It’s the season for beach wear and I’m cringing as I do every time clothes for the beach are mentioned. This is a fashion sore spot for me – it took me years and years to find the right thing to wear for the beach or by the pool. I just cannot imagine parading round a pool in see through palazzos or gauzy kaftans or long crochet wraps – they’re so not me and attempts so far to be cool by the pool have just made me feel like an overdressed lump. My game changer was a linen (ish) shirt from Zara that hit at just the right place on the thigh (think just below where the end of your shorts might fit) – it wasn’t too fancy and in fact, it was quite streamlining in its sloppy casualness. The more fashion creased it got, the better it looked and I could wear it to trot to the beach or poolside without feeling self-conscious and better yet, it’s just a quick slip on for the bar or cafe without looking either too much or too little.
It turns out that beach shirts are a thing this year – I’ve got three to show you that I think you might like if you’re not into Margot from The Good Life style and neither are you ready to face your lunch in just a bikini. First up is the one above from M&S which, reviews say comes up a little big. We are looking for volume and over-size but not so much so that you look like a drifting balloon. I would (size 12, 5ft 3) opt for the medium. It’s pure cotton, comes in white, black or red (yellow and green have sold out) in XS, S, M, L and XL. It’s £25 HERE. Let it get sandy and salty – nobody’s going to expect to see a perfectly ironed white shirt on the beach.
I’ve got all the time in the world for this shirt that comes from Monsoon – it’s a little bit longer at the back which a nice detail and although it comes in six colours, none look as good as pink. Imagine, your feet in the water, sunglasses on and a little glass of rose in hand. It’s in sizes XS, S, M and L (XL sold out in this shade) and it’s £35 HERE.
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Despite being chiffon rather than cotton or linen, I’ve fallen for this top that will allow you to do the walk from the lounger to the bar feeling clothed but not fussy. My days of feeling comfortable on that poolside parade are gone – which I realise is particular to me and my level of body confidence. Trust me, if you are doing it, go you and I salute you – there is no need to cover up at all in places where less is more. But, if it feels a bit less available than it used to, this swishy little cover up that you can draw at the waist or not, totally up to you, is the right kind of flimsy for me. There are four different patterns (palm trees and so forth) but I predictably alighted upon the leopard print. Big sunglasses, a slick of red lipstick, some patent sliders and you are set for the sandy glam life. It’s £39 HERE.
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