Time was I’d go on holiday and wear half the contents of my suitcase to death and the other half wouldn’t even leave the hotel room. Over the years I’ve gotten better at knowing what pieces will earn their place in my suitcase and what I should leave at home.
My holiday heroes include a great dress I can wear anywhere, a pair of flats that will stay comfy throughout a full day of sightseeing, a small bag that’s big enough for all my essentials, a pair of blue denim shorts that look like I’ve owned them forever and several plain and striped vest tops.
I don’t have a summer holiday booked (yet, there’s still time!) but if I did these five pieces would totally be coming with me.
Denim shirt dress, £44.99, Mango
The ultimate in versatile pieces, a denim shirtdress can be worn for almost any holiday scenario you can imagine. I’d wear this paired with Birkenstocks to go sightseeing, thrown over a bikini to protect me from the midday sun, or with beaded flats for cocktails at sunset.
You can buy it here
Espadrilles, £15.91, Vero Moda
Havaianas have been my summer holiday footwear staple for as long as I can remember, but this pair of black and white tribal print espadrilles could very well change all that…
You can buy them here
Crossbody bag, £38, Topshop
This cute tan bag is the ideal size for daytime shopping trips and nights on the dancefloor. The crossbody style means you can keep your eye on your stuff when you’re in hectic areas and leaves your hands free for taking photographs, carrying drinks, or, erm, is it bad that these are the only two things I can think of that you might do on holiday?!
You can buy it here
Denim shorts, £15.99, Zara
Whatever the weather a pair of denim shorts is practically the Rock My Style team uniform and, inevitably, a couple of pairs always make it into my holiday suitcase. My favourites are from New Look, Topshop and Madewell, and I’m very tempted to add this vintage looking pair – a total bargain in the Zara sale – to my collection.
You can buy them here
Striped A-Line Vest, £12, Cos
Even if you’re not headed for Paris, a touch of French chic is always a good look. This vest is the perfect pair-with-anything piece – the hardest thing will be not wearing it every day you’re away.
You can buy it here
What are your summer holiday essentials? Do share in the comments section below.
Cross body bags are amazing – hands free! this one is lush so I might just have to treat myself…
My new favourite denim shorts are by All Saints (currently in the sale!) they are so flattering and come down a bit at the back so you don’t flash your bum 🙂 x
Love a cross bodybag! All Saints sale you say…! x
Ooh, I love those denim shorts. I don’t think I’ve had a pair of denim shorts since I was about 15, how sad is that? I’ve just never found a pair that I love and that fit all around but am going to investigate these and also the pair Charlotte mentioned above as bum-flashing is a common issue with the ones I’ve tried before!
Other things for summer hols:
Flip-flops (I love the ones from Fat Face – I bought my first pair in a panic at Heathrow when I realised I’d forgotten to bring a pair – and they’re v comfy)
A big floppy hat although I haven’t mastered the knack of travelling with one of these so I always end up buying one when I get to my destination…which is dumb.
I don’t know if H&M still do these but they used to sell these awesome skirts (just stretchy cotton) in a whole pile of colours for about £3.99 each. I think I had every colour. They are amazing in the day because they’re SO comfy and light but you can also dress up the black one in the evening.
One thing I always, always struggle with is a good travel hairdryer. I used to have one that folds down but have lost that in our recent house move and I can’t remember where I got it from. What do others do? Just bring your usual hairdryer or trust that the hotel you’ve booked has a proper hairdryer instead of those stupid wall ones that never work?
I have an amazing floppy hat that you can roll up and shove in your suitcase – its brill! Also I never take a hairdryer and let the sun do its job… clearly I only like hot holidays 🙂
Wow, Victoria – that hat sounds amazing. Can you remember where you got it from? I’m off to google roll-up-able floppy hat… 😉
Ah it was a present someone got me. It came from a country show and is sort of straw and massive. Doesn’t have a label sorry!
Not quite a floppy hat but I have a trilby from River Island that looks better after it’s been scrunched in my case x
Definitely need to add a roll up hat to my list of travel essentials!
Ugh! I hate those wall dryer things. It’s quicker to blow on your own hair. They are always rubbish!
Ooh the H&M stretchy skirts sounds right up my street Kate, will investigate on my next trip to Westfield! I never travel with a hairdryer, I place my trust in the hotel which, as you say, doesn’t always work out!
I think this is the black version here: http://www.hm.com/gb/product/13764?article=13764-G#article=13764-A – they’ve got some quite cute patterned ones too which I love!
Denim shorts are an absolute must aren’t they. I’m actually wearing a pair right now. The only thing is I can never bring myself to actually buy a pair. Instead I just chop the legs off old jeans when either the knees have gone or I’ve trodden a hole in the bottom with heels. Today I am wearing a pair of old Diesel jeans (that I bought when I was 18! I am a ridiculous horder but they are some of my favourite jeans ever, I couldn’t part with them and amazing the bum is still sturdy.. No signs of it wearing away yet) and last week I chopped the legs off a pair of Seven For Mankind jeans that have sparkly pockets that I love but the knees were beyond gone (not even in a good tatty/boyfriend jean looking type of way). My diesel ones are frayed and my 7FMK are nicely turned up.
Anyway. Also agreed on the vest front and recently I bought some cami’s from Topshop (they have a new collection out) they have a simple button down front and very lightweight. I’m also currently coveting some espadrilles from Topshop but I’m not sure I can justify the cost for what is essentially a cotton shoe. These Vero Moda ones may be a good alternative 🙂
What is this new collection of cami’s you speak of?
Just bought a lovely lightweight vest from Zara, it’s super flattering…might have to invest in additional colours. Also bought Mabel that pineapple T-shirt you recommended 🙂
Eeee, amaze 🙂 I recommend them in this months RMW newsletter so keep those peepers peeled 🙂
Definitely preferable if you can turn a favourite pair of jeans into shorts Becky, I’m bad at cutting them evenly though and just keep taking a bit more off each side until they’re too short to wear. Hmm, must investigate the Topshop camis…
The besy way to get them the same is to fold them, so the the legs are together. Then cut through both legs at the same time whilst one is on top of the other x
Aah, that’s where I’ve been going wrong, next pair of jeans that are past their best I’m totally doing this! x