17 Summer Holiday Essentials You’ll Actually Wear

Whether you're visiting the pebbled shores of Brighton or the sun-soaked south of France, holiday packing can be a real headache. Do you go for your trusty Birkenstocks or those impractical but chic kitten heels? Classic denim cutoffs or loose, boxy shorts? Keeping your luggage to a minimum while storing some real sartorial gems is the aim of the game — that slinky ruched dress is made to be worn on sun-drenched, cobbled streets.

How to nail your holiday wardrobe? Stick to staple garments that you can mix up, like a floaty maxi dress that works as a beach cover-up and for sunset cocktails. A fan of accessories? Take a walk on the wild side with some statement platform sandals to go with your favourite sculptural earrings.

To get you started, we've done a little of our own summer holiday window shopping. Ahead are all the essentials you need in your suitcase – from aeroplane comfort to poolside glamour, we've got it covered. Packing dilemmas be damned.