Floral Bikini and Yellow Lace Sundress/Beach Cover-up

What to wear to breakfast when staying in a hotel on holiday in a hot country, is (unfortunately), not something I need to ponder very frequently, but is something I did give careful consideration to when planning and packing my holiday wardrobe. As much as I love clothes and accessories and have never knowingly underpacked, I do try to pack efficiently, always remembering that I want my wardrobe to work hard for me and to multi-task even when it too is on holiday. That being said, I have never, ever understood the beach to bar philosophy of  a capsule wardrobe and of wearing a kaftan and flip flops to the beach to then add strappy sandals, a stack of bangles and a slick of lipstick in readiness for an evening of Pina Coladas. After a day in the sun, I want to shower, wash my hair remove all traces of salt and suntan oil and get ready properly for dinner and any subsequent cocktails. For me, dinner dressing is easy. Seven dresses all cool, easy to wear and as crease-resistant as possible.

But back to breakfast. The dress code will of course vary depending on the type and location of the holiday and whether or not it is catered. We stayed half-board in a hotel so enjoyed a fabulous buffet breakfast, including Cava. (When in Spain…) I wore a bikini or swimsuit under either a tunic/kaftan/cover-up or a loose dress. That way, I wasn’t going through two lots of underwear each day and it meant it took just a matter of minutes post-breakfast to clean teeth and apply sunscreen, so maximising beach time. All of the above cover-ups are semi-sheer but perfectly acceptable due to their “decent” length and the fact that it is very obviously swimwear beneath. 

This gorgeously flowing, romantic dress was perfect for this. Loose and floaty it felt like it was barely there which was a very welcome feeling on what were very hot days. It took me from breakfast to beach to an informal cafe for lunch and back through the hotel whenever necessary. I absolutely love it and will look to get something similar for next time because I found it to be so useful. (I will share my other cover-ups in subsequent posts because they’re rather pretty too!)   

I also wore it when indulging in a little light-hearted sight-seeing. Here, I’m standing on a circular marble platform at the centre of El Balcon de Europa, a large, round balcony at the top of a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the beaches of Nerja.

It also offers panoramic views of the Sierra Almijara mountain range- equally spectacular day and night.

This palm-lined boulevard leads up to the circular platform…

…And becomes increasingly busy as the day goes on, coming into its own at night when it comes alive with street artists and tourists and locals alike.

And this fine chap is King Alfonso XII, imortalised after he visited Nerja in 1884 following an earthquake, when he declared the area to be “El Balcon de Europa”.

Well it’s not every day one gets to kiss a king.

Love Liz x

Outfit details:
*Iconique Lydia yellow sundress, £49.95, UK Swimwear
*Oroblu Ambra reversible bandeau bikini, £84.95, UK Swimwear
Flip flops, Johnnie B at Boden, past season

Linking with:
I Will Wear What I Like/ Visible Monday/Shoe and Tell/ Brilliant Blog Posts/ Fun Fashion Friday/ Top of the World Style/ Turning Heads Tuesday

Photographs of me: Poppy Johnston


*Disclosure: These items were gifted by UK Swimwear. As always, ll opinions are 100% honest and all content is my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support What Lizzy Loves.