I'll admit I'm the first to spend a ridiculous amount of clothes in the run-up to a holiday, I just get caught up in the excitement and all those opportunities to wear lovely clothes you'd never really get away with in a city setting. However I find that the older I get, the more I want to invest in a capsule holiday wardrobe that will last me forever rather than this season only.
With that in mind, I thought I'd share the pieces I've already bought, and have also enlisted the help of fellow Marie Claire fashion editor Lucia Debieux, as well as influencers Katherine Ormerod, Simonetta Lein, Lindsey Holland, Catarina Mira and Monikh Dale. Here are the picks we believe are well worth investing in now.
A white dress
Lucia: I love a white dress on holiday, groundbreaking right! Throw in some broderie anglaise and it really never goes out of style. I wore a Innika Choo style which annoyingly seems to be out of stock, recently on a trip to Dubai but the high street is full of their take on the trend. With a tent like, tiered silhouette shape it was the perfect piece to wear over a long lunch! I love this similar style from new brand 31 Chapel Lane, all made in Ireland.
Penny: The LWD is often overlooked for the LBD, but there is something equally timeless and sexy about a white dress for summer. I'm particularly loving linen styles this season, and I've worn this Zara dress to death already.
Shop now: COLETTE DRESS for €321 from 31 Chapel Lane
Shop now: FAITHFULL THE BRAND Cette puff-sleeved linen mini dress for £190 from Selfridges
A go-with everything flat sandal
Monikh: On my most recent holiday, the accessories were the winner for me. My white lace up’s were the same, a shoe I grabbed every evening, dressy enough for a posh dinner but laid back and chic - it’s rare for me to do a heel on holiday!
Simonetta: When I wear my flip flops I know it truly is Summer. Just a reminder to enjoy my favourite season.
Katherine: On holiday, I dress my outfits up and down thanks to sandals. I'm obsessed with the Saint Laurent tribute flats and The Row bare sandals.
Catarina: The rope slides by Nomadic State of Mind in camel - I love how chunky, low key, comfortable and inexpensive they are. It's just so easy to wear them with everything and anything.
Shop now: STUDIO AMELIA 1.1 leather sandals for £195 from Net-A-Porter
Shop now: Nomadic State of Mind Sandals for £59 from & Other Stories
Gold jewellery
Lucia: I gravitate towards gold jewellery and always layer up all the jewels in real life and on holiday its no different, this recently caught my eye in the fashion cupboard. Obsessed with their stuff.
Penny: I am a sucker for gold jewellery, and tend to layer it even more on holiday as it really dresses up a simple slip dress. I always pack several necklaces. At the moment, I'm obsessed with shell jewellery and anklets.
Shop now: Single Coral Ring Earring 14K gold for €94.95 from Anna + Nina
Shop now: ALIGHIERI The Talisman gold-plated pearl anklet for £210 from Net-A-Porter
A one-piece swimsuit
Lucia: Feels like every swimwear designer out there is embracing the sustainability angle but this new brand based in Barcelona caught my eye recently, because not only does it tick the ocean friendly box but also look at the chicness! I love a plain black swimsuit and this square neck detail will be so flattering on every body shape.
Penny: I used to be all about the bikinis, but as I've gotten older, I've fallen in love with the one-piece, which is just a little bit chicer and more flattering. I've invested in good quality styles from the likes of Hunza G and Marysia.
Shop now: ALL SISTERS Crucis Australis swimsuit for £145 from Net-A-Porter
Shop now: MARYSIA Palm Springs scalloped lace-up printed stretch-crepe swimsuit for £160 from Net-A-Porter
A classic bikini
Lindsey: I've worn Peony Swimwear for the last 4 years and they're my favourite bikini's. I love this cornflower blue triangle.
Penny: Whilst I love a swimsuit, a bikini is still the way to go to get a good tan, I've just learnt to spend a bit more on styles that have thicker materials and are more flattering. Matteau do an excellent classic black triangle bikini, and I love Solid & Striped too.
Shop now: Cornflower bikini for £49.55 from Peony Swim
Shop now: MATTEAU black bikini for £149 from MATCHESFASHION.COM
A straw hat
Penny: I've recently become obsessed with straw hats, they add that ultimate Riviera-chic touch to your pool-side look and keep those harmful UV rays at bay. I own a ridiculously large hat from ASOS which is great for the 'gram, but not the most practical, so I'll be investing in a more timeless hat for my next holiday. I'm obsessed with SensiStudio.
Simonetta Lein: Lastly a big cute hat to protect from UV rays and yet making a statement while having it on. Her favorite hat says “out of office”.
Monikh: My straw hat was either on my head or tied around my neck, not only was it a lifesaver from the intense sun, but it also really made my outfits.
Shop now: SENSI STUDIO Brisa frayed grosgrain-trimmed toquilla straw hat for £115 from Net-A-Porter
Shop now: Paper straw sun hat for £13.99 from H&M
A beach bag
Monikh: I have just invested in a new travel bag. I’ve had my eye on a Loewe canvas bag for a while now, umming and arring until they released this powder blue beauty.
Penny: I too have succumbed to the Loewe oversized basket bag, and I'm also packing a smaller version for the evening.
Shop now: LOEWE Cushion large leather-trimmed canvas tote for £675 from Net-A-Porter
Shop now: SHRIMPS JEWELLED BUCKET BAG for £20 from Warehouse
An oversized shirt
Lucia: A PJ style shirt as a beach cover up is essential for me, this style from Honna London would be right up my street. Plus the added benefits of it being 100% cotton would be dreamy in the heat on holiday, lounging around the pool teamed with my black one piece below… done!
Catarina: I adore this Asceno one which I've been wearing time and time again. I mostly wear it open with a bikini and I don't even mind when it gets wrinkly.
Lindsey: For at the beach or during the daytime, I've always got my Asceno linen shirt with me.
Shop now: WHITE LINEN BOYFRIEND SHIRT for £225 from ASCENO
Shop now: Green Stripe Pyjama Set for £95 from HONNA
Flared white trousers
Catarina: Flared white trousers - I just love wearing flowy fabrics, especially after a day at the beach. Wide leg flared trousers have stolen my heart. The bigger the better, I say. Mango has a great pair at the moment.
Penny: I've been on the lookout for a flared white linen trouser for a while now, and have now found the perfect one at Selfridges, by Faithfull the Brand. It's so versatile as it can be worn with a crop top, or over a one-piece swimsuit on holiday.
Shop now: FAITHFULL THE BRAND Meridian wide high-rise linen trousers for £176 from Selfridges
Shop now: Belt line trousers for £49.99 from Mango
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