So you’ve done the research, found the destination, booked the flights (and if you’re anything like my friendship group, you’ve even found the restaurants and pre-approved the menus), but the hardest part of planning any holiday is knowing what to pack.
Whether you’re heading for the turquoise seas of the Greek islands, the lavender fields of southern France or a chic Italian city break, the European holiday aesthetic is currently trending, and it mixes all of the best parts of vacation dressing with European charm. Imagine the understated, classic style of Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, the cool-girl colours and prints of The White Lotus and a dash of the yacht-girl-summer-meets-tomato-girl hashtags, and you’ve got yourself the dream mood board.
So, what are the key pieces in the European summer wardrobe, I hear you ask? Well, in order to answer that very question, I hunted through the very best holiday outfits of Instagram’s best dressed to get a definitive answer. And as it turns out, the same pieces crop up time and time again, assembling the perfect holiday capsule wardrobe. There are, of course, the obvious inclusions (linen, sandals and raffia bags), but there are also plenty of trending pieces that are currently enjoying a particularly good summer (I’m looking at you, bandeau tops).
So, if your holiday is just around the corner and you’re looking for the ultimate guide on what to pack, keep scrolling for the 14 pieces that influencers are currently adding to their suitcases. Happy holidays!
1. Printed Dresses
Style Notes: It goes without saying that dresses come into their own in the summer time, and this year is all about pretty, printed styles. Channel countryside chic with ditsy florals, or opt for bold florals that stand out in a busy city.
Shop Printed Dresses:
DÔEN
Ischia Shirred Floral-Print Cotton-Voile Midi Dress
£372
Dôen are experts in pretty dresses.
RIXO
Florida Floral-Print Crepe Midi Dress
£275
Perfect with flat sandals and a basket bag.
SPIRIT & GRACE
Amelia Dress
£200
Just look at those dreamy sleeves.
RAILS
Selani Dress – Russet Floral
£238
I’m saving this entire look for later.
2. Leather Sandals
Style Notes: Whether it’s Birkenstocks, gladiators, slides or flip-flops, it always helps to have a good pair of long-wearing leather sandals in your arsenal. They add polish to any look.
Shop Leather Sandals:
LORO PIANA
Sumie Leather Sandals
£880
Minimalist perfection.
H&M
Intertwined-Strap Sandals
£13
These look far more expensive than their price tag.
DEAR FRANCES
Wrap Sandal, Black
£380
Just the right amount of heel to still be comfortable.
3. Minimalist Swimwear
Style Notes: Swimwear trends may come and go, but it’s the classics that stand the test of time. There’s no need for frills, straps and fiddly accessories—the best swiwmear is chic, sleek and decidedly understated, and works best with an open cotton shirt or underneath a cover-up.
Shop Simple Swimwear:
HUNZA G
Black Gigi Bikini
£165
No underwire, no problem. Hunza G swimwear is some of the comfiest on the market.
AWAY THAT DAY SWIMWEAR
Mustique Top – Ivory
£89
Such a chic shape.
ERES
Les Essentiels Aquarelle Swimsuit
£295
This comes in 21 different colours.
4. White Linen
Style Notes: It’s an oldie but a goodie, and there’s a reason we revert back to the same linen year after year. There’s nothing quite like slipping on some clean, white linen—just ask the European holiday girls. They’re wearing shirts, skirts, dresses, trousers, jackets…
Shop White Linen:
REFORMATION
Balia Linen Dress
£298
*Adds to basket*
M&S COLLECTION
Linen Rich Pleated Wide Leg Trousers
£40
Be quick before these sell out.
H&M
Linen-Blend Shirt
£28
You’ll be glad you packed this in your suitcase.
5. Cover-Up Dresses
Style Notes: Sorry sarongs, if you’re looking for something a little more contemporary to wear over your bikinis, influencers are reaching for open-knit and crochet dresses instead of wrap skirts and kaftans.
Shop Cover-Ups:
& OTHER STORIES
Scalloped Knit Midi Dress
£95
A pull-on knit dress never goes out of style.
MANGO
Crochet Dress Ring
£50
Wear over your black bikini.
ZARA
Long Strappy Dress
£46
This will work just as well by the beach as it does in the city.
6. Tailored Shorts
Style Notes: Dress up everything from oversized shirts to swimsuits with the simple addition of a pair of tailored shorts. Not only will they make even your most casual clothes feel special, but they also happen to work with just about every style of shoe, too.
Shop Tailored Shorts:
COS
Tailored Knee-Length Shorts
£75
Long shorts are having a moment.
BODEN
Westbourne Sateen Shorts
£70
Just add a pretty blouse for a nod to Chloé styling.
ROLLA’S
Rolla’s Mirage Shorts
£88
These also come in just about every shade of blue denim you can think of.
7. Raffia Accessories
Style Notes: Just when we thought we couldn’t love any summer accessory more than the raffia basket bag, we fell for woven hats, shoes, and even jewellery, too. There really is a raffia accessory for every outfit.
Shop Raffia Accessories:
LOEWE
Anagram Raffia Bucket Hat
£475
Just as good as their basket bags.
WHISTLES
Zoelle Straw Tote Bag
£109
This looks designer.
MANEBI
Yucatan Double-Strap Jute Sandals
£135
I’m obsessed with these.
8. Statement Sunglasses
Style Notes: If you’re likely to already own any item in this list, I’d be willing to bet you have a pair of sunglasses on standby for when the weather improves. Sunglasses are, after all, the finishing touch to any summer outfit, and a bright, colourful pair with an interesting shape can take a look from good to great.
Shop Sunglasses:
LOEWE EYEWEAR
Anagram Cat-Eye Tortoiseshell-Acetate Sunglasses
£310
There’s no ignoring these.
LE SPECS
Metazoic | Bright Gold
£68
Y2K, but i the very best way.
MANGO
Acetate Frame Sunglasses
£20
The perfect pop of colour.
9. Co-Ords
Style Notes: Save precious time planning outfits by relying on co-ords, the easiest way to pull together an outfit in less than five minutes. They’ll help you stay cool in every sense of the word.
Shop Co-Ords:
DEIJI STUDIOS
+ Net Sustain the 03 Washed-Linen Shirt and Shorts Set
£217
How to get ready in under five minutes.
FREE PEOPLE
Corfu Tube Set
£88
This shade of cocoa brown always looks expensive.
FREE PEOPLE
Paolo Co-Ord
£268
Summer in an outfit.
10. The Mini Dress
Style Notes: Make the most of bare-legged season in a playful mini dress and sandals combo. (And, you’ll score extra Euro style points if you manage to incorporate a neckerchief, cardigan and a Vespa.)
Shop Mini Dresses:
REFORMATION
Catarina Dress
£228
There’s beauty in this dresses simplicity.
LOVESHACKFANCY
Clemente Floral-Print Chiffon Mini Dress
£345
Too cute for words.
ARKET
Linen-Blend Mini Dress
£77
You can dress this up for evening too.
11. Sun Hats
Style Notes: Any trend that is as practical as it is cool gets our approval, and you won’t regret keeping a sun hat in your beach bag for the long summer afternoons.
Shop Sun Hats:
COS
Oversized Straw Hat
£65
This could easily be Jacquemus.
HUSH
Remy Raffia Bucket Hat
£45
I’ll take one in every colour, please.
LACK OF COLOR
Inca Raffia Bucket Hat
£140
If you aren’t already familiar with Aussie hat brand Lack of Colour, this is the perfect introduction.
12. Bandeaus
Style Notes: We’ve probably got the ’90s renaissance to thank for the revival of the bandeau top and dress (it’s a much more welcome return than low slung jeans and body glitter). On the days you want to wear as little as possible whilst still looking chic, a strapless neckline is the day-to-night wonder that avoids tan lines, too.
Shop Bandeaus:
H&M
Ribbed Bandeau Dress
£16
So elegant.
ZARA
Strapless Draped Top
£46
That’s right, this really is from the high-street.
MANGO
Top With Turn-Down Neckline
£20
Wear with shorts, mini skirts, maxi skirts, wide-leg trousers—just about anything.
13. Tank Tops
Style Notes: Few people will argue that a tank top isn’t a treasured core piece in their wardrobe all year round. Dress up this versatile basic with tailored trousers, light linen or maxi and mini skirts when the temperature rises.
Shop Tank Tops:
ME+EM
Ultimate Rib Cami
£45
A true wardrobe staple.
ARKET
Rib Tank Top
£17
Arket tank tops always score highly for their thickness.
MASSIMO DUTTI
Cotton Blend Ribbed Tank Top
£30
Just add blue denim.
14. Wide-Leg Trousers
Style Notes: If there’s one item that goes seamlessly from desk to dinner to holiday, it’s a pair of slouchy wide-leg trousers. Linen is perfect for tackling a heatwave, but a wool pair will serve you well into autumn and winter too.
Shop Wide-Leg Trousers:
H&M
Linen-Blend Trousers
£25
Linen light enough for a heatwave.
THE FRANKIE SHOP
Mirca Striped Twill Wide-Leg Pants
£173
I’m buying these for my next long haul flght.
ARKET
Wide Pleated Trousers
£87
Wear again through autumn with a cardigan or a fine knit.
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