There is something wonderfully chic about travelling in late summer – especially in Europe.
The heat and the crowds start to ease, and as the evenings get slightly cooler, the way we dress naturally starts to shift away from peak-summer beachwear towards pieces that feel more refined and timeless.
With a trip to Greece coming up in September, I’ve been thinking carefully about the pieces that actually deserve space in my suitcase.
My ideal late summer vacation wardrobe is feminine, elegant and versatile. I want outfits that feel luxurious without being overly complicated, beauty products that earn their place in my makeup bag, and accessories that can transform multiple outfits without overwhelming them.
Whether you’re heading to Mykonos (like me), the South of France, Tuscany or somewhere closer to home, this is my elegant late summer vacation packing list:
The Clothing
1. The Perfect Swimsuit
A beautifully cut, quality swimsuit is one of the most useful pieces you can take away.
I tend to favour classic colours such as:
- Ivory
- Black
- Chocolate brown
A sophisticated one-piece can also double as a bodysuit underneath linen trousers or a flowing skirt. Opt for elegant details such as contrast piping, square necklines, softly scooped backs and subtle hardware, rather than busy prints and logos. If you can get hold of a vintage Chanel one in good condition, you’ve struck the fashion jackpot! For the less fortunate of us, there are plenty of other chic options too.
Shop my swimsuit edit:
2. A Chic Bikini
Even if you’re usually a swimsuit person, I think it’s worth packing at least one bikini.
For an expensive-looking option, I love:
- Monochrome colour-blocking
- Soft pastel blue
- Olive and khaki tones
Simple shapes usually look more timeless in photographs than very trend-led styles.
Shop my favourite bikinis:
3. An Oversized White Shirt
Possibly the hardest-working item in a holiday suitcase!
Wear it:
- Open over swimwear
- Tucked into satin trousers
- With tailored shorts
- Knotted over a bikini
- Over a slip dress on a cooler evening
I particularly love slightly oversized cotton, cheesecloth or linen shirts because they manage to look both relaxed and polished at the same time.
Shop white shirts:
4. Silk or Satin Trousers
Nothing says understated European summer quite like beautiful trousers.
Whilst linen is a more traditional pick, satin adds an ‘of the moment’ edge. Creak, black or khaki are your most versatile options here and should work with almost anything else in your suitcase.
Pair them with:
- A swimsuit
- A ribbed vest top
- A bandeau
- A bikini top
- Your oversized shirt
Choose a pair with enough structure through the waist to keep the look elegant rather than overly beachy.
Shop satin/silk trousers:
5. A Beautiful Day Dress
A simple summer dress saves you on the days when you don’t want to think about styling.
My favourite holiday silhouettes are:
- Floaty skater dresses
- Crochet maxis
- Shirt dresses
- Soft halternecks
You want something that can take you from wandering around town to a late lunch without needing an outfit change.
Shop daytime dresses:
6. One Fabulous Evening Dress
Even the most minimalist suitcase deserves one slightly impractical, glamorous item. This is the dress you wear somewhere beautiful for dinner, drinks or sunset cocktails. And maybe get that insta-pic, too.
For late-summer evenings, I’d look for:
- A slinky black or chocolate brown maxi
- Ivory or champagne satin
- A simple backless silhouette
- Elegant asymmetric necklines and cape styles
Shop evening dresses:
7. The Satin Slip Dress
A slip dress earns its suitcase space because it takes up almost none.
Wear it alone with heels for dinner, with flat sandals for something more relaxed, or throw a light knit over the top when evenings cool down.
Black, champagne, chocolate and ivory are particularly easy neutrals to style. Pair them with a gold bag and heels and you’re done!
Shop slip dresses:
8. Tailored Shorts
For sightseeing, wandering between bars and daytime lunches, tailored shorts instantly feel more polished than denim.
Look for:
- High-waisted cuts
- Linen blends that don’t crease as easily as traditional linen
- Pleated fronts and belt loops that allow you to accessorise
Pair with a vest, shirt, bodysuit or swimsuit for an instant old-money casual fit.
Shop tailored shorts:
9. A Fine Knit Cardigan, shawl or cover-up
Even somewhere warm (think Greek islands), it can get windy and colder at night so I always want to have one layer handy.
A fine knit, lightweight cardigan or soft knit polo works beautifully over the shoulders during dinner and makes summer pieces transition naturally into September. Or choose a sheer cape-style cover up to stay on-trend this year whilst keeping your shoulders cozy.
Shop lightweight knits:
Shoes
10. Flat Leather Sandals
You need at least one comfortable but chic pair, and you can’t get more classic than the Hermes Oran.
Leather slides, minimal thong sandals or simple strappy flats work beautifully without making an outfit feel casual. Avoid anything too chunky if you want to keep the look classy.
Shop flat sandals:
11. Elegant Evening Sandals
I prefer a relatively simple evening shoe on holiday because elaborate heels can quickly become difficult on cobbles and uneven paths. I still love a stiletto though, and I suppose that’s the trade-off!
Look for:
- Slingbacks
- Minimal strappy sandals
- Black, gold or nude leather
Shop evening shoes:
12. Travel Shoes
Depending on the trip, I also like to pack either a classic loafer, mesh ballet flat or very clean minimal trainer for airports and longer walking days.
Shop travel shoes:
Bags & Accessories
13. A Raffia or Woven Bag
There is a reason woven bags come back every summer.
A structured raffia tote or basket bag instantly makes a neutral outfit feel holiday-appropriate. They tend to be on the larger side, meaning that your book, SPF, phone and lip balm are all safe, with room for a few purchases from the local market.
Shop raffia bags:
14. A Small Evening Bag
One small structured handbag is usually enough, although I’ll probably take three! If you do have room for more, a fun solid metallic option can be a nice addition that almost doubles as jewellery.
Shop evening bags:
15. Oversized Sunglasses
Possibly the quickest way to make a simple holiday outfit look glamorous.
I love classic black or tortoiseshell frames rather than very trend-led colours, but I do think a cream or white pair of cat-eyes can also look very chic.
Shop sunglasses:
16. Simple Gold Jewellery
You don’t need a full jewellery box.
I’d pack:
- Small gold hoops
- One pair of statement drop earrings
- A delicate necklace
- A stack of slim chain bracelets
- Your everyday rings
Shop jewellery:
17. A Silk Scarf
One of the most versatile accessories you can pack that adds instant elegance to any look.
Wear it:
- Around your neck
- Tied around a ponytail
- On your handbag
- As a headscarf
- Around your shoulders in the evening
- As a sarong, if it’s big enough
It also takes up virtually no suitcase space!
Shop silk scarves:
18. A Chic Sun Hat
A beautifully shaped straw hat makes even very simple swimwear feel much more considered — while also being practical in strong sun. SPF is rarely enough!
Shop sun hats:
The Late Summer Vacation Beauty Bag
This is where I’m trying particularly hard not to overpack.
Rather than taking dozens of products, I’m focusing on glowing skin, warm colour and clever multi-use formulas.
19. CHANEL Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream
One product I know will be coming with me is CHANEL Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream.
It has a beautifully creamy, almost gel-like texture that blends seamlessly into the skin and gives the kind of warm, healthy colour I particularly love on holiday.
It’s perfect for the areas where the sun would naturally hit — cheekbones, forehead, temples and across the bridge of the nose — and creates a far softer effect than a heavy powder contour.
20. YSL Beaute All Hours Glow Foundation
Hot-weather makeup should still look like sun-kissed skin. A lightweight foundation or tinted moisturiser gives enough coverage for an evening-out without masking your natural glow.
21. Nars the Multiple Multi-Use Sticks
One or two beautifully chosen cream colours can replace multiple separate products.
A late summer vacation in the sun is still in the sun! High quality SPF is non-negotiable, and I don’t even need to tell you why!
I like having:
- Facial SPF 50
- Body SPF
- An SPF facial spray for top-ups
- Lip SPF
23. Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil
Sun, salt water, chlorine and heat styling can leave hair feeling very dry. A lightweight oil keeps lengths glossy and polished, and I’m still a huge fan of the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil.
24. A Late Summer Vacation Fragrance
I love the idea of choosing one fragrance for a particular trip. Scent creates such strong memories that afterwards, wearing it again can instantly take you back. This has been the case for me ever since I was 14 on my first trip to Ibiza, and bought ‘Boss Orange’ in a local boutique. I still wear it on holiday now and whenever I need a pick-me-up at home.
Shop my late summer vacation beauty favourites:
The Little Luxuries
These aren’t strictly necessary, but they make travelling feel considerably nicer.
25. Silk Sleepwear
Beautiful pyjamas or a silk slip make hotel mornings feel instantly more glamorous — and they photograph beautifully if you’re creating travel content.
26. A Travel Jewellery Case
Much better than discovering an impossible necklace knot at the bottom of your handbag – and very chic on your hotel dressing table!
27. A Beautiful Beach Cover-Up
Instantly takes swimwear from poolside to lunch with an elegant, floaty cover up or a crochet mini dress. Ideal for browsing local shops after a day at the beach, too. And of course, a large silk scarf can always double up as a sarong, if you’re light on luggage allowance!
28. A Travel Candle
Yes, really. Lighting a candle and indulging in scent whilst you get ready in your hotel room is such a lovely little way to luxe-up your holiday. Just don’t forget to blow it out before you go to dinner!
Final Thoughts
For me, late summer vacation dressing has less and less to do with having an enormous designer wardrobe.
It is simply about choosing well.
Beautiful fabrics. Flattering silhouettes. Thoughtful accessories. Glowing skin. And not an ounce of ‘what do I wear?’ stress in sight.
With love,
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READ THE SUBSTACK EDIT: The Elegant Late-Summer Packing List – A Substack Edit
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