5 items all fashion girls take on vacation

You’ve spent the last few months booking flights, activities, transport, and accommodations; planning itineraries and researching local restaurants; and—most importantly—fantasizing about your holiday wardrobe. Finally, the moment is here: your well-deserved vacay is so close you can almost feel the sea breeze.

Enough fantasizing, it’s now time to actually put together that holiday wardrobe we were talking about. Your swimwear collection is definitely beach-ready, but what will you wear at dinner or when exploring a brand-new city?

We’ve got you covered: here are the 5 items that every fashion girl worthy of her name brings on vacation, whether she’s heading to the beach, a quaint European town, or having a staycation in the city. Here’s to lessening your “what do I pack” anxiety and ensuring you look as cute in all your photos as you feel on your third mid-day holiday mimosa. Vacation mode: activated.

Nothing screams vacay like a good raffia tote, the quintessential summer bag. We actually have to thank the late icon Jane Birkin for the summery connotation of the straw bag: before having a whole Hermes bag named after her, the actress was known for carrying a woven basket with her, the only vessel big and practical enough for her—unimaginably iconic, obviously—possessions.

In 2024, though, Jane’s legacy is kept alive by many raffia bag iterations that go beyond her trusty basket shape. Bum bags, buckets, and totes are all trending styles that you’ll find yourself reaching for even in the city. When talking designer, the Prada crochet raffia bag and Loewe’s straw tote have reached cult status among celebrities.

From wedding season to seaside getaways, maxi dresses work around the clock during the summer months. They’re an easy—and often pretty modest—option that will keep you cool without showing too much skin.

The key to the perfect workhorse maxi dress that will serve you well during any summer adventure is going niche: really figure out what you need from your maxi dress, whether it’ll be a striking evening piece, a practical-yet-sleek beach coverup, or an all-rounder day-to-night staple. The more tailored the dress is to your needs, the more use you’ll get out of it.

For a good staple dress, we recommend going for breathable fabrics like linen—anything with polyester or other synthetic materials will make any heatwave feel ten times worse—, minimal, geometric lines, and streamlined silhouettes.

Trends come and go, but a good pair of retro-inspired shades will do it every time, especially on holiday. When you’re in just your swimwear most of the day, your accessories really have a moment to shine on their own: the best way to make a statement while lounging is by complimenting your bikini with the right pieces.

This year the sunglasses trends are all about reimagining classic silhouettes and supersizing them. Oversized aviators with yellow, orange, and light blue lenses undoubtedly take the cake for must-have shades of 2024: think of the 70s-inspired Tom Ford, Gucci, or Victoria Beckham specs that have been making the rounds on all our fave influencers’ feeds. Classic, Top Gun-esque top-bar sunglasses are another retro trend to explore, especially since there are so many affordable, high-street options available.

It’s finally flip-flop season, and if you’re not yet a fan of this summer staple, you’ll be quick to change your mind.

Flip-flops or thong sandals are often overlooked as basic, homely, and just for the beach. This year though, designer and high street brands alike are rediscovering the humble flip-flop and transforming it into a minimalist-chic must-have. Chanel recently sent leather thong sandals adorned with their double C logo down the runway, and plenty of other brands like Tory Burch, Prada, Staud, and COS are following suit.

We’re also seeing many labels like MANGO and Gianvito Rossi add kitten-heeled flip flops to their collections: the touch of literal and metaphorical elevation given by the heel makes these thongs more refined and perfect for the city.

Although white trousers are now a wardrobe staple for every season, it is indisputable that the summer is truly their time to shine. These pants are one of the must-have styles for every trip, from city escapes to beachy paradises.

White jeans and tailored trousers, being slightly more formal in material and shape, are perfect for dinners al fresco and lunches on a terrace; on the other hand, flowy linen pants with wide legs and drawstringed waists are perfect for exploring around town and as a swimsuit coverup.

Original text and content: Kayla Kuefler