Urgent holiday wardrobe help

[StiffyByngsDogBartholomew]

hi everyone

i need some urgent help. I am currently off work with stress and depression due to a very stressful neverending situation at work which was due to be finalised last week but has now been postponed again. Dh bless him has booked us a holiday to try and get away from it all but due to the financial stress and mental health stuff I have a. Not bought any clothes for over 2 years b. Put on 5 stone so whatever I had from happier times no longer fits c. Lost all interest in my appearance, I look like someone has dressed me out of a bin

i have literally nothing to wear other than a pair of linen trousers. i currently wear
1 manky skirt that has seen better days
2 tops
a pair of black jeans
a horrible jumper than needs to be thrown out its been worn so much
one pair of cheap primark trainers
one pair of slightly less shit tu lace up shoes
my work uniform
a boring black swimsuit that is a bit tight

So I need someone to help me with what I need to get for a 10 day beach holiday with not much money and leaving in 11 days.

All in one or two neutral colours.
Plus some plain vest tops /t shirts.

Swimming coatume
Kaftan
5dresses
5 shorts
Linen trousers
6 tops
I went holiday shopping recently and got some lovely dresses and tops in Tkmaxx, and there swimwear section is good too, all around £20 per item. You can cheaper for vest tops and shorts in Primark but M&S have some really nice shorts, I got two pairs and they were £22 each.
For comfortable sandals I'm taking my Nike victori one sliders for around pool.
And for the evening I brought some low wedge sandals again from Tkmaxx, The brand is Baretraps and they are sooo comfortable!
Also I think it's always worth having a look around the charity shops if you have time.

Here's my list from another thread!

One UK /plane outfit -joggers t shirt trainers cardigan and coat - clean t shirt for on way home.
3 midi or maxi dresses
2 skirt/culottes/ trousers
2 shorts

7 t shirts and or vest tops
2 swim wear
2 cover ups
Flip flops
2 sandals
One day rucksack carry for carry on
One crossbody bag for eve
2 bras /7 pants

Matalan is great
Go for solid plain colours with one pattern dress and one pattern bottoms

Should say we were travelling march! Hence the need for coats

Also love Asda atm

And presumably going for 7 days not 10 based on how much underwear you think you will need 😂

H&M, Primark and Matalan are good for budget holiday buys.

Could any of these work OP?

Matalan black swimsuit
Matalan black and cream swimsuit
H&M swimsuit
Lovall linen trousers
Primark double strap footbed sandals
New Look white midi dress
Asos ribbed tank dress
Shein floral dress (not sure if this would arrive in time!)

I'd get accessories (beach bag, sunglasses, earrings etc.) from Primark. Good luck!

Ooh funnily enough I went in there yesterday to help my dad find a new dress for my mum and found some bits o quite fancied myself

i had to get a few bits of shopping today so checked out the tu range which has some really nice bits including an ankle length Broderie anglaise skirt in white and lime, I just love long white floaty skirts for summer So I took pictures of everything I like and will have a mull over which bits to get

I really appreciate you all taking time to advise me, Thankyou x

Next have some very simple cotton jersey v-neck tee shirt dresses for £10 - knee length or above depending on how tall you are .

I have PF and these are great for me. Definitely invest in comfortable footwear if you can and save on the clothes

https://archiesfootwear.com/

Came here to recommend the same. I'm 5'9" and they are just above my knee. I bought two last summer and wore them constantly, so stocked up on more this year.

Thanks to the people who recommended Asda for swimwear too. I like their bras, so it would make sense that their swimwear is also good.

OP - if you are happy to take the gamble of auctions closing today, then there would still be time for ebay. Many auctions close on a Sunday, and items could be with you by midweek...check what the listing says. And if you choose a seller with high feedback, say 99.9 or above, then they should be capable of getting things to you quickly. I'd personally avoid Next there as the sizing seems so variable (maybe just my shape!) but buy other things very happily. I've just added a jumpsuit and three dresses to my summer for under £25 including postage.

I was in Next yesterday and they have a big range of lovely swimming costumes and summer dresses and coverups.
You need a couple of swimming costumes, some kind of beach cover-up, which could be a longish cotton shirt that you can wear with other things. I wouldn't bother with jeans, they are no good in the heat, but if you are wearing dresses you will need chub rub shorts, or thin cycling shorts ( Next, H&M, Primark) to wear underneath.
There are lots of wide leg trousers in the shops, so if they suit you get a pair, and a pair of loose floppy shorts if that is something you will wear.
If we had an idea of your age, height and colouring it would help!

Been shopping ! This is what I have so far. The black and cream maxi dress and the cream trousers are old. Orange dress from Klass abd the rest good old Sainsbos

They look great together! Well done on your capsule wardrobe.

That looks fab, @StiffyByngsDogBartholomew. You will be sashaying your way thru summer ☀️

I was in Tescos yesterday and bought two pairs of their linen / viscose mix eleasticated trousers and would recommend them. I tried them on under my dress in store, alongside a couple of other customers and happily made up a very supportive and constructive bunch giving honest appraisals on the look of what we were trying on. If not happy trying on, just always have a tape measure in your bag, as I ignore sizes and go by feel / measurements now. Also Primark had some great lightweight cotton shirts in their swinwear section (very oversized) and having bought two last years and found them great with shorts / over a plain dress (and not just for holiday), I went back hoping for another to add to the collection and they did not disappoint (just washed it and absolutely fine). Your Tu haul looks great by the way.

Definitely pop to Primark.
Shein would have been perfect but delivery might not come in time now
You can get a beach wrap and swimsuits there
Probably a couple of dresses too

Love what you have picked, now to relax and enjoy your holiday

I likecthe look of that white skirt.
some nice things there that you will get your wear out of.

Another brand like fitflops are Oofos, also on Vinted and eBay. If your feet are wider the thong fit flip style are wider than the sliders. Love the new purchases! Have a lovely holiday.

I bought this in colour shown for DD yesterday.

The success of my shopping trip put me in a really cheerful mood which has been unusual recently. I also bought a pillar box red nail varnish as the lovely rimmel gel varnish was on offer. I figured red nails are classic and go with everything plus I've got a lovely bright orange to take with me.

now the next task is

1. shoes. - I'm seeing Sketchers sandals buy one get one half price on deichmsnn (the only shoe shop we have). Any tips ? If I'm not walking around all day on a hard floor like my kitchen the PF goes away as long as I'm wearing something with a reasonable sole. So I thought these look nice https://www.deichmann.com/en-gb/p-m02294636/02294636. I've seen lots of people recommending sketchers fir support
2. Hair booked in on Friday. Ive only had it done once in 5 years so this will be exciting
3. need to get swimming cossies and a yashmak cover up so will have a gander round primark tomorrow
4. Got to get a couple more tops to make up my 5
5. water shoes as there is snorkelling off the resort but it's very rocky. Too fat and unfit to dive at the moment
6. sort Dd14 out as all she has is winter clothes, riding gear and school uniform so like me needs a whole summer wardrobe. I'm going to apply the one light neutral/one dark neutral and two brights for her too, made it so easy. She's chosen beige and olive as her neutrals

this is where we are going https://www.cataloniahotels.com/en/hotel/catalonia-riviera-maya

Well done on your haul . I love your two skirts .

@DelphiniumBlue
im 5'6, highlighted caramelly blonde when its done and apparently i am 48 although how that happened is a mystery to me

My lovely MIL is coming to inspect the purchases in the morning 😀

I am in the same situation looking for advice on what to wear for a week in Italy in September. However my first rule of thumb is that you need to be comfortable and feel like you look nice in the type of clothes that you like. I have read lots of travel blogs on Italy and many people have said that there's no point trying to blend in and look Italian as everyone will know you are not. I personally had this verified (I have lived in France and Spain, and am dark and petite) last summer when I went to Malaga and Valencia and literally nobody spoke to me in Spanish (even though I am fluent) and all the young girls in the shops immediately thought I was English/American/Irish (I'm American). Clothes that worked for me:

one pair light runners + sandals
linen dresses
a couple pairs of shorts and light sleeveless tops
linen button down shirt to wear over a dress or sleeveless top
one or two longer dresses for dinners, walking at night.