The level of excitement in our house is reaching fever pitch as we are about to go on our Summer holiday! I'm glad everyone else is getting excited as I still have the daunting task of packing for everyone- three boys, one husband and lastly, little ole me! There is nothing more I love than enjoying a well earned sunny break but sometimes the planning it takes to get there can make it quite stressful. But over the years I've honed my packing skills and I feel like a bit of a pro packer, the key to it all is planning your outfits and making a list. One of the most common mistakes made whilst getting ready for a holiday is packing too much into your suitcase. Not only is it often not necessary to take so many clothes and accessories, but it can also cost you money if your suitcase ends up weighing more than your allocated luggage allowance.
Not my suitcase -obviously!
One of my stead-fast rules is don't pack anything you wouldn't wear at home, which is why I try on everything before I pack to ensure that year on year it still fits or it still fits into my holiday wardrobe. Making my holiday wardrobe work together is slightly harder as you are so limited to space than in your wardrobe at home. I try and pack in outfits for the evening or any daytime trips we have planned. I lay everything out and try and make items work with two different pieces that I am taking. At the last point before packing the bag, I always take 2-3 items out as they will never see the light of day.
But every year there are always a couple of things I like to buy new for my holiday, whether they are on trend, I need to update or I just have to have it...here are my 5 holiday must-have's.
1. The Jumpsuit
I am so in love with this chambray denim jumpsuit that it's been on my 'have to have' list for a couple of weeks now. It's from French brand Sezane, who function entirely online and ship around the world. This jumpsuit is not the only thing I love on their website, they have some gorgeous printed shirts, elegant dresses and some great casual tops for your daily wardrobe - I urge you to check it out as they sell out fast.
Sezane Jeanna Jumpsuit 135 euros
2. The cutwork dress
I have to confess, my cutwork dress that I did buy a few weeks back from &other stories has sold out and this is what they have replaced it with. I did buy it in black, even though a white cutwork dress is the biggest trend right now, I just thought I would get more wear out of a darker colour. I can't wait to wear mine with a denim jacket, bright coloured sandles and a fab clutch bag for evening and daytime with my hat, sunglasses and beach bag slung over my shoulder. So versatile and I will definitely be wearing back at home too!
Cut-out embroidery dress £95.00
3. The shorts
Unless you're under the age of 25 hot pants aren't really going to cut it and with the choice being so limited in the short department, finding a suitable pair that look good, are stylish and give you the coverage you need can be really difficult and frustrating. I've spent a lot of time recently researching options for clients who don't want to have half of their bottom hanging below the hemline of their shorts (!) and so far, this style from Boden offers everything you might be looking for. They come in a range of colours but the best thing about them is you can choose what leg length you want: 4", 6" and 9". Size wise they start at a 6 and go up to a 22.
Boden chino shorts £42.50
4. The Hat
If you don't fancy wearing your sun hat at the airport, make sure you pack it with the inside full of something like lingerie or socks to help it keep its shape. I have been wearing a hat in the UK for a number of years now so it's worth purchasing and having one for those random hot days we have here! This year I decided to treat myself to a new one, and at £20 I couldn't resist the price of this Oliver Bonas fedora hat with the bright yellow stripe.
Oliver Bonas neon Rosie fedora hat £20.00
5. The bag
I am a sucker for a good bag, a good beach bag to hold EVERYTHING you could possibly need it in...the list is endless with kids right? This one from Madewell ticks so many boxes and is a perfect size for trips to the beach, lunch at the bar and day trips out. I'm not sure I'll need to buy a new one ever again. It also comes in a red and cream option.
Madewell Amalfi Jacquard Tote £37.86
Lastly, always take a pair of sunglasses with you! Mirrored lenses, cat-eyes and tortoiseshell styles are all hits for summer. Remember to pack in your hand luggage so when you step off the plane you are holiday-ready. Boom.