I am asked this question all the time and could wax lyrical about it forever. So it wasn't the most arduous task in the world, when Debenhams asked me to pick my top holiday picks and write an article for their blog.
Am sharing here, as there are some pieces from Studio by Preen (Preen being possibly my favourite brand at the moment) and some great reductions online. When I say great, I mean Great. 70% off anyone?
So, the perennial question - how to dress for holiday - which is akin to how long is a piece of string. I guess it depends on where you go away for your hols. For me – the key is versatility. I am the hugest fan of clothes which you can dress up and dress down – making sure your wardrobe works hard for you and things can be worn not only on holiday but at home as well.
Especially as so many of us now holiday in this
country (*waves hand holding her “I love Suffolk” flag*) where the weather is
slightly less tropical than the Maldives.
So I have put together outfits which will work
wherever you jet off to but with the addition of a little denim jacket will
happily work on our often not so sunny shores. And will also take you into the Autumn with a biker jacket,
blazer or trench.
The Day Dress
Dress from Studio by Preen coming online shortly.
Faith Black Jerome Sliders were £35 now £28
Black Suede Cross Body Bag from Nine by Savannah Miller was £55 now £27.50
First up, the perfect day dress that, by teaming with heels, can be transformed into an evening out dress. Fabulous for tan-line-free shoulders, super flattering as it’s cut on the bias with classic Preen tailoring and a modern feel to the floral print with the addition of gold stars.
Dress from Studio by Preen coming online shortly.
Faith Black Jerome Sliders were £35 now £28
Black Suede Cross Body Bag from Nine by Savannah Miller was £55 now £27.50
First up, the perfect day dress that, by teaming with heels, can be transformed into an evening out dress. Fabulous for tan-line-free shoulders, super flattering as it’s cut on the bias with classic Preen tailoring and a modern feel to the floral print with the addition of gold stars.
For day-time, a pair of suede frill flats are ideal for practical with a hint of femininity.
The Everywhere Dress
Butterfly by Matthew Williamson Palm Leaf Print Maxi Dress £120
Grey Joey Sandals were £44 now £32.60
So I should probably confess, that my favourite thing to take on holiday are dresses. As I said earlier, it’s all about the versatility. This stunning green maxi dress is no exception. Can be thrown over a swimming costume to go down to the beach, instant chic outfit for lunch, straight onto early evening cocktails and you’re all set for dinner. Dresses really do suit every occasion, plus you can roll them and pack a lot into one suitcase.
I tend to wear mostly flats on holiday and a beaded metallic pair are just that little bit more special than a plain old flip flop. These sandals are superb. They're the ultimate alternative flipflop - perfect for the pool, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Subtle enough to be worn during the day but with a hint of bling for evening.
The Beach Dress
Black Embroidered Bardot Dress from Red Herring £29
Mood Oversized Hoop Earrings were £14 now £5.60
For those super warm days, you can still look effortlessly elegant with this black embroidered mini dress. And it will double up as a long tunic to wear over cut-off jeans for days out.
Black Embroidered Bardot Dress from Red Herring £29
Mood Oversized Hoop Earrings were £14 now £5.60
For those super warm days, you can still look effortlessly elegant with this black embroidered mini dress. And it will double up as a long tunic to wear over cut-off jeans for days out.
Team with beaded earrings to give a little glamour to the poolside (I would probably remove them before taking a dip….!).
The Party Outfit
Studio by Preen Pink Floral Print Bardot Top £45
Studio by Preen Multi Coloured Floral Print Skirt £49
Faith Black Lima Sandals were £59 now £29.50
We often have those occasions on holiday when we want to turn up the glamour volume. This is the perfect outfit. Ideal for cooler holiday evenings whilst being able to show off those tanned holiday shoulders. Black mules and a black suede bag complete the outfit. A two-piece again is a winner in the versatility stakes – the top works perfectly with any sort of trousers or even dressed down with jeans and flats (personally I’m thinking the blouse, jeans and the amazing knotted leather mules for a night out at the pub once I’m back home!). The skirt would be ideal worn with a plain vest or tee – on returning from holiday, with a silk shirt, it would be perfect for work. I shall be wearing into the Autumn with a black polo neck and knee high boots – one last memory of Summer to take me into the gloomy autumnal days!
Studio by Preen Pink Floral Print Bardot Top £45
Studio by Preen Multi Coloured Floral Print Skirt £49
Faith Black Lima Sandals were £59 now £29.50
We often have those occasions on holiday when we want to turn up the glamour volume. This is the perfect outfit. Ideal for cooler holiday evenings whilst being able to show off those tanned holiday shoulders. Black mules and a black suede bag complete the outfit. A two-piece again is a winner in the versatility stakes – the top works perfectly with any sort of trousers or even dressed down with jeans and flats (personally I’m thinking the blouse, jeans and the amazing knotted leather mules for a night out at the pub once I’m back home!). The skirt would be ideal worn with a plain vest or tee – on returning from holiday, with a silk shirt, it would be perfect for work. I shall be wearing into the Autumn with a black polo neck and knee high boots – one last memory of Summer to take me into the gloomy autumnal days!
On another note, I just have to include these tops and skirts that I've seen which I really really want to try... Preen again. New in.
And the matching skirt which would make into the most amazing dress.
And proving how useful dresses can be - I have worn two over the last two days for ridiculously dress down occasions (cricket matches and sporting competitions). There is no point in saving anything for the best is the message I would like to pass on (which sounds like a super dicky thing to say, but hopefully you get the sentiment!).
Dress - Somerset by Temperley at John Lewis
Black Onyx Jacket - hush
Bag - Gucci
Trainers - Air & Grace
Hat - Penmayne of London
Dress - Label Lab at House of Fraser
Denim Jacket - Zara
Sliders - M&S
Bag - Gucci
Hat - Penmayne of London
So I am sported out. Seriously, how much sport can one mother watch. To be fair, it's always harder watching a child with Asperger's and ADHD at these events as, anyone with a child on the spectrum will tell you, you have no idea quite how it's going to pan out. Ten out of ten for him over the last two days. He was amazing. Totally amazing. The fact I've had to spend the past TWO HOURS persuading him that he needs to do one ten minute test for his homework (he's supposed to do two a day but that caused a tirade of abuse so I'm picking my battles and gunning for just one - and yes, he does have to do one as if I give an INCH today, he won't do any for the rest of the week. Welcome to the world of a Special Needs Mother and all I can say is thank goodness for the distraction of print two sets, dresses, earrings and beaded sandals!).
And wine....Actually there is no wine tonight (I KNOW RIGHT?!) as I have a huge party tomorrow. Huge, as in massive, as in it starts at 2.30pm and there will be properly famous people there who I'm not entirely familiar with on a facial basis so the 12yr old is putting me some flash cards together so I won't look like a tit. That's the plan anyway - this could all go horribly wrong. The theme is festival, the outfit is sorted - just still to decide on the footwear.
Oooh are you heading to a Gleam event?!
ReplyDeleteDebenhams have got some really great things in at the moment. It's always a place I tend to overlook but I'll start heading there in future! X
YES! It was totally amazing. I agree, it's definitely definitely a place that's worth looking at!
DeleteI think I will cry. Love all the dresses but can't wear any of it being so called "blessed" with serious book age. What with all the off shoulder and very pretty but high necked lace numbers the gods seem quite determined to stop me buying clothes this summer! Harumph ! Lol
ReplyDeleteIt's a hard one isn't it?? Don't tell anyone but I've hopefully got something coming up that might work.. watch this space...
DeleteTotally agree...dresses are the way forward. When I lived in Bangkok I only ever bothered with dresses...cool, and no thought required as to matching things up. On holiday at the moment and have lived in an stripy, pineapple covered dress from & Other Stories. My crazy dress, as the kids call it. Love it - great on the beach, great dressed up (well, I think it is!). Well done to your son, it can't be easy x
ReplyDeleteThe blue one? LOVE that one!
DeleteThat blue leopard dress! I need it in my life but I can't find it....is it previous season??
ReplyDeleteOh gosh so so so sorry, it's from A/W last year!
DeleteKat, I wish we could see you head to toe in the photos instead of bits of you. We can't tell how the clothes look on! It's a bug bear of mine when brands do this!
ReplyDeleteSorry!
DeleteTotally agree with your 'pick your battles' mantra. Choose one thing and make it count. All power to you
ReplyDeleteAmen sister x
Delete