A couple of weeks ago I talked on these pages about my holiday wardrobe woes. My favourite Zara and Monsoon playsuits have been worn to death, my beach bag has seen better days, and my metallic sliders have long lost their sparkle.
So I’ve spent some time doing what I do best. ONLINE SHOPPING.
The Denim Shorts
Top of my holiday wishlist is a pair of denim shorts. My tried-and-tested shape and style is a relaxed fit with a turned up hem: I find that these are the most flattering on my pins. And importantly the most comfortable. I would usually choose a go-with-everything mid blue shade but the pinks, whites and blacks are also catching my eye.
The Floaty Dress
Let’s talk mini, midi and maxi. This shirred strappy midi dress is super flattering on a post-baby tummy and made of a lovely light material, so it’s perfect for balmy summer days. If you’re not brave enough to wear white then Next have a near-identical black version. I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of this black maxi after I ordered it the other day, and I reckon the white mini below would make for an ideal beach cover-up.
The Woven Bag
The high street is AWASH with gorgeous woven bags but I know they’re also an instafave so if you know of any small businesses that we need to know about please pop them in the comments box below. I’m particularly taken by edit58’s personalised market bags, (also check out their Lego baskets … oh so cute), this sparkly River Island one is fun but practical, and the simplicity of this Zara number makes my minimalist heart sing.
The Swimwear
This is the one item that I have already got and am happy with. It’s the Delphine skirted one piece from Joules. It has clever ruching (again, comfy yet flattering) and on-trend polka dots, and I can see myself wearing it summer after summer. (The quality is excellent). And whilst we’re talking polka dots, how gorgeous is the polka print on the & Other Stories bikini in the header? It seems to have sold out online, but the onepiece is equally as covetable.
And what to wear on your feet? Why, a pair of the sliders that Becky raved about on Wednesday.
Have you been doing any holiday shopping recently? If you have any recommendations I’m all ears.
For denim shorts I would totally recommend Fat Face. I searched for years for the ultimate pair and finally found them last summer. Their chino shorts are also lovely with a floaty linen top or crisp white tshirt.
Loving the Joules swimsuit. Anything with a polka dot or stripe is a winner in my book, so double is meant to be! x
Great tip, I will have to pop in to Fat Face. My little brother used to work in there…shame he doesn’t any more as the staff discount might’ve come in handy!
If you’re a fan of the swimsuit you will probably also like the kaftan:
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=1203&awinaffid=195689&clickref=&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnlewis.com%2Fjoules-rosanna-fun-spot-kaftan-multi%2Fp3449068
I tried it on the other day and will probably treat myself to it as the fit and quality were almost as lovely as the swimsuit (but not wearing it over the swimsuit as I think it would be a bit TOO much spots and stripes!)
I’m thinking about braving a bikini after 3 stone weight loss however I’ve got a scar from 2 c sections and a slight over hang. I’m in need of a high waisted bottom half preferably with a tummy smoothing panel and a top half that can encapsulate a 30ff bust! Help!!!!
Loving the one pieces selection here
Have you tried M&S Claire? I got a tankini from there last year for holiday as I wanted high waisted bottoms and a ruched top to cover my post-baby tummy. I only have a small bust though so not sure how the top would suit you. They did have a lot of mix and match options so I think there a few matching bikini tops options too.
Get you Claire! A high waist bikini always looks so chic. I agree with Suzy – M&S are fab for swimwear, and there seems to be loads of gorgeous high waist bottoms on Asos too. This bikini is lovely and the top comes in a DD – G cup:
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=5678&awinaffid=195689&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asos.com%2Flepel%2Flepel-london-tidal-wave-high-waist-bikini-bottom%2Fprd%2F8756190%3FCTAref%3DWe%2520Recommend%2520Carousel_2%26featureref1%3Dwe%2520recommend%2520pers
I’ll have a look at m&s and give ASOS a second chance; I’ve found them a bit hit and miss in the past x
Claire – try Bravissimo, they have a brill selection for bigger busts that are really supportive. Gamechanger honestly! Xx
I get my bras from there (basically walk in and say sort me out!) So I’ll have a look at the swimwear
Claire – I’ve been browsing swimwear a fair amount the last few days, and spotted some lovely Pour Moi bikinis, with high waisted options, and they have a good size range for larger busts. Think they’re available on figleaves and brastop.
Hi Claire, I lost almost 4st and got down to a size 12 with a 34FF chest! I ordered loads from Figleaves from the bra ranges that I like (Freya, Panache) and went to a local lingerie store who really recommended the Panache Anya style. I couldn’t believe how supportive it was even though it was strapless. I also liked wearing it with one strap as a halterneck – normally a nono for me as the weight on my neck is too much but as the band is doing all the support, it’s fine.
Sadly put almsot 2 st back on and although the bikini remarkably still fits, my waist and tummy are not so slim now!
Such a good roundup lisa! I am after an actual pair of denim shorts that aren’t just old jean cut offs and all of these look great! X
Becky I’ve been meaning to turn my old pairs of jeans into shorts… Preferably with a turned up hem! Is it easy? Can you do an RMS how-to post please?! x
For bikinis and swimsuits I’m totally in love with everything Oysho has in stores (and online). I bought two bikinis last year from Oysho and I am tempted to buy one of their black swimsuits with white polka dots… I also have to go to Zara tomorrow to look through all their bags. There is also a black model of the Zara bag from above and I think, I would like to buy it 🙂
I love everything on the oysho website and really want to order some pieces! What are the sizes like? we go on holiday in about 10 days so I don’t have much time to return stuff if it comes up small 🙂
thank you!
Hi Sydnie, I would say that the sizes are “normal”. I didn’t have to size up. As you have free returns, you can just order two different sizes 🙂
Why are you telling me this Mia…I now need the black version too. So much loveliness in the bag dept at Zara at the mo!
And loving the look of EVERYTHING on the Oysho website, how have I never come across this before?! x
I first found the Oysho stores, when I was on a weekend-trip in Barcelona. There are a lot of Oysho stores in Barcelona. I didn’t know them before.
I think over the last year they expanded their online-shop to many other countries and I am happy that they often have free shipping and always free returns.
Great shout Mia, thank you!
I am off on holiday in three weeks and after putting a bit of the 4 st I’d lost back on, some of my lovely size 12 holiday bits are too tight. I now need to get some new shorts and a few bits for our campervan road trip around Andalucia! By the way, if you’d like a submission on how we planned this and how we enjoy it I’d love to. We’re hiring a almost new VW T6 campervan for 8 nights and we’ve never done anything like this before. Slightly scared we will love it and want to blow all our ‘bigger house’ savings
I will definitely check on FatFace on the recommendation above for some denim shorts. The Crew Clothing brochure also looked like it had some good shorts options – I prefer slightly longer for sightseeing and in town in this country.
I also find supermarkets really good. Last year I got two great navy longer length shorts from Asda. Yesterday I bought some soft denim, almost paperbag style top shorts for £14 from Sainsbury’s and a lovely soft feel pink tshirt. I’m going to check out our bigger store nearby to see if they have any more gems. They had an amazing yellow broderie anglais bikini but it wouldn’t be supportive for me. Anyone else really loving bright yellow at the mo?
Bunny I’d be interested to hear about your campervan trip, please do submit!
Love all the Sainsbury’s clothes at the moment so will have to check out their shorts. Did you catch Charlotte’s yellow fashion post last week? x
What a great round-up! And thanks so much for including our Personalised Beach Bag (thrilled you love our ‘Lego’ mini baskets too) x