Holiday essentials; around pounds 20

1. Protect yourself from harmful rays with factor 15 Shelter spray, pounds 13, by Philosophy, available from Space NK Apothecary, Unit 4, Thomas Neals, Earlham Street, London WC2, enquiries 0171-379 7030

2. Cover up all those pale bits with a batique print sarong pounds 14.99, from Accessorize,123a Kensington High St, London W8 and branches nationwide, enquiries 0171-313 3000.

3. The perfect beach bag is a woven shopper, pounds 18.50, from The Conran Shop, Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, London SW3, enquiries 0171-589 7401

4. Silver lilo, pounds 19.50, from Ocean Leisure, 11-14 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2, enquiries 0171-930 5050

5. Dare to bare in a sweet cherry swimsuit, pounds 19.99, from Knickerbox, 28 Kings Road, London SW3 and branches nationwide, enquiries 0171-284 1744.

6. Make a staement by the pool in red floral flip flops (right), pounds 26, by Jackson, enquiries 0171-243 9900.

7. There's nothing like indulging yourself in some trash reading: Appassionata by Jilly Cooper, pounds 16.99, available from all good book shops.

8. In case you get fed up with the sound of waves lapping against the shore listen to a Sony Walkman, pounds 19.99 available in black, red, blue and green, available from department stores nationwide, enquiries 0990 111 999.

9. Lounge around on a fab fuschia and turquoise geometric print beach towel, pounds 21, from John Lewis, Oxford Street, London W1 and branches nationwide, enquiries 0171-629 7711.

10. After a hard night out on the sangria don't be seen without stylish pistachio or turquoise sunglasses (right), pounds 10, by Mondo, available from Dickins and Jones, Regent Street, London W1 and other House of Fraser stores nationwide, enquiries 0181-974 1642.

Holly Davies