Moved to Australia and now have a mega cold- my sympathies with Sam. I think the inflammation and changes to your gut bacteria can make you down and irritable. Glad he is better.
Sunscreen I like Australian Gold bb cream. SPF 50, can get the slightest bit orange- and with this cold I do a hell of a Chief Cheeto impression. Esther, Australian Gold is the winningest sunscreen, the best sunscreen in the entire universe, ask anyone. :)
I am a big fan of an oversized linen shirt for pool/beach, also recommend saltwater sandals or slides for the beach/pool as you can wear them in the water and they are smart enough looking to wear out. I also wear a hat in the pool when it’s really hot much to my children’s embarrassment!
I get so cross when I read that people are cancelling their hard earned holidays abroad because it’s hot. It’s summer! We need to escape the chill of July in the UK. Plus seeing every weather chart bedecked in red/orange - Danger! Danger! Grrrrrrr!
What I would like to know is what swimwear you like to wear? I went on a mad spree last night and purchased a swimsuit from Kalk (https://www.kalkstore.com/products/ailen-one-piece-colorful) and also a Form and Fold bikini which I definitely can't afford. But I had my first baby last year and I kind of feel like throwing money at the situation might be a good move?
I love Fantasie who have reliable bum-cheek coverage and cup sized tops, and they are on sale atm, but they do have some minging patterns. See also Panache, but beware the tankini tops in big boob sizes are almost impossible to get in and out of with the underwired inner layer.
I am in Greece right now and it is too bloody hot lads. Between midday and about 8pm is basically inside in air con or up to the neck in pool or sea. Don’t bring factor 50 from Bondi Sands for body, I burnt like a fucker first two days even with constant reapplying and not even sitting out in it. However their Face factor 50 in a spray has been great to top up over the initial L’Oréal recitalift factor 50. Floaty and flouncy and thin are the buzz words re clothes.
I also burn like a fucker, esp on parts which have not seen the sun in about 18 years, but found Bondi 50 did a great job in 32 C, on all the parts I did apply it too. Got caught out by the inevitable strap rub/boob chafe.
We've finished our Italian holiday early! House was supposed to have air con but didn't really, power cuts constantly in the night which made the house alarm go off, too hot to sit outside even in the shade 😔 so we pulled the plus early and flew to France - currently enjoying heavenly 26c at Parc Asterix 👍👍👍
Just in case anyone hasn’t been on a hot holiday for some time (like me) may I point out a couple of obvious things which could have fine tuned my packing? We were in Greece in 32 degrees a couple of weeks ago and that was too hot for me.
No waistbands, even for evening if it doesn’t cool down by 7ish. Loose dresses ftw.
No underwires. I found Esther’s recommended Sloggi bralettes too small for my 36FF bazookas, but Fantasie Smoothease bralette was great, and their sizing guide spot on.
Broad brimmed hat, fan and one of those Evian mist sprays pretty essential.
In a fit of pure genius I bought a few pairs of Snag Tights chub rub shorts even though my thighs are fairly average. They’re thick tights material, which stuck to one cotton dress but not to the linen ones, and quite long in the leg even for a tall person, and look, they’re not going to be cool to wear, but I didn’t think they were any warmer than knickers and the joy of rub-less thighs is not to be underestimated. Also didn't leave random knicker marks when I changed into a bikini.
Personally I was too hot for ribbed tank tops, of which I took many, but the few non-ribbed ones were fine.
Don’t forget your feet will burn when walking around, and the sand will be WAY too hot to walk on.
All really good points! Especially the clothes. If you go somewhere like Seville in the summer, the women are wearing long, loose dresses in light material. That is the MOST comfortable, and has the advantage on the beach that you can change in and out of your swimsuit underneath it like a big poncho!
Yes, tried and tested as a poncho! Though I will note that for hotel-with-beach, when you’re putting your beach dress on and off multiple times, for a pee, for a drink, for another book, I found my maxi dresses were way too cumbersome and I had several seconds of struggling like a headless bright pink apparition between bikini and dress. I felt VERY British and uncool.
Gosh I've so much to do...but read your piece (always do no matter how busy) sorry about Sam however my children are 38 45 and 50 so they have the 'sam' worries not me
Ordering on line however is me! but it''s getting worse, still waiting for my 'bargain' trainers and boots from Fit Flop (I feel sure they won't ever arrive) no one ever replies to my query email
... and why in gods name do I contine to buy shite from China? I never ever look anything like the models who all have divine hair and are slim and tanned.
The clothes that look amazing on line ..are always cheap fabric and the sizes are very hit amd miss - (mostly miss in my case). Returns to China ...that's a joke theres no such facility.
I swear to god I will only buy now from reputable places - Selfridges, John Lewis H&M (love H&M their returns are just so easy)
And finally I bought some 'Magic' face cream ~Charlotte Tilbury! ..... doesn't work no one has exclaimed how amazing I look. becasue I actually don't! I'm sticking to E45
Skin care: UltraViolette SPF 50. 5 pumps in the morning and reapplying it at midday and just not going outside ever. Dieux's instant angel moisturiser (even go to the bother of getting it from the US because it is so amazing. Wish they could import their serum but it's got funky stuff in it that they cant import so you know its good). Vitamin C serum from naturium at Space NK because it's air-sealed so phresshhh. Dermatica's tret perscription (0.05%) because age and Cerave's salicylic wash which I put on my face and then go do something else for five minutes so it actually gets into the pores. And the omnilux red light mask. Did I mention I'm staying in the UK for holidays because who can be fucked with flights anymore?
Poor Sam! Somehow the worry about not being able to run on his sports day struck me as more heartbreaking than the hijacked plane thing. The thing with mine when they’ve been really ill and unable to sleep is watching reruns of Sooty in the middle of the night, it is spectacularly cheering, but one particularly bad night I put on the film of Moomins on the Riviera, and I was so tired I was in and out of sleep and it entered my mind in a weird way and thoughts of it return at odd times, and I wasn’t even the one who was sick.
Like Emily I really like the Amber Solaire anti-dark spots SPF - a few of my freckles were thinking about combining into a Super-Freckle, I’m absolutely sure of it. It disappears instantly and doesn’t give me sore eyes. I feel like I need another moisturiser with it though and haven’t quite cracked that. Cerave Cream to Foam cleanser and Nivea night cream.
Disappointing about the De Witt. I’ve had my eye on Lives of The Wives - essays about literary marriages as it strikes me as the perfect sort of thing to read on holiday.
Avene do a moisturiser with SPF, but only 30 so may not be high enough for you. I find it's okay for everyday-not-particularly-high-uv-index sort of days. when needed I top up with LRP anyway. Not for oily skin though, quite rich but sinks in nicely.
Ps hope Sam is better. I had food poisoning before we left for our trip and had to pack in between bouts of throwing up. I’m planning to become one of those people who packs ahead of time after this experience as my packing left a lot to be desired…half a bikini and a jumper level of insanity.
packing properly requires 11+ non-verbal reasoning levels of thinking outside the box. bad enough when you're well: absolutely impossible when you're not. and vomiting? holy cow how are you still alive
Just on my way back from very hot holiday in Greece. Skincare def recommend Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Anti-Dark Spots Face Fluid SPF50+ 40ml. Skincare and SPF in one. Cerave hydrating cleanser and moisturiser for evening (also took a small pot with the salicylic acid cream in it too to prevent lizard leg skin).
Pack an old school fan and a UV umbrella if you’re going to Italy! We didn’t for Athens and regretted it.
Bless Sam - I hope he gets better asap. Viruses are hideous and that sounds like one of the worst.
I am going to Sicily on 30th. EEK. Well mid Gatwick strike so maybe not!
If anyone has any advice on how to get their son to study for A levels I’d love to know. I’m at my wits end.
I tried on a pair of clogs in BA&SH in Amsterdam and loved them so much I bought them when home. Three blisters later - they were so painful that when I stepped out of them my wood floor felt spongy and soft to walk on. Now I am stuck with them because I thought I’d look like some Dutch artist type in them and I look like a 50 year old in crisis in pain.
For more than a year these are my staples and I am superhappy and not changing them ever:
Inkey List Fulvic acid cleanser
Omorovicza Bitaminc C serum for day
Murad retinol serum for night
First Aid moisturiser on top of serums
Ultraviolet/ Supergoop tinted / Trish McEvoy tinted SPF50s depending on what I’m more inclined to.
And I get all of this off ebay, with crazy discounts and probably am buying off people who steal from shops but saves me soo much money!
Moved to Australia and now have a mega cold- my sympathies with Sam. I think the inflammation and changes to your gut bacteria can make you down and irritable. Glad he is better.
Sunscreen I like Australian Gold bb cream. SPF 50, can get the slightest bit orange- and with this cold I do a hell of a Chief Cheeto impression. Esther, Australian Gold is the winningest sunscreen, the best sunscreen in the entire universe, ask anyone. :)
Colourscience, amazing stuff, comes out of tube white then morphs into the most amazing factor 50, no white cast, looks like skin-but-lovely
I am a big fan of an oversized linen shirt for pool/beach, also recommend saltwater sandals or slides for the beach/pool as you can wear them in the water and they are smart enough looking to wear out. I also wear a hat in the pool when it’s really hot much to my children’s embarrassment!
I get so cross when I read that people are cancelling their hard earned holidays abroad because it’s hot. It’s summer! We need to escape the chill of July in the UK. Plus seeing every weather chart bedecked in red/orange - Danger! Danger! Grrrrrrr!
Poor Sam. Hope he’s on the mend…..
What I would like to know is what swimwear you like to wear? I went on a mad spree last night and purchased a swimsuit from Kalk (https://www.kalkstore.com/products/ailen-one-piece-colorful) and also a Form and Fold bikini which I definitely can't afford. But I had my first baby last year and I kind of feel like throwing money at the situation might be a good move?
I love Fantasie who have reliable bum-cheek coverage and cup sized tops, and they are on sale atm, but they do have some minging patterns. See also Panache, but beware the tankini tops in big boob sizes are almost impossible to get in and out of with the underwired inner layer.
I am in Greece right now and it is too bloody hot lads. Between midday and about 8pm is basically inside in air con or up to the neck in pool or sea. Don’t bring factor 50 from Bondi Sands for body, I burnt like a fucker first two days even with constant reapplying and not even sitting out in it. However their Face factor 50 in a spray has been great to top up over the initial L’Oréal recitalift factor 50. Floaty and flouncy and thin are the buzz words re clothes.
I burnt with SPF50 too sitting under a parasol! Pointless holiday when you're sta inside for hours all day.
But fully agree with the no waistbands, also things with sleeves nicer than vest tops when you do have to brave the sun
I also burn like a fucker, esp on parts which have not seen the sun in about 18 years, but found Bondi 50 did a great job in 32 C, on all the parts I did apply it too. Got caught out by the inevitable strap rub/boob chafe.
We've finished our Italian holiday early! House was supposed to have air con but didn't really, power cuts constantly in the night which made the house alarm go off, too hot to sit outside even in the shade 😔 so we pulled the plus early and flew to France - currently enjoying heavenly 26c at Parc Asterix 👍👍👍
Love all the comments, lots of good tips.
Just in case anyone hasn’t been on a hot holiday for some time (like me) may I point out a couple of obvious things which could have fine tuned my packing? We were in Greece in 32 degrees a couple of weeks ago and that was too hot for me.
No waistbands, even for evening if it doesn’t cool down by 7ish. Loose dresses ftw.
No underwires. I found Esther’s recommended Sloggi bralettes too small for my 36FF bazookas, but Fantasie Smoothease bralette was great, and their sizing guide spot on.
Broad brimmed hat, fan and one of those Evian mist sprays pretty essential.
In a fit of pure genius I bought a few pairs of Snag Tights chub rub shorts even though my thighs are fairly average. They’re thick tights material, which stuck to one cotton dress but not to the linen ones, and quite long in the leg even for a tall person, and look, they’re not going to be cool to wear, but I didn’t think they were any warmer than knickers and the joy of rub-less thighs is not to be underestimated. Also didn't leave random knicker marks when I changed into a bikini.
Personally I was too hot for ribbed tank tops, of which I took many, but the few non-ribbed ones were fine.
Don’t forget your feet will burn when walking around, and the sand will be WAY too hot to walk on.
All really good points! Especially the clothes. If you go somewhere like Seville in the summer, the women are wearing long, loose dresses in light material. That is the MOST comfortable, and has the advantage on the beach that you can change in and out of your swimsuit underneath it like a big poncho!
Yes, tried and tested as a poncho! Though I will note that for hotel-with-beach, when you’re putting your beach dress on and off multiple times, for a pee, for a drink, for another book, I found my maxi dresses were way too cumbersome and I had several seconds of struggling like a headless bright pink apparition between bikini and dress. I felt VERY British and uncool.
Gosh I've so much to do...but read your piece (always do no matter how busy) sorry about Sam however my children are 38 45 and 50 so they have the 'sam' worries not me
Ordering on line however is me! but it''s getting worse, still waiting for my 'bargain' trainers and boots from Fit Flop (I feel sure they won't ever arrive) no one ever replies to my query email
... and why in gods name do I contine to buy shite from China? I never ever look anything like the models who all have divine hair and are slim and tanned.
The clothes that look amazing on line ..are always cheap fabric and the sizes are very hit amd miss - (mostly miss in my case). Returns to China ...that's a joke theres no such facility.
I swear to god I will only buy now from reputable places - Selfridges, John Lewis H&M (love H&M their returns are just so easy)
And finally I bought some 'Magic' face cream ~Charlotte Tilbury! ..... doesn't work no one has exclaimed how amazing I look. becasue I actually don't! I'm sticking to E45
Update.. I was scammed .. FitFlop it was not! fortunately I paid by credit card so there’s a chance I may be refunded..
Skin care: UltraViolette SPF 50. 5 pumps in the morning and reapplying it at midday and just not going outside ever. Dieux's instant angel moisturiser (even go to the bother of getting it from the US because it is so amazing. Wish they could import their serum but it's got funky stuff in it that they cant import so you know its good). Vitamin C serum from naturium at Space NK because it's air-sealed so phresshhh. Dermatica's tret perscription (0.05%) because age and Cerave's salicylic wash which I put on my face and then go do something else for five minutes so it actually gets into the pores. And the omnilux red light mask. Did I mention I'm staying in the UK for holidays because who can be fucked with flights anymore?
Poor Sam! Somehow the worry about not being able to run on his sports day struck me as more heartbreaking than the hijacked plane thing. The thing with mine when they’ve been really ill and unable to sleep is watching reruns of Sooty in the middle of the night, it is spectacularly cheering, but one particularly bad night I put on the film of Moomins on the Riviera, and I was so tired I was in and out of sleep and it entered my mind in a weird way and thoughts of it return at odd times, and I wasn’t even the one who was sick.
Like Emily I really like the Amber Solaire anti-dark spots SPF - a few of my freckles were thinking about combining into a Super-Freckle, I’m absolutely sure of it. It disappears instantly and doesn’t give me sore eyes. I feel like I need another moisturiser with it though and haven’t quite cracked that. Cerave Cream to Foam cleanser and Nivea night cream.
Disappointing about the De Witt. I’ve had my eye on Lives of The Wives - essays about literary marriages as it strikes me as the perfect sort of thing to read on holiday.
Avene do a moisturiser with SPF, but only 30 so may not be high enough for you. I find it's okay for everyday-not-particularly-high-uv-index sort of days. when needed I top up with LRP anyway. Not for oily skin though, quite rich but sinks in nicely.
Ps hope Sam is better. I had food poisoning before we left for our trip and had to pack in between bouts of throwing up. I’m planning to become one of those people who packs ahead of time after this experience as my packing left a lot to be desired…half a bikini and a jumper level of insanity.
packing properly requires 11+ non-verbal reasoning levels of thinking outside the box. bad enough when you're well: absolutely impossible when you're not. and vomiting? holy cow how are you still alive
Just on my way back from very hot holiday in Greece. Skincare def recommend Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Anti-Dark Spots Face Fluid SPF50+ 40ml. Skincare and SPF in one. Cerave hydrating cleanser and moisturiser for evening (also took a small pot with the salicylic acid cream in it too to prevent lizard leg skin).
Pack an old school fan and a UV umbrella if you’re going to Italy! We didn’t for Athens and regretted it.
Thanks for the uv umbrella tip! Off to Tuscany on the 29th and the thought of trekking round and standing queuing in Florence fills me with dread
Last time we went to Tuscany we didn’t do any sightseeing beyond a couple of local towns for lunch. So much to see without having to brave Florence!
We’ve been before and are going with friends this time who haven’t - we plan early or late sightseeing from our base near Siena (where we got married)
Bless Sam - I hope he gets better asap. Viruses are hideous and that sounds like one of the worst.
I am going to Sicily on 30th. EEK. Well mid Gatwick strike so maybe not!
If anyone has any advice on how to get their son to study for A levels I’d love to know. I’m at my wits end.
I tried on a pair of clogs in BA&SH in Amsterdam and loved them so much I bought them when home. Three blisters later - they were so painful that when I stepped out of them my wood floor felt spongy and soft to walk on. Now I am stuck with them because I thought I’d look like some Dutch artist type in them and I look like a 50 year old in crisis in pain.