What Team NET-A-PORTER Takes On Vacation
Discover the pieces NET-A-PORTER’s fashion and beauty experts pack for their getaways – plus, expert tips on how to style them
A riviera-ready dress – Alice Casely-Hayford, content director
“I’m writing this while nine months pregnant and dreaming of my first vacation in what feels like forever – once our son arrives. I cannot wait to change out of the wide-leg jeans and billowing blouses that have made up my maternity wear and slip into slinky dresses in vibrant colorways. Nothing makes me feel more sunshine-ready than a bold dress with a striking silhouette, ideally set against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset, panoramic view or beachscape. I have my eye on vivid, mood-boosting and form-flattering pieces from Saint Laurent, Ulla Johnson, Jacquemus and Dôen. I’m also very excited by the special styles in our exclusive capsules from Carolina Herrera, Brunello Cucinelli and Missoni.”
A beach-to-bar one-piece – Gillian Brett, head of fashion content
“When it comes to vacation packing, my strategy is to pack as little as possible and only pieces that I know I can mix and match together. This simplifies things massively and means I can maximize my time on the beach and have a little space in my suitcase for anything I pick up on my travels. Swimsuits in elevated fabrics are therefore the holy grail of vacation packing – they look super-chic poolside with leather slides and a wide-brimmed hat, and can be paired with tailored shorts or a maxi skirt for evening. I’ll often look to my favorite designers for beautifully made one-pieces – Toteme and Saint Laurent always have gorgeous options. French heritage brand Eres is a fashion-editor go-to for luxe beachwear, and I’m personally loving Lido, too; its minimalist swimsuits are locally crafted by artisans in northern Italy in colors inspired by the Italian coast. What better to wear on an Amalfi Coast road trip this summer?”
A chic beach bag – Marquessa Whyte, fashion editor
“The Loewe + Paula’s Ibiza hand-woven, striped raffia ‘Puzzle Fold’ tote is most definitely in my Wish List this summer. Its stripy, origami-style creases allow you to fold it down for easy storage, making it an ideal travel bag, while its generous interior means there is plenty of space inside for vacation essentials, from towels and SPF to all your tech and a bottle of water – or, in my case, all things toddler-related. The bag’s gorgeous brick, black and neutral stripes would pair beautifully with almost any vacation look, but I would style mine with relaxed wide-leg linen pants, a black bikini top and some chunky black sandals for a day on the beach this summer and beyond.”
Oval sunglasses – Bojana Kozarevic, acting deputy fashion director
“I have been humbled by my sunglasses experience – the one-size-fits-all theory has not worked for me when I have gone for an oversized design. This summer, I’m opting for oval, gold rims, and shall be wearing them on all my travels; from Japan to Greece and Bali. Specifically for the summer, I shall be styling them with luscious, long, silk slip dresses, a vibrant Pucci scarf in my hair, and a red lip. As the shape is quite ’90s, I’ll also wear them with some vintage necklaces from Susan Caplan Vintage and a Missoni swimsuit. Of course, summer is wedding season, and I think it will look chic to complete my wedding outfits with metal-rimmed sunglasses; they ooze cool, insouciant diva, for a look that is irreverent, timeless, and effortless. Look to Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta Eyewear for the best styles.”
Fisherman sandals – Hannah Cole, senior shopping editor
“The first thing I buy as soon as the weather hints at summer is a great pair of sandals. As the most hardworking piece in any vacation wardrobe, I try to invest in a versatile pair that will go with everything, from shorts and swimwear to day dresses and after-dark co-ords. I currently have my eye on a black leather pair from Loewe, but also look to JW Anderson, Emme Parsons and The Row (if you can get your hands on them) for other chic options. They are the perfect update to the ‘dad’ sandal and a great, chunky addition to the breezy sun dresses that I hope to wear on my next vacation – as soon as I am organized enough to book one.”
Summer co-ords – Viktorija Tomasevic, junior shopping editor
“The only beach vacation I have planned so far is a trip to Nida, Lithuania, while visiting my family. I don’t like overpacking, so my ultimate vacation staple and summer go-to is a chic matching set, as it’s easy to style in numerous ways and instantly makes you look put-together. This season, I will be investing in a set from Matteau, pairing it with a raffia bag and flat sandals for days at the beach, and jewelry and heels for dinner.”
A chic cover-up – Kay Barron, fashion director
“Last summer, I finally nailed my vacation wardrobe, and all it took was one addition – the ever-so-chic cover-up. Prior to this discovery, I swore by an oversized white linen shirt, or even a T-shirt, and both served me very well. But then I tried a black-and-white Lemlem kaftan, which has the ability to make a mismatched bikini and mind-of-its-own beach hair look elevated. This summer, I will be taking the pressure off that Lemlem number – for I wore it nearly every day of my trip – and adding a striped transparent one from Dries Van Noten. But this one won’t be strictly for poolside only, as it transforms perfectly into a summer evening dress when layered over a lightweight slip dress, and finished with gold hoop earrings.”
Multi-tasking beauty heroes – Malena Harbers, beauty editor
“The onslaught of sun, sand, sea and chlorine when on vacation often requires more beauty products than you’d normally use, so I like to save suitcase space by packing beauty essentials that work double-duty. Augustinus Bader’s The Geranium Rose Body Oil is fast-absorbing and seals in much-needed hydration – a few extra layers applied to shins and collarbones adds an extra hit of radiance to bare limbs. Plus, you can use the oil on the ends of your hair as a hydrating and protecting treatment when lounging poolside. For your face, cooling hydration is a hot-weather must. Both La Mer’s The Moisturizing Cool Gel Cream and Augustinus Bader’s The Light Cream deliver all the benefits of the bestselling classic formulas, but retooled into featherlight textures that are ideal for warm and humid climates. Keep them cool in the minibar to double up as a skin SOS for any patches of sun-induced irritation below the neck, too. Finally, Westman Atelier’s cult Baby Cheeks Blush Sticks are a vacation makeup shortcut. I like to blend Minette, a luminous coral shade, over cheeks, lips, and even a dab on my eyelids, for a sheer wash of monochrome color before heading out for waterside cocktails.”
All-white everything – Maya Gunavardhana, fashion assistant
“Everyone knows the best way to showcase a tan is to wear white; the contrast between sun-kissed skin and a crisp white outfit screams summer. White clothing is risky but hugely rewarding and, despite my worries around keeping it pristine, I have always found that a simple white maxi dress is the perfect vacation essential. This year, I’ll be packing a white set from Carven’s SS24 collection. The clean-cut and chic separates epitomize summer relaxation and will be a part of my wardrobe for many years to come. I love idea of wearing an all-white outfit and using accessories, such as Loewe + Paula’s Ibiza’s bright raffia bags, to inject some color into my look.”
Chunky rings – Colleen Ross, acting fashion content editor
“As someone usually drawn to daintier jewelry, I’ve surprised myself by falling hard for chunky rings this season. From the smooth, domed shape of Mateo’s ‘Agua’ ring to the Victorian design of Lucy Delius’s supersized signet, there are so many beautiful styles to choose from, but if I had to pick just one, it would be Uniform Object’s ‘Cuff’ ring. The wide, sculptural shape makes enough of a statement without feeling too flashy, while the sprinkling of diamonds adds a welcome touch of sparkle. I’ll be wearing it stacked alongside a few delicate bands and a blush manicure.”