At the beach – how to avoid being fined
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has official travel advice for Spain-bound tourists who favour barely-there wear: “In some parts of Spain, it’s illegal to be in the street wearing only a bikini or swimming shorts. Being bare-chested is also illegal in some areas in Spain. You could be fined if you’re caught wearing swimwear on the seafront promenade or adjacent streets.”
Other parts of Europe have bikini bans too. In 2022, the mayor of Sorrento forbade swimwear and shirtlessness on its streets, and the same rules apply in Venice.
For the chicest way to cover up, embrace linen. And don’t worry about it getting crumpled in your suitcase. “I always tell people to not be afraid of creases from linen,” says Constant. “One of those things that no one really knows is that the more creases there are in linen, the more expensive it is.”
Local customs may trip visitors up, but so will cheap, see-through swimwear. Graham’s advice is to buy good quality, sustainable pieces. “I get swimwear on Vinted because you can buy it ‘new with tags’. Sustainable swimwear brands do tend to be pricier but you don’t need one bikini for each day. Take a couple and mix and match different tops and bottoms on different days,” she says.
Is there ever a case for swimwear off the beach? Constant thinks so. “It can be so versatile, and that’s what you want from your holiday wardrobe,” she says. “You want to pack light and have a capsule wardrobe to work with. Go for the same colourway so you can incorporate your swimwear into day-to-night looks. Pack accessories, then you can pair swimwear with a skirt and a see-through top and big chunky jewellery at a beach club.”
Meanwhile, the biggest fashion faux pas on the sand according to both Constant and Griffith is forgetting the SPF. “I burn in about 10 seconds. So I’m always covered up, under an umbrella, wearing Factor 50 and with a blanket over my feet,” says Griffiths.
Beware the fashion police on these holidays
Posh hotels
Check before you travel to a five-star. It may be balmy in the Caribbean, but men might be in trouble if they’ve only packed shorts: many hotel restaurants require trousers in the evenings. Meanwhile, trainers, T-shirts and shorts are banned in the American Bar at Gleneagles. And you’ll need a jacket and tie to take afternoon tea in the Palm Court at The Ritz.
Cruise ships
Trousers are de rigueur in some cruise ship restaurants (although you can get away with ‘smart tailored shorts’ at some venues on P&O ships while Disney’s most casual ones accept anything but swimwear and tank tops). You’ll need a dress or jacket and tie for ‘Black Tie’ evenings too – unless you’re on a Virgin Voyage, where you can wear whatever you want, and even attend a ‘pyjama party’ in nightwear.
Theme parks
Harbouring a desire to return to childhood by dressing as your favourite Disney character? Forget it: Disneyland forbids costumes for anyone over the age of 14. Obscene slogans and visible inappropriate tattoos are also out, as are garments that show “excessive portions of the skin”.
Active wear
Can you embrace exercise and fashion on holiday?
It’s finally time to look back on that C&A school skiwear with nostalgia: colour has returned in a big way. Onalaja-Aliu favours a one-piece in highlighter shades for the snow, while Constant recommends the brand Perfect Moment, known for its 1970s-inspired, form-fitting garments in red, white and blue.
For those who want to blend in, Constant recommends Burton. “It’s a snow-wear brand that’s a bit more fun. It’s comfortable and over-sized. It looks great on everyone”.
Meanwhile, the key to looking good while hiking is always to be comfortable. In some cases, wearing the wrong clothes can be downright dangerous, which may explain the ban on flip-flops and open-toed footwear on the hiking trails of Italy’s Cinque Terre.
The coolest brands currently in the activewear game? Pas Normal Studios for cycling, Patagonia and Arc’teryx for getting outdoors.