The holiday wardrobe staples I’ll be packing on my next trip as a fashion girlie

A refreshing take on holiday staples.

After what felt like years of minimal travel, I’ve ramped it up this year with two Europe trips, countless cross-country adventures and one cruise ship adventure. Safe to say, my friends and people who follow me on Instagram are getting sick of me. But I’m not sorry.

All this newness and adventure has ignited a travel bug within, something I’d only ever heard about. It’s given me a newfound passion to be truly spontaneous; pack up a few pieces of clothing, some skincare and a digital camera, and go somewhere, anywhere, new. 

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As a fashion girlie, my holiday wardrobe is an important part of this formula. While I love browsing the holiday outfits of influencers for inspiration, I’ve found myself most envious of friends who rotate the same quality pieces, somehow styling them differently each time. They’ve really found the joy in dressing (what a relief to only have select items to choose from!) and seem to have the strongest sense of style. 

Through watching them and taking notes, I’ve identified a handful of wardrobe items that can be worn over and over again. These items are versatile, comfortable and surprisingly fun (I’m yet to spot beige across their suitcases). These pieces are also perfectly suited to travel, with each easily layered to create different outfit combinations: think bias skirts, baby tees, knitted pants and button-up shirts. It’s a way of dressing that’s both intentional and clever, and it seems I’m not the only one to notice.

Recently launched in Sydney, HolidayShop is curating those exact styles that are perfect for your suitcase. Its resort wear is relaxed but elevated in a palette that feels fun, just like you want to feel on summer holidays. (Come winter, the label will have a selection of cold-weather styles too.) It’s a fresh, bright perspective on travel shopping, perfect for a girlie like me who loves to stand out but is looking to scale down. 

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The hardest part about packing for a holiday is you don’t know what you’ll be doing, or how you’ll feel, on any particular day. You might want to eat boat-loads of pasta, and therefore not want to wear something tight. You might be feeling colourful, or like you want something loose and floaty. You might want to do something active, but look cute while doing it (obviously).

So, how to capture all of that in your carry-on? Having studied my friends’ travel wardrobes and HolidayShop’s offering, here are the summer essentials I’ll be packing on my next trip.

An oversized collared shirt

To me, a collared shirt is the most important staple in this mix. An oversized tailored shirt can be worn in so many ways — as a dress, with some socks and loafers, over the top of a dress or camisole, either buttoned up or open, or simply paired with pants, shorts or a skirt. 

Plus, you can wear them in different ways depending on your mood. Buttoned-up all the way for a more preppy, structured look, unbuttoned at the top and bottom for something more relaxed, or completely undone for an effortless, breezy vibe. Given their versatility, collared shirts suit every travel occasion, from the airport, to a cafe or nice dinner, to a casual party or a romantic date. You literally can’t go wrong. My favourite at the moment is my red pin-striped shirt from HolidayShop, paired with jeans or a denim skirt.

Strappy sandals

Put simply, they’re comfy but cute. Flats are a travelling must, but invest in something high-quality so you can literally wear them everywhere. I love a strappy style because I find they suit my casual and going-out looks seamlessly.

A bold, matching set

Matching sets are a staple addition to a capsule wardrobe because (surprise surprise) they can be worn together and separately. If you’re looking for ease when it comes to styling, they’re perfect because they do the work for you! There’s just something about a matching set that makes an outfit look put-together and considered. Sets can also be casual or dressy, depending on the styling. My pick right now is this butter yellow shorts and top combo perfect for active travel days in warmer weather.

A bodycon dress

Bodycons are everything. They’re the comfiest thing in the world (like wearing a sexy sock) and the easiest thing to layer. For me, I look for block basic colours, like a black or a nude. I’m wearing this black knit dress everywhere at the moment for an instant outfit. I’ll throw on a shirt or jacket over the top and add some flats, or go braless and wear kitten heels for something dressier. 

A perfect tee

The perfect white tee can be hard to find, but it’s a must when travelling. It layers well under dresses and shirts, and relaxes an outfit for those days you just want to amble around town. Settling on the right shape can be a personal endeavour, so HolidayShop offers three: a baby tee, standard tee and relaxed, oversized style.

A cross-body bag

Another travel must! Get yourself a bag that can carry everything you need, be worn over your body but also look cute as a handbag. I love this Sans Beast beauty, which has a body strap as well as a little handle so you can shape-shift it into a going-out handbag. Plus, they can fit a deceiving amount of things inside, which is the dream when travelling. 

For more capsule wardrobe inspiration, browse the full range of HolidayShop here.