Dressing By Destination

Having a limited wardrobe while you’re on holiday shouldn’t mean compromising your style. Olivia Pinnock discusses how to pack the latest trends into your suitcase

Whether your holidays are taking you to tropical islands, cultural cities or lively party destinations, knowing which outfits to pack can be a headache. Fashion and practicality aren’t usually a common collaboration, but with a closer look at the trends this season you can find yourself with a suitcase full of stylish outfits to see you through your holiday come rain or shine.

Take some advice from smart jet setters and work to a colour theme, so that everything you’ve packed will go with something else you’ve packed. For the up-to-the minute fashion lover, your choice comes down to pretty pastels - baby blue, peach, white and mint green, tough military - khaki, brown, black and beige, or exotic brights - coral, yellow, grass green and sea blue.

If you’re looking for a summer romance or heading somewhere romantic like Paris or Venice, then get packing the pastels to tune in to the romantic trend. Pick a loose fitting lace dress that can be dressed down with sandals and floral accessories, or belted at the waist and paired with heels for evening glamour. Indie chicks can enjoy the romantic trend too with denim cut offs, floral tops and hippie head bands perfect for laid back destinations such as Australia or South Africa.  

For those fashionistas hoping to do a spot of sightseeing, the good news is you can leave your sky scraper heels at home. The designers have decided to give our feet a break by making kitten heels hot again - leaving our feet rested and relaxed for plenty of walking around. The most stylish kitten heels are strappy and come in a neutral palette to complement pastels, perfect for pairing with stylish socks if the weather turns chilly.

Military works best in a slightly cooler climate, but is stylish, current and cool. Loved by Agyness Deyn, Sienna Miller and Kate Moss, it’s hard to get this look wrong. Parkas make a great, on-trend, lightweight jacket. Team one with Doc Martens and aviators for a laid back look that emulates a cultured persona,whether you’re enjoying the art galleries of Amsterdam or experiencing eastern culture in China.If you are going somewhere hotter but still want to try the trend, make plain t-shirts in your colour theme stand out with military badges. Military girls make like a real tourist and invest in a bum-bag or rucksack. This season they come in distressed denim, tasseled and studded. The perks of the utilitarian look extend beyond looking great; you don’t have to worry about your clothes getting crumpled in your suitcase because it’s all about being dishevelled and effortless.

If you’re heading somewhere hot, then this summer’s fashion was designed with you in mind - tribal and digital prints and Sex and the City 2. If you haven’t seen it yet, go simply for the holiday fashion advice. The shops are packed with style from the movie including turban hats (yes, really), Arabian inspired kaftans and harem pants. The brighter the better we say! Maxi dresses are perfect for moving from day to evening and complement settings such as Fiji, Thailand and Egypt. By day they look cool and chic with sandals, a satchel and a big hat to keep you in the shade. By night they look sophisticated and glamorous with wedges and a clutch bag.

Remember those gladiator sandals you bought a few years ago? Yes, they’re still in fashion and good for keeping those exotic hues sophisticated and grown up.

So after you’ve packed the sun cream, passports, travel guides and toiletries, don’t forget to pack a whole lot of style.

Match your dress code to your destination

Paris or Venice Pretty pastels and floral accessories

The Far East Maxi dresses, wedges and summer hats

Amsterdam or China Military basics, parkas and aviators

Australia or South Africa Denim cut-offs, floral tops and hippie head bands