Summer is finally coming into focus, and that only means one thing: We have vacation on the brain. Whether you're planning the ultimate Euro summer to the rocky shores of the Mediterranean or jotting down a quick weekend getaway nearby, an upcoming vacation on the calendar calls for a wardrobe refresh—and we're coming in hot with every cool fashion thing you could ever want or need for your next escape. From the sophisticated swimsuits that are mirroring our desire for elegant dressing in all areas of our closets to the pretty seashell-inspired pieces that are made for the beach to the delicate crochet pieces that can double as swimsuit cover-ups and going-out attire, there are plenty of emerging summer trends that feel tailor-made for a vacation in the sun.
Since we consider it our duty to bring you the very best shopping curations, we couldn't stop at the overarching vacation trends of the season. No, we're taking things a step further and highlighting seven brands that are unequivocally "It" as far as warm-weather wardrobes are concerned. If you peeked into a fashion person's suitcase, these are the labels that you'd be guaranteed to find in their vacation-bound luggage.
Ahead, dive into every fashion-related thing to pack in your suitcase for your most stylish getaway yet.
Easy does it is the mood with sandals—both for the summer at large and for vacation. Designers seemed to unanimously agree on simple thong sandals that recall the '90s because across the board we saw fresh takes that give the humble sandals a much-needed lift, whether it was via velvet finishes or utilitarian leather like on those from The Row.
With all the chatter we've been making about the era of elegant style, it should come as no surprise that this mood extends beyond our everyday attire and bleeds into our vacation ensembles, too. Pieces like A-line dresses, court shoes, top-handle bags, and smart tailoring are all staples that you can expect to see the fashion set leaning into to stay looking polished while flitting around world.
*The* micro-trend of the summer is here, and it's worthy of obsession. All manner of seashells, conch shells, and starfish are making their way onto swimsuits, jewelry, and clothing. If you're heading anywhere remotely beachy this summer, packing one of these pieces will be a guaranteed hit. We suggest you avoid if you're not a fan of compliments.
Controversial? Maybe. Vacation-worthy? Absolutely. Pedal pushers have been rearing their heads all season, and now that the market is flooded with options, our social feeds are equally erupting with fresh styling ideas that will have you warming up to the cropped trousers. For vacation, try a matching set with capri pants or style them with a bandana for a cool retro feel.
Ready-to-wear isn't the only category getting the sophisticated touch. Swimwear, a category usually defined by whimsical prints and complicated strappy silhouettes, is undergoing a major rebrand. Low-back one-pieces, swim shorts, and two-tone bikinis are just a few of the styles that are contributing to a wave of sophisticated swimsuits that feel very 2024.
Is there anything more essential for hot weather than lightweight linen staples? Packing a few linen pieces is basically a vacation requirement, especially if you're headed anywhere remotely humid. Practicality aside, there's just something so easygoing about wearing linen that feels so right for a vacation. In fact, the moment we swap out our trousers and button-down shirts for linen versions is the moment summer starts to feel real.
Delicate crochet is set to be a big theme again this summer, and we predict that it will be those more unusual pieces that will gain the most traction, like a camp shirt or short shorts that you wouldn't expect to come in a woven or crochet fabric. Nia Thomas, Bode, and Diotima are all editor favorites for their handmade techniques.
On Miu Miu's S/S 24 runway, board shorts, rugby shirts, and sporty rope sandals were the unlikely fixtures that defined the collection. Like clockwork, Miuccia Prada's influence is working its way through the market, and we're noticing a proliferation of athletic-inspired styles from retro sneakers to sports jerseys that feel so right for a cool-girl vacation aesthetic.
If you couldn't already tell, retro aesthetics from the 1950s and '60s are running rampant. Along the same lines as the pedal pushers we discussed above, bandanas and hair scarves are bubbling up just in time for summer getaways, and the styling ideas we're seeing remind us so much of the way Brigitte Bardot wore them in the era.
If there's a singular label making its way into every It girl's closet right now, it's Arcina Ori. Even if you have yet to be familiar with the name, you've likely seen some of its beautiful vintage-inspired pieces like the Juliette skirt set that Alex Cooper wore on vacation earlier this year. For being a small Australian label, its silhouettes have shot up to the top of everyone's wish lists, and the romantic dresses are just begging to be worn while strolling through the cobblestone streets of a foreign town.
Christopher Esber is in every celebrity vacation photo dump for a reason—the dresses and separates strike the perfect balance between effortless and sultry. Combining generous cutouts with beautiful draping and sculptural metal closures, the pieces feel like works of art themselves. So when A-listers pack for their chic vacations, there's almost always an Esber piece or two squirreled away in their luggage. This summer, the Vivenda dress that Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wore on her trip to Umbria is shaping up to be a most-wanted item.
Fun-loving, kitschy, and bright, Siedrés is an instant mood booster. It's no wonder the brand was born out of the nostalgia its founders had for childhoods spent under the Mediterranean sun, because each of its pieces transports you to the cove beaches of Mallorca or the day clubs in Mykonos.
Minimalism at its finest is how we'd describe St. Agni's offering of low-key cool staples that are refined and utterly wearable. For the anti-trend dressers among us, the Australian label is a holy grail for walkable sandals, '90s basics, and summer-infused accessories.
It's all in the name: Asta Resort is defining modern resort wear with its range of shimmery knits and retro swimwear that cool people across the globe always wear on their photogenic trips.
Despite the less-is-more approach defining most of 2024's vacation style, there will always be a place for those bright, cheerful pieces that just scream "I'm on holiday," and Alémais is unquestionably one of them. It partners with artists all over the world to design a series of custom prints that make their way onto the midi dresses, shorts sets, and graphic tees in the lineup. There's something about the pieces that makes them seem approachable to even the staunchest of minimalists—they tap into that free-spirited vacation feeling without trying too hard.
There is a dizzying number of swimwear brands on the market right now, but Same stands out for its elevated takes on current trends. After several viral moments with its rose-appliqué bikinis last summer, the brand is putting forth an exciting new crop of pieces like its spiral bikinis and '90s black-and-white styles that have major It-item potential.
