River Island's Summer Collection Makes Packing For A Beach Holiday A Lot More Fun

Image: Laurie Ferraro/River Island

Love holidaying? Of course you do - who doesn’t? It’s the perfect break from the old 9 to 5 or usual daily routine and an ideal opportunity to escape for some fun and relaxation in the sun. We can always get on board with that kind of itinerary! However, all this joy does come with an often daunting task: packing. It’s a constant battle between bringing too much so that you unnecessarily increase your luggage weight at your inconvenience, or packing so little so that you don’t have enough clothes for the trip to look and feel like the fashionista you truly are while abroad. So, what’s the easiest and most-stress free to pack for a holiday?  

Asking the experts, that’s what. This year we’re conquering the world of holiday shopping and simplifying the process of packing a suitcase by listing out all the absolute essentials for any trip, being sure to include versatile and oh-so-stylish pieces that we’re excited to wear. With a little help from us and our friends at River Island, snap up any one of these portable gems into your luggage, from standout Insta-worthy swimwear to wear-everywhere sandals, for a stress-free holiday wardrobe that covers all bases. But be warned, you may have trouble saving them for the suitcase...

This season is all about the swimwear- and not just because it’s the prime season for it (okay, maybe). But don’t be shy on stocking up on bikinis and swimsuits for your trip as they won’t take up much room in your bag, and they also will definitely come in use for a beach holiday. Not to mention the endless instagram opportunities that will present themselves during the long hours spent lounging on the sandy shores. For even lighter packing, consider wearing a bikini top with a little more material, so that it doubles as a bralette or crop top, or even opt for a swimsuit that doubles as a bodysuit.

For the girl that’s always on the go (even while on holiday), nothing will aid you more than an outfit that’s appropriate for all hours. Often times when travelling, you don’t have the ability to go back and change outfits at your convenience, so wearing a versatile dress is your godsend. Go for something that shows your shape but doesn’t constrict you like a slip dress. For creating more shape in the evening, add a chain belt. Match your printed slip dress with a pair of mules or flat sandals that you feel comfortable walking in during the day and dancing through the night in. 

The key to conscious packing is to make sure your clothes can be repurposed, but that doesn’t have to mean repeating outfits! Mix and matching clothes is a great way to save space and to create new looks with ease. First step to mixing- grab a cute co-ord, with a top and bottom. Then, get two neutral top and bottoms you can alternate with.

While we understand how an entire holiday can be purely about glam, depending on the itinerary, a beach holiday usually means some fantastic natural settings, that you may be keen on exploring for a few hours! Whether or not you’ve put hiking in your itinerary, it’s good to have some sportier clothes for a number of miscellaneous activities that could come up during your trip. From a spontaneous trip to the shop, to an adventurous zip lining excursion. So be sure to pack a pair of running shorts, a sporty tank and a pair of trainers.

When it’s time to get some sand in your toes, it’s best not to have a series of laces and a sweaty sock in the way. For a coastal holiday, it’s crucial to have at least a couple pairs of sandals to see you through the trip. And although you may be using them to slip on before and after the beach, do not understand their ability to stylishly see you through to the other, more enclosed places you’ll end up at- i.e. bars, restaurants, museums, etc. So for basics, get a pair of sliders, along with a fancier pair you can wear for less casual occasions.