There’s so much excitement about the moment you start planning a summer holiday. Flights are booked, hotels are confirmed, and now comes the fun part, figuring out what to wear. Because let’s face it, we all wanna have the best outfits for our holidays.
And after a year of rotating the same few outfits, your wardrobe might be crying out for a little refresh. We thought this summer should be all about feeling good, staying cool, and adding some playful pieces that bring your outfits to life without overcomplicating your suitcase.
So in this article, we have some suggestions of pieces you can get to give your summer wardrobe a bit of a fresh feel. You don’t have to worry about spending all your money on these pieces, just read along and get ready to be fashionable, light and summery!
Matching sets
When you’re on holiday, the loveliest feeling is not having to think too much about what goes with what. That’s exactly why our first suggestion is the easiest and most effortless one: the matching set. Whether it’s a cute co-ord with a little crop top and matching skirt, or a relaxed button-down shirt and shorts combo, these sets are the best lazy-but-stylish pieces. You can throw them on and instantly look put together, even if you’ve just woken up from a midday nap.
The best part is that you can mix and match the pieces with other things in your suitcase so you get more outfits. The top from your set might work perfectly with your denim shorts, and the shorts can pair up with a basic slouchy tee you packed last-minute. Go for colours that make you happy or prints that feel a little bolder than you’d normally wear, because they will give you more of a holiday feel.
Bags
A good holiday bag should do three things: hold all your bits without being bulky, look good in every outfit photo, and not be annoying to carry around. Easy, right? This summer, straw bags are back once again, and honestly, they never really left. A medium-sized woven tote is the ultimate beach-to-town piece, so if you’re off on a beach holiday, go for this option.
Now, not everyone goes on holiday to beach resorts, and if your holiday is more of a city vibe, we’ve got the perfect bag for you. You want a stylish bag that is not too big, but still spacious. A tweed and leather satchel I found on Gaelsong is the perfect piece for this. It comes in some bold color combinations that are perfect for summer days and in different sizes, so you can choose exactly what you need. You can wear it as a crossbody bag, shoulder bag or just hold it, so you can feel like you’ve got three different bags with you. This option is a perfect year-round piece that matches the holiday season as well.
Swimwear
Swimwear is not only for swimming anymore, and we know that’s a funny sentence, but hear us out. These days, the right swimsuit can easily double up as part of your outfit. A stylish one-piece in a solid colour or a summer print can work just like a bodysuit and be the base of your outfit. Throw it on with a sarong, a floaty skirt or even denim shorts, and you’ve got yourself a cute day look. You can also wear it with overall dresses or dungarees for a bit of an easier look.
Look for pieces with interesting straps, textures or ruching for a bit of a unique touch without compromising comfort. And don’t forget a light cover-up that you can easily throw on at the beach or while walking to it. An oversized linen shirt is ideal, wear it open over your swimwear, buttoned up as a shirt dress, or knotted at the waist for a more beachy vibe.
Sandals
You know the saying “pack light, pack right”? While we can’t always do that when it comes to holiday packing, it applies more to shoes than anything else.
The truth is, you only need a few pairs for a stylish and comfy holiday. A pair of very comfortable sandals you can walk in all day is non-negotiable. Go for something with soft soles, supportive straps, and nothing that gives you blisters after ten minutes. Chunky sandals and sporty styles are still going strong, and they give off that cool laid-back vibe.
They are a bit harder to pack, so consider that factor. For the evenings, you can bring a pair of sandals with a small heel, that works with your dresses and still lets you walk without wobbling. And if you’re hitting the beach, you’ll want an easy slip-on option like sliders or flip-flops. But that’s it. You don’t have to overflow your suitcase with shoes you’ll only wear with one outfit.
