening look - add a nice belt, different bag and shoes (metallic sandals maybe) can take a dress from day to night.

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/black-broderie-trim-midi-smock-dress/p/859738401?_cclid=Google_EAIaIQobChMIg9iL-oPL_gIV1-7tCh3NgwVsEAQYISABEgKdbfD_BwE&extcam=UK_PPC_PLA_Priority_PMax_Google_DV_m_AGID__PRID_8597748&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg9iL-oPL_gIV1-7tCh3NgwVsEAQYISABEgKdbfD_BwE

This has potential!

Shorts and shirt Co ord
Looks great together and separate. You can dress it up or down

I know you keep saying you are not near a Matalan but I got this dress for holiday and it is lovely
https://www.matalan.co.uk/clothing/black-double-cloth-frill-dress/14558080.html

It’s lovely but not what I want. The fabric isn’t thin enough.