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The Weekend Read * Beachwear, But Better: How To Stay Stylish In The Heat

May 09, 2026

The Weekend Read * Beachwear, But Better: How To Stay Stylish In The Heat

Judi Prue | Read in 7 minutes

Hello,

There’s something about packing for a summer holiday that sounds far more glamorous than it often is in reality. In our heads we imagine ourselves gliding through an airport in oversized sunglasses looking effortlessly chic, only to end up three days before departure panic-ordering five swimsuits and wondering why none of our sandals go with anything.

When we get to the beach or pool, the aim is to stay cool, comfortable and protected from the sun, yet we need to be practical for sandy feet and poolside lunches. This is where many of us can abandon our personal style altogether, resulting in holiday photos where we don’t quite feel or look like ourselves. We're all for relaxing, but being on holiday doesn’t mean we should let our style identity disappear. In fact, holidays are often when we have the freedom to express it even more.

Beachwear should still reflect your colouring, your personality and the way you want to feel. Do you want to look relaxed, elegant, playful or even glamorous? Your holiday wardrobe can absolutely do all of this while still being practical in 32-degree heat.

So let’s talk about what to pack, how to stay stylish in the heat and why holiday dressing doesn’t have to become a free-for-all of random linen and emergency flip flops.

The Secret To Holiday Packing

The people who always look effortlessly stylish on holiday usually aren’t packing more. They’re packing smarter. A cohesive colour palette is everything. If most of your holiday pieces work together, you instantly create more outfit options with less luggage stress. This is where knowing your seasonal colours becomes such a game changer. Suddenly your swimwear, kaftans, sandals, bags and evening pieces all naturally coordinate. Rather than packing those just-in-case outfits, think in capsules:

Two or three swimwear options

Two beach or pool covers

Daytime shorts/trousers/skirts

A couple of easy evening outfits

One lightweight layer

Accessories that work with everything

And please, give yourself permission not to pack for every possible version of yourself. You probably won’t suddenly become someone who wears a sequinned maxi dress with three-inch wedges to breakfast..

Airport Style Matters More Than You Think

Travel outfits deserve more thought than the old leggings and hoodie panic combination many people default to. Comfort matters enormously, especially on long-haul flights, but comfort and style are not mutually exclusive. A soft co-ord is one of the best modern travel solutions because it instantly looks intentional. Relaxed wide-leg trousers with a matching top, soft jersey sets, lightweight knitted co-ords or relaxed tailoring all work beautifully.

And don’t underestimate the power of a good airport layer. Aeroplanes seem permanently committed to arctic conditions.

Swimwear And The Six Main Clothing Personalities

Swimwear And The Six Main Clothing Personalities

This is where things get interesting because not everybody wants to wear the same kind of swimwear, and nor should they.

A Dramatic personality will look incredible in strong lines, bold monochrome, asymmetrical cuts or architectural swimwear with oversized sunglasses and statement earrings.

Classics suit elegant one-pieces, chic stripes and timeless shapes that won’t date in photographs five years later.

Naturals come alive in relaxed beachwear; textured fabrics, easy-fit bikinis, crochet details and practical but stylish sandals.

Gamines can really have some fun here with sporty styles, colour blocking, quirky prints, shorter beach covers and playful accessories.

Ingenues will suit softer details beautifully, including delicate florals, scalloped edges and feminine swim silhouettes.

Romantics should embrace draping, ruching, softness and fluidity with glamorous kaftans, oversized hats and beautiful flowing cover-ups.

When beachwear reflects who you are, you feel more comfortable wearing it; confidence is always the best thing anyone can pack.

Does Age Change How We Dress For The Beach?

This is such an interesting question because we think the answer is both yes… and no. No, firstly, because style does not have an expiry date. Women in their 50s, 60s and beyond do not suddenly need to disappear into oversized black swim dresses and shapeless cover-ups, unless that genuinely reflects their personality and comfort. But also yes, because priorities often evolve as we age.

Our clients tell us they become more interested in elegance, comfort, quality fabrics and support as they get older. Skin sensitivity, body confidence, heat tolerance and practicality can all play a bigger role than they did in our twenties. This doesn’t mean becoming invisible, it simply means choosing:

Better fabrics that breathe.

Swimwear with better structure.

Softer elastications.

More flattering necklines.

Elegant coverage rather than hiding.

Better footwear for comfort and support.

In many ways, women often become more stylish with age because they stop dressing for trends and start dressing for themselves. And honestly? That confidence is magnetic.

Poolside Accessories Are The Finishing Touch

Accessories are often what elevates beachwear from functional to stylish. A beautiful kaftan or beach cover can completely transform simple swimwear. Think about shape and movement rather than simply coverage. Lightweight cottons, linen blends and gauzy fabrics work beautifully in the heat.

Beach bags matter too. Huge, practical totes are brilliant, and they can still feel stylish. Woven textures, canvas stripes, soft leather trims and colour coordination instantly lift a holiday look. And shoes deserve more attention than they usually get. Most people pack either uncomfortable fashion sandals or flip flops that should probably have retired in 2017. A better approach would be:

A stylish flat sandal

Pool slides or elevated flip flops

One evening sandal

A comfortable trainer for travel and sightseeing

If your feet hurt, your holiday wardrobe stops working very quickly.

Heatproof Make-up That Still Looks Fresh

Holiday make-up should not feel heavy, complicated or high maintenance. The goal is healthy, glowing skin that survives humidity, heat and SPF reapplications. This is where our House of Colour make-up range really comes into its own because our products are designed to work harmoniously with your colouring rather than sitting heavily on the skin. A good holiday make-up bag doesn’t need loads in it, it needs practical, multi-purpose products that will take you through the day to night:

Primer to help your make-up stay put.

BBCream and/or mineral foundation to touch up any shiny patches.

Cream blusher for freshness - use on your cheeks, eyes and lips.

Bronzer for glow and dimension.

Waterproof mascara.

Lip prep for dry lips and your favourite lip shade or two

Vitamin setting mist to keep skin hydrated and your make-up in place.

Cream products often work better in the heat because they move more naturally with the skin and avoid that dry, cakey look powder can sometimes create. Remember that glowing skin is not about piling on make-up, it’s about hydration, colour harmony and strategic placement.

Final Thoughts: Holiday Style Should Feel Like Freedom

Perhaps the biggest mistake people make with holiday wardrobes is trying to become somebody else entirely. You don't need to dress like a 25-year-old influencer in Ibiza if that isn’t you. You don't need to wear beige linen head-to-toe because social media declared it quiet luxury. And you absolutely do not need to abandon colour just because someone once told you black is slimming at the beach.

Holiday style should still feel authentically you, just a lighter, easier and a little more relaxed version. Ultimately, the best dressed person on the beach is rarely the one wearing the most expensive kaftan. It’s usually the person who looks comfortable in their own skin, whose clothes feel like an extension of who they are and who radiates confidence because they’re not trying to be anybody else.

And that, as always, is what great style is really about.

Next week in The Weekend Read we'll be focusing on dressing for Mothers of the Bride or Groom and touching on wedding guest outfits for all type of weddings in 2026.

Best wishes,

Judi & Jenny xx

Click Here For Our Beach Wear Inspiration