July 1, 2026

What I Pack for Summer Holidays

The best holidays begin long before you arrive. A thoughtfully packed suitcase sets the tone for slower mornings, effortless dressing and the simple rituals that make time away feel restorative.

There’s something satisfying about a well-packed suitcase. Not because it’s full, but because it’s thoughtfully edited. The pieces you reach for on repeat, the beauty essentials that simplify your routine and the small comforts that make a hotel room or holiday villa feel instantly familiar. This is the edit I return to every summer – a collection of wardrobe staples, food favourites and travel essentials that make every trip feel a little more effortless.

The Investment Piece: A Juliet Dunn Cover-Up

Every summer wardrobe deserves one forever piece, and for me, it’s a Juliet Dunn cover-up. Beautifully handcrafted from lightweight cotton with signature embroidery and effortless silhouettes, it’s the kind of investment you’ll wear from breakfast on the terrace to long lunches, beach walks and sunset drinks. Thrown over swimwear with leather sandals and oversized sunglasses or styled with gold jewellery for dinner, it strikes that perfect balance between relaxed and polished. It’s not a trend purchase—it’s the piece you’ll reach for year after year, becoming even more synonymous with summer memories every time you pack it.

Shop the collection: Juliet Dunn Cover-Ups

The Affordable Find: Marks & Spencer Square Sunglasses

A great pair of sunglasses has the power to elevate even the simplest holiday wardrobe, and this oversized square pair from Marks & Spencer punches well above its price point. The softly angular tortoiseshell frame feels timeless rather than trend-led, making them just as chic with a linen shirt and swimsuit as they are with an easy summer dress or relaxed tailoring back home. They’re the kind of everyday accessory you’ll reach for long after your holiday has ended—and proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve an expensive-looking finish.

Shop here: https://www.marksandspencer.com/ie/square-sunglasses/p/clp60917594

The Finishing Touch: LOVE Beth Bracelets

No holiday wardrobe feels complete without jewellery that adds a little personality, and LOVE Beth’s latest collection does exactly that. Handmade in Ireland using vintage beads, pearls, crystals and colourful accents, each bracelet feels playful yet elevated—the kind of piece that instantly lifts a simple linen shirt or white sundress. I love mixing a few together for an effortless stacked look or wearing one on its own alongside a classic watch. They’re joyful, beautifully made and a lovely way to support an Irish designer while adding a touch of colour to your summer wardrobe.

Shop here: LOVE Beth Season 5 Bracelets

The Forever Basket Bag: Sézane Justine Basket Bag

If there’s one accessory that instantly signals summer, it’s a beautifully crafted basket bag. Sézane’s Justine has become something of a modern classic, thanks to its timeless silhouette, handwoven raffia and thoughtful details, including dual leather handles and a cotton-lined interior. Spacious enough for a beach towel, book and market finds, yet polished enough for lunch in town, it’s the kind of piece that works just as well on holiday as it does back home. Consider it a forever purchase—one that will accompany countless summers and only become more beautiful with time.

Shop here: https://www.sezane.com/eu-en/product/justine-basket-bag/natural-raffia#size-TU

The Chic Essential: Marks & Spencer Paper Straw Fedora

No summer wardrobe is complete without a great sun hat, and this fedora from Marks & Spencer is one of those high-street finds that looks far more expensive than its price tag. With its timeless silhouette, wide brim and classic grosgrain ribbon, it brings instant polish to everything from a simple swimsuit and linen shirt to an easy white dress. Beyond elevating an outfit, it’s the piece you’ll be grateful for on long beach days, market mornings and leisurely lunches in the sun. Equal parts practical and stylish, it’s a holiday staple you’ll reach for every summer.

Shop here: Marks & Spencer Paper Straw Fedora Hat

The Holiday Read: Start With Yourself by Emma Grede

Every holiday deserves a book that leaves you feeling inspired long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase, and Start With Yourself is mine this summer. Part memoir, part modern guide to ambition, leadership and creating a life on your own terms, Emma Grede’s refreshingly honest approach feels both practical and empowering. It’s the kind of book you read with a highlighter in one hand and a coffee in the other—perfect for slow mornings on the terrace or a quiet afternoon by the pool. Equal parts motivating and thought-provoking, it’s one of those reads you’ll find yourself recommending to friends before you’ve even finished the final chapter.

"Packing isn't about taking more—it's about choosing well. A thoughtfully packed suitcase gives you the freedom to slow down, feel your best and make the most of every moment away."

Aisling Larkin

Shop here: Start With Yourself by Emma Grede at Eason

The Holiday Hair Hero: Kérastase Soleil Home & Away Bundle

Sun, sea, chlorine and long days outdoors can take their toll on even the healthiest hair, which is why I never travel without a dedicated summer hair routine. The Kérastase Soleil Home & Away Bundle is one of those clever beauty buys that does all the hard work for you, combining a hydrating after-sun shampoo with the iconic Huile Sirène Oil Mist in both full and travel sizes. Designed to help protect against UV exposure while washing away salt and chlorine, it keeps hair soft, glossy and beautifully nourished throughout your holiday. It’s the kind of beauty investment you’ll thank yourself for when you return home with hair that looks just as healthy as the day you left.

Shop here: Cloud 10 Beauty

The Everyday Essential: Solas Skin SPF

A great SPF is one of the hardest-working products in any holiday beauty bag, and Solas Skin is one I never travel without. Created in Ireland and designed for everyday wear, its lightweight formulas blend effortlessly into the skin, layer beautifully under make-up and make reapplying throughout the day feel refreshingly easy. Whether you’re heading to the beach, exploring a new city or lingering over a long lunch outdoors, it’s the kind of product that fits seamlessly into your routine. Thoughtfully formulated and beautifully packaged, it’s an everyday essential that deserves a place in every summer suitcase.

Shop here: https://solasskin.ie/