How I Plan My Holiday Capsule Wardrobe

Tomorrow we are off to Barcelona.

The housesitters are in place to take care of the house and the dog and my bag is packed.

Over the past four years I have taken a notebook on holiday and written down a list of every item of clothing I have worn during the day and in the evening.

For example, I know that on August 19th 2008 I wore:

Day: Turquoise bikini , Tie-dyed cotton dress; Coral Birkenstocks
Evening: White Capris, Pink Top, Flip Flops

on Aug 19th 2009 I wore:

Day: Red Polka Dot Costume (Water Park) and White Skirt with red Birkenstocks.
Evening: White Dress and Tan Clarks Sandals

on Aug 19th 2010 I wore:

Day: Black & White Polka Dot Bikini, Matalan Beach dress, FitFlops
Eve: Paisley New Look Dress, Tan Clarks Wedge Sandals

on Aug 19th 2011 I wore:

Day: Pink Swimsuit, White H & M Shirt, Coral Birkenstocks
Eve: Brown short skirt, black vest, black flip flops

This has helped planning my holiday capsule enormously.

Since 2005 our holidays have been the same.
We have gone to a variety of Eurocamp campsites in France, Italy but mainly Spain.
This year we are trying out a new campsite.

Wherever we have holidayed in these campsites the routine is very similar.
I get up early and go for a run.
We have a leisurely breakfast as a family and spend the morning by the pool swimming and reading or  playing games in the water.
We have a long lunch together before venturing out to the beach around 3pm.
Around 7pm we return to our mobile home and get showered before eating which could be a barbecue or occasionally a meal out.
After eating we will go for a walk and a drink by the beach before coming back to our mobile home to play cards or read.
Often the children will go off and do their thing - play football, hang out with their new friends or the older teenagers will go to the campsite club.
Some days my husband and I will hire a bike and go for a ride or  on other days we will fit in a walk.
We usually venture out around the local area a few times too.
This year my eldest son will be staying at home to look after the dog but my mum will come with us.

All of this means I know exactly what my clothes will have to do for me.

I know I will need:

5 swimsuits

3 cover-ups

5 dresses

2 skirts and 3 tops

3 pairs of shoes

1 Sarong

I will also take:

My red Cath Kidston Book Bag.
Cream Crochet Bag.
My running kit.

Selection of underwear.

Assorted silver jewellery.
Sunglasses.

This year I will be taking:

1. Red and White Striped Tankini (Fig Leaves)

2. Jasmine Guiness Polka Dot Swimsuit (Very)

3. Black and White Polka Dot Bikini (Tesco)

4. Black and White Spotted Bikini (Matalan)

5. Blue and White Spot Bikini (Tesco)

6. Blue and White Striped Dress ( H and M)

7. Pink Dress (Marks and Spencer)

8. Black and White Dress (Matalan)

9. Red Multiway Dress (American Apparel)

10. Blue Dress ( Mantaray)

11. Multi Dress (New Look)

12. Red and White Spot Dress (Primark)

13. White Dress (Joe Brown)

14. White Skirt (New Look)

15. Denim Skirt (Dorothy Perkins)

16. Silver Top ( H and M)

17. Blue Top (Dorothy Perkins)

18. Peach Top (Dorothy Perkins)

19. Red Birkenstocks

20. Tan Sandals (Boden)

21. Brown Flip Flops (Monsoon)
22. My 20-year-old sarong

Each year I rely on old holiday favourites and try and add a few new buys.
I have underlined my new buys.
Some of these items have travelled with me every year since 2005.
I love looking back at photographs and seeing my well travelled holiday wardrobe.

I will share some of my latest snaps with you when I return.

If you still have your holidays to come why not jot down what you wear and see how it helps you next year.

Adios for now.

Jane X

The Annual Capsule Wardrobe Challenge

Last year I launched the first Capsule Wardrobe Challenge.
And I was stunned when bloggers across the world joined me.
The premise was simple: Turn ten items into Five Looks.
Kasmira asked me if I was planning to do it again.
Why not?
Last year it was in December so this year to make things a little different (and probably easier!) it will be week beginning September 28th.
If you take the challnge you are permitted to select ten items from your wardrobe which must be mixed and matched for your working week (Monday - Friday) and this includes SAHM's whose working week is spent doing the most important job in the world.

All major items including shoes and outer attire must be limited to 10.

Underwear and hosiery are excluded - use as much or as little as you wish.

This year I will be awarding a special prize to the most innovative blogger who rises to the challenge.
If you sign up for the challenge I will post details of your blog.
What are you waiting for?

Today I wasn't sure how to wear this new Matalan dress.
What do you think?