What fashion insiders really pack for their summer holidays
Fashion influencers Monikh Dale, Erica Davies and Alexis Foreman share the pieces they rely on
When counting down to azure-blue skies and sandy beaches, it’s easy to be seduced by rails of searingly bright colours, wafty silhouettes and maximalist embellishment. But if that means a pile of clothes that will only see the light of day for a couple of weeks a year, then it’s time to reassess how your holiday wardrobe can work harder, with flexible staples that are great for the beach as well as sunny days back home.
‘There’s nothing worse than packing what you think you should, then not feeling like “you” for the entire trip,’ says Monikh Dale (above), a London-based Instagram influencer with a 100,000-strong following. ‘I love long, oversized pieces – I think they look chic and I like to be comfortable.’
Instead of beach-centric beaded kaftans and denim cut-offs, Monikh’s go-tos are light knits and dresses in natural fabrics like linen. ‘They breathe better in hot climates,’ she says.
For fellow influencer and Brighton native Alexis Foreman (above), a winning holiday formula means sticking with what she knows. ‘I just want to stay looking like me and that means keeping it simple with basic colours,’ she says. ‘I love black, white and neutrals, so while I feel like I always go for the safer options, it pays off because I feel comfortable.’
Another plus? That ankle-grazing linen dress that’s ideal for day-tripping looks just as good with a crossbody bag and a leather jacket when you’re back in the UK. Accessories are also important – Alexis likes to add to her poolside look with ‘gold hoops, a nice headscarf and a big bag’.
Meanwhile, fashion editor turned blogger Erica Davies (above) employs a strategic – yet fun – approach to holiday dressing. ‘I like pieces that will take me from market to beach to a nice lunch to a glass of wine, like a kimono jacket that I can chuck on over a swimsuit but also reach for if it’s nippy in the evening. It’s not about taking tons of stuff.’
Erica is also a fan of a simple colour palette. ‘Last year, I went to Greece and pretty much stuck to blue, white and cream, plus embroidery, which I love. I always go quite bohemian in the summer and believe that if you’re on holiday, you should heighten your own personal taste.
If playful touches like pom-poms or a scattering of sequins are your thing, then a white t-shirt will make them more wearable when you’re back home. Worried about details going together? ‘You can be more relaxed,’ assures Erica. ‘Pull things together with your other accessories, like a pair of shoes or earrings, or add some lipstick. If you feel relaxed, then you’ll look it – and holidays should be all about being relaxed.’
