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

Sigh. Wasn't planning on buying anything but appear to have ordered a pair of the wide legged trousers given I have at least three tops that will go with them.

You have tons of ideas and seem all set now. I just wear loose cotton clothes and comfortable shoes. After too many trips overpacking, I now keep to the one suitcase and a couple of totes.
Don't forget a hat, sunblock, and pain killers. Enjoy!

Warning…

Do not use a foot a foot peel one week before you go away.

🦶

🤣🤣🤣🏖️

This will happen…

I do have quite a few clothes for hot, hot days, but it's quite nice to buy some new things for a summer holiday.
I am unlikely to wear long, flowing dresses at home because I'm doing stuff, whereas on holiday I'm not running up and down the stairs cleaning the bathroom, or putting the groceries away. Also, I tend not to want clothes to pop over a swimsuit/bikini at home, whereas on holiday we might be spending the day at the beach and then want to go for lunch on the sea front, where it's fine to slip something over your swimwear.

As a fellow pale person I have found that the Dove gradual tanner, which you use everyday in place of body lotion , is much better. I'd put a bit of normal body lotion on your knees/elbows/ankles before applying and put it on quite liberally. I usually use it for about 3 or 4 days then have a day off to prevent it building up too much. It gives a nice golden glow that looks natural.

https://www.johnlewis.com/hush-grace-midi-dress/p110634934

I wore this, very cool and flattering.

Most people would agree with you @rosemarble but there’s always at least one person comes on these threads and says ‘wear what you like’.

SW France here... ime most "summer" things for sale in the UK use fabrics that are just too thick. For example, I can't wear any of my gorgeous Fatface and White Stuff summer clothes that I used to live in in the UK except in winter.

Go to a market on any given day in your destination and you will find stuff that is on-trend and right for the climate.

We go to Spain a lot, I find the weather is so hot and humid day and night in the summer that I cant stand long legged trousers even if they are linen. I like loose strappy dresses made of cotton or linen, I've lost a lot of weight in the last few years and now can wear shorts but I like loose legged ones, not denim.

Sorry - reviving thread as, just like OP, I am summer holidaying fancy-style after decades of family trips. I am thinnish, but dumpy and lumpy and mega pale too. In fact when I was young in Italy I was actually accosted on the beach by some people who prodded me and wanted to examine my white skin. I was mortified as clearly I wasn’t blending in with chic Mediterraneans!

Anyway, glad to see the usual “why bother” posters, or the “I’m so cool I wear a ripped old sheet” crowd. And as for the “wear what you wear at home” - yep. I’ll do that. And also hot weather clothes here are not very chic . One really needs buffet outfits.

Thanks for all the ideas: am busy seeing what’s left in stock!

Just wanted to add- I was in Matalan today and they have a lovely linen/linen type section, I bought a dress. a few tops, couple of t shirts, 4 pairs of trousers. I'm not sure if they are real linen, although some are, but good feel soft light cotton, generous fit - I am happy with my haul!

Colours are lovely too, light, natural, and a lot of mixy matchy to produce a variety of outfits.

I’ll check them out!

Haha it's hard to know what to wear isn't it!!

I've bought two pairs of linen trousers, vest tops, a puff sleeve top with a little bit of back on show..daring for me!!
Only one pair of shorts so far that come mid way down the thigh i didn't want to go too short?
Got a light cream/beige linen midi dress, a very light denim long floaty dress for the evening that comes with a lovely woven belt so ok for evening wear I think?
Got quite a few t shirts from M&S..Still on the lookout for a few other items..shorts etc?

My go to , linen trousers or longer linen skirts
with big white shirts, a cami under so can be slipped on and off
also longer dresses in cotton or linen,
with huge cotton scarf for arm protection when roasting
keep it elegant

Oh yes, a big scarf a good idea to hide my arms…

I'm mid 40s. For summer holidays I think it is good to balance the two halves as it were - so mid thigh shorts with a boxy crew neck t shirt or floaty blouse, or a fitted vest with midi or maxi skirt or wide leg trousers.

Invest in good quality t shirts and vests. Keep them in easy to co ordinate neutral colours - white, navy, black etc..

Good foundation underwear - uniqlo airism pants and camis are great for hot climates.

My essentials are a good broken in pair of Birkenstock madrids, a large Indian cotton scarf (good as a head scarf, wrap and beach cover up), a straw hat, ots of factor 30, a decent swimming costume I feel comfortable in.

I don't bother with fake tan, it never looks good. But then I am a pale oilve skinned brunette who tans fairly well.

Where are people finding nice cotton scarves?

Not helpful really but I got my favourite one in the South Bank Centre shop about 10 years ago. It is a large (large enough to wear as a sarong) cotton print one from India. No real idea why they were selling it - perhaps part of an exhibition on Indian prints or crafts?