Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol

I discovered recently that the fastest growing sector in luxury fashion is resortwear. That’s basically swimwear and all the trimmings – the straw hats, the beach bags, the cover-ups and so on. And of course, luxury fashion trends tend to trickle down to the high street.
So what’s going on? Because we’re traveling to sunnier climes more frequently and posting extensive photographic evidence of it on social media, women are no longer digging out two frayed bikinis and ancient sundress and making do. It seems we now have carefully considered, curated and annually updated holiday wardrobes. Well, in theory, anyway – for some of us that ‘curation’ consists of panic-buying the contents of Accessorize at Heathrow 10 minutes before their flight’s last call. Ahem. But in the interests of having an impeccably packed suitcase this summer, here’s my guide to best high street resortwear around.
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Bikinis
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71055 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/westgate-next-bikini.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1502" />
Next is surprisingly brilliant for swimwear, with a huge range of styles and sizes. This jaunty, yellow <a href="http://www.next.co.uk/g892124s2#459537" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">striped halterneck number</a> is £14 for the top and £14 for the bottoms. Bonus points for the flattering vertical lines.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71056 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/westgate-hm-bikni.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="1500" />
Hurray for <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0588588004.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">big pants</a>! H&amp;M have this in a vibrant coral or green print colourway. It’s £17.99 for the top, £12.99 for the high waisted bottoms.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71059 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/westgate-lk-bennett-bikini.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1289" />
LK Bennett – not just the home of Kate Middleton-esque nude courts, it transpires. If you prefer an edgier print to the usual florals, try this blue and white <a href="https://www.lkbennett.com/product/AOCORY1POLYAMIDEMIXPrintWhite%20Blue~Cory-Blue-Animal-Print-Bikini-Top-White%20Blue" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">animal-print bikini</a>. Top £70, bottoms £60.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71063 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/whistles-frill.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1584" />
Like to keep things simple? Try Whistles at John Lewis for minimal styles in block colour. This <a href="https://www.johnlewis.com/whistles-cali-frill-bikini-top-red/p3475145" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">scarlet frill</a> bikini top is £40, the cover-up bottoms £35.
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Swimsuits
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71066 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/uk-Womens-Clothing-Swimwear-and-Beachwear-FRILDA-Ruffle-trim-swimsuit-Grape-FH8W_FRILDA_XGRAPE_1.jpg.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1324" />
This is sexy but also cinches you in. And I love the <a href="http://www.tedbaker.com/uk/Womens/Clothing/Swimwear-and-Beachwear/FRILDA-Ruffle-trim-swimsuit-Grape/p/141481-XGRAPE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">grape colour</a>. It’s from Ted Baker, £59 in the sale, down from £85.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71050 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/westgate-holiday-wardrobe.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="1400" />
&amp; Other Stories always get it right – voilà this simple, <a href="https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/lingerie/swimwear/swimsuits/product.v-cut-swimsuit-red.0596419002.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">flattering one-piece</a>. Go for the red or khaki. £49.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71067 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/hobbs-flamingo.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1071" />
This <a href="https://www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0118-2793-9845L00&amp;productvarid=0118-2793-9845L00-NAVY-MULTI-12&amp;refpage=swimwear" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">navy flamingo print</a> is pleasingly quirky and thumbs up for the ruched stomach panelling – head to Hobbs pronto. It’s £49, down from £69.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71065 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/next-swimsuit-1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1500" />
<a href="http://www.next.co.uk/g22228s2#171914" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Go navy</a> rather than black – it’s just as flattering to the silhouette but kinder to most skintones. This one is £25 from Next.
Sun hats
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71068 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/HALLI-WIDE-BRIMMED-HAT-e1529957307142.jpeg" alt="" width="995" height="680" />
Keep it classic with Reiss’s elegant <a href="https://www.reiss.com/p/wide-brimmed-hat-womens-hallie-in-natural-cream/?category_id=12788&amp;hInd=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">wide-brimmed straw hat</a> (£65).
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71073 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/joules-stripe-hat.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1274" />
Love the attitude of this Joules (£24.95) <a href="https://www.joules.com/Women/Hats-Scarves-And-Gloves/Shade/Sun-Hat/Stripe?id=Y_SHADE|STRIPE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">navy striped number</a>. Just point at the slogan when the children venture near your sun-lounger.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71070 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/tropical-sunhat-e1529957354856.jpeg" alt="" width="995" height="610" />
<a href="https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/accessories/headwear/product.wide-brim-straw-hat-striped.0496593002.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tropical brights</a> look brilliant in sunshine. And no one will miss you in this one from &amp; Other Stories (£23).
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71076 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/oliver-bonas-fedora-hat.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1253" />
I thought Oliver Bonas was only for gifts and birthday cards. I was wrong. Exhibit A: this <a href="https://www.oliverbonas.com/accessories/novi-geo-fedora-hat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fedora</a> (£24) with a graphic black pattern.
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Bags
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71086 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/hush-raffina-bag.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1435" />
I’m coveting this chic <a href="https://www.hush-uk.com/santorini_bag_black.htm?discountCode=HOL18&amp;S2REF=3103797&amp;utm_source=Adestra&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=Striped%20Dover%20Linen%20Top%2C%20%C2%A345&amp;utm_campaign=STYLE%20NOTES" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">circular raffia bag</a> from hush at John Lewis. It comes in black or natural (£59).
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71087 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/mint-velvet-pom-pom.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1372" />
Pom poms are great but some resortwear is absolutely groaning with them and it’s all a bit much. I like the subtle sprinkling on this roomy Mint Velvet <a href="https://www.mintvelvet.co.uk/product/sandy-pom-pom-slouch-straw-bag/16277" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">straw tote</a> (£49).
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71088 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/and-other-stories-clutch-e1529957402166.jpeg" alt="" width="984" height="816" />
If this bag does holler “HOLIDAY!” then I don’t know what does. This &amp; Other Stories embroidered <a href="https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/bags/whats-new/product.woven-embroidered-seashell-clutch-beige.0590864001.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">seashell clutch</a> (£35) is made for beach bar crawls.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71090 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/cos-naughtical-tote.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="1500" />
Hello sailor – this <a href="https://www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/accessories/bags/product.canvas-tote-bag-blue.0600992001.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">nautical canvas tote</a> will hold your beach towel and everything else you can think of too. It’s from Cos (£39).
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Cover-ups
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71099 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/lobster-print-dress.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1187" />
Forget pineapples, lobsters are the new hot motif! I’d like to get my claws into this Oliver Bonas <a href="https://www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/category/dresses/68260#selection=color:Blue__58;size:10__1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">lobster-print sundress</a> (£59.50).
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71098 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/light-blue-linen-shirt.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="1500" />
Personally, I’ll take an oversized, mannish shirt over a sarong any day. Much more modern. This H&amp;M <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0623632002.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">light blue linen shirt</a> is a steal at £29.99. Try it with the red sandals below for a super-cool colour combo.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71100 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/next-kaftan.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1500" />
All white = alright! Check out this <a href="http://www.next.co.uk/g223222s4#183650" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">simple kaftan</a> from Next (£28). It also comes in black.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71101 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/mint-velevet-kimono.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1372" />
Kimonos are hot hot hot right now, as are palm prints. Clever Mint Velvet combine the two with this <a href="https://www.mintvelvet.co.uk/product/pepper-print-kimono/15301" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">palm print kimono</a> (£69).
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Sandals
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71104 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/russell-bromley-e1529957453516.jpg" alt="" width="997" height="730" />
I am wearing <a href="http://www.russellandbromley.co.uk/flat-sandals/pirate/invt/431682" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">these super suede sandals</a> (£135) from Russell &amp; Bromley as I write. They are blingy enough to dress up my denim dresses, cut-offs and jeans, come in an unusual pale khaki that goes with everything and the inside is suede too so you feel like you’re walking on carpet. Delicious.
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71107 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/mint-velvet-birkenstocks-e1529957513116.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="831" />
Bored of Birkenstocks? How about this <a href="https://www.mintvelvet.co.uk/product/ava-white-leather-sandal/15169" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Birkey meets espadrille hybrid</a> from Mint Velvet (£79)? They come in white leather or a rather pretty rose suede.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71183 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/salt-water-sandals-rose-gold.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1000" />
I was <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/national/salt-water-sandals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">banging on </a>about Saltwater sandals last summer and I shall continue to do so this summer too! <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/national/salt-water-sandals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">These rose gold ones</a> are £62.50 from Office.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-71108 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/hm-suede-sandals-e1529957566559.jpeg" alt="" width="998" height="859" />
Don’t step on my red suede shoes! These H&amp;M <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0620759002.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">strappy flats</a> are £39.99 but look far more expensive. They work brilliantly with white, denim, light or navy blue.
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Words <a href="https://twitter.com/Kerry_Potter">@Kerry_Potter</a>

Holiday wardrobe sorted!

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