The Real Reason I Always Buy New Clothes on Holiday

I always pack light. Why? Well, throughout the summer period we're constantly thwacked over the head with boho and artisanal buys, but nothing, IMHO, beats buying the genuine thing when you actually go on holiday. In fact, aside from excess amounts of bathing on the beach, my number one priority is getting to the local shopping scene and soaking up some sartorial culture. Take one look at any Greek island–hopping fashion girl this summer and you'll find the same story: She'll be flaunting her authentic Grecian leather sandals (that were no doubt bought at a far more favourable price than back at home).

A photo posted by on

One of our favourite girls who knows the power of a well-timed holiday purchase is Fashion Me Now's Lucy Williams. She recently stacked up on woven wicker bags to channel her inner Jane Birkin when in Calvi for the island's chic music festival.

A photo posted by on

I often opt for really traditional wares—flamenco frills in Spain (and the polka-dot dancing shoes), blue-and-white cheesecloth tunics and maxi dresses in Greece (not to mention the Tinos island–bought skirt printed with Greek urns in the picture above), batik kaftans in Thailand… A good friend of mine, Lily Russo—the founder of resortwear website BeachFlamingo.com—always tells tales of the brilliant jewellery she picks up when back home in Puglia, Italy.

It's enough to make you book a last-minute getaway. Or at least go on the hunt for local goods you can buy online—that's where we step in. Check out the authentic vacation buys you can get hold of from your smartphone…

From Thailand:

From Greece:

From Italy:

From Portugal:

From India:

From Ukraine:

Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.