What to wear on a sun holiday over 50?!

[pippapipps]

Haven't been on a sun holiday since my twenties so I've no idea what to wear on a week long sun holiday in June.
I'm mid fifties, size 8, very pale..trying all sorts of fake tans lately but omg it's a disaster I can never get it right.. don't want to look orange I just want to look lightly tanned but that's another thread!
Anyway what to wear? My pasty not going right tan is what's bothering me so I don't want to expose too much patchy tan skin!

Although I'm slim everyone seems to think I can strut about wearing what I want but I can't, my body is certainly not great with not a lot of clothes on at my age haha so I'm looking for things that would keep me cool, not expose too much of my patchy tan old skin and possibly look a bit trendy for a mid fifties woman
Any ideas from anyone a similar age very welcome! TIA

It might help to start by thinking about what you’ll be doing on your holiday. For example, are you looking for beach cover-ups, daytime outfits for exploring, something stylish for dinners, or just comfy pieces for lounging by the pool? Knowing the kinds of activities you have planned can help narrow down the best options for staying cool and feeling confident without worrying about patchy tan issues 😋.

Someone linked to this dress on another thread earlier and I thought it was nice for holidays, it’s available in black as well. https://www.boden.com/products/olympia-jersey-maxi-dress-multi-foliage-twirl

personally I like dresses for holidays rather than shorts and a top, think they look smarter.

Oh and tanologist is the best fake tan, apply with their fake tan brush for best results.

This would be nice for a more active day exploring places. https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-striped-midi-shirred-dress/p/clp60725162?_gl=1xjfwh9_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwp8--BhBREiwAj7og1_kIsovnNArf6Jn08h-jm1yDK4kotYdPFen5VR8orteCEWDL_qnSRBoCAzwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bSrVMc5fcI8ldQGEGsLNSckf#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r1c2%7Cprodflag_New%7Cprodflag_plp_ts_CBS_4

If I was going to get shorts I’d get something like these. M&S do nice looking cargo and chino type shorts as well, they don’t suit me…I look like a middle aged Boy Scout in them. https://www.marksandspencer.com/denim-boyfriend-shorts/p/clp60602937#intid=pid_pg2pip48g4r11c3%7Cprodflag_As%20seen%20on%20our%20TV%20ad

Try to remember that millions and millions of women live their entire lives in countries with hot climates - and they don’t spend the second half of their lives wondering how on earth they’re going to show themselves in public because there’s so much wrong with their bodies.

What you buy depends on the environment you’re travelling to - by ‘sun holiday’ do you mean mostly on or near a beach? (And somewhere you’re free to dress as you please rather than cover up?)

Do you want bright colours and flounces, like

Farm Rio

for instance? Or a very restrained neutral toned wardrobe like

James Perse

Both of those looks can be more or less replicated at any price point, from supermarket to upwards. As it’s only a week, I’d be reluctant to buy very many things I wouldn’t expect to be able to wear much at home.

I wear shorts similar to the ones shown, vest tops or t shirts, summer skirts ( knee length).

I'm over 50 and size 16.

OMG - some of those dresses at Farm Rio are bloody lovely. I’m in my mid 60s and I’ve a mind to go for one of those!

You can’t go wrong with a pair of loose cotton trousers either. Places like Tesco and Tu will have similar to these in soon I’m sure. https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-striped-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp22609992#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r10c3%7Cprodflag_New

these are a bit different and I like them

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-floral-elasticated-waist-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60721242#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r12c3

i saw these in store and they look very nice irl

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su381377/ab5865#ab5865

Last year there were quite a lot of co-ord sets around - matching shirts and shorts or wide leg trousers - some brighter than others! Suggest you decide on a colour scheme for a 'capsule' holiday wardrobe so your clothes mix and match - so maybe a co-ord set and then a second pair of shorts, a vest top and T shirt in a co-ordinating colour, plus a couple of dresses, one midi/maxi length and one shorter, and some wide leg trousers for evenings. I prefer a tankini to a bikini or one-piece - but I'm rather larger than you.

I like the dress that @ElbowsUpRising has linked to - but in the black!

@ColdHenrietta i am pretty furious with you for introducing me to Farm Rio. Omg that’s a lovely site.

@ElbowsUpRising I've ordered those Next trousers - currently sitting in their packet awaiting a trying on session!

Only getting time to catch up now Thank you everyone for the replies and the suggestions
@ElbowsUpRising I really like the M&S denim shorts you suggested so I'm going to try them and see how they look

I like the suggestions of wide cotton trousers but I prefer plain rather than patterned I think so I'll be seeking a few of those out

We are staying near the beach but I'm more of a strolling about exploring the place type of person so I'll be wondering off a lot locally.
I'll be looking for a few evening outfits just smart casual wear for going to pubs and restaurants

I like M&S thin cotton beach shirts with Arket linen shorts and an Arket cotton vest top - shirt worn open over the vest. I cut the sleeves shorter on the shirts.

I tired the crazy M&S trousers on today - they are lovely and lightweight but come up huge.

I spend quite a lot of time in Southern France in the summer. I'm in my 60s. I favour simple dresses and linen trousers.

I'm pale but have given up on false tan in favour of tinted spf (I like heliocare) or This Works leg make up just to take the blue off and give a nice even coverage.

Dresses you wear out at home on lovely Summer evenings can be worn out to dinner.
During the day a simple striped dress..l have a few from Boden l purchased over the years....can be popped on over swimsuit heading to the beach or simply wandering around. Need a warm cardigan or denim jacket for evenings. Pick a colour that goes with everything.
I keep my holiday wardrobe to a few colours so everything mixes and matches...My colours are white/ navy /bright pink but if you are pale maybe creams/ khaki might work better. Nice white shorts with a few bright tops are my favourites. We go a few times a year and packing takes me 10 mins as l keep it all together.
And it's not that much different than what l wore in my 30s!!

I’m of similar vintage and size. Personally unless at Disney theme park etc I avoid shorts. Likewise linen trousers that usually loosen to make the petitest butt look enormous! Dresses and skirts often feel cooler in the heat.

Footwear makes a massive difference to how stylish you look and comfortable you feel. I like low wedge espadrilles high enough to flatter but low enough for comfort. Sosander sometimes have them. Not a flip flop fan as hate thong between toes but you want a nice flattish but classy sandal too. Watch where straps are - avoid them cutting across fattest part ankle.

I have numerous all cotton or viscose dresses. H & M often have great stuff and you can occasionally pick up lovely cotton ones at Tu at Sainsbury of all places. Higher end look at Crew clothing, Phase eight, mint velvet, French Connection.

River island is good for wide but tailored cotton trousers. I got some lovely ones last year. They’re worth a look. A lot of their stuff in bigger stores is made in other Commonwealth countries, not China and I’ve had a few 100 per cent cotton items for holidays including nice swimsuit cover ups.

I have some lovely Boden and Seasalt summer dresses but they might not be your style. M&S also usually has some simple linen or linen mix dresses every summer.

One of my favourite items on holiday is a wrap maxi dress from John lewis. It's not see through and when tied it looks like a proper day dress but if I'm wearing a bikini underneath it's easy to wear open or whip off, so it's perfect for cafe/shops/wandering around and then chilling at the pool or beach.

If you're self conscious about being tanned, I'd just get a professional spray tan before you go of you've not found an at home one you like.

I’m late 40s and have definitely changed what I wear now - out with the shorts and in with longish skirts or dresses.

much more comfortable and looks more elegant and stylish now. The white company usually has some good summer clothes. I tend to buy a couple of good quality summer items each year so am building up a lovely wardrobe now that I feel happy in.

You'll be needing a breakfast dress™

😁

Cotton midi dresses, wide or barrel leg trousers with sleeveless tops. Jigsaw, Anthropologie, Whistles, nobody’s child, M&S and surprisingly monsoon/accessorize.

Try Uniqlo for cotton and linen clothing as well as tops with built in bra and summery dresses.