When I got married to Mr. Luxe all those years ago; I thought he’d be whisking me off to Greek Islands every spare minute he got. I imagined us waltzing ahead with Joan Collins-esque luggage trollies trailing behind, me alighting the private-jet clutching a really fluffy pooch (our bedraggled maltese terrier has really let himself go), me Birkin collection an actual thing.
I must preface this post by saying I am living ‘the dream’ in terms of happiness, emotional support and euphoric marital bliss– however it’s not quite as decadadent as my wild private-jet wielding imagination predicted it.
But in true Mr. Luxe style; caught up in the chaos of a Friday big-shop, losing the will to live in a fight for the last-pot-of organic hummus, he announced those immortal words that have saved many a marriage i’m sure:
“Let’s book a holiday”
We settled on Santorini after I spotted an infinity pool on Pinterest and tracked down the hotel (room and instagram of the girl in the photo).
It was pricey. So in a bid to appease Mr. Luxe’s mortification at paying so much for the ‘Master-Suite-Sea-View’ with room for a pony, I set myself a budget for my vacation wardrobe. I’m historically not good with figures and very forgetful so ignore the the new Chanel bag that crept in a day before we flew out.
The most valuable lessons I learned on this budget; the good high-street pieces move quicker than the London house market… everything you buy has to be a size bigger for it to fit properly… Mango does good dupes.
Here’s five not-that-expensive outfits i wore in Santorini that I still felt a million euros in:
1-The cocktail hour: Basically anything that didn’t need an iron, because at the end of a long day sunbathing I was too tired and fragile. Elasticated waistbands and adjustable straps for the win.
Bag; Cult Gaia (dupe here), Shorts; Posse, Top; Pretty Little Thing,
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2-The pool-time shuffle: A good cover-up shouldn’t cover too much… I loved the exposed back on this dress and you got peaks of my crochet kini. I still felt like it was ‘a look’ and not just a turin-shroud
Knitted dress; Missguided, Swimsuit; Maiyo
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3-Playing Tourist: Pockets for loose change, a bag I could stuff souvenirs in, in fact good basics like this knitted cami were all that I rolled in my case for this trip {did i mention my allergy to irons?}
Top; Zara (similar), Shorts; Topshop, Jewellery; Pretty Little Thing, Bag; Topshop, Belt; Gucci
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4-Breakfast maxi: Comfy but elegant is my forever mantra; I couldn’t face getting dolled up before I’d had my eggs in the morning so maxi-dresses amped up an otherwise rolled-out-of-bed look.
Maxi Dress; George at Asda, Sandals; Topshop
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5-Party at the back: For that money shot… I packed loads of back-detail tops in anticipation of this view
Top; The Odderside, Shorts; Topshop
Ph. J.P.Luxe
We booked direct at Hotel San Antonio in May, 2018 in a Master Suite Sea View (£800 per room per night). We flew with Easy Jet last minute but got a great deal through Kayak.
All words, styling and awkward poses my own. Thanks to Hotel San Antonio for the free Gin & Tonics and countless pool-bed adjustments it was much appreciated.
L x