Where are we buying nice holiday clothes?

[Babs0205]

I'm early 40's, short in height and a size 16.

Off on holiday in a few weeks and need to pick up some new bits - at least one pair of shorts, beach cover up, couple of dresses or nicer tops for night etc. I don't want to be spending hundreds of pounds - say £20 max for a new top, £40 max for a dress

We only have Next and M&S in my local town, and the selection is rubbish. M&S i always seem to struggle with sizing too. We have supermarkets but again not a great selection.

I've bought several bits from Vinted but find that out of every three or four things I buy, only one is suitable, so just end up putting it back up for sale!

Has anyone seen any nice holiday clothes? Where from? Any suggestions welcome!

I agree about M&S, I poked around yesterday and the fabrics were awful. Hot, sweaty polyester.

I found plenty of cotton and linen in Uniqlo instead. And a gorgeous cotton cap sleeve tshirt in Reiss. (Bit pricey for a tshirt but the cut is really flattering.)

You can get well-fitting clothes with this budget from vinted.

Know what types of cuts fit you, measure yourself with a soft tape and then ask sellers for flat measurements (they are often already in many listings)

I don’t buy anything online without knowing the dimensions of the clothes, many shops provide them anyway.

Can you get to a TK Maxx? I quite randomly went in one a couple of weeks ago when I was away from home and I was gobsmacked at how much nice new stuff they'd just got in, loads of linen trousers and linen or cotton nice loose shirts etc. I hardly ever buy new clothes now but I bought a lovely pair of linen trousers for £25 without even spending ages looking. Definitely worth considering a visit if you can get to one.

Have a look at Tu; I ordered a number of linen dresses and cover ups expecting to send a number of them back but actually really liked them all so kept the lot! 😊

Have you tried NeXT’s website? Much more online and usually it’s free next day delivery to store and free returns in store.

I’m similar to you and found quite a few pairs of shorts and some dresses/cover ups on there

Thank you! I would never have thought of looking at TU for linen. They have some really beautiful dresses for under £30!

Whilst Primark can be a bit hit and miss quality wise, I've picked up some really lovely holiday bits from there recently, including maxi dresses, beach cover ups and a few evening dresses

They've also introduced what I'd call a more premium range, I think it's called The Primark Edit. My mum, who's in her 60s, found a really lovely matching top and shorts set from that collection. It was a refreshing change from some of the loud prints and graphic heavy pieces they've stocked in previous years

OP what shape and colouring are you?

I always go to Primark for tee shirts. They do the best fitted tees ever, with enough lycra to hold their shape. Never wash out baggy or with twisted seams, and keep their colour. They are usually under a fiver too. I've had way worse tees for seven times that price. And before people pile on to say they are cheap due to exploitation, sadly the entire high street fashion industry is exploitative. Primark just doesn't also exploit its shoppers.

OP, Zara is also a good bet for interesting tops. They can be over the budget you suggest, but come down in the sales.

I'm olive skinned, tan easily, brunette but with blonde highlights.
I've got big boobs which unfortunately rules out lots of nice maxi dresses, especially the flowy ones, as they just end up making me look even bigger or don't accommodate a decent bra. I'm carrying extra weight around my tummy at the moment - thanks to menopause.

Thank you everyone.
TK Maxx - we do have one locally, but I never seem to consider it for clothes. I love the homeware and beauty but never think about the clothes so I'll have a look.

Primark - we have one near work so I'll have a look, I've done a couple of click and collect orders which have worked out well. I find their sizing has improved recently.

Good shout about TU and Next online too. When I popped into the Next store I found it all very drab, or almost too try hard. Then I spotted that they had Capri pants back, and I was out! They can stay in the 90's for me!

I have heard good things about the Reiss t-shirts. I agree they are more expensive, but worth the investment I believe.

I never thought to ask for measurements on Vinted. I know my measurements, as I use these when buying online from other stores, but didn't think to ask on Vinted!

Got some good bits from George and Matalan too.
Matalan was good for swimsuits at a reasonable price.

New Look is really good at the moment, and reasonably priced.

I’ve recently bought a few nice pairs of shorts from TU, all no more than £15. If you have an Argos near you, you could do a click and collect?

Bizarrely enough I have got some of my favourite items from Papaya - Matalan's fashion range, as well as Apricot who do stuff that is a bit different from the rest of the high street. I have two beautiful print wrap skirts from there that will last me forever.

You and click and collect re
Primark btw.

And I’ve just seen that someone has said this. Sorry!

If you're ordering online, they are VERY roomy.

I'm a tall booby 12-14, normally a M or L in tops and had to go with the S.

It really is lovely though, a more stylish and edgy cut than your average tshirt.

www.reiss.com/style/sv060877/v73594?utm_content=search&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_search_type=brand&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=11406496471&gbraid=0AAAAADy9EnpR_Djffykc0Nis31g_PeQD0&gclid=Cj0KCQjwi8nRBhDhARIsAHZf_pYtCG6ERJhWmKYf9RX072o2kqwZ_MHri3M6HERYDwOx7hCRwToFsEoaAjdEEALw_wcB

Tesco! Surprised me this year got some lovely linen blend trousers, loved them so much went back for another pair. Lots of other linen blend pieces. They also had a nice white ruched top.

Marks and Spencer got a nice black sun dress, but kinda agree M&S wasn’t as good as I was expecting this year.

Matalan, but even their ‘short’ trousers are a bit long for me at 5’3”

Some of my bits that get the most compliments is from nutmeg at Morrisons which I always find surprising.

I came on to say New Look. Was in one yesterday and always impressed by the quality for the price. They had decent dresses that may suit.

Reiss T shirts last and are worth the money. Have you tried Fat Face? I know the prints can be gah but the quality is good for the price