The Style High Club

Do you dread packing for your summer holidays?

Are you anxious about the dreaded luggage weigh in at the airport as you usually stuff your case full of clothes "just in case"? Do you wear 20% of your suitcase 80% of the time when you're away? If this is you, then it might be time to take some holiday style advice from North West style expert Nicola Cupples.

Women are at heart, practical creatures who like to feel prepared for every eventuality whilst away from home, which leaves them in somewhat of a dilemma when it comes to holiday packing! The key is to learn how to mix and match essential summer wardrobe staples that you can use year after year with this season's trendy key pieces to give you an up to date yet varied look.

Pack like the Fash Pack!

Flip Flops

Havaiana flip flops are comfortable, cool and available in a multitude of colours and for me, are a summer must-have. I even wear them around the house in the summer instead of slippers because they are so comfortable. A welcome addition to your hand luggage when you hit the runway and your feet are a little swollen from the flight.

Dorothy Perkins does great look-alike havaianas in the summer for £10 - £15 so worth a look.

Black or camel pashmina.

Wear on cool evenings for an effortless yet chic look. Also pashminas are practical and stylish for travelling on planes when the air conditioning gets cool yet pack up neatly into your case or hand luggage. Make sure you choose a basic colour though!

Linen trousers.

Ideal for keeping cool yet covering up classically in hot climates but make sure that the length of your trousers comes down past your ankle to lengthen your leg.

Darker linen trousers are more slimming for pear shaped ladies. Team up with this season's floral frilly sleeveless tops to draw the eye up and away from hips and thighs.

For those ladies amongst you with skinny legs, try going cropped to highlight those slim pins. 7/8 trousers are big for this season and are great for women with slim ankles.

Black large frame sunglasses.

Glam up any look, day or night, by the pool or at the airport. Brilliant at hiding one too many cocktails the morning after!

The Silk Scarf

Pack one or two brightly coloured silk scarves which can double up as head scarves for by the pool, evening neckerchiefs or even luxury belts! A must-have for ladies with hair that hates the heat.

Kaftan.

A great kaftan can make a beautiful poolside look or team with shorts and wedges to achieve a more glamorous evening outfit.

For a petit bust and shoulders, choose kaftans that are more fitted and have detail around the shoulders and bust area to draw the eye up away from your hips and thighs. Choose material that skims your thighs and doesn't cling.

Good legs and generous bust are flattered with deep V necks and shorter lengths that show off your perfect pins.

Jewelled flip flops or metallic flat sandals.

These will glam up any daytime look when you want to look chic yet relaxed by the pool. Choose metallics that will go with everything and they can double up beautifully with floaty skirts and shorts for a boho evening look.

Wedges.

For those shorter ladies, height is a must have, even on holiday. However stiletto heels can be agony when your feet swell not to mention can look, dare I say, tacky in a more relaxed holiday resort.

Wedges look boho chic and are kinder to your feet in hotter climates. A must have for those of us with shorter legs.

Maxi Dress or Maxi Kaftan

The maxi dress has been on trend for the last few summers, thank goodness! Buy a maxi in a colour that suits you and dress it up with bold accessories and wedges in the evening or with flip flops and a large beach bag for a more casual look.

For small busts go for detail at the top such as frills, patterns or colour that will highlight your shoulders and fill out your smaller bust.

Bustier ladies should choose dresses with more support built in to the top half in a v-neck style; halternecks can work well. Stay away from empire line dresses to avoid looking pregnant!

Plain coloured vests.

A must have for mixing and matching with various trousers, shorts and skirts, or maybe try one of this season's brightly coloured camis to add interest look or just opt for black or white which you can team with everything. DON’T go and buy a vest in ten different colours though! Two or three is enough.

Some added travel style tips....

Pile everything you want to take on to the bed first and then look to leave approximately half of that behind!

Only take items which you can mix and match with others to achieve different looks with. Get rid of any heavy fabrics or high heeled shoes – you won’t wear them!

Accessories are a light-weight and cost-effective way to achieve different looks whilst on holiday and can take items from day to night.

Forget the perfume and opt for scented moisturiser instead. Perfume is often too heavy in humid climates and a nice light moisturiser is far more refreshing and kinder to your skin!

Add layers of tissue paper between your clothes to prevent creasing and to add a bit of luxury to your holiday wardrobe!

Add a brightly coloured ribbon to your suitcase handle to avoid any luggage mix ups at the carousel.

© Nicola Cupples, 2009