Fashionistas: Behold the Ultimate Holiday Capsule Wardrobe

Ah, packing. The torturous preamble to a blissful getaway, the fraught hours spent with a half-packed case, wondering if you really need to pack some items, and the eventual panicked shoving of various items of clothing into a case that may or may not adhere to cabin luggage regulations.

To put it simply, we’ve been there before – and now we know how best to combat packing angst by constructing a holiday capsule wardrobe that ticks all the style boxes, all while being pleasingly portable.

A premium pair of shades

Sure, you could pick up some cheap shades from any high-street shop, but the thing is, you’ll be back in a few weeks after they fall apart in some way. Flimsy sunglasses like these often have poor UV protection as well, so you’re best off investing in some high-quality eye protection that doubles as a fashion statement – opt for a brand that offers both high UV protection and a sought-after look, such as RayBan or Persol.

In terms of packing, make sure you’ve got your designer sunnies well protected in a case, lest they get damaged at any point during transit.

Long-lasting denim

Infinitely styleable and hard-wearing enough to wear most days, a pair of jeans is a rock-solid cornerstone of any on-the-go wardrobe. Just make sure you’re paying for quality, as there is a slew of women’s and men’s jeans brands, such as Levi’s or Wrangler, whose history and pedigree revolve around creating a sturdy, long-lasting product.

If you’re packing light for a springtime city break, a pair of jeans is an evergreen option – as these won’t ever go out of style and can be paired with just about anything. They’re a staple of most fashion looks, so make sure your capsule wardrobe has a well-loved pair either as a prime style choice or an auxiliary option fit for any outfit.

Chill beachwear

Having something that you can easily throw on after a hard day sunning yourself with a cocktail in hand is a near essential. Kaftans in any pattern are a striking beachwear option, with big-time designers such as Dolce and Gabbana and Prada bringing out svelte, high-quality kaftans every season that are well worth a look.

For men, a few high-quality white or lightly coloured linen shirts are utterly timeless beachwear, especially when paired with a bright pair of swim shorts. Make sure these are a permanent fixture of your capsule wardrobe and you’ll always be on trend when you’re flitting between the cafe bars of Saint-Tropez.

Elegant evening clothes

Our advice for elegant holiday evening wear? Keep it simple. A little black dress is easily packable in a capsule wardrobe and can be styled in a number of different ways – with jewellery and different shoes to create a subtle variation on a theme. This simplicity can be extended to men’s fashion, too – think black dress shorts or light-coloured chinos and shirts in a few simple colours, paired with reliable, premium accents such as a designer watch.

The whole point of a capsule wardrobe is to reduce the number of clothes you rely on and provide a timeless selection of outfits. The luxe options above are a step towards creating a signature holiday look for yourself that means fewer packing dilemmas and more time indulging yourself abroad!

Charlotte Giver

Charlotte is the founder and editor-in-chief at Your Coffee Break magazine. She studied English Literature at Fairfield University in Connecticut whilst taking evening classes in journalism at MediaBistro in NYC. She then pursued a BA degree in Public Relations at Bournemouth University in the UK. With a background working in the PR industry in Los Angeles, Barcelona and London, Charlotte then moved on to launching Your Coffee Break from the YCB HQ in London’s Covent Garden and has been running the online magazine for the past 10 years. She is a mother, an avid reader, runner and puts a bit too much effort into perfecting her morning brew.