6 components for perfect holiday packing

Forget Schengen or the five conditions necessary for joining the euro. The real barrier between us and them is how much time and money Europeans are prepared to invest in their beachwear.

My own attempts at a chic-ish capsule sand-robe last weekend in Italy were routed on the first morning. The chiffon dress was way too hot, despite weighing about one gram. The orange georgette Raoul smock was a gigantic oil stain waiting to happen – and too short with my pale legs.

The Latinos and Asians, meanwhile, flitted about in dreamily cool, washable broderie anglaise maxis and vibrant printed strappy smocks, having fine-tuned their beachwear to such a pitch that even the lounger (make that especially the lounger) has become a horizontal catwalk.

When did the rest of the holidaying world start looking like extras fromThe Talented Mr Ripley? According to Sarah Rutson, vice president of global buying at Net-A-Porter, Instagram is to blame. “Social media plays a strong part in this, as do magazines which feature incredible designer cruise and summer collections. Travel is a much more frequent part in our customers’ lifestyles globally and they have high expectations regarding their wardrobe choices. Beachwear is now an extremely important, growing category.”

It’s not just the Net-set who have upped the ante. M&S has increased its beachwear offer this year, in response to demand, which, it says, is now growing every year. 

Memo to self: get with the programme. Like many Northern types I have always skewed the major part of my clothing budget towards coats, cunningly cut trousers and the inevitable cashmere mountain. All are eminently sensible, but we need to up our poolside game. The less-than-impeccable T-shirts; the dresses we bought in the misguided belief that they could work in the office and on the beach; the bikinis that don’t quite fit – no, no and no. We need to be as exacting in our sand-robe as we are in the rest of our wardrobe. Financially, this needn’t be punitive: a small but perfect edit is better than rambling dross. Whatever you invest in now will serve you loyally during holidays to come.

The DressesDon’t make the mistake of thinking a beach dress can double up as anything other than a beach dress. The perfect specimen can be long, short, or in-between, but must be in a super fine, natural fabric – possibly cheesecloth or something with holes in (calculated holes, obviously, à la broderie anglaise). It can have tassles, pompoms, the whole ethnic spectrum – it’s your holiday dress. It may have an off-the-shoulder peasant top (shoulders never age). It may have straps or sleeves or look like a kaftan.

“Nothing says glamour like a beautiful kaftan and piles of gold bracelets with pearls and diamonds,” says Natalie Kingham, buying director at matchesfashion.com, where customers’ spend on beachwear has risen 400 per cent in two years, prompting the emergence of numerous specialist brands. Alternative cover-ups include playsuits, which M&S says are now out-selling sarongs. It’s still worth packing one beautiful large scarf, in case of cool nights, or visits to religious sites.

Dress, £55, Next

Back to the dress: it will not have a lining or complicated fastenings. Nor will it work in the office or at your niece’s wedding in Fowey next month. It is an entirely single-purpose item, which is why it’s so damn good at its job.

The HatsUnless you can trust yourself not to leave it on the plane, a cheapish hat may be your best bet. Lightweight, foldable, and with a generous brim this stripy one from Joules Hats, below, should do the trick.

Stripy hat, £19.95, Village Hats

The Swimmy StuffIf your boobs are flapping around in your padded bikini bra with room enough for them and Dolly Parton’s, then this is not a good bikini, even if it was marked down by 70 per cent. Do not scrimp. Find a brand and style that works for you, cough up the asking price, then ever after, you can be first in the sale for repeat buys. Lavish TLC on them. They don’t ask much, merely to be rinsed of chlorine and salt and not, ideally, left to dry in full sun, which fades them.

My own favourites are Prism’s balconette styles (good for those of petite bosomage), Heidi Klein (excellent colours), Zimmermann (lovely, laid-back, mismatched vibe); Toast (I love this retro two-piece from Toast, main image, top, £16, bottoms, £16) and  M&S which always comes up trumps with at least one classy style a year. Their Secret Slimming one-piece swimsuits feature an internal power-mesh panel (from £35). Don’t forget a rash vest, if, like mine, your skin acts up in the sun. Boden’s and J Crew’s are excellent.

Rash vest, £28, Boden 

The FootwearUnless you’re surgically attached to heels (in which case, seek help) you only need flats. One pair should be ultra glamorous – on holiday that means sparkle. Ideally get an expensive pair, in the sale, as they use a better class of glue. A pair of cushiony flatforms for rocky walks is mandatory (and good for evenings when you want some height), plus backless slip-ons for when you’ve just got out of the water and twiddling around with straps is too much effort (try this pair from Finery, below). Fitflop, not always the prettiest sandals, are also very good at the latter (from £59.50).

NB: wide straps are always much more flattering than thongs if you have less that perfect feet. Tan leather is more versatile in the sun than black and more summery.

Slip-on sandals in pale blue and black, £99, Finery London

The SPFsIt’s worth taking plenty. With the help of Katy Young, the Telegraph’sbeauty guru, I’ve selected the following. Budget: Soltan Invisible Dry Touch (£9 for 150ml; Boots) and Calypso (£4 for 250ml; Matalan). Medium: Vichy (£10.87 for 50ml; Boots). Luxe: Institut Estherderm (£42.50 for 250ml; Space NK). Organic: Green People (£18.95 for 200ml; Green People).

The Lotions and PotionsSoigné polish in Limonade Rose is a pink that’s assertive yet pale enough for you to reapply yourself, and is free from nasties. The best fake-tan? St Tropez’s much-hyped In Shower Gradual Tan isn’t perfect – for one thing it won’t turn you much more than a biscuity shade, however much you apply – but it absolutely won’t streak (£14.50;Boots).

And finally, scent: you don’t really need one on the beach but at night, The Organic Pharmacy’s Jasmine or Orange Blossom are delicious and toxin-free (£139.95; The Organic Pharmacy).