Cornwall style - how to nail it?

[FragrantBumFluff]

So I have lost a couple of stone since having a baby 2 years ago and I’d like to get a few new bits for the summer.

We are going on holiday to Cornwall the week after next and I’ve always loved the beachy look so I’m going to try and achieve it! But I haven’t been to Cornwall since pre baby and pre covid so I’m feeling very uninspired.

Could someone please tell me what people are wearing down there these days and where from? Im desperate to feel good and not frumpy like I usually do in my stained and ill fitting leggings 😃

Of course I will be taking the necessary fleece and waterproof jacket but it would be nice to have some other options!

Oi! Stop the Camborne bashing, that's my hometown, a wonderful & unique place...

I'm going to Camborne a lot atm and the place is growing on me. There seems to be a great community feel about the place

Camborne has some really interesting architecture- Basset St is great. And so is Tuckingmill. And Trevithick Day.

(Don't know if I'll ever be brave enough to go in that big Wetherspoons, mind you 😱)

@crackofdoom
Tyacks is where it's at, though the 'spoons is OK with good food. I'm in Camborne right now, visiting family & the place has definitely seen better days but there are some good things here.

Waterproofs, wellies and an umbrella if the last couple of weeks is anything to go by.

Op, I feel we haven't helped you very much at all. If I were you and you really don't have any basics, I'd get on Vinted and look for some dresses, searching by size and fabric (cotton if that's what you like) and do that quickly so a few arrive. Then I'd go to some real shops like M and S (yes be picky but do have nice casual trousers) or White Company and buy some cotton/linen separates (like wide-legged trousers, white linen shirt) and also get a couple of vest tops for underneath. I'd go for beige, white, khaki, black, neutrals myself but others might find that a bit boring and prefer some of the brighter colours around which can look ace in linen especially.

I'd also think about sunglasses and shoes (even just some nice white leather trainers if you don't want to get all fancy at this stage).

I wouldn't start too much expensive/risky shopping if you don't have a set of decent basic stuff. I like maxi denim skirts at the moment as well, but it's not quite beach vibe.

I think what you're maybe trying to achieve is the "my second home is in Cornwall" look.

In which case The White Company is your friend.

Definitely get the vibe with Crocs and a Wolf Fleece. The Wolf needs to be howling at the moon.

You need to add some boots or wellies that look clean but as you get closer to them actually stink of cows and/or horses. Usually found in someone wandering around a supermarket making you think how hygienic can that be?

My impressions of Cornish style are:

Crocs;
shorts and sweater;
fleece;
no bag, phone and keys in hand/fleece pocket.

Also older women in van passenger seats in a stripy top (look out for this, you will start noticing it everywhere)

I am not London but Somerset. I would chuckle if someone asked how to nail Somerset style which sounds extremely similar so am a bit

They sell wolf fleeces at my local market!! Think I will give it a miss though

Well then just wear your normal clothes! I grew up in Somerset and now live in Cornwall. Wolf fleeces in both counties 😂
If you want a nice holiday wardrobe then get some things. Go for a classic white t and jeans/shorts. A dress that you feel comfortable in - doesn't have to be Joules or Seasalt! Just make sure you have layers.

I am sure this isn't too helpful OP as I don't even live in the same country as you, never mind Cornwall. But, it sounds like any coastal town across the world. The people who live there, just live. And it happens to be on the coast. Those people who try hard to look like they live there, stand out quite obviously that they don't actually live there.

I have lived near the coast most of my life. I can spot someone who is on holiday a mile off.

If you need new outfits, don't buy for a week or two of trying to fit in to that lifestyle. Buy linen, cotton etc, but items that you will wear at home as well.

I'd just wear your normal clothes and enjoy the holiday in all honesty, without making that a consideration.

There's a reason the tourist focused towns have Fat Face, Joules and the like and it isn't because locals are chomping at the bit for a a breton top, a cheerful raincoat, a cable knit wool jumper and a pair of saltwater sandals/wellies season dependent.

It's flipflops or wellies depending on weather,a nice big hoodie or wolf fleece for when it's cold and your normal clothes.and a pasty in your pocket for your lunch.

I don't think people on this thread have been exactly helpful OP!

This is the S&B board and OP asked for some ideas for holiday clothes for a British beach holiday as she's lost weight after having children and is feeling a bit rubbish about her wardrobe. I think the words 'Cornwall' & 'holiday' in a thread title are a bit triggering for some posters...

It's nice to get new clothes for a holiday and feel good about yourself, I'm sure OP isn't desperately trying to blend in with the locals, just wants to feel a nice beachy, relaxed vibe. Nowt wrong with that.

OP for British bech holidays I take a couple of pairs of Ralph Lauren chino shorts (navy and stone), some linen shorts from Cos, some long chinos that I wear rolled up, plain long and short sleeved ts in white and navy, a couple of racer back vests, a couple of nice thick hoodies from APC, a plain mid-blue linen shirt that I can wear over a vest top, straight led jeans that I wear rolled up, a stiped cream & navy cashmere sweater, some wide Legged navy linen trousers, and an oversize stripy shirt. Birkenstock arizonas in cream linen and navy suede, a pair of Arizona Love sandals and sturdy flipflops for the beach, trainers, a couple of fairly sturdy swimsuits for freezing cold seas, a linen throwover from Seafolly and a short terry robe from toast for the beach.

Obviously waterproofs!

That generally covers all eventualities, I don't bother with skirts or dresses, maybe pack one for the evening in case it's warm and you want to waft about a bit.

I hope that gives you some useful ideas.

This and Joules.

I’m still not over the the irritated squawk of “there’s an etiquette, don’t you know” from the M25 yummy mummy in Joules in St Ives as we both browsed the sale.

I was only after cheap hoodies to get pony slobber all over 😂

You’ve got to remember ‘style’ in Cornwall is probably about 3 years behind London. So don’t worry about it too much. I wouldn’t go out of your way to fit in with the style down here unless you really want to.

Some people do a really good surfer style, but that’s almost like a french ‘effortless’ style which actually takes lots of effort. Unless you are a young beautiful surfer, who tans, is incredibly fit and would make any clothes look good.

That being said a good pair of Teva sandals can be worn almost anywhere including the sea and protect your feet from weaver fish on the beaches. They look pretty cool too.

Get a dry robe at least that’s what everyone seems to wear when we go every year

Can you still buy the 'lifeguard' hoodies at Newquay?
That's what most tourists wore a few years ago.

Oh yes! Especially for younger teens

Hi Op

Ignore the sarcastic replies.

I interpret your question to mean beach style, rather than Cornwall-specific style.

I’m early 40s and tend to avoid the Joules/Seasalt striped sailor top type look which I find a bit cliche (I remember going to Salcombe a few years ago and it was full to the brim of Londoners in 4x4s, dressed in Joules with black labradors and it was all a bit cringe IMHO and totally put me off that look).

I like some Passenger stuff, also check out Howies and Finisterre. A friend who lives in Cornwall wears a lot of Lucy & Yak dungarees.

I’ve just done a U.K. beach holiday & mainly wore shorts (lose fit on the leg, not tight ones which look a bit dated/unflattering unless you’re 16), leggings on cooler days, a lose T-shirt or vest with a casual shirt/shacket over the top and my Passenger fleece or Rab rain jacket as appropriate for the weather. On my feet Birkenstocks, flipflops or On Running trainers for hikes or more active days etc.

Felt like I fitted in and my clothes were appropriate for the weather & running around beaches etc after young kids, whereas a lot of “London” fashion wouldn’t really be practical.

Lots of people have DryRobes too.