Holiday Outfit Review: Greece

Did I overpack? Yes.

Over a week ago I arrived back in Edinburgh from a lovely week in Corfu, Greece. I love going away on holiday and am lucky to be able to do so, but I really cannot stand packing. I even find it hard to pack for 2-3 nights when I go home to Aberdeen.

Anyway, the point of this post is to review what I brought with me on my Corfu holiday to try and make packing for my next holiday easier. I want to figure out what I didn’t wear and what didn’t work so that I don’t overpack next time.

For context, my boyfriend and I wanted to have some time in the sun and do absolutely nothing but relax. We were away for a week and stayed in this all-inclusive hotel (would recommend it). It was the kind of vibe where you lie by the pool all day, go back to your room and nap, and then get all dressed up for dinner.

Sunset view from our hotel room

As far as I can remember, this is what I brought with me which excludes what I wore on the plane and swimwear:

Dresses: 4 but 1 was a cover-up

Shirts: 4 (2 long-sleeve and 2 short-sleeve)

Other tops: 7 (mostly vests)

Shorts: 3

Shoes: 5… (Birkenstocks, Dad sandals, leather crossover slides, and a pair of flip-flops)

Bags: 3 (one tote bag for the plane, one beach bag, and one nice bag)

Looking at that list, I already know I overpacked but let’s review the outfits.

Airport Outfit

I wore my Adanola set, crewneck jumper, and a denim jacket. Comfort was key especially as our plane was delayed by 4 hours. If this ever happens to you, make sure you claim the compensation from the airline (more on this here).

No complaints here, would wear this again.

Day 1

I wore this linen blend set from Stradivarius or my cover-up dress most days to go to the pool. I do like this, however, practically speaking the shorts were annoying when you just want to throw something on when you’ve been in the pool and are covered in sun cream and mosquito spray.

I have a sleeveless button-up mini dress that I don’t wear that often but I think it could serve the purpose of a cover-up next time.

I’d never worn this combination before. The knit vest was my Gran’s so it was nice to feel like she was with me a little bit. My shorts were from M&S earlier in the year and my sandals were from Primark. I last minute packed a belt and I think it ties the outfit together.

Would wear it again.

Day 2

Again, this cover-up dress I got off Vinted was cute but a total nightmare to put on as it wasn’t stretchy. I bought it off Vinted for £1 but feel like I’ve definitely got my CPW out of it this Summer.

I think this might be a no for the next beach holiday and will probably sell on Vinted.

I LOVE this Zara dress so I’m giving it three photos. It’s so simple but just feels quite classic. I don’t feel like I need to say more. 100% would wear it again.

I’d seen photos of Alex Chung and Jackie Kennedy wearing headscarves and they always looked cool so I thought I’d try it too. I went for more of a headband style though. The key to this is to pin it in place with kirbys!

Day 3

We went to Corfu town and explored which was the only time we left the hotel. We mainly went so I could see the planes land at the airport as you can go to a bridge over the sea where they fly really low over you.

It’s a basic outfit and I used my nice bag (which you can’t see). Nothing inspiring to see here but would repack these items.

Looking at this photo, I could replace the shorts and sandals with my cream wide-leg trousers and a pair of trainers and I’d have an Edinburgh-appropriate outfit.

‘Holiday clothes’ AKA just clothes that I can wear all year round are what I’d like to achieve and I think this shirt, vest, and belt do that. In fact, I don’t mind having a few exceptions like shorts. So, yes I’d repack this next time.

Day 4

Two Summers ago I was obsessed with the Realisation Par strawberry dresses and found this non-branded much cheaper alternative on Depop. I got it altered and it fits so much better.

To be honest, this dress hung in my wardrobe all Summer and I think this will be the only time I wear it this year. I was actually wondering if I should sell it but after wearing it in Corfu, I’m keeping it. I felt so good in it. I think the main problem I have with it is what shoes to wear. It feels like it requires dainty shoes and I’m not a dainty shoe person.

I threw this white linen shirt over the top to keep me warm after we had dinner. I thought this could potentially be something I wear over Summer but with a pair of trainers to make it feel more like me.

Day 5

Didn’t take a photo but it’s a white linen short-sleeve linen shirt from Oysho and my denim shorts I wore to Corfu town. Basic but comfy and timeless.

Day 6

For our last night, I decided to wear the black dress again but tie this blue linen shirt over the top. I’m on the fence on this outfit but that’s okay because I love both items individually so I’d consider taking them both next time.

To summarise, I wore everything except for 4 tops and 1 dress, meaning that I didn’t wear 20% of what I packed. Almost all 5 of these items were bought on impulse when I was out shopping for a beach holiday earlier in the year and weren’t items I’d planned on buying. They’re not even colours or styles I’d usually wear.

Reflecting on the past, it always felt so exciting to buy new holiday clothes each time I went away but I’d only get a couple of wears out of them and they tended to be trend-orientated. I’d love for the majority of my holiday wardrobe to not really be a holiday wardrobe as I’d like it to include items I can pretty much wear year-round and for years to come.

On the whole, I think I did a pretty good job of wearing most of the things I brought but I know where I need to improve if I ever go on another beach holiday. I didn’t buy any clothes for this trip either so that makes me feel a little bit better too.

Thanks for reading as always,

Lily