Back to business

UPDATE YOUR WORK WARDROBE WITH FRESH COLOURS AND MASCULINE OVERSIZED STYLES, SAYS HARRIET WHEELER

IF ANYONE has any idea what I wore when I last went on a holiday that required a passport, can you make yourself known to a member of staff please, because none of it seems to be in my wardrobe, or in the neatly labelled boxes under the spare bed.

I am hoping the box that says ‘holiday clothes’ was inaccurately labelled and there is another more interesting box elsewhere.

Until I find it, I have been browsing the spring sales online.

Despite my love of summer, the sun, holidays, and all things warm weatherrelated, shopping for holiday clothes is my least favourite type of retail therapy.

My love of layers means I don’t enjoy poring over pages and pages of sheer, short, tassled, beaded, printed and predictable holiday garb.

The models’ exposed limbs, in no way, shape or form, resemble mine right now.

Obviously not all holiday wardrobes are created equal and nor should they be, not all holidays are the same.

The accommodation makes a difference. If you’re staying in a hotel, you need clothes that are suitable to wear for breakfast, whereas if you have an apartment or villa, unless you’re really posh, you can stay in your PJs or robe until it’s time to get dressed to go out.

In the interest of research, I typed the word kaftan into a well-known search engine.

Remember when they used to be a holiday staple?

Despite there being 28,000,000 results, the offering is questionable, although perfect if your holiday vibe is Margo from The Good Life.

It’s not. It was once. I was all about the wafty dresses and prints.

I used to go on holiday and as soon as the warm air hit me on the steps of the plane I dressed like a completely different person and not always a stylish one. I have the holiday snaps to prove it.

I intend my holiday wardrobe in 2022 to be better – simple, no garish prints, nothing overcomplicated, chic... well maybe not chic, my hair doesn’t do well in humidity so chic might be a stretch.

Judging by what I have seen so far, this is not going to be easy.

Wish me luck.

Blazer £115, trousers £79, both Warehouse; shirt £25.99, Reserved; shoes £24, Russell & Bromley

Dress £280, Day Birger et Mikkelsen at Fenwick

Blazer £70, jumper £36, trousers £36, all River Island; shoes £80, New Balance

Jacket £99, trousers £109, both Karen Millen; heels £90, Dune London; necklace £27.99, Pilgrim

Holiday chic: Fil coupe shirt dress £99, Cos

*All prices correct at time of going to press and while stocks last

Shirt £36, River Island; skirt £79, Karen Millen

Sleeveless jacket £125, skirt £35, bag £119, all Warehouse; sandals £14, Primark; necklace £395, Monica Vinader