Discover Your Dream Vacation Closet

As the days get longer, the skies get brighter and vitamin D continues to drench our sun-kissed skin, we can all embrace the opportunities that summer brings to getting dressed with optimism. We crave effortlessness in the warmer months and need distraction-free pieces that make us look good and feel confident for days spent outdoors. A reliable roster of staples that telegraph summer’s free-spirited mood are just the ticket for an effortless season of style – and will prevent hours spent agonizing over what to wear. So here is your ultimate tick list for a vacation-worthy wardrobe – no matter where you’re spending your hard-earned downtime.

A statement dress is a vacation essential, and a mini dress that can be styled casually or dressed up with heels is a must-pack for any type of trip. Sydney-based brand Posse knows the meaning of effortless versatility, and offers signature summer pieces that can be worn to the beach or the bar. With a more refined feel than the beach-worthy mood Australian brands have typically become renowned for, Posse’s polished, printed halterneck mini will be a go-to for an emergency after-hours event or a cocktail at sunset. With a slinky mood and a tropical floral motif, this dress needs no further accessorizing – simply add leather sandals. Layer it with a denim jacket when the evening chill sets in.

Summer is a great time to experiment with pattern – and Faithfull’s elegant two-piece co-ord in an understated monochrome design will convince even the print-phobics among us to try something new. The contrasting stripes still feel bold, but with a palette that is gentler than the bright shades summer is renowned for. Plus, the vertical stripes on the maxi-length skirt will elongate your silhouette. Ideal for a refined dinner, it’s also easy to slip on over a bikini for the beach club. Pair it with a statement raffia sun hat during the day, and for nighttime, slip on a smart leather sandal. The brand, based between Bali, Indonesia and Sydney, knows a thing or two about dressing for all occasions.

Having a beach-worthy look that ensures you’ll feel your most confident, relaxed self is arguably the most important element of any vacation checklist. Not only is it likely the item you’ll wear the most often, but it also involves the least amount of fabric – so feeling comfortable in it is key. Australian brand Zimmermann is known for its beautiful prints, but – with the beach as an inherent part of its DNA – its sister founders, Nicky and Simone Zimmermann, have a no-compromise approach to swimwear and beachwear, too. Plus, the brand’s fringed bag in raffia is capacious enough to pack in all the day’s essentials and then some – pop in your statement towel, your paperback, SPF and everything else for a day well spent on a sun lounger.

If you still want to wear black in summer, roomy pants in a textured cloth are a cool alternative to black tailored pants or jeans. US brand Staud has become known for its trending summer staples – and these pants are a cool, less obvious choice that will ensure you get a ton of compliments. With a cropped length that allows shoes to be an additional outfit focal point, these pants are ideal paired with a simple tank top for daytime or teamed with a simple button-down come night. And to ensure the look feels distinct enough from your workday attire, team it with Staud’s oversized raffia bag, which will make your outfit feel as far removed from the city as the sand between your toes.

Cool, casual and chic, a cotton button-down is a year-round staple that is given new life when the weather is warm, rendering it both a vacation must-pack and a closet building block – an instant justification that you can never have too many. This utilitarian shirt from Andres Otalora is a beautiful alternative to a chambray blue, in a sage green that is just as wearable but feels distinct from the typical spring/summer tones. Its patch pocket detail can be playfully contrasted with elegant styling if the shirt tails are tied, making it ideal layered over a bikini or styled with smart pants for dinner by the beach.

Bold separates are an easy way to bring maximum impact to your summer look, and Escvdo’s vivacious tank and midi skirt will, when worn together, bring a striking ’70s feel to your outfit. Combining tactility and texture, this beautifully crafted striped co-ord in a mustard hue features fun fringing that at once feels luxurious and bohemian. The best bit? You can style each piece separately to really get the most out of each item. Pair the top with a midi slip skirt or roomy pants, while the skirt can be worn with a tank or even a bikini top.

Some swimwear looks denote daytime ease, while others are ideal for nighttime glamor. Johanna Ortiz’s coordinating bikini and skirt are an effortless choice for a beach-club afternoon that turns into cocktails at sunset and dinner – one surefire way to look put-together on vacation is to perfectly coordinate your outfit. The zebra-print pattern in this season’s must-wear brown hue is a refreshing switch-up from the norm, while the gauzy, full-length skirt will bring a sense of elegance that feels appropriate for a restaurant. Pair with flat brown sandals and add small gold earrings to perfectly frame your face.

Not all flip flops are made equal, as proven by Ancient Greek Sandals’ jelly thongs, which are anything but ordinary. Given that you’ll be wearing them on repeat, flip flops are a fun way to bring color into your look – and this turquoise blue mimics both the sky and the sea to perfectly offset your tan. The soles are comfy and straps are chunky, for an elevated feel – and the jelly straps are very dialed into this summer’s vacation look. Handcrafted in Greece, the slight platform on the sole makes them extra-comfortable for a stroll along the promenade, too.