I always enjoy planning my holiday wardrobe and this year is no exception. I’m going on a beach holiday and staying half-board in hotel in Nerja, Southern Spain at the end of July, where it’s going to be hot, hot, hot!
While I never knowingly underpack, I have learned that taking outfits is the best way of ensuring that I pack enough clothes but also that everything gets worn. By that, I mean laying things out with shoes and accessories to ensure that I have the right tops to go with bottoms and so on. With that being said, it’s really quite rare that I take separates. I much prefer dresses because they are easier to accessorise and are often more comfortable than skirts and trousers in hot weather, (and when there’s a delicious buffet), because of the absence of a waistband.
For the beach and pool, I’ll take two or three bikinis, (alternating each day to minimise strap lines) plus a one-piece swimsuit, for “playing” in the sea. I have teenagers and I know we’ll end up with a huge inflatable ring, clambering in and out of which is an open invitation for a wardrobe malfunction. A one-piece works best for most types of activity actually, including watersports, waterparks, beach volley-ball and so on).
A selection of cover-ups is essential for protecting the skin when the sun is at its hottest. I like mine to multi-task so choose kaftans and dresses rather than sarongs and I wear them to breakfast and lunch over my swimwear. This Kaleidoscope zig-zag strapless maxi is perfect for this- so easy to pull on and off and very lightweight and comfortable. Perfect with flip flops around the pool and with espadrilles or a smarter sandal if cocktails are in order.
I love shoes but I don’t want to pay excess baggage, so for my upcoming ten-day vacation, I will pack four pairs. A pair of inexpensive flip-flops to wear to the beach, a pair of flat sandals for sight-seeing and two pairs of espadrilles to wear to evening dinner. These Kaleidoscope lime wedge suede espadrilles work beautifully with the zig-zag dress and because they are self-coloured, they look fabulous with white and neutral dresses too.
The blue tassels on these Kaleidoscope tan leather sandals give them an element of fun, a theme carried on in the adornment of this rather fabulous beach bag, which has a very useful zip fastening and a detachable pom-pom. Sunglasses, a clutch for the evenings and a few pieces of jewellery are all that is needed to complete my holiday wardrobe.
Zig zag dress, £37, Kaleidoscope
Lime suede wedge espadrilles, £45, Kaleidoscope
Tassel trim leather sandals, £24 (reduced from £35), Kaleidoscope
Tassel canvas bag, £20, Kaleidoscope
Love Lizzy x
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