Brittany family holiday— need practical / tummy hiding clothes!

[lesoignons]

Hey everyone,

Going on a family holiday to Brittany in summer hols and am slightly panicking about clothing / swimwear for the trip.

I’m 5ft 2”, size 14-18 (depending on the shop🙄). Would be hourglass shape if it wasn’t for the large mum tum. I’m quite pale and tend to avoid tanning (burning..) and look better in simple block colours (stripes/check ok, less keen on big florals).

I need clothing/footwear for days out, lots of walking around, days at the beach and a few meals out (daytime mainly).

Important stuff:
> practical (pockets!).
> cooler cotton / linen materials etc (peri-meno sweaty bastard).
> elegant-ish (it’s France!).
> v-neck or nothing too smock-y (big boobs).
> no high wedges / heels (can’t walk in them).
> swimwear (oh god, I hate my tum / upper thighs on show (and am picturing reams of tall, slender French women on the beach, with me hefting my way around..😂).
> need a sun-hat that isn’t ridiculously big to carry around, but isn’t a bucket hat or cap…

Sorry for the novel length post😵‍💫

Please help!🤍🙏🏻

This sounds like great advice. I will look up that kimono brand - do you have a particular favourite and are they petite friendly in arm length?

I am also going Britannia in summer holidays. I am 14 plus. I've ordered 3/4 skirts to wear with t shirts and maxi dresses.

I too have big boobs, I would never of chosen it my mum gave it to me, a high neck swimming costume. I’ve got a short body and mum tum and it has elongated my body! Makes me look much more in proportion I’d definitely recommend that style. I’ve done my summer holiday shop from Asda George, vest tops and 3/4 skirts , shorts and over sized shirts with vest top underneath. Short dresses for evening.

It's not really an ultra-chic sort of place so I wouldn't worry about not feeling elegant enough. Even the wealthiest sorts of resort are very casual. Nautical everywhere.

I like the sound of that!⚓️⚓️⚓️

What about a loose linen top with white trousers?

https://www.cottontraders.com/products/stripe-linen-blend-top/AB12137.html?dwvar_AB12137_color=Fresh%20Sky#q=linen&start=33&list=search%20result&p=19

Quite like the stripe look, although another not in stock! Why is everything out of stock 😅😅😅

Re swimwear - do you have a Sainsbury's with a Tu section near you?

This costume is really good for covering up the tummy area (so why they picture it with a stick thin model I'll never know )

It's sold out online, but our local store still has them in stock. I tried mine on yesterday (we're off tomorrow!) and it really does work to cover up the mum tum.

Oh that's nice @BIWI. I have had good cossies from Tu before

Thank you! I do have a TU not too far away so will try and pop in and have a look. That said, I think I’m going to get a swim ‘dress’ as I can’t be arsed to deal with bikini line for the possibility of 1-2 days on a beach max🤣

Not on your wish list but these are cool and supportive
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/airism-sleeveless-bra-top-457519.html
good for sleeping in or under an open top.

H&M has some great summer stuff in at the moment, kaftan style dresses, Birkenstock dupes etc

https://seafancy.co.uk/category/one-pieces/product/blue-striped-halter-strap-sweetheart-neck-ruching-tummy-control-casual-one-piece-swimsuit

Sea fancy have one pieces or tankinis with short shorts rather than the typical high cut swimwear leg. I'm considering one but I'd probably have to wear a cup sized bikini top underneath. My hunt continues for something similar that comes in cup sizes rather than dress sizes.

Beware though - lots of bad reviews for Seafancy online. I ordered that exact swimsuit - they took my money and then told me it was out of stock, but only weeks after I'd ordered/paid for it. To be fair, they did refund me, but it took a long time.

This is super comfy and swishy (the blue is lovely)

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/airism-ultra-stretch-sleeveless-dress-457012.html

This is very practical for the day. Wear with chub rub shorts

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-hiking-dress-exploor/_/R-p-332929

Both are super light and breathable, and have pockets!

We were in Brittany last year, and most people were wearing linen separates and boating clothes - it seemed to me to be more of an activity holiday place, rather than an 'elegant saunter' spot. Eating out was a crepe cafe by the harbour.
Really lovely relaxing place though, I'd go again, and this time would spend a lot more time on a boat.

Ohh good to hear - I have been toying with ordering from them but if they are unreliable I will continue the hunt for the mythical perfect swim suit.

Next have a lovely range of shirt dresses.

https://www.next.co.uk/search?w=shirt%20dresses&p=1#0

Seafancy reviews on Trust Pilot

See u there. I size 22 with same dilemma

Only one comment: I’ve spent a lot of time in France: not all French women are chic. There are millions just like us.

Those kimonos from One Hundred Stars are beautiful but the company gives me major cultural appropriation vibes… has anyone seen anything similar but more authentic?

Oysho have lovely linen trousers in lots of colours and co-ordinating striped beach shirts. https://www.oysho.com/gb/new-collection/linen-c1010577174.html

I also got a pair of wide legged black combat trousers from them recently that are really comfortable.

For the beach I'd go for a rash vest over a pair of swim shorts - not too much flesh on show and less obiously tryin to cover up than a swim skirt.