Goodbye holiday dressing: Holiday fashion is moving towards calm simplicity

Goodbye holiday dressing: Holiday fashion is moving towards calm simplicity

Is the sheer sequins on your kaftan, the shell charm on your beach bag, or the pom-poms dangling from your maxi dress starting to raise questions?

Sandalias doradas de Marks & Spencer

Writer Jess Cartner-Morley urges pause and reflection: Are holiday wardrobes getting "too excited"?

Between joyful elegance and touristy excess

The author emphasizes that there's a fine line between looking cheerful on holiday and looking like you've bought your entire bag on a sangria-fueled airport shopping spree. At a certain point, tomato-print sundresses and embellished strappy sandals stop looking Dolce & Gabbana chic and start looking a little over-the-top. She advises taking a deep breath and putting aside those fringed palazzo pants.

"Bore-core": The New Trend for Chic Simplicity

The author notes that vacation wardrobes are heavily marketed in the summer, just like Christmas decorations or Valentine's Day roses. But the trend is toward a laid-back style. After attending fashion shows in the South of France and Italy, she noticed that daytime and travel looks are clearly leaning toward calm and simplicity.

She suggests loose trousers or shorts, T-shirts or linen shirts, boat shoes or Birkenstock sandals. No flashy sundresses, no colorful ensembles, no flashy sandals.

Chaqueta de lino fina Cos

She deliberately calls this laid-back look "bore-core." But interestingly, it's the traveler who wears elegant, calming neutrals who stands out from the sea of ​​bright pastels and playful polka dots in airport lines. For this look to work, it has to be executed well. Quality fabrics are key, and investing in high-quality linen or supima cotton makes sense, as these pieces can be transferred directly from your holiday suitcase to your home wardrobe.

Tips for Building a Stylish and Functional Holiday Wardrobe

To build this look, the author recommends starting with separates. The goal is a smooth tailoring, not a sportswear look. Look for shorts and trousers with belt loops—a belt adds sophistication without being overpowering—smart tank tops as a base layer, and light-collared shirts that can be buttoned up neatly or worn open as a beach cover-up. Keep everything in neutral colors, but within that, color combinations are fine—don't overmatch.

Despite the trend toward minimalism, some still want to feel special. The author herself bought comfortable flat gold sandals, which can be worn all day and are elegant enough to pair with the simplest black dress for a holiday dinner. In addition to gold, the author supports pale pink as a neutral color. And remember, Cos has a thin linen jacket in apricot that makes a great layering option for travel and is equally suitable for everyday use at home.

In conclusion, the author points out that going on vacation is exciting, but our clothes don't have to be.