....a combination of the following!
I hope that the reference to the Farm Labourer who appeared in the doorway of a disused railway carriage on the Fast Show will not be lost. Standing in his wellies and a holey khaki jumper, knee deep in straw, he would pronounce " Today, I shall mostly be wearing.....(for instance) Issey Miyaki". Always makes me smile.
Any road up, although this may be too late to be of much use to most of you, my mind has turned to what works best when embarking on the first portion of your holiday - the airport. Although I'm not of the gang who is happy to huddle round a pint at 8am (what is that about?), I always feel de mob happy and what I'm wearing makes a big difference to how the start of the holiday goes. My Family will tell you I am a fuss arse nightmare until we actually sit on the plane. The separation anxiety from a full wardrobe - Did I bring the right gear ? Was that our flight being called ? Is there time for one more loo stop ? On and on I go ! A calming thought is the knowledge that I'm going to be comfortable and am sufficiently 'put together ' to stifle the inner voice which still expects to be stopped by a shrill Sales Assistant from fiddling with the perfume testers !!
Trial and (quite a few) errors have led me to the combinations I've put together below. I already have a number of the items so they are no longer available but the aim of this blog is to make the suggestion for the type of clothes which make for a successful trip. I'm not envisaging long haul here, that's a slightly different spec, but your usual holiday spots in Europe.
M&S Quilted Biker Jacket
Poetry Linen T Shirt £39 in Sale
Banana Republic Linen Wide Leg Trousers £19.99 from £59.50
Oasis Metallic Straw Shopper £22
ASOS Western Tassel Suede and Leather Cross Body Bag £30
Birkenstock at Office £54.95
I have the quilted jacket and, a soft one like this, can easily be rolled into a pillow on the plane, and crammed into your bag on landing somewhere sunny. Although, hopefully, the moment you touch down it will seem redundant, it will be useful for chillier evenings and you will definitely be grateful for it as you tip out of the airport into the inevitable English chill on your return.
I know the trousers are white and I know they are linen. I don't suppose I would have considered such a combination when the children were young but, as I no longer need to carry round cartons of juice and packets of iced gems ( and that was just for my Husband !), I reckon I can trust myself. All you have to do is NEVER drink your tea through the hole in the lid .We all know where that ends up. Also, £2.50 or thereabouts for a Tetley teabag - scandalous ! The trousers , even if you don't wear them on holiday, are fine for hanging around a hot airport as you prepare to end your holiday and will offer some protection from frostbite our end.
Birkenstocks. Enjoying a fashion moment although I always feel I've got 2 pasties stuck to my feet and I can almost hear the hairs on my legs (and upper lip) growing as I wear them but....they are a favourite of the Fashionistas and are brilliant to slip on and off on the plane . Any cultural or scenic walking trips, these are the ones to take you through it.
I have included two bags. The smaller to go inside the larger tote and containing all your essential bits. Wallet, wipes, lipstick , phone , passport etc. I don't like lugging a great big bag into the Ladies and always just lift out the smaller one. The larger one is for the magazines, pashmina, book, water, chewing gum - everything else and, of course, doubles as you pool or beach bag.
M&S Knitted Biker Jacket
Hush Marseille Trousers £15 from £45
Hush Cotton Slub T Shirt £27
Hush Olivia Sandals £25 from £49
ASOS Western Tassel Suede and Leather Cross Body Bag £30
Next Shimmer Beach Bag £32
Zara Necklace
I have worn and worn my knitted biker jacket over the years and I think that the ecru and black combination works well. It does benefit from the flash of bling in the necklace which saves it from Daylesford deathly bland.
I also have the Hush trousers which, being made from Lyocell, are fabulously cool and crease free. There's a lot from Hush here but they by no means have exclusivity on these styles. Versions of what are essentially wardrobe staples can be picked up throughout the High Street.
The sandals are a bargain and I have bought them for my youngest. They are going to be the staple holiday flats and can be found just abut everywhere.
Hush Marseille Trousers £15 from £45
Hush Striped Jersey Jacket £20 from £59
Hush Olivia Sandals £25 from £49.50
Hush Summer Sheer Crew T Shirt £20 from £35
Accessorise Carnival Beaded Saddle Bag £7.50 from £25
Oasis Metallic Straw Shopper £22
The jacket is already a firm favourite although I have only had it a matter of two weeks. Because its made from soft jersey it has none of the restrictive feel of an ordinary blazer which I wouldn't countenance on a trip like this .It manages to be relaxed yet pulls together an essentially casual outfit very nicely. I was even complimented on it by my 21 year old Son- praise indeed. If you don't fancy the pinstripe - and its ability to 'go' with the rest of my holiday wardrobe is limited- look for a more neutral , plain colour.
I really like the bag within a bag combo here. The ethnic design of the cross body bag is great foil for the pinstripe jacket but enough . The top of my wardrobe already looks like a small branch of Accessorise !
The following photos are not, clearly, clothing suggestions but are items that, by now, I consider, if not essential, then mighty useful indeed.
Black Pashmina
Jasmine Silk Sleep Eye Mask £11
M&S Ballerina Slippers £6
Boots Foam Earplugs £2.79
I have said it before and have to say so again- pashminas are wonderful. On the plane they fold up small - I take mine in a smallish, zip top sandwich bag which protects it from spills and contains it neatly - and when the cabin starts to chill, pull it out and snuggle down.
Its also perfect whilst you are away for those times when you aren't sure how chilly the night will be and don't want to be lumbered carrying anything more substantial. The eye mask and ear plugs are also an indicator of the pashminas other use - to cover your head with to blot out everyone else. It might seem rude but my Family are used to it. I put ear plugs in because, no, I don't think your Toddler playing peek a boo for 3 hours is sweet and, for longer flights (oh ok , all flights ) I add the eye mask and make a tent with my pashmina. Sorted ! The only price to pay is mussing up your hair, but that's what compact mirrors are for.
The Slippers. Not the most glamorous but my feet get freezing on planes and these are the answer. If you're feeling flash you could of course bring cashmere socks but mine (a lovely gift from a lovely Friend ) are far too precious to risk leaving my bedroom. Primark do these for next to nothing- the slippers, not the cashmere I'm afraid.
Tisserand at Boots Lavender Oil £5.49
Tisserand at Boots De Stress Roll On Oil £5.49
Boots Tea Tree Oil £5.99
Origins Drink Up Intensive £23
The oils are in small enough quantities to go with you in the cabin. The Lavender is good to inhale and comes into its own for minor burns on holiday. I just love the smell . I mentioned I got stressy when we fly. I wouldn't want to admit it to the rest of my gang, but its true. The De Stress Roll On helps. Perhaps its akin to Dumbo's feather but, if it works, why knock it ?! Its a blend of jojoba, patchouli, citrus orange and rose oil and a few others and is ideal for frazzled moments when a sense of humour is a dim and distant memory.
The Origins 'Drink Up' is good to counteract the dehydrating effects of the flight. Its also an overnight mask if you overdo your sun quota whilst away. You need to decant this one into a smaller container if you don't want it snatched from you at security though.
Somewhat randomly, as you are unlikely to wear this on the plane (pack it with underwear and trust it in your case) I have included my top pick of a holiday hat. I buy glamorous , wide brimmed creations, but the only hat in which I don't feel and utter imposter, is a straw Stetson. I ignore the Western theme tunes whistled by random passers by, and know that its the only style into which I can cram my wild and hectic holiday hair and which will stay on my head when I lean back on the sunbed. Its open weave means I don't get a hot head either. Win ! Win!
Fat Face Straw Cowboy Hat £22
And finally... it wouldn't be my blog without a bargain. Again, most definitely not a Flight Option, but what about this from good old Primarni ? The perfect Swimsuit/Bikini Coverup . Comes in black and white so guess what ...? That's right, you would be mad not to !!
Primark £13
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