Holiday Essentials – Shop smart in the sale for your summer holiday

So for those of you about to embark on your summer holiday, then this blog is for you. If, like me, you have already been away and are now staring down the barrel of another month or so of school holidays with very little prospect of sunshine, then don’t switch off quite yet as some of these bargains are just too good to miss. There may still be an Indian Summer even if August does turn out to be a wash-out and if not, you will be ahead of the curve for next year.

Packing can be a bit of a palaver but remove the hassle and save pennies in the process with some sale savvy shopping. The sales may be nearly done, but there is definitely still time to grab a bargain.

Beach Bag

First up is the humble beach bag which, with or without kids, you definitely need to carry around all the paraphernalia. You can’t go wrong with a classic straw bag and this Stripe straw tote from Gap is very chic £24.99 was £34.99.

I have a striped canvas bag from Gap which doesn’t appear to be in stock anymore on the website but Oasis has this one which is great: Stoupa Stripe Shopper was £22 now £16.

As a sucker for all things shiny, I love the Stoupa Shopper in silver also £16.

Hands-free is also a big benefit but that doesn’t mean you need to look like a kid on a school trip. So this one from Accessorize will free you up to look cool in the sun: Capri Stripe Duffel Bag was £32 now £9.60.

Sandals

I think that Accessorize has the best selection of reduced price sandals to cater for every taste so look no further. And if these don’t float your boat then there are a whole host of others to choose from.

If you just want a basic pair then you can’t go wrong with these Ibiza Wave Flip Flops are reduced to £1.80. If pink feels too girly they do have white and blue too.

If you are looking for something a bit more dressy then their jewelled thongs are also a good bet and will work well with shorts and kaftans for daytime as well as dresses and jeans for evening: Santorini Bling Thongs now £16.

I spied a few of these styles earlier on in the season and they are now also reduced: Zaina Jewelled Sandals now £10.50.

If you are looking for a more on-trend option then these Cross Strap Sliders now £7.50 are perfect. They also come in a snakeskin.

Add some chunky jewels to confirm your fashion and style credentials with the Hoxton Gem Sandals now £10.50.

Hats

Apart from being a sensible and practical addition to your summer holiday wardrobe, a hat is also a chic accessory to finish off any outfit. My choice would be a Trilby as I have a bit of a pin-head but for me it has to be straw whatever style you go for! This from Oasis is only £8.

You can’t go wrong with a classic natural straw and this one also from Oasis is £8.

Alternatively this Hemmingway Fedora hat in navy from Accessorize is now £11.

Kaftans and Cover-ups

Don’t get me wrong, I love a pair of shorts, but slipping on a cover-up round the pool or on the beach makes for a more glamorous look and I love this one from Accessorize with it’s on trend fringing: Hawaiian Print Kimono £9.60. The bikini underneath is a great colour and also in the sale. In fact, I love the whole look

Going for a white cover up is a safe bet as it will go with whatever swimwear you have on and Monsoon is the home of kaftans. This Lucia Kaftan is a real bargain reduced from £69 to £20.70.

The same rational applies to a black cover up as it will work with a whole range of accessories: Tamara Longline Tassel Top now £8.70.

Channel this season’s 70’s feel but do it in a subtle yet traditional heritage way with this lovely print from Monsoon: Lombok woodblock kaftan dress now £20.70.

You may be wondering where all the swimwear options are – if you missed last month’s blog on this, then here is the link. By now some of these may well be in the sale – fingers crossed! When I went away a couple of weeks ago there was little to nothing bikini-like in the shops and sizes were very hit and miss. So save yourself the time and do it on-line. Accessorize still has an extensive on-line selection.

As I write this the weather forecast has just popped up on the BBC and it is looking more promising for the weekend. Hurray all is not lost for us August-staycationers and these sale buys may just brighten up your day.