The Ultimate Vacation Style Cheat Sheet
From idyllic island hops and rural retreats to city breaks and seaside sojourns – we round up the perfect closet for every summer escape
Island dressing
Jetting off to a deserted island? With little more than white sand, blue skies and knockout sunsets on the agenda, curate a capsule closet to match. First up, swimwear. A sleek, structured one-piece from a swim expert such as French brand Eres works overtime in a vacation lineup, doubling as a chic body with breezy separates for evening. Next, add in pops of tropical color: Farm Rio’s fringed printed pareo is the ultimate essential for far-flung shores and the perfect partner for Loewe’s bold yellow sunglasses – an uplifting style you’re guaranteed to wear on repeat post-vacation, too. Jewelry is another easy way to elevate your look and takes up minimal suitcase space – think vibrant beads from the likes of Jia Jia, which look beautiful against sun-kissed skin. Meanwhile, classic leather slides by Birkenstock fuse comfort and style, and will take you from beach to bar with ease. Just don’t board your flight without a spacious raffia tote in hand, which is vital for carrying all your beach essentials.
Coastal charm
Heading to the seaside? Laid-back beach breaks call for a splash of color, plus versatile separates that will take you from day excursions to evening drinks. Designers well versed in the art of beach style should be your first port of call, including Australian brand Matteau. Based between Sydney and New York, the label delivers an elegant aesthetic with easy-going details. Look to its contemporary take on a Hawaiian shirt – and forms part of our NET SUSTAIN edit of more consciously crafted designs – for layering over a bikini by day or a slinky silk slip dress by night. For swimwear, Rio-based designer Haight offers vintage-inspired designs that will stand the test of time – we love the label’s zesty-orange bikini, which is exclusive to NET-A-PORTER and effortlessly flattering. Meanwhile, footwear brand St. Agni, which also hails from Australia, is your go-to for woven leather slides that capture the bohemian essence of Byron Bay – the perfect choice for day-to-night cocktails. Finishing touches come via Chloé’s oversized sunglasses (another exclusive design for NET-A-PORTER) and Foundrae + NET SUSTAIN’s dreamy chain necklace, crafted from recycled gold.
In transit
Comfort is, of course, a priority while you’re still on the move, but whether you’re jetting off via plane, train or automobile, opting for a sleek and stylish look will not only stand you in good stead while en route, it’ll also ensure pieces slip effortlessly into your on-vacation look, too. The Row excels at these effortless designs – and the brand’s ribbed silk sweater is a major suitcase staple. Pair it with Toteme’s wide-leg silk pants (exclusive to NET-A-PORTER) for a sophisticated silhouette that taps into this season’s pajama-pants mood and will look super-chic with sunglasses on arrival. Footwear, too, should balance comfort and class. Look to Castañer’s classic black ‘Kenda’ espadrilles, which are handmade in Spain and included in our NET SUSTAIN edit. In terms of accessories, a watch is indispensable (you can’t get chicer than Cartier’s ‘Tank Française’ timepiece), while Saint Laurent’s ‘Loulou’ bag is crafted in butter-soft leather and will hold all your wanderlust essentials.
Escape to the country
Whether it’s a picturesque vineyard or a secluded mountain top, swapping the city bustle for a slice of rural tranquillity is high on our radar this summer. But style needn’t go off-grid just because you have, and cleverly chosen separates will lend easy elegance to your country escape. Denim is a fail-safe option, and one that can be dressed up or down depending on your plans; look to Wandler’s straight-leg blue jeans for a classic choice. Next, add bold color via Gabriela Hearst’s ‘Bia’ cardigan in vibrant orange – many of the designer’s pieces are inspired by her family’s remote Uruguayan ranch where she grew up, and are perfect for bridging a varied style agenda. For daytime exploring, accessorize with Chloé’s artisanal woven raffia bucket hat (an excellent investment for SS23) and minimal slides by masters of warm-weather footwear Ancient Greek Sandals. Finish with Savette’s compact woven leather tote – exclusive to NET-A-PORTER, it delivers pared-back sophistication for day or evening.
City haul
When it comes to packing for a whistlestop weekend in the city, all you need are some carefully curated, hard-working pieces that will help you breeze through a whirlwind of galleries, dinners, old-quarter explorations and rooftop drinks. Start with a versatile sundress: this uplifting yellow style is part of Erdem’s exclusive vacation capsule for NET-A-PORTER and is perfect for a culture-rich capital. Then, add a sleek cross-body bag that’s sturdy enough for sightseeing and elegant enough for cocktails – enter Bottega Veneta’s white intrecciato design. Next, opt for sleek sandals; designs by Berlin-based brand Aeyde are effortlessly elegant and will stand up to pounding the cobblestones from dawn to dusk. Finally, use jewelry to instantly elevate your looks – Octavia Elizabeth’s NET SUSTAIN-approved hammered recycled-gold hoop earrings and Anita Ko’s gold and diamond ring are the ideal final flourishes.