Here are my secret tips for summer holiday packing and looking cool by the pool For most events in life a little planning can go a long way and that goes for your holiday packing too. The last thing you want as you anticipate your well-earned break is a stressful week of packing, then unpacking, then re-packing! Statistics show that it can take us at least five hours to decide what to take on holiday. So, before you even dig out your suitcase you need to draw up a basic list. Write a column for every day of your trip and for each day write down what you might be doing (sightseeing, sporting activity or just relaxing). In each column write roughly what you are likely to wear. This will quickly show you that you can wear the same pair of trousers or skirt, for example, at least twice and that you can pack lighter than you think. Think of your poor partner or hubby at the airport with all those cases!

Begin with the basics

Your basics are those items that you will wear more than once such as a pair of trousers, a skirt and a jacket. Use your list to pick out these basic pieces and lay them out on your bed. You may want most of these basics to be neutral or a mix of neutral and colours, depending on your preferences. When your selection is laid out on the bed you can work out different outfit combinations and therefore you will see which items will be the most versatile. Along with the basics you should have a couple of cotton tops for daytime and two that you can wear day or night which should be something a little more ‘special’, perhaps with a little extra detail, that you can dress up or down. You most definitely want a couple of dresses in two different, fabulous colours. Also, a maxi for the total look of style and comfort.

Capitalise on colour

Holidays are the perfect opportunity to really enjoy wearing colours as they always look more fabulous in sunnier weather and we’re not limited by work dress codes. Don’t feel you have to be ‘matchy, matchy’, clashing colours and patterns can look fabulous and are bang on trend!

Some great colour combinations this season are orange and pink or purple with green or turquoise. If clashing your clothes is a little too much for your taste just bring strong colours in to your accessories. A great pair of green shoes and matching handbag and a chunky orange bangle will set off a neutral outfit beautifully. White can be a super neutral against a tan, but check whether you suit a bright bluish white or a softer creamy white against your skin. To get your colours right it’s important to select the right ‘shade’ or ‘tone’ in each of your best colours so that they really complement your colouring.

The week beach holiday list

Don’t pack anything unless it goes with at least 3 other items!

Here is a basic packing guide to make your planning easier. Assuming laundry is not available you will need the following:

• 1 pair of jeans or cotton capris
  
• 1 pair of cropped or soft palazzo trousers
• 1 pair of shorts (neutral)
• 1 skirt (neutral)
• 2 dresses (2 different colours)
• 1 maxi or kaftan (colour-for beach)
• 2 daytime cotton tops/t-shirts (different colours)
• 2 smarter tops/t-shirts (different colours)
• 1 cotton strappy top (white or colour)
• 1 summer cardigan OR pashmina (either can be a neutral or a colour)
• 1 light summer jacket (neutral)
  
• 1 pair of flip flops (colour)
• 1 pair of comfortable shoes (e.g stylish trainers/ ballet pumps in a good colour or a neutral)
• 1 pair of pretty sandals (neutral or a strong colour that matches or clashes well)
• 1 pair of heels (neutral or metallic or bold colour)
  
• 2 bathing suits/bikinis (in most flattering colours – lots of flesh on show for this one)
• 1 hat  (foldable/crushable in good colour or neutral)
• 7 days of underwear
  
• 1 town/evening bag (matching/clashing well with colour shoes or neutral)
• 1 travel bag which can double up as a beach bag

Do consider travelling in your comfortable trousers, one of your smarter tops and your comfortable shoes to save more space.

Enjoy, and don’t forget – he will love you even more if you pack light.

Written by Shan Williams, Personal Stylist.

To ensure you are wearing your best colours why not contact one of our consultants for a Colour Consultation. Click here to find out who is nearest you and send them an email. We are a friendly and knowledgeable team!

Lots more to look at on www.pinterest.com/colourmebeautuk/holiday-wardrobe/

Images courtesy of Pinterest.

When I was on holiday in Cambodia in February, no self respecting tourist would be seen without their printed trousers. Every tourist, whatever, the nationality was dressed in bright patterned trousers.

My friend Evie, who was on holiday with us bought a pair in navy, with white elephants parading around the legs. They looked great on her and had the advantage of being one of the coolest things to wear (I mean heat wise!) in a humid climate. She wore them on all the trips we did to the temples and villages, our transport modes included, motor bike and jeep trips, plus of course – our favourite the tuk tuk. For anyone who hasn’t been to Cambodia the majority of roads are dust covered with very few tarmac surfaces, so by the end of the week Evie’s elephants had turned red from the colour of the dust. She still loves them though!

Usually what you buy on holiday, often doesn’t translate back to the HK. However, on returning to this country I noticed that they aren’t just a holiday buy any more, no, you can take your pick on the High Street. They come in wide leg, skinny, narrow leg, cut-offs and ankle skimming. Every pattern too – from bold chevrons to python, florals, geometric and a new pattern I hadn’t heard of called digi-print. Thinking about it though, I haven’t seen any with elephants on!

My styling advice on this one would be, they look best on ladies who are tall, or petite and slim. Above all you need to be long in the leg or if short in the leg wear high shoes or a wedge to compensate.

Choose the right fabric for your shape and if your hips are larger than your top half – in other words you are a triangle shape, avoid them at all costs. You don’t want to bring attention to that area.

Being of the short legged variety – alas the printed trouser won’t be in my wardrobe this summer but I will admire my tall, long-legged, friend Evie in hers.

Written by Shan Williams, Personal Stylist.

To find out about a personal shopping experience, just for you, to ensure you buy exactly the right patterned trousers, contact one of our consultants. Click here to find out who is nearest you and send them an email. We are a friendly and knowledgeable team!

Lots more to look at on www.pinterest.com/colourmebeautuk/patterned-pants/