Going to the Mediterranean for a sun-drenched holiday and are in need of some inspirations? Fashion writer Tiffany shared her wardrobe from affordable high street dress to fancy cocktail bar must-have
With summer holiday plans coming up, many of us might take a short flight to Europe for a sun-drenched mini break and recently I hopped over to Portugal and visited the amazing seaside town of Cascais. It’s where royals once resided and popular with the rich and famous, including footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who is constructing a gargantuan estate there.
Jetting off to Portugal takes less than three hours but the hardest part for a fashion journalist is to pack as many outfits as possible in the suitcase with spaces to fit souvenirs too and for a three-day trip, I’ve sported five outfits including a Columbia co-ord and two Karen Millen dresses that are on 20% off.
Whether you want to go as a lowkey backpacker or make the most out of it to visit fancy resorts, my holiday outfit edit could be the wardrobe inspiration for the next trip.
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Karen Millen Viscose Linen Woven Maxi Prom Dress, £143.19, was £179
Linen has become the quintessential uniform in summer and fashion lovers praise its lightweight yet breathable fabric. The Karen Millen linen dress is an elegant, clean design with thin straps and structured bodice for a flattering silhouette.
Available in both petite and regular with sizes up to UK16, I found the petite’s dress length best suited for my 5ft3in height and it falls perfectly right above ankles. The dress is great if you want to take memorable snaps with the azure sea in the background and it goes well with wedges like Kate Middleton’s Espadrille Wedges or flat mules like this Sunny Emma pair from Reef that I matched with multiple outfits.
For accessories, I opted for some gold-tone earrings like the Bali Rose Quartz with 24k gold vermail plated pair from Emma Chapman, which is now reduced from £249 to £170 and a cowrie shell necklace from H&M.
Two features that I like about the dress is the deep pockets and the extra layer of fabric in the skirt so the underwear won’t be showing even under the strongest sun light. But that adds a bit of weight to the piece overall, which some people might prefer single-fabric dresses.
Columbia Elevated View Utility Short Sleeve Shirt and Cargo Skort, £55 each
For those going for overseas music festivals like Tomorrowland and Primavera Sound who might want to start planning their outfit soon. For me, I went for a head-to-toe “Fisherman core”, completed with a bucket hat and a pair of Teva Hurricane XLT 2 sandals, £70.
Both the shirt and skort feature sweat-wicking fabric that draws moisture away from the skin and mesh back venting, to keep me feeling fresh and dry, making it perfect for a hike or a city stroll in hot days. But I’d advise to bring a jacket because when the night falls, it’s not keeping me warm enough.
Shoppers can also consider PrettyLittleThing’s Ecru Contrast Stitched Cropped Denim Shirt and Mini Skirt (£31) for a double denim “cool-girl” look. But the Columbia skort has everything I asked for – it’s a pair of shorts with the look of a skirt and it has multiple pockets. I kept my cards, wipes, and even my 6.7-inch iPhone in the zipped pockets – it eliminated the worries of dropping my cards or dancing with the weight of the phone over my neck with a lanyard.
TALA Sculpt Seamless Scrunch leggings, £54, and Zip Through Longline Jacket, £64
Packing a gymwear set for holiday is handy whether it’s for activities like a scenic hike or a post-feast workout. They are lightweight and easy to fold up with no crease, I pack them as ‘spare clothing’ most of the time. But on my trip, I have booked a horse riding experience and picked the flattering TALA Sculpt Seamless Set in dark olive marl.
The scrunch detail at the back of the leggings defines the bottom and gives a subtle “bum enhancement” with thick waistband to ensure the leggings staying upright. While sitting on the horseback for an hour is nothing like a HIIT workout, there’s no discomfort and it holds in place perfectly. The Zip Through Longline Jacket is perfect to throw on top of my lululemon Sculpt Cropped Tank Top Pleated, which is now reduced to £19, but the jacket runs small in size and it can be tight around the chest. The zipper however is slightly loose, it slips down when it’s not fully zipped.
Karen Millen Petite Rose Embroidered Cotton Twill Puff Sleeve Woven Dress, £207.20, was £259
To match with the iconic blue and white tiles in Portugal, I’ve picked up this Karen Millen dress with rose embroidery for a fancy lunch at the Michelin star restaurant at Fortaleza do Guincho. Currently on 20% off and reduced to £207.20 on Debenhams and Karen Millen website, the dress with lovely rose embroidery is a stunner. It is very well made with puff sleeves and eyelet details to give me a bit of an oomph. I could see shoppers wearing this to the Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Ascot or summer parties.
Designed in a close fit, it moulds my body especially around the waist, which I find is slightly tight, and the heavy cotton fabric adds weight to the piece. But it gives a lovely movement and pairing with nude flat mules making it a perfect duo for a Mediterranean outfit. I completed it with a pair of metal-framed sunglasses from Burga (reduced from £159 to £80) and a Loewe basket bag.
Next Puff Sleeve Midi Dress in Bright Red, £36
A midi dress is a versatile piece for almost any occasion and this Next midi dress is great for a visit to cocktail bars. The flattering cut with high waistline and A-line skirt flows nicely just above ankle and a gathered waist with elasticated band to keep the silhouette in a desirable hourglass shape. The dress retails at £36 but the smooth fabric and elegant cut made me think it’s more expensive.
It is easy to wear, just simply pull it on and secure with a button at the back and it goes well with both gold-tone and silver-tone jewellery. The Next dress does not have any zip fastening and the elasticated waist gives a flexibility to the wearer.
But one thing that I found uncomfortable with is the missing pockets, how convenient would that be if there were side pockets for a lippy or tissue. To resolve that, I brought a Kipling Eleni handbag, £39, to fit everything I need for a night out.