Jetting off on a luxury vacation this summer? There’s nothing quite like heading to a paradise island for a much-needed dose of sun, sea and sand to help you relax and unwind after a long winter – and first-class travel, high-end hotels and decadent cuisine all put the icing on the cake.
But while holidaying itself is something most can’t help but look forward to, this is less the case when it comes to packing, as while planning your outfits can be fun, you generally tend to have limited space to work with.
When you’re very much a mood dresser or like to make spontaneous, last-minute plans whilst away, fitting in the perfect attire for every eventuality isn’t always possible – especially when you’re the type who loves to dress to impress – but the good news is that with the right approach and a few clever hacks, you can pack light without having to compromise on style.
Here’s how to make glamorous dressing for a summer vacation easy, and to have room in your suitcase to spare.
Choose versatile items
Achieving a sophisticated aesthetic on holiday is about striking the right balance between comfort and style – and the key to packing just the right pieces to pull it off is to opt for versatile pieces that can be worn in different combinations to create a number of different looks. If you’re familiar with the concept of a capsule wardrobe, then think that, with a holiday-inspired twist. Wearing a few staple pieces in different ways will allow you to make your travel wardrobe go further without having to pay for excess baggage at the airport.
Classic, timeless pieces – such as a white linen shirt, a tailored pair of shorts in a camel colour, and a simple black dress are all great examples that can be worn in a multitude of different ways. The shirt can be worn with the shorts, thrown over your bikini as a beach cover-up or cinched in with a belt and teamed with a pair of heels for the evening, while the dress will work just as well for the daytime with a pair of flat sandals as it will glammed up with jewellery and block heels for dinner.
Whatever you choose to wear them with, they’ll exude effortless style and sophistication – so build your holiday wardrobe around items like these, in simple block colours and neutral tones as opposed to patterns, and your options will be endless. Other key items worth packing include a sophisticated backless dress for the evening, simple t-shirts in white, beige and black, and a sarong or wrap for covering up on the beach or wearing as a shawl or scarf when the weather cools off later in the day.
Choose your colour palette wisely
On that note, colour palette is key when it comes to ensuring your garments will combine well. Whites, creams, beiges and other neutrals always look great on holiday and can be dressed up with gold jewellery – whereas you might find that black, navy and other dark colours attract the heat too much during the day, so save those for evening dinners and drinks.
Don’t be afraid to have fun with colour, as if you can’t whilst enjoying a sunshine getaway, then when can you? The key is to combine your bold brights with simpler, pared down pieces and colours to allow them to do all the talking. You’ll want to avoid anything that clashes or distracts from them, and opt for hues that complement your skin tone, hair colour and eyes. Patterns, while pretty, tend to be less versatile than plain coloured pieces, so if you do want to bring some then make sure you have an outfit in mind to ensure you’ll actually get around to wearing them.
Accessorise
Another great trick for getting the most out of your wardrobe is to pack a good selection of accessories, as these will be your secret weapons when it comes to dressing your simple outfits up or down.
A sun hat, a pair of sandals and a rattan beach bag will ensure effortless style and sophistication when thrown on with your swimwear for a wander down to the beach, while a statement necklace, a bold pair of earrings and some killer heels with a beaded clutch bag will inject some elegance into a plain dress or top-and-skirt combo for after dark.
