HOLIDAY SHOP – MATALAN TOP PICKS

With holiday season fast approaching it’s now time to shop for the holidays – Even if you are not going away until the end of August, you’ve got to start thinking of what you need, as come early June the sales will be on and shops will be clearing out their holiday items.

This weekend I did my major swap from winter to summer wardrobe; all my big knits and winter blue jeans (plus many other items) are now all packed away. I have tried on pretty much all the summer items I own; decided on what I am keeping for Summer 2019 and what I need to clear by either selling, giving away or taking to the local clothes recycle bin for textile management and now I know my gaps.

Over the next few weeks, join me whilst I go around the high street to see what they have in store for the holidays. Decide on your own gaps and think about what you need for Summer 2019. It’s important that items you buy are versatile, you have a real need and don’t succumb to fast fashion just for the sake of it. Make your purchases count and make your sure they will work hard by styling it multiple ways with the items you already own.

So first on my list to tackle was good old Matalan. I love this store for the a lot of choice when it comes to holiday shopping, you are guaranteed a lot of colour choice and you can get basics for a really good price. They also stock clothing from size 8 to size 20. Here are my top picks!

 

Stripe Belted Shirt in Red – £18

100% cotton and this red stripe dress is an easy item to adapt into your wardrobe; perfect for weekend shopping with flat sandals and and a straw bag or style it for the office with red wedges and a leather cross-over body bag, say in tan, red or even black.

 

 

Ditsy Floral Bardot Maxi Dress – £18

The red dress that I am wearing in the main photo is this Bardot maxi dress – this is perfect for the holidays. I loved that it had an inner lining that gives you great coverage, sometimes budget high street skimp on that and dresses can be a little too sheer that you then have to seek out your own lining! The Bardot top can be worn low or skimming the shoulders in more a scoop style. This dress can easily be styled up for a night out and then later in your holiday be downgraded to a beach cover up to sling over your bikini.

 

 

 

Moon Straw Basket Bag – £14

Now my advice to you about straw bags – find one that’s pretty basic. This gives you the freedom to style it many ways with lots of different colourful accessories. One of the most easiest ways you can do this is by adding a scarf that you simply tie around the handle. Silky scarves are a great way to add in more colour to your outfits to tie in with what you are wearing, so get a good selection (charity shops are also a great place to find these too). By having scarves on you, should you wish to tie your hair up during the day, then you have one easily at hand this can add a romantic, feminine look to your daily style.

Other items you can consider adding are brooches, badges and bag charms – by having a good selection this allows you play, and therefore only really needing the one big bag for holidays.

 

 

 

Multi Loop Jacquard Clutch Bag – £12

Now I think this clutch bag is a little gem! You can use this clutch day to night on holiday – during the day use the long strap so that you can have it across your body if you are out sight-seeing or perhaps out lunching. And then at night tuck the straps away inside and use it as a clutch. With it being multi-coloured this gives you a lot of flexibility with many dresses, jumpsuits or even with blue denim of an evening. And should you be wearing all black, then this adds a pop of colour. Love this!!

 

 

 

Crochet Kaftan – £12

Cover ups are never an easy purchase – you need to think about what makes YOU feel good? Sometimes that’s a maxi option as you want good coverage but sometimes you want something just to fling on to head to the bar without looking too covered up. I think this crochet blue kaftan is a gorgeous little option to have by the poolside or on the beach – it has a tie at the waist (a real requirement if you are pear shape or hourglass – kaftans can make you look much bigger if you don’t have shape at the waist) – this style is offered in a variety of colours. And should you love it enough to head out in it, simply add some denim shorts and you’re off!

 

 

Next up is a two-piece item, which will give you lots of versatility over your holiday break. At the start of your holiday wear it together so that it looks like a dress. Style it up of an evening with heels and a clutch bag and then for day wear with sandals or wedges with a gorgeous tote bag. Later in the holiday you can team the top with other skirts or trousers depending on your style and the skirt can be worn with other vests or perhaps even a denim shirt (consider tying the shirt in a knot at the front for a more casual vibe).

Scarf Print Button Front Cami – £9

Scarf Print Dip Back Maxi Skirt – £14

 

 

 

Snake Print Maxi Kimono – £14

This snake skin kimono also has a matching bikini; great for those that like to have everything to match on their holidays. One of the reason I picked this item is that I wanted to show you (or give you an option) for one of my favourite looks at the moment. And that’s a kimono over jeans and a tee. My outfit whilst shopping in Matalan was just this, and so I’ve popped that below so that you can see what I mean.

On holiday this will be a great cover up but if you fancy jazzing up your travel style and you tend to wear jeans and a tee on the plane, then simply pop this on top for extra style.

 

 

WHAT I WORE

Some days you don’t fancy a dress or a jumpsuit – but you can easily add some floral to a simple tee and jean combo! This is my dress from Essentiel Antwerp that I purchased in the January sales. It’s normally a dress, but I’ve worn it here kimono style for a relaxed shopping vibe.

 

 

 

Which item do you love the most? It would be great to get your feedback – simply leave your comments below!