You’ve booked your holiday, now here’s what you need to hit the beach in style

Are you a light packer, or do you take everything along with the kitchen sink on your summer holiday? Some years ago, I was lucky enough to be staying in a swanky Turkish resort and managed to take 12 bikinis. Worse still, they all were accompanied by matching sandals and kaftans!

Oh, how times have changed. Not only is your luggage allowance an issue, I find it far more liberating to limit what I take and get some great use out of mixing and matching my beachwear, keeping the cost per wear down too. Here’s how…

1. Buy bikinis where you can mix and match the tops and bottoms – not only will this cut down on space, it will give you a different look and you won’t feel like you’re wearing the same cozzie every day. A plain black or navy bikini and a contrasting printed or floral one is a great place to start

2. Thou shalt need just one pair of sparkly flip flops – keep them neutral in nude, black or white and heavy on the sparkle of course – New Look and Accessorise are great for these

3. Jewelled kaftans are great cover ups but wear them first for dinner so you can double up on usage

4. The one-piece is back with a vengeance and if you’re body conscious, the choice on the High Street is amazing. My current favourites are found at Fenwick, ASOS and New Look

5. Buy a great Panama hat. Look in M&S at their ranges – sometimes I have ventured into buying a small size in a men’s department too. They keep the wrinkles at bay and never fail to look fashionable perched at a jaunty angle

By Paula Fry, www.fashionseeker.co.uk