posted on 15 July 2026
By Hazel Beaumont
We have all been there. You are staring at an open suitcase two hours before a flight, aggressively jamming in ten different pairs of shoes, structured jeans you will definitely hate wearing in the humidity, and three extra night out tops just in case. You want every single photo to look entirely effortless, chic, and high end, but you usually end up overpacked, stressed, and wearing the same basic t-shirt the whole time.
After plenty of trial and error traveling, I finally cracked the vacation wardrobe code. You don’t need a big suitcase filled with stiff, uncomfortable items. You just need pieces that bring pure vacation energy while keeping you incredibly comfortable from the airport to a sunset dinner. I put together seven distinct resort looks that absolutely deliver, making it easy to look polished without the packing drama.
For a day of exploring a coastal town or handling a long travel day at the airport, you want maximum breathability. I pair the Beach Cotton Long Sleeve Button Up with the Textured Stripe Relaxed Barrel Pants.
The barrel silhouette gives the trousers a modern, architectural edge that instantly looks high fashion, while the lightweight cotton top keeps the sun off your arms without overheating. Drop on some simple slide sandals and a large woven tote bag to pull the entire travel look together.
When you want to transition from a morning swim straight to an upscale outdoor lunch, a coordinated dark look is the ultimate shortcut to looking expensive. I style the Bleu Rod Beattie Crepe of the Crop One Piece Swimsuit underneath the Bleu Rod Beattie Sunkissed Crochet Open Front Caftan. The crisp crepe of the swimwear and the delicate, open work crochet of the caftan are such a textural contrast, it adds incredible depth. It looks completely intentional and styled, even if you just stepped out of the water.
Nothing says effortlessly chic quite like a matching set. For a resort dinner overlooking the water, I wear the Textured Stripe Relaxed Collared Shirt completely buttoned up and tucked into the matching Textured Stripe Relaxed Barrel Pants. Keeping the pattern consistent from top to bottom creates a beautiful, elongated line. Pop the collar slightly, push up the sleeves, and add chunky gold hoops and a sleek clutch to turn this comfortable lounge set into a stunning evening look.
If your destination involves a beach club day that will inevitably end in sunset photos, this three piece combination is exactly what you need. Start with the Bleu Rod Beattie Draped Underwire Bikini Top and the matching Bleu Rod Beattie Kore Sarong Hipster bottoms. To elevate the swimwear, layer the Bleu Rod Beattie Wild and Free Chiffon Cover Up Dress right over the top. The sheer chiffon catches the ocean breeze beautifully, creating spectacular movement in photos while giving off major main character energy.
Comfort is king for those casual afternoons when you're wandering around local markets or grabbing an iced coffee. I pair the breathable Cotton Pointelle Sweater Tank with the Beach Cotton Relaxed Blanket Stitch Shorts. The delicate knit texture of the pointelle top elevates the casual nature of the shorts, while the subtle contrast stitching keeps the look interesting. Finish it with a pair of sporty sandals and your favorite sunglasses for a clean, active daytime style.
When you want to look put together but cannot be bothered with tight zippers or heavy materials, a fluid dress over simple swim layers works wonders. I layer the vibrant Bleu Rod Beattie La Cote Dazur Handkerchief Hem Dress over a simple base consisting of the Soma Swim Enbliss Wireless Bikini Swim Top and the Soma Swim Ruched Side Bikini Bottom. The asymmetrical handkerchief hem moves beautifully as you walk, making it perfect for transitioning from a morning lounge chair to an afternoon resort event.
For the ultimate evening photo session by the water, remember that texture is everything. I style the rich Soma Swim Enbliss Wireless Bikini Swim Top with its matching High Waist Enbliss Bottom for that clean, supportive base. Over that, I throw on the incredibly luxurious Soma's Sexiest Crinkle Chiffon Tie Robe. Leaving the robe open lets the semi sheer crinkle fabric catch the warm golden hour light, creating a dramatic, high fashion look that draws attention.
To tie every single one of these looks together, you only need three key accessories: a structured straw tote bag, oversized dark sunglasses, and water-resistant gold hoop earrings. They instantly elevate casual beachwear, add polish to the matching sets, and bring that cohesive, high-end finishing touch to your entire vacation wardrobe.
Building a vacation wardrobe does not have to mean overcomplicating your style or overfilling your luggage. The secret to vacation styling is choosing pieces that move with the wind and layer effortlessly over swimwear.
Focus on investing in a few premium, versatile pieces that layer effortlessly and transition seamlessly from morning exploring to an upscale dinner. That way you spend less time worrying about your outfits and more time enjoying the destination.
Hazel Beaumont is the fashion writer who can turn a simple outfit into a story about confidence and creativity. Fascinated by the way style shapes identity, she blends her love for trends with a sharp eye for detail, from runway looks to everyday essentials. Whether she’s breaking down the season’s must-have pieces, curating chic styling hacks, or exploring the cultural impact of fashion, Hazel writes with passion and purpose. For her, fashion isn’t just about clothes—it’s about self-expression, storytelling, and finding beauty in the way we dress every day.