Women are at heart, practical creatures who like to feel prepared for every eventuality whilst away from home, which leaves them in somewhat of a dilemma when it comes to holiday packing! The key is to learn how to mix and match essential summer wardrobe staples that you can use year after year with this season’s trendy key pieces to give you an up to date yet varied look.
Back to Black
Luggage allowance is the bane of my life! If you’re limited to 20kgs but know you will need a good variety of outfits like any self-respecting fashionista, then work on achieving a great capsule holiday wardrobe.
Black is has always been classic and looks incredible with sun-kissed skin and gold accessories. It also travels really well and is practical when you’re away in some exotic location without access to a washing machine or dry cleaners. I also find that most women feel good in a sexy black dress, especially with the glow of summer on their skin, hence the never waning popularity of the LBD no matter what time of year.
Gorgeous Couture solution: The Bailey Dress in Black.
Take it to The Max
The maxi dress has been on trend for the last few summers, and still a big trend for SS12 as a more relaxed goddess gown!
Buy a maxi in a colour that suits you and dress it up with bold accessories and wedges in the evening or gladiators for a more casual, relaxed take. For small busts go for detail at the top such as frills, patterns or colour that will highlight your shoulders and fill out your smaller bust. Bustier ladies should choose dresses with more support built in to the top half in a V-neck style; halter necks can work well too.
Gorgeous Couture solution: The Savannah Maxi Dress in Green
All About Midi
If you prefer to flash a bit of leg when the sun comes out, then maxi may not appeal. That’s where the midi length dress comes in to its’ own! Perfect for summer pins and very flattering on women who want to show some leg without taking it all the way up to the thigh like some braver souls amongst us. Midi’s are flattering and slimming, and are the perfect holiday take-away in classic summery white. Well we don’t often get to wear a lot of white dresses in this country (unless we’re the bride) so go all out when you have the chance!
Gorgeous Couture solution: The Soho Dress in White
Loose it!
Tunics, kaftans, loose sundresses and oversized shirts are all great comfortable cover ups for bikinis and swimsuits. These can double up as daywear over bikinis for by the pool; with shorts and oversized sunglasses for a glamorous day look or wear as a dress with wedges, oversized earrings and a metallic clutch for evening. Perfect for covering up in the day or ideal for night with wedges and a skinny belt to glamorise when the sun goes down.
Gorgeous Couture solution: The Antonia Dress
More than a Bathing Suit
Some swimsuits and bikinis look so glamorous that they can easily double up as a top when heading out for a night at Pacha when teamed with a pair of palazzo trousers or maxi skirt, gladiators and statement necklace or over the top earrings. Gorgeous Couture’s new Poolside Glamour range fits the bill perfectly.
Gorgeous Couture suggestion: The Luella Bathing Suit in Red or Lourdes in Yellow
Excessorise!
No suitcase is complete without must have lux essentials for a truly glamorous trip.
Black large frame sunglasses
Brilliant at hiding one too many cocktails the morning after! A guaranteed ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign by the pool! Well, it is your holiday after all!
The Silk Scarf
Pack one or two brightly coloured oversized square silk scarves which can double up as head scarves for by the pool (handy if your hair hates the heat), handkerchief tops with shorts, or even luxury belts!
Jewelled Sandals
These will glam up any beach or daytime look when you want to look chic yet relaxed by the pool. Choose metallic shades such as pewter, silver or gold that will go with everything so they can double up beautifully with floaty skirts and shorts in the evening. Metallic also looks fabulous on bronzed legs!
Wedges
For those shorter ladies, height is a must have, even on holiday. However stiletto heels can be agony when your feet swell not to mention can look, dare I say, tacky in a more relaxed holiday resort so for once leave the heels at home! Wedges look more relaxed and chic and are kinder to your feet in hotter climates.
