Before we continue, full disclosure: I want to look good on vacation, but I’m no longer willing to risk sunscreen spilling on my best summer dress (so I leave it at home), or pack shoes that don’t fit. I can. walk all day.
And I won’t buy anything just to use it on a two-week break.
Twenty-five years ago I would have packed all my favorite summer clothes into a suitcase and spent a month’s wages on a crochet robe, but I know better now.
I want to get through an airport with carry-on luggage, which means refining that vacation wardrobe to the bare minimum (seven items that can’t go wrong) plus a couple of You Never Know, just for fun…
1. A drop-down day dress
It doesn’t have to be a pop-over (V-neck, loose fit, no buttons, zippers or belt), but it has to be simple, fresh and ideally midi with three-quarter sleeves, because it protects you from the sun when you can’t get out of it. It’s what keeps you cool.
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I’ve been wearing the same ten-year-old, lightly striped Zara dress for years, and it does its job perfectly. For something similar, Hush makes a lightweight maxi in petrol blue (£79, hush-uk.com). John Lewis has a slightly batik look, blue spot print on white and linen-blend dress (£75, johnlewis.com).
Or, for something more flowy for the holidays, there’s Aspiga’s Mykonos dress, which now comes in maxi and midi lengths (£115, aspiga.com).
You’re better off wearing a solid color or a geometric print – it looks cooler and can easily be dressed up for the evening with some bold, inexpensive jewelry. Try Zara for coral-effect resin necklaces or bead packs and silk necklaces (£22.99, zara.com) and Mango for fantastic shell earrings (mango.com).
2. Cushioned sandals
You travel with the shoes you wear to walk on the cobblestones and reach the beach. If you’re still looking for these, try Marks & Spencers’ suede footbed sandals in tan (£29.50, marksand spencer.com) or their flat platform thongs in black (£35).
Otherwise, thanks to the current trend for flat, elegant, handcrafted sandals to wear with everything, the elegant cushioned sandal is the only option if you want an evening pair.
There are endless variations, but my favorites include Hush’s Thea Footbed Sandal (£99) and Me+Em T-Bar Sandals (£195, meand em.com) in gold or tan. They add elegance and make old vacation clothes look new.
If you really want some height in the heel (and why not), then there’s no substitute for a rope wedge for vacation. Try the Hobbs Ankle Strap Espadrilles in Coriander Green (£110, johnlewis.com).
3. Cool black pants
They have an elastic waist for comfort in hot weather, they are soft, light and wide so you can wear them day or night. Boden makes a short pair in double fabric (£60, boden.co.uk) and Mango makes a nice longer style (£35.99, shop.mango.com). The great thing about these is that they look great with a t-shirt, linen shirt or bright top, or you can pair them with a black top to make a summer jumpsuit.
For something more flowy during the holidays, there’s Aspiga’s Mykonos dress (pictured), which now comes in maxi and midi lengths (£115, aspiga.com).
4. The little black dress (summer)
This is the one you’ll use after sunset, although it also works during the day. It may have a more defined bodice, some pretty detail, maybe a ruffled hem, but it’s still simple and effortless. Hush’s Clarice cotton midi dress (£89) is a classic: an A-line with a fabric belt that changes it up for the evening.
Or, for those who’ve been busy lifting the weights, Nobody’s Child at Marks & Spencer makes a sleeveless midaxi in a lightweight linen blend with a flattering deep V-neckline and fitted bodice (£79). There is a black dress for every taste this summer. I stopped counting when I reached 50 on the M&S website.
5. An unexpected extra with a striking print
The pretty burgundy-on-white block print sarong skirt from the new Sienna Miller collection for Marks & Spencer (£25), if it’s not already sold out, is a no-brainer for the Christmas collection, even if it breaks the ‘no’ . Buy especially for the holiday period. With a white t-shirt, or over a swimsuit, we can pretend to be Sienna for a nanosecond. Sigh.
6. A wild bag
Mango’s mesh bag in orange embellished with silver beads (£79.99) will put a rocket on anything you wear.
7. A nice scarf
Last but not least, a shawl or scarf to hang up at night (try Aspiga or Nrby Clothing (nrbyclothing.com)) will keep you warm in the breeze and add a pop of color. I would take two.