What to wear to look 'effortlessly' stylish on beach holiday with friends?

[Styleseeker]

I'm going on my first sun/sea/sangria type holiday in decades with a group of friends - all of whom always seem to be well put together - and really want to exude a look of someone who doesn't break out in heat rash and get sunburn walking past an oven. We'll be going to the pool/beach mostly, but also talk of beach clubs. Then restaurants and bars and general wandering around.

I'm 40, tall, not at all happy with my thighs/bum so they need to be covered as much as possible. I mostly wear maxi and longer midi dresses, like the fit of Me & Em and Boden (though less so in recent years). I also have blue/purple/transparent pale skin (not that nice porcelain white), though I do tend to just embrace the pale as it's the only packaging I've got! I'm happy with bold colour.

Please can someone give me a packing list??!

I've done some shopping already and got these for the pool/beach -

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/porto-v-neck-swimsuit-cobalt-honeycomb/sty-s0140-bbl?cat=C1S22_G17

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/maxi-empire-beach-kaftan-festival-pink-geometric-swirl/sty-d0456-pnk?cat=C1S22_G4

I'll probably just live in my Saltwater sandals (tan) or flip-flops.

I also have these dresses too -

www.meandem.com/cheesecloth-shirred-halterneck-maxi-dress-black

www.meandem.com/sleeveless-tiered-slub-maxi-dress-electric-blue

I’ve just bought the shirt in red! 😁

Great tips, thank you. I’m a terrible packer so need to keep this in mind about the colour palette.

I’m so pale my skin seems to repel spray tan, it never goes on well and I’ve tried multiple brands. I stick to Dove now to mute the blue glow, but that’s about as good as it gets 😕

It’s really lovely on, sheer but not totally see-through, just shows a shadow of the swimsuit. I sized down and it fits really well but still plenty of room. I have visions of myself wafting around the poolside with my cocktail like an old time movie star passed her prime.

I have a light spray tan before holidays. Does wonders for my confidence on beach and makes me look much healthier.

Nice accessories like jewellery and hats can make a big difference

You've bought some lovely things!

I purchased these from Cos for my recent holiday and felt really nice and well put together in a kind of relaxed chic way. Enjoy your holiday!

https://www.cos.com/engbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.sleeveless-broderie-anglaise-midi-dress-black.1152142002.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1snL-M6vgAMVkNF3Ch1U6gY3EAQYASABEgIikk_D_BwE

https://www.cos.com/engbp/women/womenswear/dresses/jumpsuits/product.drawstring-waist-linen-jumpsuit-black.1163369001.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw8esyM-vgAMVje93Ch1QwgGtEAQYASABEgIwJvDD_BwE

https://www.cos.com/engbp/women/womenswear/jumpsuits/product.bow-back-wide-leg-jumpsuit-black.1152409001.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI78ffvtCvgAMVzAGLCh1P6QExEAQYASABEgIYXfDD_BwE

Why don't you get a One Hundred Stars kimono - can go over beachwear or dresses? I just got this one and it is beautiful quality.

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/collections/mid-length-kimonos/products/jaipur_blue_throwover

Great thread with some excellent suggestions.

I am also very pale and swear by this, have used for years to build a natural looking colour before I head off on holiday

www.garnier.co.uk/our-brands/body-care/summer-body/gradual-tanning-moisturiser-light

Farm Rio is a brand I came across recently that has some gorgeous dresses.

https://www.farmrio.eu/collections/dresses

I also have a couple of cover ups from Pitusa which are lovely. They come in lots of different styles and colours. Below is an example.

https://www.simplybeach.com/products/inca-sundress-watermelon

Love the things you’ve already got. I think you might like this brand too!

https://uk.daughtersofindia.net/collections/midi-dresses

And agree with PP - a second swimsuit/bikini is probably a good idea.

I also love the look of a straw bag, but have found they create bobbles down the side of my clothes and ruin them, so now I stick to cotton totes like this

https://www.rivedroite-paris.com/en/collections/sacs-week-end

I'm loving all the suggestions on this thread. My only slightly negative contribution is that as a jewel winter I am often disappointed to see a lovely outfit but with no colour options that would suit me. I wish clothes manufacturers would realise that not everyone suits yellow or orange.

Have a great holiday @Styleseeker

@bloomingheather - love those M&S clogs and want to order a pair! Do they have a real wooden sole or is it something else? I can’t tell from the description or the online pics.

I'm on holiday at the moment in Phuket.
The nicest & freshest looking are the ones in short gauzy white kaftan type cover ups. For all sizes, ages & skin colour. Though there are more Aussies than Brits here.

I live in a hot country so hats are essential.

A straw hat is a great buy and I wear mine a lot, but for days when I find myself in the sun unplanned, I keep a cotton cloth hat that folds up in my bag. It’s great for windy days too, as straw hats with big brims often take flight in the wind. It has a wide enough brim (not bucket style) to keep my face and back of my neck well shaded. Solbari make some stylish UV protection ones. https://www.solbari.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjwzo2mBhAUEiwAf7wjkqUVRTMWGU_jny__jV3unyiC_ctdU2_hDkF-1gzwvzd6YhUdAr3T5hoCBD8QAvD_BwE (but I usually go for a cheaper priced cloth hat).

Polarised sunglasses work best to cut glare on the beach and poolside for me.

I hope you have a wonderful time!

@IncenseAndPeppermint They are so nice - i think it is real wood but will need to double check when I get home! I stalked them online for ages before I got them because they were sold out in my size in store as well and ended up getting them a half size smaller because I liked them so much. They were great on holiday ans go with everything.

Oh I can’t remember if you mentioned if you had sunglasses but was just reminded by the post above - Le Specs do lovely sunglasses and they are reasonably priced - I have had two pairs of the the Liar Lair ones in tortoiseshell and black and they are polarised too which is even better.

https://www.joebrowns.co.uk/san-antonio-cover-up-dress-hb333#colour=667 something like this?

Look at the superdry dresses, especially the ibiza whites range

https://www.superdry.com/womens/dresses/details/252008/long-cami-dress-blue these are lovely as are the white ones.

if you go onto the kettlewell colours website you can take a quick quiz to get a sense of what season you are - if you are very pale the chances are you are either winter or summer.. try and figure out what you are by answering questions and stick to your star colours - colours that make your eyes pop... not necessarily the colours of your eyes.. tk max is a very good option to have an early morning browse... 3 pairs of flip flops gold, silver and tan if possible.. Have a great time.

My top tip- don’t take white things unless you’ll have access to a washing machine. You won’t get sand and suncream stains out hand washing with travel wash.

Oh my goodness that Pitusa dress is GORGEOUS.

Commence battle with self over whether to splurge...