8 fashion pieces to pack in your carry-on for the summer holidays, from the slip dress to a bordeaux Chanel bag
Every summer, just hours before the summer holidays begin, the same headache returns: buckling the suitcase. Yet travelling light without sacrificing style is entirely possible. Vogue France has selected 8 fashion essentials drawn directly from the season’s trends, all compact enough to slip into a carry-on.
The must-have pieces for a stylish summer holiday
The slip dress has established itself as the standout piece of the summer. Borrowed from lingerie, silky and delicate, it moves with you effortlessly. Go for the lace-trimmed version by Victoria Beckham, featherlight and barely there in the suitcase.
Heeled flip flops are also making a notable comeback. At Alaïa, the classic flip flop gains height and takes on an entirely new fashion dimension. No longer just for crushing beach sand underfoot, they now own the pavement, day and night, through every long summer evening.
The baseball cap rounds out this trio of essentials. What began life as a visor on the baseball diamond has since transformed into a statement accessory. This summer, it steps to the front line to shield us from the sun’s rays, most notably under the Aaron Esh label.
“Light as air, it takes up almost no space in the suitcase.”
Denim, florals and bloomers: the season’s defining trends
The denim micro-short is also along for the ride this summer holiday. In the 1990s, cutting your own Levi’s into an ultra-short style was a rite of passage. In 2026, it makes a notable return at Isabel Marant: less destroyed, more bohemian, but every bit as covetable.
The floral swimsuit arrives naturally into its own this season. Flowers are blooming across clothing all summer long, seeping into swimwear trends too: liberty-print bikini tops or silky bottoms with softly blurred blooms, as seen at Chloé. The floral print reigns supreme at the water’s edge.
The bloomer shakes up the summer wardrobe with a flourish. In 2026, this billowy short, very much in the spirit of the no-pants phenomenon, has taken over the runway. Popularised by houses like Miu Miu and Prada, as well as by Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber, it stands as the season’s most audacious piece.
- The lace-trimmed slip dress (Victoria Beckham): featherlight and effortless to pack.
- Heeled flip flops (Alaïa): from the beach to summer nights out.
- The denim micro-short (Isabel Marant): bohemian and covetable in 2026.
- The floral swimsuit (Chloé): liberty prints and blurred blooms for the seaside.
- The bloomer (Prada): the daring piece popularised by Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber.
Accessories: a bordeaux bag and 60s sunglasses complete the case
When it comes to the summer holidays, the right accessories make all the difference. The bordeaux leather bag is the trend that outpaces all others this season. Revived by designers, one of the most sought-after styles is the flap-closure model by Chanel, which Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber have been inseparable from.
What’s more, if you were to invest in just one pair of sunglasses this summer, make it the oversized 60s frames. A rounded, almost exaggeratedly large silhouette by Celine, wrapping the face in a glamour wholly inspired by Jackie Kennedy. This accessory, as a result, becomes the perfect finishing touch for every holiday outfit.
These 8 pieces form a cohesive and compact selection. Each one answers a specific need, from beach comfort to evening elegance. Tucked into a carry-on, they cover every occasion of the summer holidays without weighing down your luggage.
There’s no need, then, to go on a last-minute shopping spree. These fashion essentials, drawn directly from the 2026 trends, work together seamlessly and adapt to every moment of the trip. They form a solid foundation for travelling in style while staying light.
How to build a stylish and practical carry-on
The secret to a well-packed carry-on for the summer holidays lies in how the pieces complement one another. The slip dress works day and night, the denim micro-short moves from beach to terrace, and the heeled flip flops suit every setting. Each piece earns its place several times over.
The bordeaux leather bag and the oversized sunglasses, by virtue of their compact format, take up no unnecessary space. Equally, the baseball cap tucks easily on top of everything else. These summer holidays are shaping up to be stylish ones, with no compromise on practicality.
