How To Create A Winter-Sun Capsule With 6 Smart Buys
Whether you’re heading to the Caribbean or Sri Lanka, there is nothing like a sojourn in the sunshine during the dark, winter months. Enjoy a little sartorial escapism as you browse our edit of the best pieces to build a long-lasting vacation capsule around…
Invest in a do-it-all dress
A successful vacation capsule is all about hard-working pieces that are suitable for every event on your itinerary. Enter the day-to-night dress, which will take you from a poolside cabana to sunset cocktails or a late-night dinner reservation. The key is throw-on appeal, so it’s worth investing in a comfort-led dress that will slip over your swimwear for a relaxed lunch but can be easily dressed up with carefully selected accessories at night. Minimalists will love Matteau’s maxi dress from our NET SUSTAIN edit, which is crafted from certified organic cotton and silk-blend, and is elevated with a beautifully gathered empire waist. For maximalists, no one does resort wear quite like Pucci and this asymmetric ‘Marmo’ dress is made for island life. A printed dress will work at home as well as away, so you won’t need to book another trip to re-wear Zimmermann’s ‘Wanderlust’ midi – another NET SUSTAIN highlight.
A woven bag is a day-to-night must-have
Woven bags have long been a beach classic; Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Jane Birkin have all had iconic wicker moments. And with a new wave of brands offering styles in elevated textures, varied color palettes and interesting shapes, there’s never been a better time to invest. Amanu’s ‘The Zambia’ bag has been handwoven from burgundy leather by artisans in Africa and comes in a beautiful fortune-cookie shape just big enough to carry a few evening essentials. Chloé’s crocheted ‘Summer Banana’ bag will be popular with the jet set, while Saint Laurent’s raffia top-handle tote is Riviera style at its chicest.
Make your cover-ups a main event
The sarong is back. If you like to travel light, this is an ideal addition to your suitcase, as they can be rolled up into next to nothing. Johanna Ortiz specializes in vibrant resort-wear, and this beautifully printed ‘Prismatic Flow’ pareo is an effortless cover-up that looks so pretty tied over a swimsuit. As for dresses, Missoni’s iconic colorful crochet knits are evocative of the most magical sunsets, making this ‘Mare’ maxi perfect for sundowners by the sea. If you prefer something a touch more minimal, Melissa Odabash’s ‘Ashley’ kaftan in broderie anglaise cotton is a forever buy.
Wear-everywhere sandals are an essential
There is no point packing five different pairs of shoes for a beach vacation because, let’s face it, you will spend the entire time in either no shoes or the same pair of sandals. You can’t go wrong with a pair of beautifully crafted classic leather flats, as they will go with everything in your suitcase and take you from the breakfast buffet to after-dinner affogatos. Bottega Veneta prides itself in excellent craftsmanship – the highlight being its signature intrecciato leather and these ‘Parco’ sandals from our NET SUSTAIN edit are the definition of timeless elegance. For first-class-worthy designs, Zimmermann ‘Goldie’ slides have sweetly scalloped trims and gold-tone buckles, while Gianvito Rossi’s gold leather sandals will contrast beautifully against warm-weather whites and sun-kissed skin.
Find feel-good swimwear
It’s never a good idea to leave swimwear shopping as an afterthought, as it’s worth investing time in finding the brands and styles that will make you feel your most confident. Hunza G’s signature crinkle-stretch swimwear has reached cult status, worn by the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Rihanna and Hailey Bieber – its signature ‘Celine’ one-piece has been reimagined to offer more coverage and comes in a gorgeous emerald-green shade. If you are after a swimsuit in a more muted shade, St. Agni’s charcoal style, complete with a scooped neckline and open back, is a fail-safe choice. Elsewhere, printed string bikinis are currently making a splash – Lido’s striped style will look beautiful against turquoise seas.
Save space with a matching set
When luggage allowance is limited, a matching set is the perfect way to save on space – and will make getting dressed for dinner or sojourns into town a breeze. Faithfull’s ‘Cora’ set is cut from languid satin in a relaxed, pajama style shape and can easily be thrown on over a bikini or dressed up with heels. Elsewhere, Matteau’s top and skirt come in crisp broderie anglaise cotton and look so chic paired with a basket bag and stacked bangles.
Don’t forget the finishing touches
Finally, well-chosen accessories will complete your sun-drenched capsule. SPF dressing extends beyond cover-ups, as a scarf and sun hat are a sensible way to protect your face and neck from powerful rays. Johanna Ortiz’s straw hats can be spotted at the most fabulous resorts around the world – the ‘Heaven and Earth’ style, which was created in collaboration with Ecuadorian brand Artesano, has a long brim and will go with most beach outfits. Alternatively tie Alémais’ printed scarf around your neck or hair, slip on Loewe Eyewear’s cat-eye sunglasses and you’ll feel like Grace Kelly if she were holidaying at an Aman resort in 2025. Better still, the scarf will double up as a ’90s-style strapless top when the sun sets.