How I pack, by Sabina Socol
Whether it’s the French Riviera, Mauritius, Ibiza or Dubai, Paris-based fashion journalist Sabina Socol always inspires with her enviably chic vacation style. What are her packing secrets? Just two pairs of shoes but lots of swimwear options…
Be inspired
When I’m in the city, dreaming of a vacation, I always fantasize about wearing really fancy dresses and heels – but, actually, my style while I’m away is far more laid-back. In reality, I stick to simple wrap and slip shapes, and I also love going for a sort of safari-chic look. I have a pair of utility shorts from Nanushka that I wear constantly; they look great with a one-piece and a crisp white shirt. Silk separates from Asceno are also a vacation essential. When I’m abroad, I keep accessories to a minimum. I never swap my jewelry and I usually wear the same pair of sunglasses – a timeless pair of black or tortoiseshell Ray-Bans – every day. Even though I never end up dressing the way I envisaged – like Brigitte Bardot in 1960s Saint-Tropez – I still think that daydreaming is one of the most exciting things about jetting off!
Pack smart
I travel a lot, all year round, for work and pleasure, which has really honed my packing skills. I don’t plan my outfits too methodically for vacations, but I still put some thought into it. You want to make sure you’ve considered where you’re going, the weather and what you’ll be doing when you’re there. When I head off on summer vacation, I usually pack two outfits for each day – one for the beach and another for the evening. I stick to one or two pairs of shoes at most, usually one each of flats and heels. I’m the same with bags; I limit myself to a big woven bag that works as hand luggage and on the beach, then a mini bucket bag, as it looks good after dark but I can still fit my camera in it. My best packing tip is to keep a separate, fully stocked toiletry bag ready to go at all times. It stops you from forgetting any of the essentials.
Perfect your in-flight routine
When I’m doing a long-haul journey, I always eat before the flight. I think nutrition is an important part of any beauty routine and I just can’t find the type of food I want to eat on a plane. I also make sure to wear comfortable clothes and bring my own pillow and eye mask so I can get as much sleep as possible. I’m very aware of how unclean planes can be, so I try to touch my face as little as possible while I’m flying, which is also why I don’t do sheet masks or apply any lotion. Ultimately, though, I think the most important thing is to stay hydrated. Flying dries out your skin, eyes and insides, so I try to drink as much water as possible.
Keep it simple
When I have a tan, I don’t feel the need to wear much makeup. I make do with eyebrow gel, a little blush and some lipstick – during winter I usually stick to brownish tones, but on vacation I prefer a raspberry color. However, because I love swimming, one thing I do have to take extra care of is my hair. Otherwise, as it’s bleached and I’m constantly in and out of the sea and pool, it would get really dry and literally turn green. I always carry a beachy hair spray in my bag so I can let it dry naturally into relaxed waves. Nowadays, I wear factor 50 sun lotion on my skin and constantly complain that I never get a good tan anymore – but I guess you can’t have everything!
Keep your options open
I am very into swimwear; I actually think I have more swimwear than regular clothes in my closet! There are so many brands I love – two of my favorites are Matteau and Peony. I’ll try any style; it just depends on my mood. I’ll happily wear one-pieces or bikinis in everything from florals or stripes to neon colors. Basically, if it looks a little bit retro, I’m a fan. Lately, I’ve been wearing a lot of high-waisted two-pieces, which I think look amazing, but I have some pretty bizarre tan lines…
Sabina Socol is not associated with NET-A-PORTER and does not endorse it or the products shown