We should start thinking about the S word

Scorchio! 

Or Summer or Sun - you decide - either way it may actually be nearly upon us. (20's this weekend apparently?  I'll believe it when I see it....)  To be fair, even if it isn't, if you are off away to sunnier climes for your hols, then now is the time to be thinking about, dare I mention it, beachware. 

Fear not, I am not going to start cracking out the bikinis as where does one start.  I know what suits me and what I like to wear (and yes that is a bikini whereas so many don't), but I don't necessarily have a typical set of boobs (AA anyone?).  It really is so personal and something you need to go and try yourself. 

However on a more generic level - we can definitely have a look at beach cover ups.  Which frankly these days with three kids, I spend more time in anyway.  We're off to the beach this year but in the UK so actually these are what I will be wearing over shorts as opposed to stripping everything off.  This would obviously work for me as I am ridiculously tall but these would also look great over skinny jeans or either straight legs rolled up.  However if you are more petite and it's super warm then you could easily get away with some of these as a dress! 

That's the beauty of these, they work as well in the UK on a sunny day as they do abroad.  And we all know how much I love things out of which I can get lots of use. 

If you're looking for a more classic, non embellished style then these from John Lewis are great. 

John Lewis Pompom Kaftan in black £25

Also in Turquoise £25



You don't often see navy beachwear £25




Mulitcoloured and a more unusual shape from Ted Baker 

Ted Baker Bindy Beach cover up £69




Classic white at M&S 

Broderie Cover-up Kaftan at M&S £39.50



This is probably less English Rivieria and more Greek Island but I think it would look gorgeous over any shade of blue bikini.  Or even black.  I would say white but I think you have to be a brave women to wear a white bikini these days.  Stupid I may be, brave I am not. 

Bead Embellished Mosaic Print Kaftan £49.50 at M&S




Accessorize certainly come into their own on the subject of beach cover ups and this year is no exception. 

Catherine Tabard in printed blue £27



Also in coral £25 Accessorize





A lace version of the Catherine Tabard in navy £32  Accessorize (I probably wouldn't advocate wearing this one over shorts to the supermarket in good old Blighty...) 



They also have a gorgeous selection of white/cream kaftans.  Accessorize insist on calling them tabards.  Clearly I am an absolutely old giffer and this may well be a young, on trend word for cover up but to me it will always be something a dinner lady wears. 

Katy Crochet Tabard £32 Accessorize






Honeycomb Lace Insert Tunic £32 Accessorize




However this year, River Island definitely giving Accessorize a run for their money. 

Purple floral mesh tunic £20 




I absolutely love this one - take one plain black classic bikini and throw this on for instant seasonal update.  Just gorgeous.  Alternatively, I have my black and white leopard print bikini from Next last year (actually I have two as I bought another one in the sale as I loved it so much) and this would look fantastic with it. 

Orange Zebra Print Kaftan £35.00 River Island




I did see a number of things last year from their Pacha (god that takes me back - gimmer alert, I remember it from the first time round, maybe even the time before the first time) Collection and never got round to getting anything.  However this, is AMAZING.  For £50 compared to others of a similar style elsewhere, the price is bonkers cheap, in my humble opinion.   I would wear this actually with my khaki bikinis - I think the pink would look fabulous against them.

Pink Pacha Colour Block Floral Trim Kaftan £50









And a Black Aztec Trim version £50



Also stunning from the Pacha range is the Rainbow Embellished Kimono £45



Slightly more unusual but I'm very drawn to them - again these would be fab over a vest & jeans in this country - are the chiffon hoodies from the Pacha range (yes you read that right) 

Pink Pacha Embellished Chiffon Hoodie £50 



And in Orange Abstract Print £40





Finishing with my find of the season for simple summer cover ups from last year - good old BHS. 

Starting with their two way skirt dress - £16.   This can be worn strapless as a dress or as a dress with straps.  Or as a skirt.  Super versatile in a whole host of colours including turquoise, bright blue, emerald green, black, red, purple and

Navy 




White 



Lime



Love the white cheesecloth embroidered kaftan £22



And in black as well £22




A Sleeveless embroidered grey throw on which they also have in black and white online £22



A different version of a cover up here - not that much out there like this to be honest but I love this.  I don't think anyone would ever know this was from BHS!  Viscose as well so it should have a lovely drape to it.  This, for me with a black of black Birkies and you're off.  Divine.

Palm Print Jersey Cover Up Dress £16




So if I had to choose, what would I go for?  For me it would definitely be the Palm Print BHS dress (the more I look at that, the more I think I have to have it), the Pacha Pink floral kaftan and the Orange Zebra print one from River Island.  Just stunning.  Are you looking for new beachwear this year?  If so, what do you normally wear and how do you cover up? 

Fear not, I still have the dreaded shorts to still explore..... 

Outfit today when I was supposed to go to London for the day for a fashion event but I felt so unbelievably rough and have such a busy day tomorrow that I thought it wasn't prudent to go.  A huge thank you to one of my best friends and my youngest son's godmother for rescuing me and having us over for supper tonight.  Am sure that with a good night's sleep I will be raring to go tomorrow.  Super day planned so finger's crossed normal service will be resumed.  I am SO bored of feeling like this! 

Interestingly, as an interjection here, I think this "may" pass as a bomber jacket. It's from Zara last year and whilst it isn't gathered balloon style at the bottom, the hem is in fact slightly gathered as you can see (if you squint or get a magnifying glass) under my left arm.  BUT it's not new so I'm still standing by my "haven't caved" stance.  As you can see, the Prada is coming in quite useful.