Seven pieces no woman can live without on holiday! How to dress like a grown up with SHANE WATSON

Before we go any further, full disclosure: I want to look good on vacation, but I’m no longer willing to risk sunscreen leaking onto my best summer dress (so I leave that at home), or to pack shoes, that I can’t walk inside all day.

And I don’t buy anything just to wear during a two-week break.

Twenty-five years ago I would have packed all my favorite summer clothes into a suitcase and spent a month’s salary on a crocheted cover-up, but now I know better.

I want to hop through an airport with carry-on luggage, which means narrowing down that holiday wardrobe to the bare minimum – seven items that can’t go wrong – plus a few You Never Knows, for fun…

1. A pop-over dress for daytime

It doesn’t have to be a pop-over – V-neck, loose fit, no buttons, zippers or belt – but it should be easy, airy and ideally midi with three-quarter sleeves, because coverage in the sun if you can’t get out of it , that keeps you cool.

I’ve been wearing the same lightweight, lightly striped Zara dress for years – and it works perfectly. For something in a similar vein, Hush does a lightweight maxi in petrol blue (£79, hush-uk.com). John Lewis has a vaguely batik-look, blue-on-white polka dot print, linen-blend dress (£75, johnlewis.com).

Or, for something extra festive this festive season, there’s Aspiga’s Mykonos dress, now available in maxi and midi length (£115, aspiga.com).

You are better off with a solid color or a geometric print; it looks cooler and you can easily dress them up at night with statement, inexpensive jewelry. Try Zara for resin coral effect necklaces or packs of beaded and silk necklaces (£22.99, zara.com) and Mango for great shell earrings (mango.com).

2. Cushioned sandals

You travel in the shoes you wear to walk the cobblestones and to the beach. If you’re still looking for these, try Marks & Spencer’s suede footbed slippers in brown (£29.50, marksand spencer.com) or the flat thongs in black (£35).

Otherwise, thanks to the current fashion for flat, smart, artisanal sandals that you can wear with everything, the elegant cushioned sandal is the only choice if you want an evening pair.

There are endless variations, but my favorites are Hush’s Thea footbed sandal (£99) and Me+Em’s T-bar sandals (£195, meand em.com) in gold or brown. They add elegance and make old holiday clothes look new.

If you really want some heel height – and why not – then there’s no substitute for a rope wedge on holiday. Try Hobbs’ ankle-strap espadrilles in coriander green (£110, johnlewis.com).

3. Cool black pants

They have an elasticated waist for extra comfort in the heat, and are soft, light and loose so you can wear them day or evening. Boden makes a short pair in double fabric (£60, boden.co.uk) and Mango does a good, longer style (£35.99, shop.mango.com). The great thing about these is that they look great with a T-shirt, a linen shirt or a brightly colored top, or you can combine them with a black top to create a summer jumpsuit.

For something extra festive this festive season, there’s Aspiga’s Mykonos dress (pictured), now available in maxi and midi length (£115, aspiga.com)

4. The little black (summer) dress

This is the one you wear after sunset, but it works during the day too. It might have a more defined bodice, some pretty details, maybe a ruffled hem, but it’s still simple and effortless. The Clarice Cotton Midi Dress from Hush (£89) is a classic: an A-line cut with a fabric tie belt that completes it for the evening.

Or, for those who’ve been lifting weights, Nobody’s Child from Marks & Spencer makes a sleeveless midaxi in a lightweight linen blend with a flattering deep V-neck and fitted bodice (£79). There is a black dress for everyone this summer. I stopped counting when I got to 50 on the M&S website.

5. An unexpected extra in a striking print

The beautiful burgundy block print sarong skirt from the new Sienna Miller collection for Marks & Spencer (£25) is – if it’s not sold out yet – a no-brainer for the Christmas pile, even if it breaks the ‘no’ mold. buy specifically for the holiday rule. With a white T or over a swimsuit, we can pretend to be Sienna for a nanosecond. Sigh.

6. A wild bag

Mango’s mesh bag in orange, trimmed with silver beads (€79.99) will add a rocket to whatever you wear.

7. A beautiful scarf

Last but not least, a wrap or scarf to wear at night – try Aspiga or Nrby Clothing (nrbyclothing.com) – will keep you warm in a breeze and add a pop of color. I’d take two.