The Ultimate Vacation Style Guide For Every Trip

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 – on vacation, anything goes so don’t be afraid to experiment with styles in eye-catching colors and prints. Dubai-based Lebanese brand Dima Ayad’s maxi style is cut from swathes of satin printed with multicolored sunbeam stripes. For relaxed sightseeing days, opt for Faithfull’s striped ‘Citara’ tank paired with breezy linen pants or denim Bermuda shorts. Next, add a pair of classic Saint Laurent leather sandals. Minimally detailed with the brand’s ‘Cassandra’ logo, they come in a barely-there thong silhouette that will go with practically any outfit. And don’t leave home without a raffia shoulder bag; we love this ‘Estelle’ design from The Row, which has space inside for your phone, paperback and all-important SPF.

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 Australian brand Matteau. This crisp organic cotton-poplin shirt from our NET SUSTAIN edit is perfect thrown on over swimwear as a chic coverup or tucked into denim shorts. As for swimwear, Lisa Marie Fernandez’s ‘Marie-Louise’ bikini is a versatile choice that’s easy to mix and match. Crafted from quick-drying terry fabric, simply style it with a pareo and you’ll be ready to head out for lunch. Meanwhile, Loewe’s leather ‘Toggle’ sandals will transition neatly from day-to-night. Finally, add a touch of shimmer via Sophie Buhai’s silver cuff – crafted to resemble the shape of a rolling wave, it is the perfect accessory for a beachside 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 – or a slip-on-and-go dress. Australian brand Posse delivers both – the ‘Alice’ mini skirt in classic black linen can be styled with a vest or tee while the polka-dot ‘Leo’ midi will easily take you from daytime strolls to dinner in the evening. What’s more, both are light enough to roll into your hand luggage (rolling helps minimize creases). Flats are essential for all the walking a city break entails – choose Alaïa’s perforated suede ballet flats and you won’t need to pack another pair. As for those all-important sunglasses, check out Loewe Eyewear’s ‘Anagram’ style – the timeless cat-eye shape adds instant sophistication