7 Instant Summer Updates For Vacation Season And Beyond
Packing for a last-minute getaway? Hit refresh on your summer closet with these hardworking, escape-ready pieces
The resort-ready dress
Whether you’re jetting off to far-flung shores or spending your vacation closer to home, a sunshine-ready summer dress should top your packing list. The best styles come in slip-on-and-go silhouettes that require little effort to style, such as Faithfull’s breezy linen ‘Melia’ dress. Featured in our NET SUSTAIN edit and crafted using lower-impact materials, it’s perfect for market strolls and golden-hour drinks. For a splash of color, Dôen’s ‘Benoit’ dress and Posse’s ‘Luna’ mini – another NET SUSTAIN highlight – are both patterned with vintage-inspired blooms. Style your favorite with minimalist sandals and salty, tousled hair to complete a free-spirited summer look.
A chic cover-up
If you’re heading to warmer shores, your focus will (naturally) be on swimwear, so it makes sense to pack loose, floaty pieces that you can layer on top. Enter the cover-up. A skirt, such as Johanna Ortiz’s printed recycled-chiffon design from our NET SUSTAIN edit, is the ultimate versatile piece. Slip yours over a bikini at the beach or a sleek bodysuit for dinner. Another vacation essential is an oversized shirt dress, and they don’t get much chicer than Matteau’s organic cotton-poplin mini. Meanwhile, Missoni’s fringed crochet-knit maxi dress – a NET-A-PORTER exclusive – will suit all kinds of summertime festivities, from long lunches to end-of-day sundowners.
Sleek swimwear
When it comes to swimwear, it’s always worth investing in timeless designs that you’ll get excited about returning to each year. Choose a one-piece that can double as an elegant bodysuit or bikinis that are easy to mix and match to maximize wear and packing space. Take a look in our NET SUSTAIN edit where you’ll find gems such as Lido’s ‘Venti’ bikini – a NET-A-PORTER exclusive that has been crafted in Northern Italy with a pretty dégradé finish – and Maygel Coronel’s butter-yellow version with a chic floral appliqué. Prefer a one-piece? Look no further than Eres. Cut from the label’s signature peau-douce fabric, the elegant cut and timeless brown shade of this ‘Evening Numero’ swimsuit deliver elegance and longevity. Wear it with denim shorts and leather sandals for lunch by the harbor. Alternatively, if you can’t resist a floral print, then you’ll love Agua by Agua Bendita’s pretty ‘Limón Wild’ one-piece (also from our NET SUSTAIN edit).
Versatile co-ords
The co-ord is fast becoming a warm-weather staple – and its appeal is twofold: it looks instantly put together with very little effort (essential for good vacation vibes), and each piece can be styled separately, which is a real bonus when suitcase space is at a premium. Posse’s linen ‘Ginny’ tank top and skirt set from our NET SUSTAIN edit exudes easy elegance and is perfect for balmy city escapes or dinner by the sea – just add ballet flats and a basket bag à la Jane Birkin. Meanwhile, Escvdo’s striped crocheted cotton tank and maxi skirt – another NET SUSTAIN highlight – will look beautiful in photographs at sunset.
A day-to-night raffia bag
A bag that is crafted in raffia instantly gives a sense of escape. This season, seek out colorful styles in shades evocative of picturesque sunsets and verdant landscapes. Chloé’s fuchsia style in crocheted raffia is perfect for the beach or sightseeing and playfully adorned with a banana charm, while Loewe + Paula’s Ibiza’s striped ‘Anagram’ tote is every fashion insider’s summer go-to. Elsewhere, Gucci’s ‘GG Marmont 2.0’ bag comes with an adjustable strap so you can wear it crossbody, keeping your hands free for other holiday essentials (read: ice cream). Alternatively, choose roomier totes in neutral shades that will work just as well back in the city as they will when traveling or island-hopping. Ticking every box, Lié Studio’s ‘Bianca’ carryall has plenty of space inside for a beach towel and SPF.
Minimalist sandals
A variety of locations and terrains, combined with limited suitcase space, can make vacation-footwear packing a bit of a conundrum. But one thing you will most definitely need is a pair of simple sandals. Pared back for the beach and elegant enough for evening, multi-functional sandals are a compact size and a packing dream. Chloé and Khaite both excel at sleek designs – the former’s ‘Charm’ sandals and the latter’s black leather ‘Aimee’ style are timeless examples that will work as well with a bikini on the beach as they will with a slinky dress for evening.
Beach-ready jewelry
Summer is the perfect time to play with jewelry in playful colors and textures – think beads, shells and pearls. New York-based Jennifer Behr’s ‘Roma’ necklace from our NET SUSTAIN edit features a striking crystal-embellished seashell, while Lizzie Fortunato’s ‘Laguna’ necklace and Completedworks’ recycled-gold-vermeil earrings are both strung with vibrant glass beads. Elsewhere, Ysso’s ‘Cote’ cuff is sculpted from gold-plated metal to resemble seashells and inspired by the Mediterranean coast.
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The models featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown