Capsule wardrobe for holidays?

[Goatblu]

I have far too many clothes. However, I'm currently losing weight and getting fitter so a lot of them are way too big on me.

I'm fine at home with jeans and a t-shirt/jumper but I really struggled to feel put together recently whilst on holiday.

I've gone from a size 20 to a size 16 and I think by my next week away at the beginning of March I'll be around a 14. I probably won't get much smaller than that.

I'm thinking of putting together a capsule wardrobe for holidays but I don't know where to start.

Any advice please on essentials I can mix and match for warm weather holidays?

White floaty cotton skirt
Maxi dress
White or light blue shirt (that you can wear open)
White & coloured T shirts/cami tops/tank tops
Cotton or denim shorts
Cream, navy or black linen trousers
A more dressy dress

Sounds great @Comefromaway, thank you. I'll start looking.

If you find the white floaty skirt let me know. I had a lovely one I bought in Tenerife 12 years ago and it finally died last year & I've been looking for another! I did see one in Harvey Nichols but it was £££££. All Saints had the perfect one except it was viscose and I wanted cotton for summer.

I do have one from Gap that fits me at the moment but it's more casual/beach wear (unless I wear a slip underneath).

Does anyone else have any suggestions for warm weather capsule wardrobe essentials?

A maxi dress in black or white or a block colour that suits you, that you can dress up or down.
A floaty dress that you can wear as a pool cover up or dress up for the evenings.
A couple of pairs of loose fitting comfy shorts that you can wear with cotton t shirts or vests for sightseeing

I lost weight last year too & had to find a new summer wardrobe.
I bought or had already.

Loose muslin or linen shirts as cover ups or tied at waist.

Beige cotton shorts from H&M.

White vest tops.

Cotton kimonos from Primark in tie dye.

Cotton knit waistcoats from M&S.

Crochet skirt set in cotton from Primark.

Swimwear from H&M.

Cotton/linen midi dresses in white/black/blue.

Beige/black linen trousers.

They were all pretty much bought from M&S/ H&M or Primark. As those are some of the few shops available in my town. Sometimes Tk Maxx have great cover ups or BrandAlley/Secret sales are worth a look for more luxurious brands.

I think it depends on what you feel comfortable wearing and work from there.

For instance I dislike shorts personally, on me not others! I have good enough legs but for some reason shorts just don't do it for me, so I avoid! It's cropped loose trousers all the way for me in a very light material, can't think what it's called but it's like a cotton voile. Flesh coloured knickers required lol! I also avoid chub rub that way too!

Cover ups are essential pieces of kit. Take your pick.

Light dresses or the above loose shortish/cropped trousers at night with a nice top.

So for me it's cover up, swimsuit, nice loose tops/dresses/trousers for evening, sleeveless/string t shirts/loose shirt for day.

I've learned over the years that despite a 20kg suitcase full of stuff I THINK looks lovely and will be great on hols, that I wear the same things all the time, I just mix and match them. So I can do a 10kg carry on now no problem. I find block colours work better than patterns. Mostly cream, beige, navy, add big old gold costume jewellery a big hat and good sunnies and good to go.

Also bear in mind that if there are any local markets where you are going, you can pick up some lovely Summery stuff that's just made for the heat and sun.

Great suggestions so far, some of which I'm going to steal! I would agree with dresses, I'm a 14-16, and I like tunic dresses, so flattering and cool. I also have wide cropped trousers from H&M in a few colours, very inexpensive - about £12.99 I think, that I wear with t-shirt or vest tops. And Birkenstock type sandals. I have linen shorts x 2 in black and terracotta, and gold sandals for evenings too. I always take lots of jewellery to add a bit of glamour for evenings but I steer clear of metal types as I find I get too hot, that may just be me though!

All very helpful suggestions, thank you.

Linen trousers I've probably already got but I definitely need a couple of pairs of shorts as mine are too big now.

I've already got a few maxi or midi dresses but because they were floaty anyway, I might need to get smaller ones.

A cover up sounds like a necessity too. Thank you.

I recently stopped doing hold baggage for holidays unless long haul so I put together a capsule wardrobe, I am a size 16
black linen trousers
Black linen shell top
Black linen shorts
Red linen shorts
Patterned short culottes
Red vest top
Black vest top
White vest top
Long black basic dress
Blow knee patterned skirt
Patterned vest
Black cardi
Black lightweight yoga pants
Red swimming costume
Black shorts style bikini bottoms
Patterned Tankini top
Patterned scarf (wear as a headband mostly)
Long white shirt
I have silver birkies, black sporty sandals that are still nice enough to wear with dresses etc, white Sketchers tennis shoes.
I usually wear the yoga pants and cardi to fly in
It all goes in a Ryan air overhead carry on and has taken me all over the place, including Italy where I did feel we should up our game somewhat!
The key I think is colour, all of the above is black, white or red so I can mix and match really well.

I went away with a capsule wardrobe last year and it was all black, white, nude/beige with a bit of red and a bit of animal print. I only had tan leather flat sandals, nude flip flops, straw type beach bag and straw type handbag. Black or red bikinis with coverups in black or white. Black or white shorts with vests in black, white and nude. Dresses for evening in black, white, red or animal print.

I then went on another trip to the Caribbean and I took loads of bright colours and it was much harder to manage.

Op I follow Invest in style on Instagram/Ltk and she did some great capsule wardrobe ideas last summer. Obviously many of the items won't be available now but similar will be coming in soon.

I'm going the other way and will be in the market for your larger clothes. Happy to receive a Vinted link 😬
The capsule stuff suggested so far sounds great !

Am a 18/20 and I got linen shorts last year and lived in them all summer - from Next. Got black and olive green. They were good as had a bit of elastication in the back, and come to the knee so not too short. Mainly worn with a cap sleeve t shirt or vest (also Next). Also got linen trousers (but had to take them up as too long!). Also got a few nice sun dresses from M & S for £20 - £30 each. I tend to wear a dress for evening, then maybe wear again on a daytime.
Most things I took on holiday were plain colours that could mix easily - grey/navy/olive/black/white.

Shorts were similar to these..

www.next.co.uk/style/su382002/e61281

@Hoppinggreen what would you say your basic dress is like and what body shape are you? I think you're my new hero

Well I am not so sure about that but Thank You
I suppose I would say I am quietly elegant but with a quirky side and not afraid of flashing a bit of (surprisingly good for my age) cleavage. I also like a splash of colour. I am an hourglass and not very tall

OMG you asked what my basic DRESS was like not basic dress style!!
How Narcy am I? Sorry.
The basic dress is a long ribbed vest to my ankles, fitted but not too clingy.
Muppet 😬

I’m in the same boat as you - I’ve gone from a size 20 to a 16-18 and need a holiday capsule wardrobe for my honeymoon! It’ll involve multiple stops so I need to pack light and I normally hate everything 😂

The two useful bits of advice I’ve seen repeatedly online are pick things that can be worn different ways (eg dressed up or down, a top that goes with lots of bottoms, etc) and take photos of combinations before you pack to check you like them and make it easier to pair clothes whilst away.

I find it really useful to list outfits on the Whering app. I have a holiday lookbook, so i can remember from last year how the individual items look together.
Also basic neutrals like white/ cream/ beige/ tan & a simple pair of trousers/shorts/ skirts that you can wear with multiple other combinations are very useful. Melissa Murrell on YouTube has loads of packing tips & advice on buying holiday clothes for different body shapes.

I've never used Vinted but maybe I should give it a go - especially as quite a lot of clothes were bought last year so have hardly been worn (if at all).

I'm loving the ideas. I think I'll be going with black, white and blue as I already have some bits that will fit into this pallet. May a neutral-y beige too as that would work with the black and possibly the white?

I'll have a look at the app you mentioned @Cantonet.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage @rrrrrreatt and I'm sure you'll look fabulous on your honeymoon!!

A lightweight cashmere poncho - look at Woolovers button ponchos. A poncho, a wrap, a scarf, a blanket for your knees - light, warm and fold up very small. Great for evenings and on flights and look glam. They are brilliant.

And a very thin kaftan style tunic that can double as an evening top, or a floaty cover up over a swimming costume.