Bluewater Beach Babes

If you are thinking about shopping for a summer holiday- the time is now! Stores are bulging with bikinis, beach wear and sandals, take my advise, put on your fake tan first and arm yourself with an Essential Packing List – Here are my must haves for any capsule suitcase wardrobe:

Beach Dress/Playsuit
This should be jersey or cotton and very easy to slip on over bikini in a hurry (emergency with child/pina colada at bar)
If you are feeling the nautical trend striped versions at Gap £25 or Zara £19 will work, if not a plain Grecian style tunic with rope belt, £9.50 from M&S is genius.

Bikini/Swimsuit
If you are heavy busted go cup sized– it is well worth making an investment in an item so important that you wear as if underwear. One-piece swimsuits are having a fashion moment (thank you Cheryl Cole) and are infinitely more flattering than the ridiculous tankini whose fabric ends where your tummy begins.
Best Buys: Leia have fabulous cup sized styles by Freya & Fantasie, whilst Rigby & Pellar’s Ruffles, £119 gives great shape.

Wrap/Cardigan/Denim jacket
Something to cover up with, when the sun goes down. This could be an oversized scarf, long cardigan or neat jacket. The most important thing is that it works with the whole suitcase, so it must be either a neutral or a colour you favour.  A white jacket is ideal, if you can pull it off.

Shorts/Skirts/Capris
Shorts are where it’s at, preferably denim and high waisted, best at Top Shop, £30
However, if your legs are your issue, you could do just as well in a 50’s style Capri pant, or pretty skirt.

Maxi/Summer Dress
The maxi is this summers’ suitcase essential, buy wisely and it can even be rolled – a packing joy. The best buys are long lean and linen or fluid jersey – GAP have a great basic dress in black or purple for £32. But for more glamour Phase Eight’s ruched bust maxi is a great buy at £75. Choose red for hot summer nights.

If it is too long for you, the shops are overwhelmed by pretty summer dresses, choose a floral or spot print to be on trend.

Sandals/Flipflops/Wedges/Nudeheels
In the heat of the sun, feet swell so comfort is key here… however nothing can let a look down like bad footwear can… so pack wisely – less is more if flats are your thing, a pair of flipflops for day and a more glam sandal for evening. For height lovers a casual fabric wedge by day and nude heel by night should be enough. My buy of the month is the Elise gladiator by Dune, £75, a nude shoe with a wearable heel that works with dress, shorts, jeans and more… it is the one for me!

Accessorise
My key to holiday packing is go less is more on clothing and max out on accessories, the theory being you can change a look very quickly by adding some beads, a scarf, or heels.
A Straw hat is an essential this season, my choice is the Ripley Trilby by Kew, £24. Wooden bangles look best stacked high; get your Moroccan style set from Accessorize for £14.

Choose sunglasses that work with all your looks, if in doubt go for a classic brand and shape for longevity. I like Ray Ban Aviators, for that go-with-all look, £169 Sunglass Hut.  Bag wise, I think best take an your own bag as hand luggage, pack a canvas beach bag (preferably printed or striped) and a clutch for evenings, this could be nude or metallic to match your jewellery.

Enjoy a very stylish holiday!
Love from Anna Moore, Personal Stylist, The Style Clinic.