10 Vacation Outfit Ideas to Start Your Holiday Off In Style

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Whatever sandy beach you find yourself at this season, a vacation-ready outfit will help you maximize your on-holiday mindset. Luckily there are tropical printed dresses from Altuzarra and Zimmermann, matching sets from Jonathan Simkhai and Faithfull The Brand, and statement swimwear from Missoni and Hunza G to help start your holiday off in style. When putting together the perfect beach or poolside look, there’s so much more to enjoy than just a bikini or one-piece. Chic cover-ups like caftans, breezy button-ups, and sarong skirts are thoughtfully stylish additions to add to your vacation outfit ideas. Not to mention, they make transitioning from the water to whatever you have planned next effortlessly elegant. 

Apart from any beachside activities, packing and planning for festive evenings out is equally important when crafting your vacation outfit ideas. Should you go the nontraditional route and style Cult Gaia’s crochet bikini over tie-dyed palazzo pants from Altuzarra or opt for an all-in-outfit dress from Zimmermann, the result will no doubt be fabulously fun. There’s also Zara’s sarong-style skirt to wear with Totême’s smocked swimsuit and a pair of raffia loafers from 3.1 Phillip Lim. Beachy accessories are not to be ignored, either—think shell jewelry from Kenneth Jay Kane and Ulla Johnson or a crochet bucket hat as the ultimate outfit toppers. Strappy sandals from Bottega Veneta and Mango are another must-have on your packing list, while Birkenstock x Manolo Blahnik slides are a cult find to wear with denim cut-offs or airy linen pants. And the foundation of any vacation-ready outfit? A standout swim style, of course, from the likes of Evarae, Christopher Esber, Ephemera, and more. 

Your holiday starts off in style with our edit of ten vacation outfit ideas, below. 

The Poolside Pant

A poolside pant, like this crochet pair from Cult Gaia, is a perfect alternative to a pareo. Sport Evarae’s belted one-piece as a top and finish the look off with slip-ons from Birkenstock x Manolo Blahnik. Dragon Diffusion’s woven tote goes from beach to evening bag seamlessly. 

The Sarong-Style Skirt

For lunch by the sea or a casual dinner out, Zara’s printed sarong-style skirt is the chicest choice. Keep it cool and style it with Totême’s smocked swimsuit and 3.1 Phillip Lim’s raffia loafers. Lean into your beachier side and sport a seashell-embellished necklace from Ulla Johnson. 

The Shell-Embellished Dress

Zimmermann’s Vitali shell-embellished dress is light and airy enough to wear as a cover-up at the beach or as a statement piece on evenings out. To top the look off, just add Staud’s raffia tote, strappy sandals from Mango, and Kenneth Jay Lane’s shell earrings to match. 

The Crochet Bikini

Cult Gaia’s crochet bikini is a fun and fabulous addition to any vacation-ready outfit. Elevate the piece by styling with tie-dyed palazzo pants from Altuzarra and wedge espadrilles. Johanna Ortiz’s braided-handle bag feels right on theme. 

The Matching Set 

A matching set, like this one from Jonathan Simkhai, is a nonnegotiable in any vacation outfit idea. The result? A full look that requires minimal effort with maximum reward. Sandals from Bottega Veneta and Jacquemus’s Bisou bag are added details that help bring the ensemble to life. 

The Multiuse Button-Up

Worn as a cover-up by beach or buttoned-up for an excursion out on the town, a crisp shirt is a multiuse style staple to be packed in any suitcase. From Faithfull The Brand, this papaya-colored poplin is paired best atop Ephemera’s high-waist bikini or tucked into Loulou Studio’s jean shorts. The Row’s cult-classic thong flip-flops are up for grabs for yet another summer season. 

The To-the-Tropics Dress 

When getting ready for elegant evenings out, Altuzarra’s Kaya midi-dress requires almost no effort at all. All you need is a few statement accessories—like a Paco Rabanne raffia bag, heeled sandals from JW Anderson, and pearl earrings from Jil Sander—and you’re out the door in serious style. 

The Chic Caftan 

After a long day spent in the sun, cover up in Emporio Sirenuse’s mural-printed caftan. Underneath, sport Hunza G’s terry cloth bandeau bikini to match. Meanwhile, Jia Jia’s emerald necklace and a crochet bucket hat from Zara make the ultimate outfit toppers. 

The Embellished One-Piece

Whether you choose to wear yours as swimwear or as outerwear, Christopher Esber’s embellished one-piece is the only option to choose. With chic details like cut-outs, style with Johanna Ortiz’s printed pareo and sandals from Ancient Greek. Prada’s raffia tote is sticking around for another season–and for good reason. 

The Linen Set

A breezy linen set, like this one made from a Zara top and Faithfull The Brand bottoms, is a no-brainer for any vacation outfit idea. Not to mention, with such a lightweight material, it will take up almost no space in your suitcase. For good measure, add in a string bikini from Missoni and Anni Lu’s beaded necklace.