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

I quite like the look of this - https://www.fatface.com/style/su445042/ad9356#ad9356
Could wear over swimwear or with sandals and bangles for the evening.

I'm mid 60s and have a "go to" set of stuff for warm holidays. I wear what I feel good and more importantly comfortable in and to heck with the latest trend. Many hot climate clothes are classics anyway and haven't changed much overall, in many years.

I stick to navy, tan, sand colours and mix with silver grey, cream and white colours.

I prefer loose elastic waisted very light cotton trousers, the length I use is above the ankle but not mid calf, so short but not like the old pedal pusher length! Wide leg mostly but I have some very good kind of stretchy narrow ankle grazers that are great for travelling in. Loose tops and very light overshirts.

A couple of long dresses in block colours of burgundy, navy/jewel green/earthy colours. No sleeves but I wear them at night mostly and add a sheer "shrug" with a tie at the waist in a contrasting colour.

I don't do beaches. I flipping HATE sand so I just use a strappy sundress or two with shirred bust in very light material for relaxing on the terrace. I don't do bikinis or swimsuits either. Hate pools and the sea, but I like the sun and brightness of the Med.

I get most of my holiday stuff in M+S and Next, occasionally Primark. I'd never spend a lot on holiday stuff, but what I have has lasted a few years now.

I'm a 12-14 depending on how many pies I've eaten....

I Never wear shorts. I hate them on me. So as you can see, I suit myself and don't follow trends much!

How much over 50 are you??? You'll be on holiday - wear what makes you happy. (I'm no help at all, sorry)

We come on hot holidays two or three times a year (currently in Barbados). I have a mix of more expensive and cheaper pieces (I’m in my 60’s). My absolute favourites are dresses by One Season Australia - there are stockists in the Uk. They really are amazing dresses that you will look as good in on a beach as in a nice restaurant or sightseeing. Aspiga is also worth a look. Some of Monsoon’s things are okay but they’re expensive now for the quality.
I also like Jigsaw, some Next (rarely)and M and S. Occasionally Adini have some nice things too. I always look out for linen palazzo pants and tops. Part Two and Fransa have some nice things. Please report back and tell us what you buy. I may have missed this, but where are you going?

Thank you all again I'm loving hearing what you all wear it's very helpful
@valderan I love your views it sounds like you have a great wardrobe

I've been looking at M&S linen trousers in plain colours and have added a couple of those to my basket with a few plain t shirts and vest tops ( I'd wear all of these at home so that's a bonus!)
I'm liking the suggestions of sun dresses and midi dresses so I'm going to see what I can find online ..I'm only bringing a carry on case and a bag so I can't overpack as I'll have to get at least two pairs of sandals in the case as well..

@letshavetea Enjoy Barbados lucky you! I'm going to Benalmadena ....my holidays are usually city holidays so I'm not used to beach holidays hence I was a bit clueless what to wear!
My last beach holiday was in my twenties when I wouldn't have given it a thought!

@pippapipps Benalmadena is great, you will love the walks around the marina and along the Paseo Maritimo etc. It's a very nice spot.

I came back to say forget about bringing two pairs of sandals or extra shoes etc. You will go mad for the shoes in the markets/shops in that area, so leave some room to bring stuff back! You will find fab cover ups, dresses and so on. It's good fun to mooch around the weekly market (there will be a certain day for your spot). Most of it is sunshine and sand geared, but you can get some lovely inexpensive items that you wouldn't see back home. Look out for Moroccan leather bags and light floaty dresses.

So leave some room in your case! I wear the same things again and again - a quick wash in the sink and they are dry in an hour on the back of a chair on the terrace. No one cares what you wear, believe me everyone is far too busy looking at themselves to bother!

Enjoy yourself.

I’m early 50s, don’t have the greatest legs and for many years worried more about covering up bits than choosing clothes I liked.

Ovet the last couple of years I’ve thrown that attitude out of the window, and treated myself to a whole new holiday wardrobe. So last year I wore high rise denim shorts that were a bit wider on the leg opening (so not thigh hugging) from Mango and some loose fitting seersucker type shorts from Albaray. Depending on what I was doing I wore with T-shirts (I got some nice ones from hush) or a print short sleeved shirt worn open over a vest and sandals. (If you google women’s resort shirt, you’ll see what I mean). For sandals I have a mix of tevas (for more outdoorsy proper walking) and air & grace. I’ve got a selection of long lightweight dresses for evening, going out for lunch etc. This year I’m going to try and find some tailored wide leg lightweight cropped trousers maybe because I’m doing a bit of city breaking.

fake tan - I am rubbish at it, but find tan luxe gradual tan very easy to whack on to give myself a bit of colour without orange streaks. And if I’m wearing shorts I put on some erborian body cc cream - it’s great at smoothing over blemishes etc., a bit of a tinted moisturiser for the legs (not if going in sea or pool though, it’s wash off).

@pippapipps it is fab here in Barbados. I know what you mean about beach holiday as I only started to go on them again relatively recently because after the kids grew up and left home with did loads of touring or city holidays. Then we started going back to Greece and discovered Barbados on a Caribbean cruise. Now I’m hooked! I think you’ll love Benaldmena. I love Malaga (no idea if it’s similar though). Clothes in Spain are lovely.

Early 50’s here and a size 10. I do think linen trousers are terribly aging acne it sounds like you are nice and slim. My go to is a few strapped dresses and a mix of shirts - usually one in a bright, a denim that can be worn over them and over swimming costumes.
I usually buy simple dresses from H&M and a black one can be dressed up or down etc https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1229068001.html

Wafty Cotton dresses, Birkenstocks, linen trousers, cotton tops, beautiful swimsuits, beach tunic type things, big hat, sunnies , factor 50!

You are overthinking this. Wear what you are comfortable in, in colours you like. Cotton is best as a bit cooler. Have a lovely holiday

If you’re pale I’d avoid a spray tan. I kept trying for years and it would always always be the same. Too brown / orange for two days then back to white. Not worth shelling out cash or standing in paper pants for!!!

If it’s your legs that worry you, I often put my facial Boots 17 perfect and protect intense BB sun protection in fair on my legs. Gives them slight tint and covers the imperfections very well.

I generally go second hand for holiday clothes so can afford nicer brands, but have bought from George, Tu, F&F , and M and S for new. Reason being. Sea. Suncream ice cream, things get ruined bright patterns I prefer to disguise the evidence

Marking place here- some of those trousers are lovely.

OP I hear you, but hopefully you will relax on holiday without worrying too much about your clothes.
I have this fear every time I go on holiday, but it usually evaporates as soon as I arrive.
We usually don't see many other "normal" women in skimpy clothes in the UK, our markers are skewed by images of young models heavily airbrushed.
It is always a welcome reality check to see other women at the hotel pool or beach, all shapes, all sizes, all ages.
I am particularly impressed by groups of older local women who gather for swims at weekends and chats. I have seen this a lot in Greece and other med countries. These women will chat while standing in the shallows, usually wear a simple black one piece, but obviously don't give a shiny shit about judgement of strangers, proudly owning their bodies, with the soft curves and proud bellies of middle age, stretch marks of motherhood. Absolutely inspiring.

I think the best thing to wear is a head held high. I know I am not there myself totally-but something I strive towards.

Forget about fake tan and get some Vita Liberata Body blur. It's fantastic. It's waterproof body make up and easy to apply with a tanning mitt. Your legs look naturally tanned and streak free in a few minutes. Don't be tempted to buy the cheaper Sally Hansen, it's nowhere near as good.

Clothes wise I wear wide trousers or denim shorts with vest tops, mini shift dresses or maxi dresses

I use these drops mixed into my normal moisturiser for a couple of weeks before going away. It’s practically idiot proof and very subtle.
www.boots.com/isle-of-paradise-self-tanning-body-drops-medium-75ml-10322961

What do you wear in the summer here? Wear that!

It's really not as simple as that though. I've got a few dresses that do double duty as hot British summer wear and holiday wear, but surprisingly few of my dresses would work in 35 degrees. For that I need cotton so light it's almost see through, and I wouldn't wear that to waft around Sainsbury's. I would also only very rarely wear shorts in Britain, especially in town, but I'm happy to abroad, so long as I've got my trusted long cotton shirts to wear over them.

Similar dilemma here! I lived in the US for a few years where it got really hot in summer, so I managed to nail it down

I avoid 100% linen (I'm of a size where to quote my late mum 'you look like a burst sofa..') as I find it loses its structure so doesn't look great. I also avoid a lot of summer stuff you find in next etc that's aimed at 'women of a certain age'. I shop at next etc a lot and am nearing 50, but there's a subset of summer clothes that I find makes me look really frumpy, I think its a combo of the style, pattern / colour and material.

I found living overseas that the key was not to go skimpy - i.e. if you wore shorts, wear a t-shirt with cap / regular sleeves instead of strappy top, if it was a skirt / trousers go the other way round

My holiday staples (depending where we go) these days are usually a couple of pairs of decent shorts usually denim paired with some good quality t-shirts. I've also found a couple of nice skorts which seem to do the trick of hiding my awful top of legs and looking a bit more dressed up if we're heading sightseeing etc - I got mine from Uniqlo they were a linen cotton mix. I usually pack a pair of lightweight floaty trousers and pair with a nice top and a couple of summer dresses. I'm into patterns so buy dresses and tops from Emily & Fin and bought a couple of decent tshirt dresses in plain colours from H&M

For swimming stuff, I've found M&S shape wear costumes really reliable, buy now as they start to sell out really fast! I also use pool coverups, and bought a couple of cheap cotton throw on ones from Primark, mostly as I burn really easily. I usually have a couple of decent pair of sandals that are multipurpose - I buy mine from Fly London or Rieker (curse of the wide feet..)

When I last went somewhere hot (pre covid) I got quite a few cotton dresses from Amazon cheap as anything and surprisingly nice.

They are utterly joyful aren’t they. I’m meant to be on a no/low buy 2025 which is very hard now!

I like charity shop men's shirts as pool cover ups too - ones that have been washed so much that they've gone soft. I cut the arms off to make short sleeves.

And it doesn't matter so much if they get marked by suncream.

I'm over 50. I love Wrap of London summer clothes and looked in the brochure for inspiration first for last summer's holiday.
And then promptly copied the look from other shops. Primark did some lovely lightweight cotton kaftans last summer. Wonderful over tan shorts & costumes. H&M had surprisingly nice swimwear & some good dresses. M&S have some lovely things this year. I find muslin/cheesecloth really useful on holiday as it can be rolled up & don't need ironing. Muslin shirts are a really good cover up over swimwear or over a vest top. Or they can be knotted over a skirt. M&S have a gorgeous indigo muslin skirt that seems to be selling quickly at the moment. It's very similar to the Me & Em one in style.
It might be useful to follow some Instagramers who put holiday capsule wardrobes together.
I find Melissa Murrell & Invest In Style accounts some of the most useful for practical advice.