Pick your holiday style
From air-bridgers and the one per cent to staycationers, this year’s travellers fall into five camps, says Charlie Gowans-eglinton
With August just around the corner, your thoughts may be turning to summer holidays. Personally, I’ve been dreaming about barbecued prawns and spritzes for months. With Covid measures lifting, those longed-for breaks have shifted from wistful thinking to “which way to the beach?” But what will your summer holiday look like in a post-lockdown world? And, crucially, what will you wear? Find your tribe and pack accordingly…
The Back Garden Staycationer
One of the good things about not going anywhere further than the end of the garden is that you don’t have to pack at all (other good things include: no traffic, no airports and no fuss). But for all of us, the increase in time spent at home can mean that it’s hard to demarcate downtime, especially if you’re working from your dining table. Clothes can help to make your holiday feel like one, so rather than wearing your everyday uniform, dig into the wardrobe you usually save for trips abroad. Stripes, checks (like this season’s ginghams) and bold florals, loose-flowing silhouettes and a more liberal use of colour will all help you get into the holiday spirit. And why not dress for dinner – with a G&T to keep you company while you do – to make al-fresco evenings feel a bit more special? You might need a jumper, but at least you won’t need mosquito repellent.
The Euro Air-bridger
If you’re made of sterner stuff than I am and have booked a flight to the sunshine, then the kaftan department is your oyster. Still, you don’t want to look like you’ve just rolled off a packed plane lest the locals shun you, so I’d opt for a slightly sleeker, more tailored take on hot-weather dressing. There are myriad smart-ish shorts to be had – try Massimo Dutti and Jigsaw – which you can layer over a swimsuit or pair with a super-lightweight linen shirt. Stiff cotton dresses that hold their shape look a bit more elevated than the floppy variety, and try prints in a monochrome colour palette – I love Whistles’ graphic leaves. Then add espadrilles (Castaner’s are the best), a chic basket bag, and a great pair of gold hoop earrings. If you haven’t made it to the salon for a cut and colour yet (I’m on 10 months and counting), or have sprouted witchetty grubs where you once had eyebrows, channel Jacqueline Kennedy in Capri and put a silk headscarf and giant pair of sunglasses to good use.
The British Coaster
Possibly the hottest ticket this summer isn’t a ticket at all, but a place in the queue of traffic on the M5 heading for Devon and Cornwall (or Norfolk, Northumbria… anywhere the sea is in sight – at this point, I’d be happy to swim off the Channel Tunnel terminal). If you’re planning to lay claim to a square metre of sand – or, more likely, shingle – you need to get the packing right. Start with the swimwear, which should be as far from “itsy bitsy” as you can get, since the water will be on the cold side wherever you go (though you can track warmer waters as you would the weather at Seatemperature. org). Surfing brands Billabong and
Rip Curl know their way around a wetsuit, Gap and White Stuff have affordable block-colour rash vests and briefs to match, or try Matteau, LNDR, J Crew and Boden for pretty printed iterations. If the pictures of crowds at Brighton and Bournemouth brought you out in a rash, you’ll want an off-thebeaten-track beach and the footwear to match: think an easy-to-pull-onand-off pair of ankle boots from Penelope Chilvers or plimsolls from ethical brand Good News. Layers are the best way to dress for British weather, especially at the beach: linen shirts and trousers, cotton dresses and loose-fitting knitwear are all essentials: stick to a palette of navy, white, ecru and khaki for a classic look that’s easy to put together every morning. And, as for any holiday in Britain, you’ll need a plethora of jackets to cater for our weather – start with a lightweight cotton shacket (Sézane has a great range of colours) for breezy days and a waxed waterproof (Barbour’s are staples) for wet ones.
The One Per Center
Weeks ago, when most of us were still perfecting how to deliver groceries to elderly relatives without stopping the car or being seen by Neighbourhood Watch, the other one per cent were getting their sea legs ahead of a summer spent on their yachts. And they might be on to something: it’s much easier to socially distance on the open sea, and if one port has an outbreak – well, on to the next idyll. Status swimwear is a given – that navy
one-piece that you wear to swim laps at the local leisure centre should stay home. Fluorescent colours are the preference of those with year-round tans, or look for a printed one-piece: try Reina Olga and Jade Swim, or London brand We Are We Wear’s polka-dotted bikinis in sizes ranging from XS-3XL (I’m a size 12, but often take the biggest size in swimwear ranges, so it’s a welcome shift). You’ll need something to layer over it – exactly what will depend on where you’re dropping anchor. If you’re in the competitive kaftan game (think sandy beaches populated by Coutts’ VIP list), Pippa Holt’s are the holy grail. If you’re more of the beach-bar type, you’ll want some lacy Zimmermann or a piece I’ve dubbed the cocktail sarong – On The Island By Marios Schwab’s floral, reduced to £85 in the Matches sale, is just the right amount of Ab Fab. And, now that face masks are compulsory in the Balearics, you’ll need a snazzy one: Daily Dress Edit’s Match Your Mask capsule has chic printed styles by Emilia Wickstead and Chinti & Parker, or you can always have a go at embellishing your own – there’s no rule to say you can’t take your safety with a side of sequins.
The Bear Grylls Survivor
OK, so perhaps you’re not completely living off the land, since the tent is technically more of a luxury yurt and boasts electricity, a four-poster bed and a chilled bottle of champagne on arrival, but the satnav was at a loss and you’ve barely got half a G, so you’re officially “off the grid”. This calls for a chic take on utilitarian designs, like lightweight shirt dresses or a tie-belt jumpsuit (Marks & Spencer has a great long-sleeved version, or try Mango’s striped sleeveless on warmer days). All-terrain sandals that won’t be ruined by a bit of mud are essential: I recently bought a pair of black Teva sandals for £40 and can attest to the comfort factor over the 20,000 step count, but Birkenstocks are equally hardy. Or, for something with a bit more of a fashion factor, try Maje’s embellished take on the sport sandal shape, or Arizona Love’s bandannatied versions. For the ultimate in practicality, look for a waterproof rubber pair – I can wear mine into the water, which is perfect for navigating rocky river beds. It can be a mucky business, so you’ll want a swimsuit in a dark colour or bold print that will stand up to a bit of algae – and perhaps a Thermos of tea to warm you up after.