Whether you’re staycationing in the UK or holidaying abroad, packing well can be tricky. You want to look your best in those holiday snaps you’ll show off to all your loved ones, but you also want room in the car for souvenirs.
Striking the right balance can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. The first step is to think about the problems you usually run up against.
What’s easy for you might not be so simple for someone else, and that’s why it’s so important to understand what you personally struggle with when packing in order to make your next holiday that much easier.
Perhaps you’ve only got a small amount of luggage space available. Maybe you want more outfits to rotate between. Or maybe changing weather or plans means you often find yourself lacking the right outfit for the occasion.
The key to all of these things is versatility – making more outfits with fewer clothes. This helps you to pack lighter, mix and match items to achieve a new look each day and combine different pieces to suit different conditions.
One problem many people have when putting together an outfit is that they think about it as a whole rather than starting with individual garments. By picking out a selection of garments that can be mixed and matched easily, you set yourself up for success.
Once you’ve sorted out your basics, you can throw in a few show-stopping statement pieces if you have the room. But even a holiday wardrobe made up entirely of versatile essentials can have you looking fantastic all throughout your holiday.
Here are some of our favourite picks.
Whatever your destination, dresses will likely need to suit two different occasions – beachy days out and smarter evenings in restaurants or similar. One option is to bring a selection of dresses, some for the day and some for night, but if you’re looking to improve versatility, choose a variety of styles that can be dressed up or down as needed.
Ladies Reversible Dress – Eden Green
Available in a range of colours and patterns.
FROM £37
Co-ords can be an excellent choice for holiday versatility because they can so easily be split up to mix and match with other items. A vibrantly coloured co-ord set can make for a stunning monochrome outfit on its own, and then the various pieces can be worn again with neutrals to spice up your outfit rotation.
Floral Plisse Soft Jacket and Trouser – Coral Print
Both available in a range of colours.
FROM £58 | JACKET FROM £29 | TROUSER FROM £29
Skirts, trousers and shorts can easily be overlooked when packing for a holiday, being chosen more out of necessity than out of careful consideration. But making smart choices about what you bring can help to make sure your outfits look as distinct and stylish as possible.
Crinkle Mock Button Front Lined Skirt – Soft Green
Also available in Navy and Pink.
FROM £27
Pack of Two Crop Trousers – Turquoise & Navy
Also available in two other colour combinations.
FROM £38
Last but not least, what you wear on your top half can have a big impact on the visual variety of your outfits – especially since these items of clothing will be visible in most of your photos and not just in full-length shots.
It’s vital to hit a balance between simplicity to be paired with bolder accompaniments, and statement pieces that can hold their own. And as for jackets, you’ll need something suitable for cooler evenings that doesn’t detract from the rest of your outfit.
Short Sleeved Cotton Print Blouse – Blue and White Print
Also available in other colours and patterns.
FROM £23
Whether you’re jetting off abroad or soaking up the sunshine in the UK, our summer collection has the perfect pieces for your holiday. From stunning co-ord sets to unique individual pieces, you’re sure to find something for you.
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