How To Create A Winter-Sun Capsule With 6 Smart Buys
Whether you’re heading to the Caribbean or Sri Lanka, there is nothing like a sojourn in the sunshine during the dark, winter months. Enjoy a little sartorial escapism as you browse our edit of the best pieces to build a long-lasting vacation capsule around…
Invest in a day-to-night dress
A successful vacation capsule is all about hard-working pieces that are suitable for every event on your itinerary. Enter the day-to-night dress, which will take you from a poolside cabana to sunset cocktails or a late-night dinner reservation. The key is throw-on appeal, so it’s worth investing in a comfort-led dress that will slip over your swimwear for a relaxed lunch, but can be easily dressed up with carefully selected accessories at night. Minimalists will love Faithfull’s soft-green maxi dress, which is crafted from a lightweight ramie and silk-blend voile, and is elevated with carefully placed ruching along the waist. For maximalists, no one does resort wear quite like Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz, and this crimson palm-tree-print maxi is made for island life. A floral dress, however, will work at home and away, so you won’t need to book another trip to re-wear these Zimmermann and Dôen midis.
Elevated basket bags are a must-have
Basket bags have long been a beach classic; Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Jane Birkin have all had iconic wicker moments. However, the humble beach bag was reimagined by Jonathan Anderson at Loewe when he included a woven market bag with a logo-adorned leather patch in the spring/summer 2018 collection. Seven years later and this is still a sought-after style for the Spanish brand – the latest cult iteration is a hand-woven version of the ‘Puzzle Fold’, with panels of striped raffia using a rich black, cinnamon and sand palette. This new wave of basket bags has a more elevated aesthetic, with structured silhouettes and varied color palettes. Jacquemus’s ‘Le Rond’ circular bag will be popular with the jet set, while Saint Laurent’s raffia top-handle tote is Riviera style at its chicest.
Make your cover-ups a main event
The sarong is back. If you like to travel light, this is an ideal addition to your suitcase, as they can be rolled up into next to nothing. Resort-wear brand Matteau specializes in elevated basics, and this black- and brown-printed pareo is an effortless cover-up that looks particularly elegant when paired with the matching shirt. The Italian swimwear brand Lido is making waves with its dégradé prints that reflect rippling waters and sunsets – its ‘lagoon’-colored sarong will look beautiful against turquoise seas. If you love to lounge by the pool, then why not indulge in Zimmermann’s rainbow-hued, striped cotton-voile robe? It’s the definition of joyful sunshine styling. For more coverage, however, Emporio Sirenuse’s floaty kaftan from our NET SUSTAIN edit is a forever buy. Cut from hand-loomed cotton voile and printed with flowers and geometric motifs, it promotes artisanal skills.
Wear-everywhere sandals are an essential
There is no point packing five different pairs of shoes for a beach vacation because, let’s face it, you will spend the entire time in either no shoes or the same pair of sandals. You can’t go wrong with a pair of beautifully crafted classic leather flats, as they will go with everything in your suitcase and take you from the breakfast buffet to after-dinner affogatos. K Jacques St Tropez has stuck to the same design process since 1933 and prides itself in excellent craftsmanship – the highlight being its signature ‘Epicure’ sandals, which are handmade in France. For first-class-worthy designs, Tom Ford’s ‘Whitney’ slides have a heritage feel, thanks to the gold-logo clasp across the straps, while Loewe’s burgundy buckled slides will contrast beautifully against warm-weather whites. Meanwhile, we have wanderlust just looking at Gianvito Rossi’s souped-up flip flops, which are adorned with colorful stones along the straps.
Find feel-good swimwear
It’s never a good idea to leave swimwear shopping as an afterthought, as it’s worth investing time in finding the brands and styles that will make you feel your most confident. Hunza G’s signature crinkle-stretch swimwear has reached cult status, worn by the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Rihanna and Hailey Bieber – the signature square-neck one-piece looks even more luxurious when realised in this rich olive-green shade. If you are after a classic black swimsuit, Lido’s ‘Uno’ is a fail-safe choice, with slim crossover straps and an open back. Plus, it qualifies for our NET SUSTAIN edit of consciously crafted pieces, as Lido’s pieces are locally made, in Italy. Sara Cristina’s swimwear – which is crafted in small batches by local artisans in Venezuela – also makes the cut. Printed string bikinis are currently making a splash – Eres’s graphic print is inspired by the Northern Lights, while Sara Cristina’s floral top is elevated with a special Baroque pearl at the chest.
Don’t forget the finishing touches
Finally, well-chosen accessories will complete your sun-drenched capsule. SPF dressing extends beyond cover-ups, as a scarf and sunhat are a sensible way to protect your face and neck from powerful rays. Founded in 1998. Eugenia Kim’s woven hats can be spotted at the most fabulous infinity pools around the world – the ‘Mirabel’ style, which is finished by hand in the designer’s studio in New York, has a glamorous exaggerated brim and a sophisticated black grosgrain ribbon. Pair with Dior Eyewear square-frame sunglasses and a psychedelic printed scarf by Pucci, and you’ll feel like Grace Kelly if she were holidaying at an Aman resort in 2025. Better still, the scarf will double up as a ’90s-style strapless top when the sun sets. To keep everything carefully and chicly stowed away, Paravel’s cream hardshell suitcase is just the thing. With this, we see an upgrade in your future.