It only made sense that I do this holiday shop edit once I’d well and truly scoured the shops and the internet for some good old holiday fashion and had a good hard think about my own holiday wardrobe. I always try not to deviate too far from my day to day style when I go on holiday, however this isn’t so easy to achieve when you’re travelling to climates of thirty degrees plus and will be spending most of your time poolside, on the beach or on a boat. Sadly that isn’t my daily life and so such trips involve either getting really creative with the pieces I am likely to wear in the UK or investing in a few more holiday specific pieces.
So this edit will include some holiday style and packing advice, holiday fashion essentials and of course will show you whats in the shops now!
The Absolute Essentials
There are some things that you simply can’t travel to a warm beach destination without and it’s very likely that these are the items that you won’t need to purchase brand new because you are very likely to have them in your wardrobe from your last holiday. A kaftan, swimwear, sunglasses, a beach dress, flip flops or sliders, a beach bag, a straw hat, a pair of cut-off denim, a pair of smarter shorts and some sunglasses. I would argue that if you dig deep in your wardrobe you’ll find most of these lurking around at home and in fact, I’m going to be rooting through my suitcases and holiday draws to dig out swimming costumes, kaftans and beach wear. Other pieces you may or may not have, but that I would argue are summer essentials, be it on holiday or not, is a pair of wedges, Castaner espadrilles are usually my choice, some good reliable gold jewellery, some breathable linen mix tops in neutral colours, an oversized linen shirt and a cross the body bag – because being hands free in the sun just adds to the easy breezy summer vibes.
Holiday Essentials
The Holiday Wardrobe Refresh
There’s something about a holiday that makes us want to shop! So many of my holidays I have travelled with a suitcase full of clothes with tags on – I honestly don’t know what the psychology is behind holidays and newness, but the desire to shop is just stronger than normal. However, now we are becoming far more educated on sustainability and with the bank balance being a very real factor to consider, there are only really and truly a few elements of my holiday wardrobe that make me feel that little bit better when refreshed! I also like to make sure these items are completely wearable in the UK too.
How I Refresh my Holiday Wardrobe
I often go for a few new dresses. I will probably look for floral or summer print dresses to be worn should I be heading out during the day and for evening dresses, I usually go for black but am also more experimental with colours and prints while on holiday. I always like to get myself some new jewellery, a statement piece more often than not, that I can use to add that extra something special to almost any outfit. A pair of wide leg trousers is a must – for comfort, versatility and all that drama; the bolder and or the more voluminous the better. And I often find myself refreshing my camisole collection – because . I keep my tops in summer really simple. They just need to keep me cool, be interchangeable with all my bottoms I pack and always in a single colour. I pack lots and lots of white tops, often from Topshop and H&M, just because they always come in handy and look nice and fresh. I never bought my self a pair of sandals last year because I am still very much in love with my black gladiator sandals, however I did update my summer sandals with two pairs of white leather sandals, one heeled and one a flat pair of sliders.
Holiday Refresh
The Trends that Work for Holidays
So, these aren’t essentials in the slightest, but are trends that I have spotted on many holidaymakers or are trends I think will work really well on holiday.
Tie Dye
Depending on your destination and the type of holiday you’re going on of course, tie dye is trend that for me gives all those hippy, bohemian holiday feels that work so well when you’re submerged in holiday bliss. It’s a trend that I am incorporating into my summer wardrobe one baby step at a time.
Shells
In the same vein as tie dye is shell jewellery. If you follow me on Instagram you will know I am head over heels in love with the shell trend and could literally adorn my entire body in shell jewellery, I have so much of it. Incorporating some shell accessories into a look is an immediate way to update your more classic holiday pieces/
Bias Cut Skirts
I am not sure the bias cut skirt is still considered a trend, but a bias cut skirt in black will go a long way on holiday. I wouldn’t bother purchasing in pastels or lighter and brighter colours for your hols, because the last thing you’d want is a giant sweat patch on your skirt once you’ve sat down for just that bit too long!
Hawaiian Shirts
Hawaiian style shirts tied over high waist cut off shorts or over swimwear just looks cool and is the perfect way to cover up and keep things trendy if you don’t feel one hundred percent comfortable in your swimming costume or bikini. Topshop has a good range of these style shirts, but I am sure you can find these in charity or vintage shops just as easily for a quarter of the price. I have one that I found in Christian’s wardrobe by a brand called Tuya from Argentina, the print and the colours are gorge and I love that it’s not from the high street.
Oversized Tees
Oversized tees, again perfect for throwing on over a swimming costume and wearing as a dress when you’re hanging about the villa or the resort. If your tee is oversized enough these t-shirts can be quite comfortable and super versatile. A black t-shirt dress in the evenings worn with gold heels or gladiators and a coin belt is the perfect effortless but glamorous holiday look.
Natural Beige
The natural and beige trend works so well for holidays. I would advise going for linen mix fabrics to avoid extreme creasing while travelling, because who can be bothered to iron on holiday?! Anything creased on arrival in my suitcase usually ends up staying exactly there! This trend just works so well especially if you’re holidaying in the Mediterranean countryside, I just have this vision of strolling through Lucca in Tuscany in a long linen dress and giant basket bag, looking all very rustic! Perfection!
Holiday Trends
Wearing Dress: Adriana Dress Shoes: White mules Belt snake print from Primark, linked similar
