Summer styles for women over 50 | inspiration for holiday separates whatever the weather!

I've just returned from a fabulous short break in the UK, me and my daughter took a gamble on the weather and travelled to the Isle of Wight for 3 nights. We were keen to avoid airport delays and flight cancellations when we only had a very short window of opportunity to get away.  The gamble paid off and we were blessed with amazing sunny weather.  And a bonus that it wasn't the heatwave the rest of the UK got, we had perfect temperatures of around 21 degrees and the most fabulous views of the beach and sea from our Airbnb apartment.

Packing for a UK break can present quite the dilemma, trying to cover all eventualities with unpredictable weather, from heatwave to rain, balmy days and cooler nights.  Of course the benefit of a UK break is that we often travel by car, which means we can throw extra layers in without cluttering up a suitcase.  I had a raincoat, a blanket, beach towels and a brolly just in case!  I tend to travel with everything but the kitchen sink!

The Isle of Wight was really fabulous, easy to access via Red Funnel Ferries from Southampton to Cowes and then a short drive to Totland Bay where we were staying.

Read on to get some inspiration on what to pack for a UK break from the Afibel summer collection ...

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This is a sponsored blog post.

Summer styles for women over 50

Days out on the Isle of Wight

Chairlift and boat trip at The Needles, Isle of Wight

We decided we'd enjoy an outing in the mornings and relax on our sun terrace or the beach in the afternoons.  Totland Bay is only a short distance to The Needles, one of the most photographed group of rocks in the world!  We got the chairlift down (easy but quite a drop if you are a little nervous of heights) and boarded the fast boat for a 15-minute close up tour of The Needles, at first we couldn't see a thing due to the sea fog, but it soon cleared and we were rewarded with fabulous photo opportunities!

As I knew it might feel a little cool on the boat, I chose to wear my new Afibel NORVEGIEN indigo denim jeans, these are a straight leg fit with stretch in the waistband so are super comfortable and as they are not tight in the leg, they are easy to move in!  I added the CRAONA which is a sleeveless white cotton t-shirt and then finally a lightweight jacket, the TOUAREG is a safari style jacket in a sand colour.

A walk along the coastal path at Totland Bay
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Totland Bay is a stretch of sandy and shingle beach with a couple of restaurants and plenty of parking, we found it so peaceful and the views of the coast and across the Solent to England were stunning.  We did have a lot of 'high tide' while we were there so less beach exposed but the coastal path is easy to walk along, you can walk to Colwell Bay or around the headland, or head up to the cliff tops.  The sunsets at Totland Bay were spectacular and a real highlight of our visit!

If you visit this area, don't miss dining at The Hut, Colwell Bay (but make a reservation) as it is very popular!

Walking the coastal path at Totland Bay, Isle of Wight

I'm wearing the NOBEL floral wide leg trousers with CAMBON another sleeveless top with pretty sequins and embroidery, and the TOUAREG jacket (see details above), my gold sandals are from Air & Grace and my hat is from Creative DeZigns.  I recommend sizing up in the trousers and the length is about right for my 5'2" height but would be a cropped length on anyone much taller.

In all the Afibel styles shown I am wearing a size 10.

Wide leg trousers, top and safari style jacket from Afibel

A morning in Yarmouth to visit the castle and pier

On our second morning we visited Yarmouth, which is a really quaint town, with cobbled streets, cute shops, a pier, harbour and a castle, and the ice cream was deliciuous!

Osborne House, Isle of Wight
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Osborne House was Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's much loved holiday home and rural retreat.  It is only 5 minutes from the Cowes ferry port so we headed there after checking out of our Airbnb and before our afternoon ferry.  I visited Osborne House last year with my husband and I knew my daughter would love it too, it was a very hot day but the gardens are beautiful, and we loved having lunch by the private beach where you can still see Queen Victoria's original bathing machine and enjoy views of the Solent.

My daughter at Osborne House, Isle of Wight

A few more summer holiday style ideas ...

Below I'm wearing the NORVEGIEN indigo denim jeans again with the MALANGE lightweight sleeveless cotton top in a gorgeous shade of green, I love this one, ideal for cooler summer days.  I didn't get to wear it on the Isle of Wight as it was so hot but I really love the fit, a v-neck is so flattering and the green is super striking with the indigo jeans.  My sandals are from Totes.

I love this lightweight green knit from Afibel worn with indigo jeans

From the summer collection at Afibel

A denim jacket, summer holiday essential!

Perfect for when the temperature drops in the evening at home or abroad, a denim jacket is a must-have for over dresses or trousers and a nice top!  This is the TEXIER denim jacket in indigo from Afibel, it has plenty of stretch and is a stylish addition to your capsule wardrobe.

A denim jacket is a summer essential, make sure you have one in your capsule wardrobe!

I'm also wearing the NAVARRO straight leg trousers with an elasticated waist and CAGGIANO, an animal print top in a blouson style, with elastic at the hem and a pretty v-neck.  Perfect to wear for out for cocktails and dinner on holiday! 

A floaty skirt is a summer favourite

Just the right midi-length, with an elasticated waist so easy to slip on, I've accessorised with a thin gold belt, the LANGLOIS is a pleated skirt with a dot print, and I'm wearing it with the CARACAS t-shirt with a really pretty lace v-neck, stretch fabric, it's super soft and light.  My flat gold sandals are from Air & Grace and ideal for holidays but this skirt would look equally stylish with a pair of summer wedge sandals.  My cream cross-body bag is from Hobbs.

Navy is such a classic colour and suits everyone! It's less severe than black and gold accessories make it stand out.

I love how all these separates from the Afibel summer collection will mix and match with each other - the denim jacket with the skirt, all the tops with the indigo jeans, everything is crease resistant and easy to pack, an ideal capsule wardrobe for summer staycations.

​Now when can I go on holiday again!?  We only have short breaks booked until we go to Florence and Tuscany in September, that will be very hot, we are celebrating my husband reaching the big 60!

Love from
Michelle xx


Don't miss my previous posts with Afibel 

Special occasion dresses for EVERY body, see how I am styling a selection of pretty ceremony outfits from Afibel
Summer dresses for women over 50 | my favourites from the new Afibel spring/summer collection
New spring collection from Afibel | the short trench coat is the perfect capsule piece you need in your wardrobe now!

Disclaimer: this post is sponsored by Afibel and the styles featured were gifted to me to review, all opinions and words are my own.

The sunset from The Hut at Colwell Bay, Isle of Wight

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