Going on a beach holiday and wondering what to pack? Don’t forget these 10 must-have summer basics that will make your vacation all the more stylish. These summer essentials will have you looking the part, so you can focus on catching some sun and snapping selfies for the gram. Once your suitcase is sorted, the real holiday begins!
With the lockdown hopefully ending soon, you might be planning your next beach getaway. I know I am! Apart from the obvious essentials such as face masks, passport and hand sanitizers, I put together a list with my top must-have summer items that I always bring with me when travelling to a sunny destination. Depending on the size of your suitcase, you can use this list as a base and just add your favourite pieces to it, or it can totally serve as your bible for exactly what you need to take. These items have been carefully selected to meet summer capsule wardrobe standards. So you can be sure that they are versatile enough to be combined in enough ways to last the holiday.
This post is all about must-have summer basics to pack when going on a holiday.
10 Must-Have Summer Basics To Pack For Your Sunny Holiday:
1. Swimwear
Contrary to what we see on Instagram, you don’t really need to have a different swimwear for every day of the week. I’d say stick to two pairs – a one-piece and a bikini. You can wear the one-piece as a bodysuit with shorts or skirts, not just for swimming! The colours are to your personal preference but invest in sustainable pieces made of quality materials that will feel good on your skin and won’t break down after a few wears.
You can find some great options for ethical and sustainable swimwear at: Sezane, Boden or Vitamin A Swim.
2. Tanks (1 x white, 1 x black/neutral)
Tanks are the perfect summer basics as they can be worn with everything. If you’e not a fan tho, that’s not an issue. Just replace them with camis, vests, or other summer basic tops when packing for your dream holiday. If you have space in your suitcases, go for two pieces – a white one and a neutral coloured one, so you can style them with different outfits without getting bored. You can certainly find tanks for as little as $10 but if you can afford spending a little more, I’d recommend getting your hands on these. They are made of organic cotton which is just great for the hot season.
3. T-Shirts (1 x white, 1 x black/neutral)
Take a couple of t-shirts with you – one white and the other one could be any colour you like. I’d stick to neutrals for versatility. If you have more space in your luggage, you can bring an extra white tee with you, just in case. You never know what might happen on your travels, and like my mom says “It’s better to have one and not need it than need it and not have one”, at least I think she was talking about t-shirts.
4. Linen Shirts (1 x white, 1 x blue/neutral)
Linen shirts are such an important garment for any summer capsule wardrobe. Go for two rather than going solo – a regular one and another more relaxed/slightly oversized. They will probably be one of your most worn must-have summer items on your holiday, so make sure you don’t forget them. You can wear a linen shirt with your shorts, it can be layered on top of your favourite tank, or use one as a dress to go to the beach. There are so many options! With linen shirts you will really be getting the most for your money, so if you don’t have some good ones in your wardrobe already, you need to fix this mistake. My favourite places for good quality yet affordable linen shirts are COS, Everlane, & Other Stories and Vitamin A Swim.
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5. Shorts (1 x jean shorts, 1 x casual shorts)
Bring two pairs of shorts – a denim pair and casual ones. You need them for all the tops we just mentioned above. The style doesn’t matter, just make sure you take with you shorts that are comfy, so you can wear them every day. From a walk to the beach to a nice dinner date. When it comes to comfortable summer clothes, the fabric really makes all the difference – so my advice is stick to natural fibres such as organic cotton and linen. They are soft and breathable which is what you need in the heat. This applies to all items in your summer basic wardrobe.
6. Dresses
If you have enough room in your luggage, grab a couple of your favourite summer basic dresses. If not two, then one will do. Keep in mind that flowy styles will work in your favour when it’s boiling hot outside. And if you need any outfit ideas, I have a post about how to style neutral dresses, so check it out.
7. Long Sleeve Tops (neutral coloured)
Sometimes I don’t think of packing outerwear for my summer break and that’s a big mistake that I don’t want you to make. You should always have a little piece of clothing to wear when it gets cool in the evenings. The last thing you want is to catch a cold when you’re away. And trust me it happens! Stay on the safe side and put two neutral coloured sweatshirts in your suitcase. If they don’t fit, just take one and wrap it around your neck or waist when heading to the airport. One is better than none! You can even use it as a pillow in the airplane so bonus points! See, our wardrobe essentials can be functional, as well as stylish.
8. Slides
We are all about being practical here, so don’t go overboard with your holiday shoes. All you need really is a good pair of slides and some trainers. When it comes to slides, I’d go for a style that can be worn not only to the beach but also for all the activities you’ll be doing. Walking around the attractions, shopping in town, going out for dinner, etc. Your slides will take you everywhere, so they need to be able to go anywhere, fashionably speaking. Your footwear is the cherry on top on any good summer basic outfit.
9. White trainers (or Converse sneakers)
White trainers are another go-to item as you can style them easily with everything else, and you will always look great. A little tip: to save space in your luggage, don’t put them there but wear them instead when you’re jetting off. I love white trainers in a combination with a grey tracksuit. Simple, comfy and easy. That’s what we like! They play a huge role in our summer essentials 2021.
10. Sunglasses
I don’t know why but I keep forgetting to pack my precious Raybans and end up buying some cheap dupes when I reach my final destination. Don’t do that! Sunglasses are really important as they keep your eyes protected and healthier for longer. Did you know that wearing sunglasses can prevent some eye diseases related to the sun such as muscular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and others? Or that the bright sunlight can be a trigger for migraines?! You don’t want to be worrying about these kinds of things when you’re meant to be chilling the F out by the pool. So do yourself a favour, grab those sunnies and get them in your bag NOW.
11. BONUS! – Sun Cream
It goes without saying that you need a sun cream to protect your skin from the UV rays, but I’m adding it to the list, just in case. My tips is to go for a vegan and cruelty-free brand like this lightweight SPF30 daily sunscreen from Glossier. I hate sticky and heavy sun protection, and this one is perfect because it’s breathable, transparent and super light. It’s more like a serum than a cream, and you can wear it under your makeup. Glammed up and protected like a knight in shining bejewelled armour.
There you have it. My summer basics essentials list for when you’re going on a holiday.
This post was all about 10 must-have summer basics to pack for your sunny holiday.
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