When You Go on Vacation, Remember These 9 Styling Formulas

You might wonder if it's necessary to fuss so much over outfits for a summer getaway, but standing in front of your suitcase, doubts pile up. One dress seems like it could solve everything, yet somehow it feels insufficient; you've packed a swimsuit but hesitate every time about what to throw over it. After repeating a few summers, I realized that there's no such thing as a perfect vacation look to begin with — you only need a few combinations you can switch into depending on the situation. From pajama shorts to loose-fit pastels, this list gathers those effortless options. Think of it as a guide for people who want to pack light and worry even lighter.

Pajama Shorts, the All-Purpose Piece That Pretends to Be Sleepwear

A style of casually throwing on a lightweight T-shirt with men's trunk shorts, or layering a girlish pumpkin pant over a bikini. This look, as if you've just rolled out of bed, is currently the most nonchalant face of holiday style. Pajamas have long since become a ubiquitous street item, and on a vacation where there's no one to judge, it's even more appropriate. There's no more perfect answer for that awkward path from the pool straight back to your room.

All-White Look, a Way Not to Succumb to the Heat

Go classic with a single white linen dress, or take it easy by pairing an oversized shirt with eyelet pants. This summer, all-white is less a choice and more a survival strategy. Matching a white headscarf and sunglasses completes the mood, and adding just a straw bag lets you fully embrace the resort vibe. When it's hot you may be inclined to avoid white, but when done in breathable fabrics like linen and eyelet, it's actually the coolest option.

Summon the French Riviera with Capri Pants

A striped sleeveless top with a pair of Capri pants completes a Brigitte Bardot–style resort look. It’s a combination that can be written off as classic and read as boring, but fortunately Capri pants are back at the center of the trend, so you can set that worry aside. The ankle-revealing length keeps the lower half feeling light, while a multicolor striped top naturally draws the eye upward, creating a balanced silhouette.

Striped Top, the Uniform Right Before You Dive into the Sea

Whether micro shorts or a bikini bottom, a striped top works on both a yacht and on the beach. The breeziness that stripes bring is always the right choice, but the real merit of this look is its efficiency. You can fling the top off and be in the water immediately. If you're stepping out for a short walk, simply tying a scarf around your waist gives you that effortless air of someone who has just come out of the pool.

Black Long Skirt, Minimalism You Don't Forgo Even on Vacation

A vacation doesn't have to be all bright colors. A single black long skirt actually makes the story clearer. Pair it with a body-hugging tank top or tube top for a cool look, or throw an oversized white shirt open over a bikini. For shoes, nothing to think about—black flip-flops. There's no reason 1990s minimalism should give up its place on a holiday. Remember: stick to just black and white.

Slip Dress, a Choice Even More Dress-like Than a Regular Dress

Few items are as useful as dresses on holiday, but among them the spaghetti-strap slip dress goes one step further. You can throw it on directly over a swimsuit, and it doesn't have any parts that get in the way on hot days. All it needs is a paisley headscarf to add a pop of color. It looks like you've done nothing, but that effortless polish is the real charm of the slip dress.

Oversized Shirt, the Undisputed Number One Must-Pack

A thin, crisp shirt or a linen shirt is an absolute must-pack. Just throwing it on anywhere completes a languid yet relaxed holiday look. The point is to fasten exactly one button — that in-between state is something only vacations allow. It's an all-purpose piece that works with neon biker shorts or cheerful track shorts alike, one of the few garments you don't need to hesitate about putting in your suitcase.

Loose-Fit Pastels, a Look a Hand's-Width Away from the Body

Boxy shirts with boxy shorts, or even a loose skirt. Enjoy a summer vacation that temporarily sets aside the idea of tailoring clothes to your body. If you wear silhouettes that seem deliberately a couple of sizes larger and tone the colors down to soft pastels, that languor is amplified. If you dislike fabric sticking to your skin in the summer heat, this combination is the answer. It's not about hiding your body's lines — it's about openly showing you're not going to bother with them in the first place.

Bikini Top and Long Pants, Enjoying the Definite Temperature Contrast Between Top and Bottom

Be bold on top with only a bikini top, and on the bottom wear pants with surf-inspired details or slightly sheer linen pants. Worn sporty, it becomes an active look in itself; with linen pants, you're stylish enough to walk to a nearby cafe for lunch. The key is this imbalance: the top feels as if it's been removed and light, while the bottom looks put-together.

Published: August 7, 2026

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