The Pretty Dress Guide to Packing for a Beach Holiday

It’s surprising how much goes into packing for a holiday. I’m not one of those people who can just throw a few things in a bag and go, I like to plan.

Lets start with the shoes: One pair of trainers, one pair of nude-goes-with-everything heels, one pair of wedges, one pair of sandals and one pair of flip-flops. I nearly always end up sticking to sandals and flip-flops once I’m there, but I like to know I’ve got all the bases covered.

The easiest and best way to pack shoes is using a plastic carrier bag. I usually line the bottom of my suitcase with shoes and then pack smaller items around them, leaving a relatively flat surface for the clothes to lie on.

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Converse trainers from BrandAlley

The next staple is the little white dress – dressed up with wedges for the evening or down with sandals in the day.

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Dress: Topshop | Wedges: ASOS

I like outfits that can go from day to evening just by changing up the accessories. (Small hard-case clutches are great for hols as you can also use them for transporting jewellery – or anything else that might get damaged in transit). These are also some of my favourite combinations…

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Dress: Zara | Sandals: Oasis | Clutch: Next

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Playsuit: Jovonnista | Shoes: H&M | Clutch: Textile Federation via ASOS

At the beach I prefer light dresses that you can just throw on/off – maxi dresses are great but the best thing I ever bought, I got years ago from Orion. Their kimono dresses are incredibly light and the material doesn’t wrinkle so they can be chucked in your beach bag with no fuss.

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Orion

I love getting out on the water in a boat (motorboat that is… I can’t sail but I like to pretend I can by looking the part) so I’m a big fan of breton stripe tops.

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Top: F&F | Shorts: Warehouse | Sandals: F&F

And lastly: The Bikinis. I live in these things on holiday. You can never have too many right?

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Clockwise from top left: F&F | George | F&F | ASOS | South Beach via ASOS

Beach Beauties

It’s finally happened. After weeks of glorious sunshine and un-English warmth, I’ve forgotten what it feels like to be cold.

So in celebration of this, the fact that I’ve booked a holiday this week, and the summer sales – here’s a round-up of some of the best beach-themed holiday wear on the web:

001 ted baker libertine

Ted Baker Bikini, Top £39 Briefs £35
Libertine by Giles Deacon Sea Horse Pendant £35 (on sale)
(Both via ASOS)

003 maxi dress

London Rebel Sandals, £16 (on sale) Via ASOS
JOY Maxi Dress £45 (on sale)
Oliver Bonas Shell Ring £3 (on sale)

002 FC bikini Gold bangle

French Connection Bikini, Top £24 Briefs £22 via ASOS
Oliver Bonas Clam Bangle

004 roxy bikini

Roxy Palm Beach Print Bikini £35 (on sale) via ASOS
House of Fraser Seagull Print Beach Towel £25
Ted Baker Starfish Earrings £29 via ASOS

006 maison top

Oliver Bonas Necklace £26
Maison Scotch Jumper £57 (on sale) via ASOS

005 swimwear

Ted Baker Seahorse Bikini, Top £35 Briefs £35
French Connection Swimsuit £34 (on sale)
Both via ASOS