It all starts with a perfectly packed case - what I'm taking.

You have already seen how I pack my cases from my previous post here and I knew if I could pack my daughters case, mine would be easy peasy, so instead of boring you all to tears (yet again) this post is to show you what I have packed and chosen for my capsule wardrobe for a week in the sun.

It is not always possible to keep your clothes "tonal" but if you can, it makes putting outfits together so much easier although I did throw in a black Juicy Couture top because the silver decoration on it will match my sandals and handbag, also a green pattered one from Linea at House of Fraser for good measure and that particular one goes well with my cream shorts.

4 Dresses from Next, LK Bennet, Linea Weekend at House of Fraser and Great Plains.

I know I broke my own fashion rule of not really wanting to wear anything sleeveless, but remembering how hot it can get abroad, I have thrown caution to the wind, told myself that my upper arms/bingo wings will look a tad more streamlined with a tan anyway! I don't know who I'm kidding but I don't care, its holiday after all.

Shorts from M&S and Juicy Couture (both old) and Great Plains.

3 pairs of shorts. I will probably only wear the chino style shorts out in the evening as the denim are a bit too casual and the navy a little too short in the leg for my liking.

Six Tops. Gap and Juicy Couture.

White short sleeve from Isabella Oliver and white vest from Great Plains.

Linea and Gap.

1 swimsuit, Next. 1 bikini,, Figleaves. 1 bikini top, Lepal. 1 kaftan M&S. 1 Flip Flops, Haviana.

There has been a slight adjustment to the above picture as I am no longer taking my hat due to our hand luggage only packing challenge. I really can't fit it in! I really wanted to buy a fabric "fishing style" hat. Boden had one but it sold out quickly in the sale. Gutted. Also the toiletries pictured have now been decanted into 100ml bottles. What a pain!  I intend to pop into Accessorise at the Airport to see if I can get a new hat as once you are through Passport Control you can do what you want, like buy 200ml bottles of sun lotion - yay!

The Next swimsuit is a recent purchase, if you only buy one swimsuit it has to be a classic black one. The bikini was bought last year and has slightly deeper, more wearable bottoms than my others, which is what makes the black bottoms (which match the top pictured) fall out of favour, so I thought I could do a bit of mix and match here. I must confess I like the look of a mix and match bikini but usually on much younger women. Oh well if I look a prat, I'll stick with the cossie!

My Pucci bikini's are staying home in their little drawstring bags and are going on ebay at the start of next summer.  As much as I love them, if I am still going to opt for a 2 piece, it must have deeper bottoms and anything with tie sides will now be avoided like the plague whether they make your legs look longer or not!

1 x Day Bag

The Louis Vuitton "Neverfull" will act as my day/beach bag but has been flat packed in my case! 

1 x Sandals.

I have only packed one pair of sandals as I am funny about mixing hardware on bags and shoes so am keeping things in the silver/pewter colour palette for evening and to match my handbag.......

1 x evening bag from www.theborrowersclub.com the darling Chanel 2.55 Reissue. Finally I have Chanel arm candy in my life, albeit for a short while! Sigh.

It has become evident that most of what I am taking is new or bought at some point this year, but then I said all along I was fed up with the clothes I have taken away with me for the last few years. Boring.

There have been other capsule wardrobe packing posts if you are interested over at School Gate Style, The Small Fabric of my Life, Style Guile and Surburban Style. Just looking at how much these lovely ladies took away with them makes me seriously wish I had a full size case and a 23kg luggage allowance!