Holiday capsule wardrobe crisis

[overlysentimental]

Right, I'm sure this has been done to death on these threads but

I am going on holiday. Non-beachy, warm but not roasting for two weeks.

We will be staying with a group of friends so I need to look respectable, but I also don't want to take very much with me as also have to pack for DH and the kids.

I suppose my normal everyday summer clothes will do but they are rubbish (SAHM, just have years worth of mismatching clothes). I am a size 16 so don't really like showing too much arm or (any) thigh.

Please find me some outfits that I can take that won't make me look like a sweaty grotbag, or a list of must haves.

I always over-pack so will watch this thread with interest.
My must-haves are cropped trousers, and I try to take at least one pair in a light cotton which will rinse through and dry over-night. I've also got a couple of sheer kaftans which I wear over vest tops, they cover arms and can look quite glam if eating out (got mine from TKMaxx).
What have you got already that you would be happy to take, to see if we can't help you add a few bits to make outfits?
I've struggled to find any nice t-shirts which aren't completely plain and suitable for the "older woman", but you can glam up plain t-shirts with jewellery.

Or, if you're not going somewhere hot, there's loads of cropped cardis around with long or short sleeves - have a long fitted t-shirt underneath and cropped trousers and you're off! Plus ballets/sandals/heels as needed.

I have 2 pairs of linen trousers which I like but are a bit frumpy if I just wear them with a T shirt.

I have one pair of cropped trousers that I've had for years so could probably sustain another pair!

To be honest, it's all rubbish. I have nice things but none of the them go together.

I would dearly love to be able to throw it all away and start again

What colour are the linen trousers? How about getting some lovely tunic tops to glam them up? Wallis are good I like this, this and this shirt looks like it would give you a great shape. I also LOVE this sold out online in your size but might be lucky instore?

Also unless you are very short a maxi dress would be a flattering evening choice, maybe this or a plain black wear a denim jacket or cropped cardi to cover up.

What else have you got that you like but have nothing to wear with??

And please, please don't say anything here is too "dressy" there is nothing here I would not be happy to wear as everyday clothes!! You would look gorgeous - and it's for a holiday after all!

Holiday capsule wardrobe:

One maxi dress

One cropped cardi with sleeves, at least 1/2 or 3/4 length in a neutral colour.

one floaty cardi that goes with everything else so probably neutral for this too and keep the colour in the tops and the dress.

2 pairs trousers one in light neutral, one in dark neutral colours, maybe 1 pair of linen trousers and 1 of cropped.

3 tunic tops that go with the cropped cardi and both pairs of trousers, but are very different from each other and are in gorgeous colours - one plain, two patterned maybe. I liked all the ones just beachy showed.

you could also try this which would look lovely on a curvy figure or this

then maybe some wedge sandalsand some jewelled flats as both can be worn day and night, as well as some new canvas or fitflops for everyday walking around.

do you have a budget? If you are SAHM and haven't had anything new for ages, I reckon you could get most of these for £150 - £200 total if you shop around, and that would keep you going for a while.

Ooh, thank you. those look lovely.

Now, can i ask, my linen trousers are fairly wide legged and I was under the impression that a tunic top on someone of my size would make me look like a 1980s drama teacher

Would they be OK if they were fairly close fitting?

the same goes for maxi dresses, someone told me they were illegal if you are bigger than a 12.

As you can see, I have size issues!

LOL. Yes, go for more fitted things. You won't look like a drama teacher in the black and white one beachy suggested or the butterfly Next top.

Go and spend some money on yourself and have a lovely holiday!