The research, by an online retailer, found more than 85% of women over 50 spent £1,500 on holiday clothes – whilst the cost of an average trip abroad is just £677 per person.

More than 50% of women took more than ten different outfits away with them, with 96% taking at least five pairs of shoes.

Around 91% said they took five different handbags with them on holiday.

Not surprisingly, 65% said they didn’t even wear half the clothes they took on holiday, with 72% saying they over-packed.

Taking so many clothes on holiday is a waste of time and effort, especially if you don’t end up wearing half of them. Picking the right items, which can be mix and matched, is essential for ‘good’ packing.

Linen is a great holiday materials, is light and cool and easy to pack. Taking one daytime and one evening dress should do the trick, along with a couple of cardigans, tops and t-shirts, and try to stick to three handbags and three pairs of shoes – sandals, flip-flops and something classy for the evenings should suffice.

The latest women’s fashion news courtesy of the Roman Originals blog.

One of the key parts of your holiday wardrobe will be tops which can be combined with shorts, trousers or skirts for a variety of different outfits. Choose your tops carefully to avoid that ‘I’ve got nothing to wear’ feeling when you arrive at the destination. Here are some of the things that you may want to consider when choosing which tops to take with you.

Don’t crease easily

By packing tops that don’t crease easily, when you arrive at your resort your time can be spent sipping a cocktail on the balcony rather than ironing all of you clothes. For minimum creasing, you can also roll your clothes. Another great tip is to hang your clothes in the bathroom when you arrive and the steam from the shower will help to get rid of the creases.

Easy to wash, dry and iron

Most of us won’t have enough warm weather clothes to last for 14 days so if you are holidaying for a fortnight, you will probably want to wash out some of your clothes. Make your life easier by taking clothes that are easy to wash, quick to dry and don’t need ironing.

Cool and comfortable

Versatile tops are the key to looking stylish and packing light for holiday. Pick colours and styles that will go with a range of trousers, skirts and shorts or be useful as a cover up on the beach.

Look great with a sun tan

Even if you don’t sun bathe (which is probably the most healthy option), you skin is likely to become slightly more tanned whilst on holiday. Colours like pale green, pale pink and white really show off a suntan. It may be worth packing a few tops in colours that you don’t usually wear.

This Green Printed Top looks great with white, khaki and blue trousers or shorts. It could work for both evening and daytime and looks amazing with a sun tan. Any creases that it gets in transit will easily fall out, once it is hung up.

This floral tunic looks great with white, orange, pink or mauve trousers. Its long sleeves are great for covering up when you have had too much sun and it is also great to slip on over a bikini at the beach.

The beautiful colours of this floral top will look amazing in the sunshine. It is loose fitting making it really comfortable and really cool.

White is such a fresh and cool colour to wear when it is really hot. This top is pretty, comfortable and goes with almost anything. It will also show off your suntan to perfection.

Light weight summer trousers

For some of us shorts or cropped trousers are just not an option for a variety of reasons. Light weight summer trousers are a cool summer option. An elasticated or draw string waist make them ultra comfortable and the waist band can be covered with a top or t shirt. Light weight trousers are the best option for wearing with a longer tunic style of top for an elegant outfit. These ivory white summer trousers are ideal for wearing with a range of coloured tops including navy, red and purple and multi colour prints.  

Cropped Trousers

Cropped trousers are also cool and easy to wear for  a great summer casual look. They can be worn with all sorts of t shirts and tops and a pair of tennis shoes for a on trend outfit. If you are petite or short be careful that your cropped trousers are not too wide or loose fitting as they  can make you look shorter.

Capri Trousers

Capri trousers are a more fitted version of cropped trousers and look a bit smarter. They can even be worn with heels for a summer party or barbecue. Capri trousers have a glamorous fifties feel about them and also look great with a fitted top.

Bermuda Shorts 

Bermuda shorts finish just above the knee and fall into two distinct categories, casual shorts and smart or tailored shorts. The tailored shorts can even be worn with a smart tailored jacket for work wear and are very fashionable at the moment. For those with a very slim or boyish figure, you can create some volume around the hips by wearing culottes or pleated shorts. For a great every day look, a brightly coloured pair of Bermuda’s are probably the most wearable of all the shorts for summer. These purple cotton shortscan be combined with lots of different colours tops for a bright summer outfit. A flat or casual pair of shoes will usually look best with casual Bermuda shorts and medium height heels or sandals with smarter or tailored shorts.

Short shorts

Generally really short shorts are best kept for the beach or garden on the hottest of days. They are usually worn by those with long and shapely legs  or those under the age of twenty. If you do choose to go down this route a pair of wedge heels is also a great way to elongate your legs and some fake tan will stop your legs from looking too pale.

Generally speaking, shorts look best with shorter and more fitted style tops. A very long or baggy top will swamp you and cover the shorts making it look like you are not wearing them. When the weather gets hot don’t be scared about getting your legs out. Shorts and cropped trousers can look great on everyone as long as they pick the right style and wear them in the right way.

There are some great ways to cover up this summer in bold and bright clothing that is versatile enough to be worn in the day time or evening. Tropical temperatures call for tropical colours, think pinks, greens, yellows and blues. All of these colours will reflect the beautiful sunlight and make you glow, the perfect look for a summers day.

The Tunic

The tunic works really well as a daytime top. It is the ideal piece of clothing for when you are out and about or sight seeing on holiday. Its long length and loose fit make it really cool and easy to wear. You can opt for a long sleeved or short sleeved tunic. Obviously the long sleeved option in better for covering up and keeping the sun off your arms but either will work equally well for the evening. A tunic can  be worn as a mini dress or beach cover up in the day, with cropped trousers or jeans and smarter trousers for the evening.

The Over Blouse

Over blouses are perfect for layering over a camisole or t shirt during the day if the going gets too hot or in the evening if things are a little cooler. The collar neckline works well for covering and protecting the back of your neck especially if you are out in the midday sun. An over blouse is incredibly chic. There are lots of different styles available to suit most tastes and they can be worn open or done up.

The Poncho

The Poncho is a loose fitting top without defined arm holes. It works really well for the beach or poolside as it is so easy to take on and off. The large area of fabric in a poncho lends itself to some really stunning and bold designs. If wearing a poncho with trousers, always opt for a fitted pair to balance out the volume of the top.

The Kaftan

A  traditional kaftan is generally a cotton or silk cloak buttoned down the front, with full sleeves, reaching to the ankles and worn with a sash. More recent adaptations of kaftans this look encompass all sorts of loose fitting top, dresses and shirts. All of these styles make great beach wear and also can be worn buttoned up as a dress or unbuttoned as a jacket.

So if you want to look stylish and cool this summer, kaftans, ponchos, tunics and over blouses are all great cover ups to take you from poolside to evening out. Even better they will protect you from the suns rays and keep your skin looking young. Don’t forget your sunglasses to protect your eyes and a straw hat to protect you head, face and neck.

Camisole/ vest top

Camisoles or vest tops are ideal for the hot weather. They don’t take up too much room in the suitcase and don’t crease up too easily, so why not pack a few. They look great with shorts for the day time of a pair of trousers for the evening. To flatter a round tummy, opt for an empire line style which will skim over any lumps or bumps.

Summer dresses

Dresses are probably the coolest option for the really hot weather and a loose flowing style will look really elegant. Choose a style of dress that looks good for daytime or evening for maximum versatility. A dress made of crinkle cotton is perfect for holiday as it won’t crease in the suitcase and you can easily wash it out and won’t need to iron it.

Long sleeved shirt

A long sleeved shirt is another really versatile piece for your summer holiday wardrobe. Use it  to protect your arms, shoulders and back from the sun when sitting on the beach or by the pool or wear it with trousers in the evening. It is also a great way of protecting your arms in areas where there are lots of mosquitoes.

Sandals

A comfortable and stylish pair of sandals is worth its weight in gold, especially if you plan to do lots of walking or sight seeing on holiday. A neutral tan pair for the daytime and a heeled, metallic or embellished pair for the evening should be all you need unless you are planning any trips that require more heavy duty footwear.

Pashmina

A pashmina is a great accessory for travelling. If you are flying, you will probably find that the aeroplane is quite cold. You can stylishly wrap your pashmina around your shoulders or even use it as a blanket. It is also great for the evenings in case it does get a little cooler especially if there is a sea breeze.  

Beach Bag

Whilst a small handbag is perfectly adequate at home, you will probably want something a little more roomy for holiday to carry essentials like suncream, bottles of water, sunglasses and beach towels. A beach bag with a bold print is the perfect way to add colour to any summer holiday outfit.

White Trousers

The perfect pair of white casual trousers is great for wearing during the day or with heels for the evening. White is a really versatile colour and will go with almost any top.

When packing for holiday, there are lots of different things to consider. If you are flying you may be limited by how much you can take with the airlines luggage allowance. Make sure that you check this out before hand to avoid costly charges at check in if you have over packed. If you are limited on space, try and pack a few really versatile pieces that can easily be washed out and will work for lots of different situations. A kaftan or tunic top for example can be worn over a swimming costume or bikini as a cover up or with a pair of trousers for a smarter evening outfit.

Choose clothes that can easily be packed without creasing. If you do have items that crease easily try putting them over a beach towel or another piece of clothing and rolling. When you arrive hang any creased items in the bathroom while you have a shower, this will save on ironing (who wants to iron on holiday?).

Keep in mind that even in hot countries the weather can sometimes be changeable. Pack some a few long sleeved tops or a thin cardigan just in case. You may well also need extra layers for the journey home. You will also need to think about what to wear if the weather is really hot (which is hopefully more likely than it being cold). Loose clothing is probably the easiest way to keep cool. Light weight trousers are a good option if you are out and about sight seeing and long skirts also make a really elegant and comfortable option.

For the evening on holiday dresses are a great choice. Especially if the weather is really hot. For some people holiday is the perfect opportunity to get a bit dressed up each evening and after a day in the sunshine, you will probably be feeling extra glamorous. There is no need to wear high heel shoes on holiday in the evening (unless you want to), a pair of metallic or jewelled sandals will work equally well.

Finally, during the day, it is wize to protect yourself from the sun, a wide brimmed straw hat not only looks incredibly chic but will stop any skin damage caused by the suns rays to the face , neck and chest. If your hat is too big to pack, then wear it on the plane and put in the overhead locker during the flight.

After a winter of dark colours and thick knits, it is always such a welcome change to move into spring and start wearing something a bit lighter and brighter. Of course as we well know the weather in spring time can be really changable ranging from as hot as mid summer to as cold as mid winter. But the days are beginning to get longer and floral patterns are the perfect way to cheer ourselves up. There is nothing quite like a bright floral pattern to make you feel on top of the world. We love this floral tunic not only for its cheery bold colours but also for its amazing versatile style.

A tunic works so well for those days when  you want something a bit more feminine than trousers and a top but don’t want to go the whole hog and wear a dress. Its long line and ability to cover tummy, hips and thighs make it instantly flattering and great for those that are not 100% confident with their body. It flowing shape is elegant and chic making it suitable for a range of occasions from formal to casual. Its long sleeves but loose fit mean that it works equally well for a cooler day or really hot day. The belt at the waist is great for adding some shape and the v neck is another really flattering feature.

The combination of pink and orange is particularly striking and unusual and the white background really make the flowers stand out for maximum effect. If there was just one item that I must have for my holiday wardrobe it would have to be a floral tunic, perfect for a cover up on the beach or by the pool, with denim shorts in the day and a pair of white trousers for the evening. The v neck also lends itself to being accessorised with a beautiful necklace. For an amazing holiday look, you could even try wearing a flower in your hair in either pink or orange.

Tunics are a really classic piece of clothing, perhaps because they are so comfortable to wear and flattering. They are a great investment that will work year after year and never go out of fashion. For an updated look for this year you could even try wearing a floral tunic with clashing floral or checked leggings. A daring but stylish look and one that is sure to get you noticed. Another great way  to create a really colourful outfit is to team your floral tunic with some brightly coloured leggings or trousers, pink would look amazing for a hot summer day. For those who prefer to dress in a more classic style, a pair of neutral trousers of even jeans will work equally well.

To accessorise a floral tunic take your pick from neutral bag and shoes, perhaps a tan leather across the body bag and tan leather gladiator sandals. For a smarter outfit a bright pink, orange or white clutch bag will finish off this outfit perfectly.

The white shirt or blouse has always been considered a wardrobe staple and a classic versatile piece that can work in so many ways. This spring and summer, the boho white blouse is a key trend, perfect in so many ways for that hot summer weather. For a really flattering and up to date style look for a longline pintuck 3/24 sleeve white blouse or shirt with embroidery or lace detail. The fitted style at the top and loose part at the bottom is great for covering the waist band on trousers and skirts that don’t sit quite right and for those who want to diguise a larger tummy, hip and thigh area.

The boho white blouse is an unusually casual style of blouse which is great for weekends, holidays and days out when you want to look stylish. It is comfortable and cool to wear in the hot summer weather and great for sunny days when you want to protect your shoulders and arms from the sun. The loose style of the boho white blouse means that it looks best with more fitted piece on the bottom half to balance out the volume.

Here are some of our favourite ways to wear the boho white blouse this year:

With leggings -for the ultimate in comfy and casual just add a pair of leggings. You can choose from a range of colours including the latest jeggings (denim leggings). They all look great with a white blouse. For a really fashionable look, try adding a cropped casual jacket. Sandals or ballet pumps are the perfect way to finish the outfit.

With Shorts – for holiday, the boho white blouse looks great with either casual denim shorts or a more tailored style. White is the perfect colour for showing off a great sun tan and goes with most colours. Try adding tan coloured sandals and a bag for a relaxed holiday vibe.

Cropped Trousers -a pair of khaki or beige cropped trousers are one of the key pieces of the season. Team your boho white blouse with a pair and you will have an amazing versatile and stylish outfit for every day.

As a beach cover up – even the most seasoned sun bather will want a break from the sun sometimes. A white blouse is perfect for covering up at the beach or by the swimming pool. Add some flip flops, a big straw hat and some bangles or a necklace for a cool and chic look.

With a pencil skirt -a fitted pencil skirt in a casual fabric like denim or twill is the best style of skirt to wear the loose fitting boho white blouse with.

Accessories- as with any outfit, the accesories provide the finishing touch for a really stylish outfit. A white blouse or shirt is really versatile so can be accessorised in lots of different ways. For your feet sandals will probably look best, but you could also try wedge shoes or even cowboy boots for a different look. For a really casual look a tan leather handbag looks great and you can even add a tan leather belt if you want to cinch in at the waist for a more fitted look.

For jewellery, your white blouse is like a blank canvas. Add chunky bangles, strings of delicate beads or an amazing pendant necklace. All sorts of colours and designs will look great including gold and silver, jewel colours, wood and animal print.