THE CHIC LIST: My ten-point list of this summer's holiday essentials
For my last break I packed a pair of running shoes – just in case I had time to become a whole different person while we were away. This happens every time I travel. The practical side of my brain is replaced by the fantasy one that conjures up all sorts of dreamy situations I must be ready for – none of which, of course, ever materialise. I’m a disaster when it comes to holiday packing and always take far too much.
Recently I interviewed Victoria Beckham, who admitted she suffers the same affliction. ‘I take way too many things,’ she said. ‘The amount of times we have been to beautiful islands and I’ve taken 15 pairs of major high heels. And not worn a single pair – obviously!’
Dress, Boteh, bag, Sensi Studio
My friend, former Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, packs beauty and hair products she imagines using but never gets around to even taking out of the bag.
When I posted my holiday running shoes confession on Instagram, I received hundreds of messages from women saying they all did the same: taking things for their imaginary better selves, just in case. Yet when it comes to packing for my 11-year-old son, I’m very precise: T-shirts, shorts, swimming trunks. Done.
My theory is that holidays are such a great escape from mundane normal life that we can’t help seeing them as an opportunity to experiment or at least imagine a different, more adventurous, elegant us.
This summer I’m determined to pack less. I’m still bringing my go-tos, just not all of them. However, I’m certainly not dressing down on holiday, even if I have to lug my suitcases up the equivalent of the Spanish Steps. Wearing favourites on holiday elevates the whole experience. Here’s my list of this year’s essentials:
1 A couple of pairs of minimalist, pared-back sandals that go with everything. Clunky always looks out of place. Flip-flops for the pool. And two pairs of mid heels, with the same rules applied as the flats.
2Easy-to-wear, fuss-free dresses for dinners in the local taverna. White, lemon and blue are my holiday colours. And (one or two!) more elevated ones in case a truly glamorous dinner occasion arises.
3Five pieces of my treasured jewellery.
4Two basket bags and two small leather ones.
5Two shorts and shirt sets for daytime lounging.
6Three pairs of swimwear.
7 Hair and skincare products.
8 Two light trousers plus a crochet pair.
9One favourite sunhat.
10 Two pool cover-ups and one kaftan.
Shorts, £25.99, zara.com
SHORTS STORY
A big trend this summer is shorts and a matching shirt. Gwyneth Paltrow cooked breakfast in a set on one of her Instagram posts. These boxer-style shorts from Zara with co-ordinating pink shirt are perfect holiday material.
SPOTTED
Ruth Negga in Presumed Innocent
Irish actress Ruth Negga is slaying every scene in my new summer addiction Presumed Innocent on Apple TV+. Stylish Ruth plays the distressed wife of head prosecutor Jake Gyllenhaal, who is accused of murdering his colleague and mistress. Nobody knows if he did it or not.
