TOWIE's Lucy Mecklenburgh strips to bikini for trip to shops

TOWIE's Lucy Mecklenburgh strips to bikini for trip to shops

But luckily for the 21-year-old, wearing barely-there clothes, while out browsing for a bargain, is slightly more acceptable when you're abroad.

The beauty was flashing the flesh in a pink and floral two-piece in Marbella, Spain, this morning.

She did cover up, a bit, in a black shawl, which she draped over her arms and shoulders.

Lucy was out hand-in-hand with her boyfriend and The Only Way Is Essex co-star Mario Falcone.

Mario displayed his tattoos in a vest top, denim shorts, shades and a backwards cap.

The couple headed out together after the sun failed to come out this morning.

Lucy had tweeted: "cloudy today!! .. Bit of shopping in the port #Marbs."

Lucy and Mario are in Marbella to film a one-off TOWIE special.

Up to 20 members of the ITV2 reality show's cast are heading to Marbs to film the episode.

James 'Arg' Argent, 24, wrote on Twitter as he jetted out today: "Up early this morning n on the way 2 the airport, Its a hype ting! MARBELLA MARBELLA Were gona party hard! Vegas to Marbella #LivingTheDream."

He later joked: "That awkward moment when @JoeyEssex_ Can't remember the code to his suitcase so he cant close or open it and were checking in! Sorry but lol."

And he added: "We are about to take off!!! Sitting next to the lovebirds @JoeyEssex_ @SamanthaFaiers I need a sick bucket! #marbella."

Sam Faiers, 21, Jessica Wright and Billie Faiers were seen arriving at London Southend Airport in Essex this morning, with their huge suitcases in tow.

Jess, 25, tweeted: "En route to the airport #marbsherewecome."

Billie, 22, added: "Making my way to the airport !! Marbs ... Here we come !! ;-) x."

Fellow cast member 24-year-old Billi Mucklow was also spotted at the airport with best pal Cara Kilbey, also 24.

She wrote this morning: "Marbs Here We Come...on way to the airport.. #TOWIE."

And she later added: "In the Lounge having a wine with @carakilbey @LydiaRoseBright @BobbyCNorris @ChrisDrake87 #towietours #marbellaherewecome."

The Only Way Is Essex bosses laid down the law to the show's stars ahead of the trip — giving them a strict list of things they must NOT get up to.

They issued cast members with a set of rules they must abide by, which includes not boozing the night before filming, no drugs or fighting and no trashing hotel rooms.

The show will feature the Essex boys and girls at a champagne party and having fun in the playboy resort.

The TOWIE Marbella special will air on ITV2 on Wednesday June 13 at 10.00pm.