The Ultimate Vacation Style Guide For Every Trip
From island idylls to countryside weekends, these are the perfect pieces to pack for every kind of summer escape
Island dressing
White sand, blue skies, dreamy sunsets – island-hopping apparel demands little more than something to waft from the beach to lunch to cocktails and back again. Start with a sunshine-ready dress – crisp white is the ultimate pick for showing off sun-kissed skin, and a midi or maxi deliver endless versatility. Colombian brand Maygel Coronel’s ‘Adda’ style is exclusive to NET-A-PORTER and included in our NET SUSTAIN edit of more consciously crafted designs. For crystal-clear seas, you need an elegant one-piece – and you can’t go wrong with Lisa Marie Fernandez’ classic red asymmetric design, which will work overtime on vacation, doubling up as a chic body worn with wide-leg pants in the evening. Next, add sunglasses, alongside their 100% UV protection (essential), Saint Laurent’s rectangular shades are a classic silhouette that you’ll wear for years to come. And don’t leave home without a raffia shoulder bag; we love the ‘Ola’ design from Loewe’s long-standing collaboration with Paula’s Ibiza.
Coastal charm
Is a seaside sojourn on the agenda? Relaxed beach breaks call for versatile separates that will take you from daytime excursions to evening drinks. Designers well versed in the art of laid-back beach style should be your first port of call, including Italian brand Lido. Its sleek swimwear is crafted in Northern Italy and the classic shapes will stand the test of time – try this ‘Cinquantasei’ bikini in yellow, the color of SS25. Crafted in a quick-drying fabric, simply style it with a wrap skirt and linen shirt and you’ll be ready to head out for lunch. Max Mara’s ‘Pevera’ design is an excellent choice – the stretch jersey fabric and elegant mocha shade mean it will go with everything. Meanwhile, Australian-founded footwear brand A.Emery is every fashion insider’s favorite for slick minimal slides that will transition neatly from day-to-night. Finally, add a flash of color via Isabel Marant’s pretty jasper and bone necklace: cut to resemble coral, it is apt for a beachside break – and the perfect accessory to pep up every outfit.
A city break
Planning an elegant weekend in a chic city means you’ll need some carefully curated, hard-working pieces to help you breeze through an itinerary of galleries, dinners and rooftop cocktails. We advise separates – a series of sleek pieces that you can mix and match to create multiple outfit options. Start with Éterne’s classic ribbed black tank, it will work as well with your favorite jeans and a blazer as it will an elegant midi skirt – which is exactly what Australian brand Posse serves up with its ‘Emma’ style. Cut in certified linen, it has the NET SUSTAIN seal of approval and is the perfect thing to roll into your hand luggage (rolling helps minimize creases). Flats are essential for all the walking a city break entails – choose Toteme’s woven leather ballet flats and you won’t need to pack another pair. As for those all-important sunglasses, check out Oliver Peoples’ collaboration with Khaite – the ‘1983C’ cat-eye design is a runway style that adds instant sophistication.
The countryside escape
Heading to a rural idyll demands easy elegance. Whether you’re wine tasting at a picturesque vineyard or whiling away the weekend at a boutique hotel, you can’t go wrong with co-ords – and Florentine brand Loretta Caponi delivers the perfect balance of wearable and whimsical – see the ‘Fiocchini’ top and matching pants. Embroidered with sunshine-yellow polka dots and trimmed in pretty broderie anglaise, this duo instantly evokes bucolic halcyon days. Plus, you can wear each piece with other separates to maximize styling options. Vintage-style sneakers are the perfect footwear for a cozy countryside lunch – and we love Dries Van Noten’s leather-trimmed suede pair. Then add a touch of gold with timeless hoop earrings – the ‘Stratus’ style by Uncommon Matters have quickly achieved cult status – so snap them up, then wear them with everything.
In transit
Whether traveling by plane, train or automobile, comfort is, of course, key. But it’s worth ensuring the pieces you wear en route will also work for your destination. A jersey T-shirt is a style staple for vacation and home, and Another Tomorrow excels at classic cuts – the brand’s crew-neck design is a NET SUSTAIN highlight. Wear with straight-leg jeans, such as Citizens of Humanity’s ‘Blaine’ style: cut in crisp, rigid denim in a faded wash, they are also included in our NET SUSTAIN edit and will look great with a tank and slides – just be sure to roll up your hems when you hit the beach. Layers are vital when you’re in transit – High Sport’s ‘Jordan’ sweater is knitted in weighty cotton and the perfect style to pull on when the in-flight air conditioning kicks in. Finally, a spacious tote is a travel essential for carrying everything from passports and travel documents to your travel beauty products – the ‘Norma’ from Lié Studios is designed to fit a full-sized laptop and a change of shoes.