Holiday wardrobe help after breast cancer

[dibly]

Hoping for some help, I got diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram in March, had two lumpectomy surgeries and start a 5 day course of radiotherapy this week. I know I’ve been lucky in cancer terms, but my self confidence is on the floor right now.

In 3 weeks we’re going on a long awaited holiday to Mallorca with DD and friends to see the eclipse, and I’m really struggling with what to wear. I’ve been advised to use factor 50 and keep covered up after radiotherapy, so rash vests for swimming, high neck tops, nothing strappy, ideally loose and oversized in natural fibres. My signature holiday wardrobe is strappy maxi dresses from places like cos.

I’m 53, 5 foot 8, size 10 ish, best feature is my shoulders, don’t like my legs, with a fairly limited budget, and I know it sounds shallow but I need to feel nice. Friends have suggested linen shirts and trousers but it’s just not my look - can anyone suggest or link any ideas please 🙏?

First of all I recommend la Roche posay factor 50 sun lotion as it’s really comfortable on the skin.
I've been wearing high necked sleeveless T shirts and tops and a skirt/shorts.
pic attached

Another recommendation is Staysure travel insurance.

Land’s End have good rash vests probably on sale atm. I wondered about dresses that are sleeveless but go up to the neck + lightweight cardigan. As example, https://www.boden.com/products/women-asymetric-ponte-midi-dress-black-d1766blk
Or
https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/red-crew-neck-sleeveless-tiered-midi-dress/G008345383,default,pd.html?redirectFromInt=1&srsltid=AfmBOorCRIbikdj8oEOw-SJJAfG4VCoXrxnkhnjKpVvXWg0kCsejstglJfY

and this type of thing cardigan-wise
https://amzn.eu/d/0hlJ7qM7

Rash vest from Roxy

Maxi dresses that aren’t strappy?

Don’t most people wear shorts and t shirts on holiday?

Thanks @LemonDrizzle10 and @Folicky love that t shirt. I’ve stocked up on rash vests and will look into la Roche spf.

Coral, I don’t wear shorts - don’t like my legs.

Enjoy the trip @dibly
There's a lot of sleeveless tops in Next that are nice.

I think PP ideas re bolero cover ups to pair with your existing wardrobe of strappy maxi dresses is a good shout.

Then slightly adapting your usual style by opting for dresses with more coverage on top half should hopefully mean you feel in your comfort zone?

You have been through a lot, be kind to yourself. I am sure you will look great.

Cos do some really nice shirt dresses, full coverage but light for warm weather (although I have to belt them or I look like an edwardian child in a night dress)

You could also maybe get a one hundred stars kimono or duster to throw over sleeveless dresses

https://www.asos.com/yas/yas-maxi-shirt-dress-in-bold-stripe-black/prd/202815699 - or something like this as a cheaper alternative

Or.. t-shirt dresses?

Mango t-shirt dress with twist detail in beige | ASOS https://share.google/GsrWa40iG09HeNvPA

This is one example but there are loads about

Hey lovely, I had similar treatment to you and radiotherapy for 2 weeks right before my trip to Mexico this March. I still wore my bikinis/swimsuits but with kimono style cover ups and sat in the shade. I used factor 50 (banana boat brand) and didn’t burn once.
You could try co-ords with maxi skirts. I wore my strappy maxi dresses in the evenings x

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. @Tennisbiatch thats really helpful thanks- I flipping love a strappy dress but maxi co ords could work.