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We’ve already established that holiday packing can be a nightmare. So many of us resort to aimlessly throwing in any item of clothing we can find with a summery floral pattern on, whilst magazines tell us all we need is seven items to see us through a holiday. Seven items? Really? Maybe if we don’t leave the hotel or eat or drink all holiday.
We can thank Donna Karen for the idea of the capsule wardrobe and that a woman needs only think strategically and practically to pack a seven strong, ready-for-anything, suitcase. The flaw in this plan is that not many of us think strategically and practically when it comes to fashion do we? Anyone? No thought not. So thanks Donna, but seven items is not going to be enough for us Semple girls, but we can tell you the items that you absolutely mustn’t leave without.
Espadrilles
These canvas, light, ridiculously cheap (normally) pumps may not look like much but they should be your holiday best friend. Equally cute with a sundress or shorts, they will save your toes from gripping on to flip flops for the entire holiday.
New Look – Navy Crochet Insert Espadrilles, £7.99
Glamourous Sandals
Unless you are going on a city break, heels on holiday just don’t work. They are far too high maintenance for the relaxed, bohemian, holiday you! Leave the heels safely at home and instead make your holiday companions jealous with embellished sandals that will dress up your newly bronzed feet.
Image – Chrysso beaded flat leather sandals, £160
Sun hat
We’ve had the baseball cap, the trilby and the floppy 70’s wide brim but this year we are partial to the straw boater. Perfect with a sundress this quirky hat will get you in the holiday spirit before you’ve even left the ground.
ASOS – Straw Boater, £15
Shorts
Denim, linen, hot pants, culottes; whatever your preferred style you will want a pair of shorts. It is not often us Brits get the opportunity to get our legs out so let’s get some vitamin D to them when we are abroad.
Oasis – Satin Trim Scallop Shorts, £35
Sunglasses
So many styles to choose from this year but a general rule of thumb is the bigger the better. We love the quirky shades on offer but if you want to keep it simple you can’t go wrong with Aviators or cat’s eyes in tortoiseshell.
Illesteva + Zac Posen – Cats Eye Tortoiseshell Sunglasses, £290
Sundress
We love a sundress at Semple. Maybe it’s the lack of year round sun in Blighty that makes us yearn for them but either way the girlie favourite must hold a special place in your suitcase. Throw it over a bikini or dress it up for evening cocktails.
Topshop – Cut Out Apex Sundress, £38
Swimwear
There was a time when you had to make a choice between a one piece or a two piece but now your choices are endless. Bikinis, tankinis, cut outs, one piece; this is the pivotal piece of your holiday wardrobe so make a statement while you lounge by the pool.
Zimmermann – Celestial floral-print underwired swimsuit, £265
Maybe you couldn’t survive your holiday on these seven items alone but they will make a great foundation to pack your suitcase around. As for me I never leave the country without packing my hairdryer. Yes it weighs down my suitcase but you can’t get that effortless holiday look without a little bit of hard work now can you?
By Samantha Vandersteen
