Holiday Shopping Made Simple

AD. This is a collaborative post. 

Holiday season is officially here. Whether you’re planning a staycation, a tropical beach escape or a chic city break in the sunshine, it’s wise to start thinking about what you’re going to wear. If looking for holiday clothes usually causes you stress, don’t panic. In this handy guide, we’ll share some tips and tricks to take the hassle out of shopping and ensure you look and feel fabulous on your trip. 

Check the weather forecast

The first thing to do when you’re thinking about going on holiday and putting outfits together is to check the weather forecast. The conditions will impact what you need to take. If you’re going on a beach holiday, it’s wall-to-wall sunshine and it’s going to be over 25 degrees every day, you don’t need to worry about layers. If you’re going on a city break, or you’re visiting a country where it’s likely to be cooler, it’s wise to make sure you’ve got sweaters, cardigans or a lightweight jacket.

Once you know what the weather is going to be like on your travels, you can start planning your outfits. Try to prioritise comfort as well as style. If it’s going to be sticky and humid, you don’t want tight clothes that are going to cling to you. Go for light, loose, natural materials. It’s a brilliant idea to pack oversized cotton or linen shirts or kaftans you can chuck on over a bikini for lunch, for example. Photo by Jason Blackeye on Unsplash

Consider your itinerary

Another key factor to consider when planning shopping trips or browsing virtual aisles is your itinerary. What are you going to be doing while you’re on holiday? Are you spending all your time at the pool or the beach and then dressing up for dinner and nights out? Are you hoping to go on tours and excursions? Are you visiting museums, attractions or walking around cities with cobbled streets or lots of hills? Do you want to combine sightseeing or sunbathing with active pursuits? 

For city breaks, comfort is key, especially when it comes to footwear. If you’re walking everywhere or covering uneven ground, opt for trainers or comfy pumps. If it’s going to be hot, choose light fabrics. You could team a pair of tapered linen trousers with a basic cami or plain tee, go for a cool cotton printed co-ord, or stay cool with a jersey or cotton mini, midi or maxi dress. 

If you’re heading to a beach resort, all you’ll need is swimwear, clothes to wear around the pool that you don’t mind getting covered in sun lotion or sand and outfits for dinner. For active adventures, you’ll need sturdy footwear. It’s also beneficial to pack a raincoat or a windbreaker if the forecast is mixed, and opt for breathable layers. 

Plan your outfits

Before you hit the shops or start browsing online, think about what you’d like to wear while you’re away. Read fashion magazines, get inspiration from social media and have a look around and see what’s available. You can choose to experiment with and embrace trends or celebrate your personal style if you’re not a big fan of following trends. 

When you’re shopping for going on holiday, you can save time and effort by shopping online. It’s also a brilliant idea to take a look at your current wardrobe and build on it. You can recycle and wear items you love again to save money and be more sustainable. If you want to switch up your look, you can mix and match items you already have with new clothes, or add accessories like jewellery, sunglasses, a bag or shoes. Accessories are key to elevating your holiday style. Discover the perfect accessory to complement your holiday ensemble at Love Isabelle Jewellery.

Shop online

One of the reasons why shopping is stressful for many people is a lack of time. If you’re counting down the days until you jet off, and you don’t really have time to drive to a shopping centre or go to a host of different shops trying to find the perfect summer dresses, denim shorts or sliders, you can save time and effort by shopping online. If you go online, you can also access a wider range of stores and products and you may be able to save money. Have a look at your favourite stores online and visit sites that sell multiple brands like THE ICONIC. This will enable you to view a diverse range of products and buy everything you need under one virtual roof. It’s also a fantastic idea to follow brands you love on social media to get inspiration and make use of quick, easy ordering. In many cases, you can click on links that will take you directly to the product page or checkout. 

If you have a small window for shopping, always make sure that you check delivery times. It’s very common for retailers and brands to offer express or next-day delivery now, but this is not always available. If there’s a chance that your items won’t get to you in time if you opt for standard delivery, it’s worth paying extra for rapid delivery. 

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

Try before you buy

There’s nothing worse than arriving at your holiday destination and getting ready for a night out to find that an outfit you loved online doesn’t suit you or fit properly. When you go shopping or place an order online, always take the time to try clothes on. It’s so important to try every item because sizes vary between stores and labels, we all have different body shapes and online images are not always accurate. It’s also beneficial to try things because you don’t know what they’ll look like until you see them in real life. We often assume that specific colours, styles or shapes won’t suit us. Be bold and brave and pick up items that you like the look of. You may be surprised at what you end up buying. If the outfit doesn’t suit you, you can simply put it back on the hanger or return it to the retailer. 

Prioritise confidence

Many of us look forward to Summer and going on holiday, but not everyone feels confident when temperatures rise. For some, being on the beach in a bikini or walking around in a pair of shorts or a dress that shows off their arms is daunting. If you lack confidence, or you have body hang-ups, it’s critical to use shopping experiences to boost your confidence and choose items that make you feel good. Don’t feel pressured to buy clothes you don’t like or you don’t feel good in because they’re on-trend or other people are buying them. Try clothes on, see how you feel and wear outfits that give you confidence. You don’t have to wear a bodycon dress or hot pants if you’re going to a club on a girls’ holiday if you know that it’ll make you self-conscious. Why not think outside of the box and go for a playsuit, a jumpsuit, a midi skirt or a maxi dress instead? 

Shopping and putting outfits together should be fun. Customise your holiday wardrobe to suit your style, plan in advance and try to avoid comparing yourself to others. Focus on the positives and be kind to yourself. Everyone has insecurities and nobody is perfect. 

Holiday season is upon us and many of us are looking forward to taking a break. If you dread holiday shopping, or you find it stressful, there are multiple ways to make shopping fun and hassle-free. Check the weather forecast, consider your itinerary and build on what you’ve already got. Look for ideas and inspiration for your outfits and don’t be afraid to try a wide range of items and looks. Go  for clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident, shop online to save time and effort and celebrate your personal style.