The number of automatic out-of-office emails landing in my inbox is rising fast, just like the temperature outside. Some senders (myself included) are clearly holiday-maxxing, stacking their annual leave around weekends and bank holidays, and booking summer holidays well in advance. It's a resounding "yes" to sun-soaked islands, destination weddings, music festivals and sports games over the months ahead. The only issue (aside from wishing we were already there)? What to pack.
There are new summer-holiday dressing conundrums to solve now that airport outfits matter, airlines seem stricter about carry-on dimensions and new plans could crop up at any moment. I always ask myself: where am I going? How much effort do I want to make? Will I need to iron this? I really admire those stylish women who can magically fit multiple outfit changes a day for two weeks in just a cabin bag, but unfortunately, I’m not one of them. If you give me a luggage allowance, I will stretch it as far as I can get away with. After consulting my personal summer 'fits mood board and folder of screenshots (I am a fashion editor, after all), I’m clear on the summer holiday outfits I’m going to build, and which one-stop store I'm making a beeline for: NEXT.
Back in the day, I circled the popular UK retailer’s hardback catalogues for fun and toasted the spoils of multiple successful Boxing Day sale visits. I still marvel at how consistent and curated NEXT is, even though there are over 1000(!) brands in stock, because there are absolutely no filler products to sift through—genuinely. For summer 2026, the buying team has clearly done its research to compile an expansive and complementary edit of trend-led pieces, fail-safe basics and striking swimwear for us all to wear on repeat, home and away. I’m happy that many of my favourite brands, including Mango, Reiss, All Saints and Levi’s, are conveniently housed under one roof, alongside the kind of IYKYK labels you can’t help but notice.
To make the packing process hassle-free, I create a meticulous list for every trip, but if I do run into any hiccups, I'll definitely use NEXT's next-day delivery service for any last-minute orders. I’ve narrowed down my pre-holiday purchases to focus on the trends I want to nod to and the wardrobe staples overdue for an upgrade. In particular, I'm on the lookout for anything romantic and boho-spirited that has longevity, striking prints that pop harder with a tan, and maybe even a new, relaxed denim silhouette.
Browsing NEXT’s website, it became clear that I'd find what I was looking for from five new and/or exclusive brands: Bhoēm, The Set, Anthropologie, Daily by Desmond & Dempsey and Rockett St George. Below, I get into their specific merits and how I’ll be styling my favourite pieces on holiday this summer.
Style Notes: The pieces in my holiday capsule wardrobe are as relaxed as I am when I finally step off the plane. I live for a fluid dress that stuns for dinner but isn’t too precious to throw over a swimsuit, and Bhoēm has plenty. From multi-coloured prints to mini hemlines, draped detailing to bias-cut silhouettes, there’s a distinctive contemporary bohemian flavour to the first wave of dresses from this new and exclusive in-house brand that I’m strongly drawn to. The excellent craftspersonship and decorative embroidery look even better up close, and I’m struck by how effortless and seasonless the elevated separates are, particularly the standout jacquard cream trouser co-ord. Layers and tights will make all the difference when wearing these same pieces come autumn.
Style Notes: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve regretted not buying a backup of a staple style I know I'll wear to death. When it comes to brands that specialise in basics, I’m most loyal to those that produce plain tops and bottoms I can take on holiday that fit me like a glove and wash well, which is why The Set has jumped to the top of my list. It’s an exclusive NEXT brand which offers mix-and-match multipacks of the same simple, reliable styles in different colours and prints—why did brands ever stop doing this?! These multipacks transport me right back to the uniform dressing of my childhood, and I appreciate how much they streamline holiday styling—you can buy two jackets, four midi dresses or 10 essential vests in one pack and restyle them endlessly.
Style Notes: I like that you never quite know what you’re going to get from Anthropologie, which has just launched on NEXT. Every brand's collection is a treasure trove of romantic and sophisticated styles that run the gamut from ultra-casual to wedding-guest-worthy. All the trending details, like floral prints, balloon-cut trousers and lingerie-inspired slips, feel timeless in ways that maximise their wearability. Whenever I’m on the lookout for a whimsical accent or unusual pattern to animate a more classic holiday outfit, Anthropologie is my first port of call, and I can’t get over how great the denim selection is this season. Move over, barrel-leg, because the long flares and culottes in various washes may be less structured, but they’re equally polished. Oh, and I added an incredible scalloped denim minidress to my basket immediately.
Style Notes: I'm torn between several styles in the Daily by Desmond & Dempsey swimwear collection that has just arrived at NEXT. The minimalist shapes are a canvas for some of the most delightful original prints I’ve seen, particularly the chocolate wave and blue foliage. I can’t fault the fit or adaptability either; straps can be removed, tops and bottoms are reversible and there’s an array of elegant square, halterneck, and triangle necklines to choose from. I’d go for a swimsuit that can also double as a bodysuit when worn with palazzo trousers on land, and I'd wear it strapless to minimise tan lines. I also like the idea of styling a tie-waist cover-up as a miniskirt with a baby tee and heels to dance the night away.
Style Notes: How charming is Rockett St George? The exclusive brand (which also spans homeware) has a pulsating rock 'n' roll aesthetic that’s in sync with fashion’s wider noughties and "indie sleaze" revival. Leopard! Lips! Lace! Stars! The womenswear collection is a wild ride with a rebellious vintage spirit, and it's exactly what I’d wear to emulate a certain doe-eyed English supermodel in her festival-frequenting heyday or on holiday in Ibiza. Everything from the slogan tops to the party-girl dresses, printed swimwear and pyjamas is effortlessly cool and heavily detailed. I’m banking on the little black dress with red kisses and a thigh-high slit to make a statement all on its own and generate endless compliments. I’ve also got my eye on the tasselled, studded bucket bag to carry my holiday essentials and then my work laptop when I'm back in reality.
