The Summer Essentials Worth Packing

From the dress that requires no further thought to the bag capable of carrying half your life, these are the pieces every destination wardrobe needs.

7th July 2026

The problem with holiday packing is that we tend to dress for the fantasy rather than the itinerary. Five evening dresses, three pairs of heels and, somehow, nothing to wear for lunch. A great summer wardrobe should work harder than that. Start with the dress. The right one requires almost no further thought, which is precisely its appeal. Look for fluid shapes and lightweight fabrics that work with flat sandals during the day, then add sculptural jewellery and a barely-there heel after dark. A crisp shirt thrown over the shoulders will also earn its place when the air conditioning inevitably becomes too enthusiastic.

Next, the bag. Summer is not the time for anything too precious. A woven tote from Dragon Diffusion or Naghedi has room for sunglasses, a book, SPF and the collection of entirely unnecessary things accumulated while travelling. Better still, it works just as well with tailoring in the city as it does beside the pool. Carry it slightly overfilled. Perfection is rarely the point.

For evenings, one destination-ready gown is enough. Choose something with movement, an interesting silhouette or a little embellishment (look to 16Arlington) and resist the temptation to over-style it. Flat metallic sandals can make a dramatic dress feel considerably cooler, while a small bag and excellent earrings will do the rest.

Then there is the summer skirt. Maxi, mini, sheer or sequinned, the best versions are surprisingly versatile. Wear yours with an oversized white shirt for lunch, a simple tank in the city or over swimwear when heading away from the water. If the skirt is doing a lot, everything else should do very little.

And sometimes, of course, it's the bikini top that deserves the attention. Ruched, embellished or finished with gold hardware, treat it as you would any other great top. Wear it beneath an open linen shirt, with wide-leg trousers or a high-waisted skirt. Swimwear no longer needs to remain anywhere near the swimming pool.

The secret to a good destination wardrobe is not packing more. It's choosing pieces capable of changing personality. A dress for day and dinner. A bag for beach and airport. A skirt that works with swimwear and shirting.

Pack well, and getting dressed should be the easiest decision you make all holiday.