Whether you’re choosing to travel to Cornwall or Croatia, Greece or your best friend’s back yard, the ease of restrictions means that a vacation (or in some cases, staycation) may be on the cards this summer, after all. From bucket hats to beach bags, swimsuits to sunscreen, there are a few key items every holidaymaker needs to ensure their trip runs as smoothly as possible. And since it’s been a while since any of us have packed a suitcase, we thought we’d tap into the knowledge of six stylish women to understand the items they always take with them while travelling.
Of course, as we’re often working with a weight limit, I asked for the top five essentials that always make the cut on their summer holiday packing list. For seasoned traveller Laura Nadine Herbert—who is one half of travel couple @laurandnicolas—an old-school film camera is an absolute must, while Maggie McCormack advises on wave spray for that perfect mermaid-on-the-beach look. Léna Farl always packs a multipurpose silk scarf, which acts as top, skirt and hair accessory all in one, and Aysha Sow has her holiday beauty routine down pat.
Keep scrolling to see the holiday essentials six very stylish women always pack while on vacation.
“A bucket hat should be in everyone’s beach bag this summer! I wear it during the day, at the beach, any time of the day actually!”
“We all need a beach bag when we go on holiday! My current favourite is a market-vibe bag.”
“We have been loving taking old-school film photos. So it’s definitely a must on holiday!”
“Sunscreen that’s good for the corals in the sea! It’s something we really pay attention to. That’s why we love this one. It smells like coconuts, it protects really well, and it does not harm corals.”
“Bikini and espadrilles from one of my favourite brands Manebí. I love matching my swimwear with espadrilles!”
“You always, always, always should wear SPF, especially on vacay. So why not get a nice dewy glow from your sunscreen to give you that sunkissed, glowy look!”
“A beach bag—my fave is from Jacquemus. This beach bag can’t be any cuter! Not to mention it’s super roomy and can fit a lot of things in there.”
“Sunnies, of course. These shades give off such a vintage vibe so you protect your eyes from the sun while looking cool and stylish at the same time.”
“My go-to summer hat. This one is my fave because it will go with any summery outfit you have. I mean, how cute!”
“A MUST for me to look like I have mermaid hair coming from the beach.”
“When I’m packing for the summer holidays, I always make sure to bring a classic black one-piece swimsuit. It’s always chic, and I can wear it as a top over denim shorts or a long silk skirt for example.”
“I have a whole collection of vintage silk scarves that I love to wear in the summer. It’s such a versatile accessory! I wear it over my hair like a turban, like a top, and, if it’s big enough, like a skirt over a swimsuit.”
“Espadrilles are the shoes I love to wear in the summer because they are so comfortable and feminine.”
“I simply love slip dresses! For me, they’re definitely my must-have for summer vacations.”
“I never leave without my pair of sunglasses! This summer, I opted for a cat-eye shape for a retro style.”
“I live in linen shirts over summer, and it’s just the perfect versatile holiday piece. I wear it open over my bikini, tied up with denim shorts or thrown over minidresses as a light jacket in the evenings.”
“A comfy pair of sandals that you can dress up or down and will go with everything in your suitcase!”
“I really hate tan lines, so a cute, barely there strapless bikini is an essential for me, and I love the scalloped edging on Marysia pieces!”
“An easy-breezy white cotton summer dress that you can wear day or night.”
“And finally, I absolutely love a headpiece, so an oversize straw hat with a cute little ribbon tie finishes off my holiday looks perfectly!”
“Denim shorts go with everything and can be dressed up in the evening with a pretty top and jewellery. Vintage Levi’s are my absolute favourite!”
“A comfortable shoe is an absolute must, so something that can be worn day or night is ideal and saves on taking multiple shoes.”
“White linen is the ultimate summer fabric, great with any outfit and works perfectly as a cover-up.”
“Black Havaianas are by far the comfiest thong-style flip-flops—such good quality and last for years.”
“A floaty dress. Nothing says summer vacay like a floaty dress in the evening. Perfect for keeping cool on those hot summer nights.”
“Everyone needs this beauty elixir. It is the perfect mist to refresh your face whether you are wearing makeup or not!”
“Aside from being the most beautiful lipgloss ever, this is also quite moisturizing and works both as a lip gloss and moisturizer for me.”
“Love how this leaves no white or blue cast and simply melts onto the skin while also feeling like a moisturizer.”
“My go-to moisturizer—feels super soft on the skin and melts right into the skin too, leaving it very hydrated and dewy!”
“The perfect serum to apply right after cleansing and toning your face. Adds hydration and leaves your face feeling super dewy and ready for moisturizer.”
