How to Dress Comfortably on Vacation—without Looking like a Tourist
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When you’re on vacation, especially in a city, dressing in a way that’s sensible (i.e., all-day comfortable and versatile enough to go wherever you do) but still chic can be difficult. There are so many variables to consider—the weather, the range of activities, the cultural expectations of the new place you’re in—and the odds of ruining a perfectly good outfit with practical shoes is high. Here’s what you do: Find yourself a pair of sandals you can do 20,000 steps in. Invest in pieces that can pull their weight and then some. And stick to a pared-back color palette that makes it easy to mix and match, even when you’ve packed ultralight.
THE STREAMLINED SEPARATES
We’re never not taking notes from Gwyneth, who, on her recent trip to Italy, reminded us that a breathable bodysuit or tank top tucked into a pair of wide-leg linen pants is one chic base. Finish things off with a pair of shades, a lightweight knit in case you encounter air conditioning, and a neutral crossbody that complements everything else that you packed.
G. LABEL BY GOOP DEEP-V BODYSUIT, goop, $145; G. LABEL BY GOOP SEASIDE PANT, goop, $595
THE MATCHING SET
The genius of a matching set—besides the fact that it’s a ready-made outfit requiring little to no styling—is that after its debut, you can break it up and style each piece separately to get more mileage out of it. We’re especially into this billowy By Malene Birger duo (the abstract peacock-feather print is fun but still versatile).
THE ALL-DAY DRESS
When you want to be able to go straight from museums and window-shopping to dinner without having to stop at the hotel first to change, opt for a feminine yet unfussy dress like this cherry-print G. Label number. Wear it open at the neckline during the day to make it feel more casual, then button it up for evening. Keep the accessories polished (gleamy gold jewelry, slim suede clutch) and those clean white sneakers, while casual, will still look elevated enough for most establishments.