What to Pack for Your 2026 Vacation, According to Fashion Editors

The 2026 vacation wardrobe, according to fashion editors, has moved firmly toward airy, texture-driven pieces: think cotton dresses finished with lace and eyelet detailing for spring and summer travel.

Across eight popular destinations from the Hamptons to Ibiza editors have identified sixteen distinct trends worth packing for, spanning everything from statement swimwear to accessories built for both beach and dinner. Burberry's bikinis have become a genuine It-item this year, alongside jelly sandals making an unlikely high-fashion comeback and simple Zara tank tops proving that the most photographed vacation pieces aren't always the most expensive ones.

The throughline across every destination-specific list is versatility: pieces that move convincingly from a beach afternoon into a sunset dinner without requiring a full outfit change. For travellers planning a Mediterranean or Southeast Asian getaway this year, the advice is to build around two or three of these directional pieces — a statement swimsuit, a textured cotton dress, an elevated sandal — rather than overpacking a suitcase full of single-occasion outfits that will only get one wear.