The summer season is here, and I only have one thing on my mind: the sun-soaked getaways I booked earlier this year, and, more significantly, the outfits I’ll be wearing. For 2026, I want a holiday capsule wardrobe that’s wearable, easy to mix and match, and, most importantly, looks designer. But as someone with a luxury taste on a very high-street budget, I know I’ll have to work a little harder to make the pieces I invest in for my upcoming travels look polished, put-together, and more expensive than their affordable price tags.
For summer 2026, I’m all about elevated elegance—the kind of pieces that can be dressed down for a casual day exploring the town, then taken seamlessly into a fancy evening dinner with a few simple swaps. And after what feels like hundreds of hours scrolling online, I’ve collated a simple list of the thirteen staples I’ll be packing on my holidays this year. Think classic yet elevated basics that feel fresh for summer 2026, but are also guaranteed to last me for many years to come.
And the best part? I’ve rounded them up below, so that you, too, can follow my 13-piece holiday packing list on a high-street budget. Keep scrolling to see and shop the 13 rich-looking pieces that are making the foundations of my 2026 summer holiday capsule wardrobe.
13 Affordable Staples You'll Find On My 2026 Holiday Packing List
1. Throw-On Dress
Style notes: Dress season is finally upon us, and an easy, throw-on style that you can take from day to night with ease is a holiday must-have. Simply swap out your flip-flops and raffia tote for a pair of kitten heels and a statement clutch.
Shop the Staple:
ZARA
Flowing Halter Dress
You can never go wrong with an LBD.
hush
Maris Linen Blend Mini Dress
Wear with sandals, ballet flats or kitten heels.
H&M
Linen-Blend Halterneck Dress
No one will believe this is from the high street.
2. Tank Top
Style notes: A tank top acts as the base layer for so many of my warm-weather outfits, and in my opinion, the high street has plenty of options that look just as expensive as their luxury counterparts.
Shop the Staple:
COS
Ribbed Cotton Tank Top
COS' tank tops come editor-approved.
This will go with everything.
I'd style this with white linen trousers and suede flip-flops.
3. Linen Trousers
Style notes: Breezy linen trousers serve me well all season long, but they especially come into their own on holiday, when I can use them to throw over my swimsuits or pair with an elegant blouse and sandals.
Shop the Staple:
COS
Tailored Linen Balloon-Leg Trousers
A pair polished enough for a formal evening out.
pull&bear
Wide-Leg 100% Linen Trousers
An easy throw-on style is perfect for days by the pool.
H&M
Wide Linen-Blend Trousers
This chocolate brown hue makes for a nice point of difference from black.
4. Sandals
Style notes: It’s toes out season! And the high street is filled to the brim with a myriad of designer-looking sandals this year, from classic styles that will never date to on-trend iterations that rival any luxury find.
Shop the Staple:
ZARA
Crossover Flat Leather Sandals
These sell out every year.
M&S
Leather Ankle Strap Flatform Toe Post Sandals
These look like so many designer options on the market right now.
Two-tone flip-flops are having a moment.
5. Button-Up Shirt
Style notes: A button-up shirt will serve you well this summer, whether worn thrown over a bikini or paired with some breezy shorts. Instead of the more fitted silhouettes I opt for at home, I’m turning to more relaxed iterations that give my holiday outfits an effortlessly chic, off-duty vibe.
Shop the Staple:
Wear with linen trousers, skirts and shorts alike.
french connection
Rhodes Poplin Shirt
The perfect pullover style for beach days.
Next
N. Premium 100% Linen Shirt
This pretty sky blue shade is calling to me.
6. Midi Skirt
Style notes: A midi skirt is a summer staple, and when I’m on holiday, I always turn to them to dress up my tank tops and button-up shirts when I want to look polished. It’s the perfect staple for a day out in town or evening drinks with friends.
Shop the Staple:
Uniqlo
Cotton Blend Gathered Long Skirt
White skirts are synonymous with summer.
Free People
Lowen Midi Skirt
This comes in 16 other shades.
George
Ruched Waist Midi Skirt
This looks way more expensive than it's £20 price tag.
7. Swimsuit
Style notes: I’ve never been a huge fan of bikinis so a one-piece suit is my swimsuit of choice for my holidays this year. However, instead of your classic neutral scoop-neck iteration, I’ll be opting for styles with elevated details or playful colours.
Shop the Staple:
Just wait until you see the back of this.
& Other Stories
Textured Bow Tie Swimsuit
For a bold pop of colour.
M&S
Sheen Cami Scoop Neck Swimsuit
Such a pretty shade of green.
8. Blouse
Style notes: If you’re a regular reader of Who What Wear, then it will come as no surprise that a blouse is on my packing list this summer. This pretty top style is a fail-proof way to dress up skirts, shorts or linen trousers on holiday, not to mention it looks expensive at any price point.
Shop the Staple:
ASOS DESIGN
Sheer Asymmetric Cape
Cape blouses are having a moment.
This genuinely looks designer.
ZARA
Printed Polka Dot Blouse
Yes, polka dots are still in for 2026.
9. Linen Shorts
Style notes: When it gets too hot for even linen trousers, I turn to shorts in the same breezy fabrication. Perfect with tank tops, tees and blouses, you can’t go wrong with taking an easy, pull-on style with you on your travels.
Shop the Staple:
COS
Tailored Elasticated Linen Shorts
This tailored pair feels so polished.
pull&bear
Linen Blend Shorts
I want the matching shirt as well.
Uniqlo
Linen Blend Easy Shorts
I'd wear these here in London as well.
10. Jewellery
Style notes: Jewellery plays a key role in taking an outfit from basic to elevated, but don’t sleep on the myriad of expensive-looking pieces the high street currently has on offer. It’s an easy way to get your hands on summer 20206’s trending pieces without having to splurge out loads of cash.
Shop the Staple:
Autograph
Mixed Natural Stone Necklace
An instant outfit elevator.
MANGO
Round Resin Earrings
Resin jewellery is trending yet again this summer.
& Other Stories
Wavy Cuff Bracelet
This also comes in silver.
11. Sunglasses
Style notes: I love designer sunglasses as much as the next person, but don't be tricked into thinking you have to spend loads on luxury-looking iterations. Just look at the chic high-street styles below…
Shop the Staple:
h&m
Wavy-detail sunglasses
I did a double take when I first saw the price of these.
karen millen
Rounded Gold Detail Sunglasses
Weekday
Slim Rectangular Sunglasses
This khaki pair is calling to me.`
12. Basket Bag
Style notes: Whether it’s raffia, jute or hemp, a basket bag is an easy way to add texture to a holiday outfit. I’ll personally be using mine as a beach bag to fit my towel, SPF and sunnies in.
Shop the Staple:
COS
Hand-Woven Market Tote
This chocolate hue looks so expensive.
hush
Aster Raffia Panel Tote Bag
You'll be able to fit so much in this roomy tote.
ZARA
Mini Raffia Tote Bag
The perfect size for strolling around on a city break.
13. Bandana
Style notes: The bandana is the it-girl accessory of summer 2026, and the high street is currently filled with a number of chic patterns, colours, and designs that are sure to elevate even the most basic of outfits.
Shop the Staple:
I'd style this with an all black outfit.
stradivarius
Polka Dot Scarf
I love the contrast between the different polka dot styles.
Anthropologie
Bandana Printed Headscarf
Imagine this with a white linen midi dress and suede sandals.