Holidays are a godsend, but packing is a nightmare. Time-consuming and bothersome, how often have you neatly packed all your clothes into your luggage, only to find that it just will not shut?
Or worse still, you manage to cram everything in - only to find that you’re missing several essentials when you finally reach your destination?
Well, whether you’re headed for the beach, the city, or the countryside, make sure you’re never caught short without your basics.
Next's green crochet halterneck top,
£21.99, white cropped chinos, £19.99,
green charm toe thongs, £22.99, and
green multi strand bracelet, £8.99.
There’s nothing like the warm, wonderful glow you get from a week by the sea, lounging with a cocktail in hand, barefoot walks in the sand and cooling dips in the water.
But if you don’t pack the right gear, your holiday may not be as glamorous as you hope.
Try packing a flannel mini-skirt or knee-length stretchy skirt and a zip-up hoodie for lounging by the pool.
“For a more tropical sexy look, try a sarong combined with a fitted tank top,” says Elycia Rubin, co-author of Frumpy To Foxy In 15 Minutes.
“For dressier beachside evenings, a halterneck dress worn with flat leather sandals that you can kick off looks good, or light cotton or linen trousers with a jumper over a camisole.
“There’s only one way to go with shoes at the beach - when you’re not barefoot, just don bold-coloured flip-flops, which are perfect for the sand, street or local outdoor cafe.
Floozie by Frost French cocktail print
sundress,£18, and basket bag,
£20, both from Debenhams.
“Must-have accessories for beach trips are a wide-brimmed straw hat, sunglasses, and a brightly-coloured beach tote and towel.”
Floozie by Frost French cocktail print sundress, £18, teamed up with the accompanying basket bag, £20, will look great in the evening when you’re sitting by the beach with your drink, while Next’s green crochet halterneck top, £21.99, and white cropped chinos, £19.99, will take you from the resort to the town centre.
And cover up with a sequinned kaftan like Marks & Spencer’s fuchsia version, £19.50, or Warehouse’s dark blue dip-dye sequin bordered tunic, £40.
Click for bigger picture
Cherokee's stripe crinkle
halter dress, £10.
:: CITY BREAK
Wandering the cobblestone streets of Rome, snapping photos from the top of the Eiffel Tower, or shopping on New York’s Fifth Avenue can be unforgettable.
But so can wearing the wrong clothes and getting all hot and sweaty, or shivering because you’re not prepared for a breeze.
Forget the typical tourist outfit of Bermuda shorts, heavy socks and trainers - look chic and stylish with a pair of well-fitted trousers, lightweight skirt and flat ballet pumps, or slimline trainers.
“Casual and classic ensembles work best. Keep your look simple and blend in with the locals. Don’t bring a heavy coat, instead bring a soft cashmere wrap to keep you warm, and instead of a bulky backpack, bring a small tote bag,” says Elycia.
“Go easy on the jewellery or you may be targeted. For the evening, pack a pretty dress and a small bag to store necessities.”
Marks & Spencer's
beaded camisole, £28,
drawstring trousers,
£32, and glitter
sparkle flip-flops, £10
Marks & Spencer’s beaded camisole, £28, drawstring trousers, £32, and glitter sparkle flip-flops, £10, Next’s denim crochet trim camisole, £19.99, and indigo chambray skirt, £26.99, and Cherokee’s stripe crinkle halter dress, £10, are comfortable and practical outfits, perfect for walking around the city, yet glitzy enough if you decide to stop off in a bar.
With shorts in fashion this summer, check out Gap’s chic city shorts, £35, worn with a cap-sleeve top, £14.50, and scalloped belt, £19.50.
:: COUNTRYSIDE RETREAT
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Star by Julien Macdonald,
sequin
babydoll top, £45, sequin jeans, £60,
and Mood at Debenhams.
Earrings, £12, and bracelet, £15,
all from Debenhams.
If you think you can just relax and not have to bother about your dress sense when you’re in the country, think again.
You should be prepared for plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking and horse-riding, which means that a pair of sturdy walking shoes are essential.
Make sure you also pack a flattering pair of jeans or khakis, and light layers like T-shirts, long-sleeved tops and cotton trousers that you can layer up when the weather gets cool.
The best way to dress up an outfit in the evening is with accessories - so bring a pair of embellished shoes, some pretty earrings or a sparkly belt.
Uniqlo’s nylon utility trousers, £19.99, Principles’ pale blue embroidered cropped trousers, £29, and River Island’s khaki combat trousers, £39.99, will prepare you for any incidents or mishaps during the day.
Star by Julien Macdonald sequin babydoll top, £45, worn with sequin jeans, £60, and Mood at Debenhams earrings, £12, and bracelet, £15, or Accessorize’s ombre shell chandelier earrings, £12, will take you through the night.
Turn up the heat without losing any of the style in USA PRO’s new summer collection. Aptly named Active Fashion, the work-out range, consisting of vest tops, halternecks, camis and well-fitting exercise trousers that cling to your curves, is designed to keep you feeling cool, thanks to the DryMax fabrication woven into each garment, but looking hot. Prices start at £25 - call 0116 283 8181 or visit www.usapro.co.uk for stockists.
:: CHECK OUT
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Vivaladiva.com's British shoe designers - [from left] Adele Clarke, Olivia Morris, Georgina Goodman, Rupert Sanderson, Jane Brown and Beatrix Ong.
Shoe aficionados will love the fact that the best new British footwear designers are now just a click away. Newly launched website VivaLaDiva has a section devoted to home-grown stars putting the ‘sole’ back into the UK’s couture footwear industry.
Labels range from the established - Emma Hope and Lulu Guinness - to the new generation of shoemakers like Olivia Morris, Adele Clarke and Jane Brown. There are also high street labels like Camper, Ted Baker and Schuh, as well as international names like Maloles, worn by Catherine Zeta-Jones. Prices start at £15 - visit www.vivaladiva.com
