It's August, which means those holiday outfit ideas are at the forefront of our minds, and if you're staring at an empty suitcase wondering which summer outfit ideas will translate to sunnier climes, we've put together a holiday capsule wardrobe of looks that will save you time, stress, and give you outfit options aplenty, without you exceeding your baggage allowance.
The key to packing like a pro is to pick versatile pieces that can be styled in a multitude of ways. So you can mix and match as you go, dressing pieces up for alfresco dinners, before reworking items for sightseeing the next day.
Essentially, you can pack a tight edit and still have plenty to wear. For a feminine feel, midi dresses are hard to beat, and are easy to throw on over your swimsuit for a beach day, or dressed up with wedges and a clutch for the evening. Likewise, linen shirts and elegant but breezy wide-leg trousers are ideal for what to wear in the heat of the day, but also make great beach cover-ups too. When considering what to wear on a plane, try to choose items that you'll be able to make use of during your trip, so that you're truly maximising what you bring.
These holiday outfit ideas will make packing a breeze
1. Wide-leg trousers
When it comes to what to wear with wide-leg trousers, the same styling principles apply whether you're at home or away. These relaxed and easy trousers are a super flattering choice for warm weather, delivering an almost pyjama-like feel. But make sure to pair wider legs with more fitted tops to create a balanced look.
Perfect for all-day wear, pair them with everything from crew-neck tees to light and breezy shirts for lazy lunches or packed days of sightseeing.
Lean into warm-weather feels, and look for light styles, in soft neutral to reflect the sun, or lean into the season's boldly printed designs, because extra sunny weather makes strong colours stand out beautifully. Finish with tan accessories for an effortlessly laid-back look.
Come the evening, add instant glamour and swap your comfortable sandals for a pair of wedges to emphasise your pins. Offset voluminous trousers with a more fitted top. Tuck it into some high-waisted trousers to define your silhouette.
We love linen for summer. This naturally breathable fabric will help air to flow, keeping you cool. The super, wide, palazzo leg adds a relaxed feel, but make sure to balance your shape with some more fitted elements. This could be a tucked, or half-tucked top or shirt, or a fitted tee, with a shirt slung open over the top. You could even slip these on over a swimsuit to create a top and trouser feel that's ideal for poolside dining.
With a borrowed-from-the-boys feel, this oversized linen shirt is the perfect holiday outfit building block. From using it as an answer to what to wear over a dress in the evening, to teaming it buttoned-up with shorts or trousers, tie fronted as a beach-cover-up, or loose and open over a cami, this is one piece with endless ways to wear. The white colourway will work with every holiday outfit idea, making it the most versatile choice
These high street sandals are a great designer lookalike for the Hermès Oran sandals. This luxurious tan hue is another neutral colourway that will pair easily with most other hues in your suitcase, so you can wear these on repeat for poolside elegance or alfresco dinners. With rave reviews from shoppers on site, these are an absolute style steal.
2. Midi dress
Midi dresses make the best summer dresses and are one of the best holiday outfit ideas, taking you from day to night with ease. Requiring virtually nothing in the way of styling, just swap sliders for smarter sandals (either heels or some metallic flats) and you're ready for an alfresco dinner or dancing 'til dawn.
By far the item that offers the most mileage in your suitcase, breathable fabric designs will keep you cool in warm climates, too. Chillier evenings may require an extra layer, so try adding a blazer to sharpen the look, or for something cosier, go for a cotton cardigan.
There's something about stripey dresses in the summer that just feels right. Never not a summer trend, this blue and white design offers instant warm-weather feels. The square neckline and A-line, tiered silhouette offer the perfect shape for skimming your shape, adding to its relaxing feel. To add extra definition to your shape, add a belt to your waist for the evening.
As a breathable fabric, a cotton cardigan makes a smart summer layering piece. A great option for a plane outfit too (where it can be a little chilly) a cardigan feels cosy, but the cotton fabric will ensure you won't break a sweat. This smart design from British clothing brand Boden, will also work with your summer outfits for work if your office aircon is turned up to max
When it comes to the shoe trends of 2025 ballet pumps are certainly up there as a cool and comfortable choice, and the addition of a metallic hue adds a touch of glamour to proceedings. Flat and easy to pack, they're a smart switch-up if you want an evening shoe that doesn't mean uncomfortable, towering heels.
3. Shorts and a tee
When it comes to holiday outfit ideas, the bulk of your suitcase should contain daytime outfits. Whether you're spending a week by a pool or exploring a new country, t-shirts, shorts, or A-line midi skirts (with the best anti-chafing shorts underneath) are the warm-weather items that are made for sunny climes. Comfortable and relaxing, if you're looking for items that give off a smarter feel, look for linen shorts or tailored cotton iterations that won't compromise on breathability. Ideal for holidaying in style, team with sunglasses and a crossbody bag for a look that's ready to take on the day.
If you're wondering how to style shorts, it's time to forget Daisy Dukes, Bermuda shorts are one of the top spring/summer fashion trends 2025. The longer length not only offers extra coverage, but it’s flattering too, often sitting high on the waist with a loose, straight leg. Dress up with heels and a cami in the evening.
Long line shorts are a great option if this is your first time wearing shorts. In white linen, these will be cool and breezy, but the blend will stop them from creasing too badly in your suitcase. Team with a tee or relaxed linen shirt in the day and an embellished top in the evening.
You can never go wrong with a Breton top, and this Crew Clothing design is a classic. Wear alone, or under a linen shirt, team with everything from shorts and wide-leg trousers to tucked into A-line skirts. The navy and white colour combo is timeless.
With a similar shape to the Birkenstock Arizona's this is a dialled up iteration of this timeless sandal shape. The jewelled buckle and textured fabric of the straps give these sandals a designer inspired feel that will add polish to any holiday outfit ideas.
4. Beachwear
A linen shirt makes for a savvy cover-up that you can wear on and off the beach. Layer over your swimwear and finish with a pair of coordinating shorts for a pulled-together look that you can take straight out to lunch.
Holiday outfit ideas are a good time to stick to breathable fabrics such as cotton and linen. Whether you opt for bold colours to maximise that holiday tan, or stick to versatile neutral hues, this is a pairing you can rework and re-wear throughout your holiday.
Get even more bang for your buck and choose a longline shirt that you can wear as a dress too. Add a belt for extra definition and a pair of strappy sandals, and voila! Cocktail hour outfit completed.
A shirt dress is such a solid holiday outfit idea. It can be dressed up or down, making it one of the most versatile items in your suitcase. This fluid light coloured design is both elegant and relaxed, which when you're abroad is kind of a winning combination.
Raffia bags are a summer holiday must-have. Use an XL design as both your plane carry-on (check your airline for size guidance) and as your beach bag to really get the most out of this travel-friendly style. The warm tan colouring is reminiscent of a sandy beach.
This style of Boden swimsuit has been around for some time and comes in numerous colourways. The vintage-style squared neckline is flattering for all bust shapes, while a halterneck silhouette offers great lift and shape.
5. Swimwear
When it comes to choosing the best swimwear for your summer holiday, look to the swimwear trends 2025 for directional style ideas. There's a design and silhouette to suit every body type this summer and no holiday wardrobe is complete without some confidence boosting poolside attire.
Block colour swimsuits are a versatile choice, pairing up with A-line floaty skirts, or linen shorts to create daytime outfits, but for a seamless head-to-toe look that will get you noticed, opt for a printed swimsuit and coordinating cover-up.
When it comes to beach cover-ups, the denim shorts is a classic. For a more fashion-forward feel, swap your go-to blue denim for a lighter shade of cream or ecru this summer. Take the lead from the denim trends 2025 when it comes to silhouettes. Styles such as mom fits and straight leg styles have made a real mark on the fashion crowd.
With a built-in hidden balconette, underwired bra, for plenty uplift, this is one of the best swimsuits for large busts. Add to that hidden control fabric, this swimsuit will help to support every curve so you can get on with just having a great holiday.
Finish your poolside look with a coordinating sarong skirt. But this will work with more than just this bathing suit. The simple black oversized design can be worn with pretty much any swimsuit in your arsenal, and can also be re-styled as a halterneck dress too.
Sun protection with style is an absolute must when it comes to holiday outfit ideas and this hat can be easily folded and packed into a case. The bucket silhouette with wide brim offers good face shading, keeping the sun off your eyes too. The neutral colourway helps it to pair with pretty much anything in your case.
Packing for vacation is stressful, but nailing your holiday outfit ideas in their entirety and planning your looks before you've even stepped foot in the airport will help you pack more concisely, ensuring you don't go over your luggage allowance and that everything you're packing is useful.
We have all been guilty of believing we need more shoes than we do when travelling, but the truth is, we naturally default to our most comfortable clothes for warm weather dressing, and while you should certainly have dressier items to take you to gorgeous dinners, you should be looking at footwear that can work across a range of outfits.
If you have already worked out how to build a summer capsule wardrobe, chances are you truly understand the shapes and colours that work best for you. Lean into this knowledge to prebuild those all-important holiday ensembles, so that you feel comfortable and put together.
