How To Curate A High Fashion Travel Wardrobe For High Summer

It’s mid-August, and the height of summer, and you may be heading off to catch the last of the sun’s rays before Fall gets here. There’s an art to packing for any trip, but one essential key is to include a selection of stylish accessories and functional pieces to add a certain panache to your capsule look. The good news is that we’ve made it easy for you, with a line-up of stylish buys sourced from under-the-radar luxury brands—all offering the perfect way to look chic on your next holiday.

From beach to chic with a Mi Bolsa London Raffia Bag

This Cotswolds Raffia bag (£179) from Mi Bolsa London captures the art of carefree glamour. Made from Napa leather (in a number of colourways) and soft raffia, and featuring gold hardware, it can be used as both a tote and, with its longer straps, as a shoulder bag, making it versatile for travelers. A chic accessory to travel with, it will also take you from day to night when you get to your final destination.

The brand (its name translates to ‘my bag’) is a contemporary luxury leather handbag company founded in London in 2020. Inspired by vibrant Spanish style and the timeless elegance of London, Mi Bolsa blends artsian craftsmanship with premium materials to create pieces that are both easy-going and in vogue. Each collection is influenced by the rich cultures of Spain and the UK, from art and architecture to nature, and brought to life by carefully selected ateliers that meet the brand’s standards for quality, sustainability, and ethical practices.

Founded by siblings Mikayla and Alex, the brand, they say, is a reflection of their creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and global experiences. After careers in finance and resort development, they were inspired by their artist and philanthropist father to build a brand rooted in authenticity and artistic expression.

Co-founder, Mikayla Doo, says: “Mi Bolsa London is all about redefining modern luxury. We want to be worn, not as a status symbol, but as a reflection of personal expression and taste. We want to be known for our signature designs and the quality of the products.”

She adds: “At Mi Bolsa, the mission is to redefine luxury—not by logos or price tags, but by values: exceptional materials, fine craftsmanship and originality. The brand’s philosophy, ‘be real, be creative, be unique’ underpins every design.”

mibolsalondon.com

Get on board with Shapermint Leggings

Shapermint is the comfort-first, size-inclusive shapewear brand loved by over 12 million customers globally and which has just launched in the UK. From buttery-soft bras to shaping shorts, its pieces put comfort first, making them ideal for travelers facing a long journey ahead. As well as underwear and swimwear, the brand also offers a range of leggings, such as the High Waisted Shaping Leggings (£29.99) which, crafted for all-day comfort, are perfect to wear on long-haul flights. Designed with breathable, moisture-wicking fabric, they seamlessly smooth, lift and shape your figure. They also feature an anti-slip silicon strip around the waist for a secure fit and no ‘roll down’.

Shapermint.com

Keep it cool with Vontélle Sunglasses

As worn by Queen Latifah, Steve Harvey and Pauletta Washington, eyewear brand, Vontélle, adds a touch of attitude to your outfit with its fashion-forward sunglasses. The brand, founded by women of color, offers a variety of bold designs, featuring unique African, Caribbean and Latin prints and textiles. The Lenox Avenue shades (£188), for instance, have an aviator shape and come in a choice of colours, such as tortoishell pink or green, and will no doubt prove to be a timeless accessory for your next adventure.

The company was launched by Tracy Vontélle Green and Nancey Flowers-Harris, who started the brand out of a desire to find eyewear that reflected their culture. Vontélle has now grown to be the first Black women-owned and operated eyewear company to obtain a licensing agreement from Nickelodeon, with an exclusive children’s Nickelodeon collection, sold online at Amazon and Walmart, as well as the first Black women-owned eyewear company to partner with National Vision Inc, with a limited edition collection in 900 America’s Best stores nationwide. Tracy and Nancey were also honored on Forbes 50 Over 50 2024 list.

Vontélle is on a mission to satisfy the demand for better-fitting, fashion-forward eyewear that fit diverse face shapes—a practical, every-day necessity for many.

vontelle.com

Make a splash with a Ginny Litscher Unicorn Swimsuit

Known for her prints that are rich in storytelling, Ginny Litscher launched her eponymous label, specialising in hand-fringed silk scarves, in 2011. This followed a career in designing textiles, wallpapers and womenswear for brands such as Zara Home, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. She has since expanded from her luxury, Italian-made scarves to fashion and interior collections, that are bought and commissioned by celebrities, A-listers and luxury hotels and restaurants around the word.

The statement Unicorn Bathing Suit (£224) offers a touch of mysticism with its unique print featuring mirrored unicorns, celestial skies and enchanted golden forests. Made from high-quality Lycra, this swimsuit offers a sleek, form-fitting silhouette. Ideal for beach lovers with a magical spirit.

ginnylitscher.com

Grab and go with the Rosa Mini from Deseri

Led by the belief that every woman deserves to experience the rewards of premium, quality design, Deseri offers signature handbags that are designed to be timelessly elegant and become an wardrobe staple. Handmade in Spain, each handbag is intended as a work of art that reflects the skill of the artisan and the eye of the designer. The Rosa Mini is a case in point. The on-trend bag has top handles and a removable long handle, giving versatility in how you ues it. It also seamlessly morphs into the ultimate evening bag when you’ve reached your destination. Crafted from Saffiano leather, it features the brand’s signature gold fox head, and has an attention to detail with inner magnetic and snap fastenings, to keep your belongings safe.

With a commitment to quality, founder, Deseri Kelley, says that she has set out to create a brand that is the embodiment of ‘luxury made accessible’. After a successful career in education, Deseri took a leap of faith to pursue her lifelong dream of starting her own Black female-owned business. “Today, Deseri stands as a representation of all women, promising the versatility and functionality that the roles of a modern woman demand,” she says.

deseri.com

Go wild with Smythson’s Leopard Cosmetic Case

Heritage brand, Smythson’s signature Panama collection has been reimagined with a refined leopard print. Part of the line-up includes this timeless Cosmetic Case (£275), perfect for taking your beauty essentials with you on board your next flight. With a dome-like silhouette, in hard-wearing crossgrain leather, this piece will look just as stylish in your everyday bag as it will displayed on your dressing table. It is also lined with an oil-resistant, satin-finish lining for those occasional spills.

The new leopard capsule collections marks the first time the iconic print has featured in Smythson collections. Hand-drawn in the company’s London design studio, the unique pattern has been expertly digitally printed onto Smythson’s signature Panama leather. This season, the leopard collection can also be found across other classic travel accessories, including notebooks and diaries.

Smythson.com

Bare all with Evelyn & Bobbie’s basics

New from Evelyn & Bobbie, the experts in wire-free underwear, is the Petal Drift Collection, a new colourway for summer. The pretty shade is available across all Evelyn & Bobbie’s signature styles, including the bestselling Beyond Bra. Giving you comfort all day, no matter how long your journey is, the Beyond Bra has adjustable comfort straps and a back band that flexes to move with your body. Designed by women, each Evelyn & Bobbie piece features an ergonomic design to reduce shoulder and neck pain, giving second-skin support. The adjustabale straps and back-band are made in a proprietary fabric which molds to your body to fit perfectly within the first three wears. Each bra offers seamless lift and separation, that supports like an underwire bra, yet feels weightless on your body.

Evelynbobbie.com

Be beach ready and planet friendly with a Lulu Guinness Tote

Crafted entirely from recycled, single-use plastic bottles and caps, this Lulu Guinness Tote (£30) combines eco-conscious credentials with Lulu’s signature flair: bold monochrome stripes, a giant red lip motif and sturdy woven handles with the company’s branding.

The bag was first launched two years ago, and became a cult favourite, selling out twice. Now relaunched for 2025, it is as practical and stylish as ever. With an inner zip pocket, red lip tag and generous size, it can be used as a carry-on and, when in destination, can double up as a beach or gym bag. The planet-friendly essential is produced from RPET (Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate), using a pioneering process that diverts plastic waste from landfill and the ocean. The tote is made entirely from post-consumer, recycled bottles and caps—9.5 bags and five caps in total per bag. The result: discarded plastic transformed into a stylish, durable bag.

Luluguinness.com

Soak up the seaside in Seafolly Swimwear

Australian beach lifestyle brand, Seafolly, has launched two new collections for summer:‘Calypso and Sunset. Brimming with bold hues, playful textures and effortless styling, the designs can be found across a selection of swimwear and beach wear, including sarongs, dresses and co-ords. The Sunset range includes the Bandeau One Piece Swimsuit (£145), and features this season’s hero print, inspired by the iconic work of Slim Aarons + David Hockney Picture the glamour of a Californian pool party reimagined on playful swim and beachwear silhouettes. Meanwhile, the Calypso design sees bright shades of jade, jasmine green and turquoise blue across signature swim shapes.

Seafolly.com

Grab the moment with a Femponiq Blouse

Take this Satin Blouse, from London-based contemporary womenswear brand, Femponiq, on your next trip for instant glamour. Shaped with dramatic puff sleeves, in the deepest royal blue, the draped blouse is all you need to make an ultra-sophisticated statement. It features a wide notched lapel, side zip fastening, dropped shoulders, a tie waist, peplum hem and relaxed fit.

Slow fashion label, Femponiq, is dedicated to purposeful design and empowered elegance. Its tailoring is a celebration of architectural form and playful proportions, all with the modern woman in mind. Rooted in a commitment to conscious craftsmanship, limited runs preserve exclusivity and champion sustainability, making every garment a meaningful statement.

“I wanted to create clothing that feels expressive—garments that frame a woman’s body with strength, yet allow for movement, joy and softness,” says Buket Meselik Duran, Femponiq’s founder and creative director. “The asymmetric cuts, curved seams, and sculptural forms reflect the multidimensionality of the women we design for. Much like modern art, each piece makes a statement—deliberate, distinctive, and deeply human.”

Femponiq.com

Be inspired by the Paper London x AREV St Tropez collaboration

Sustainable swimwear brand, Paper London, has partnered up with cult hotel AREV St Tropez to capture Riviera-inspired swimwear in a new, limited edition collection. With bold colours, and a sporty-chic ethos, the swimwear, one-pieces and co-ords have been designed for poolside to padel and beyond. The punchy red-and-white-striped set is made up of the Bandeau Porto Bikini Top (£80), which is a strapless top with a tie detail and side boning for structure, and the Seychelles Pants (£80), which are low-rise bikini bottoms, made from buttery-soft swim fabric. The bikini is just made for sunbathing, swimming or, indeed, strolling barefoot through St Tropez.

Paperlondon.com

Sink into bed with the Eberjey x Casa del Sol PJs

Sometimes all you want to do after a long journey is to have a long, cold drink and sink into your hotel bed. If that sounds like you then this new collab is the fix you need. Offering a limited edition range of sleepwear pieces, luxury loungewear brand, Eberjey, has teamed up with Eva Longoria’s tequila brand, Casa del Sol. Each item, such as the Inez Washable Silk Printed Short PJ Set (£270), is inspired by rich Hispanic tile patterns, tying in sun-drenched Mexican aesthetics, and taking you from sunrise to sunset.

Eberjey.com

Go from poolside to party with an Preema Aura Dress

These elegant, sheer slip dresses, by Dr Preema, have been designed to wear over swimwear in the day and thento transition into glamourous evening wear. Known as a leading aesthetics doctor, based on London’s Park Lane, Dr Preema’s debut collection sees her talents as a fashion designer come to the fore.

“For me, beauty has always been more than skin-deep,” Dr Preema says. “It is about how we feel, how we carry ourselves and the energy we radiate.”

Having been quietly creating dresses for herself for years, she eventually launched her own label, Preema Aura, this year. Rooted in travel, she started designing her first luxury resort wear, entitled Sand to Soiree (from £850), after not being able to find the kind of glamorous yet effortless dresses she wanted for a trip to Ibiza. New for high summer, is the Soul Series range of one-off pieces (from £850), crafted from pure 100% French silk. It represents a growing family of limited collections, each encapsulating the notions of versatility, femininity and “the freedom to feel confident at every moment of the day, wherever you are in the world”.

Preema-aura.com

Soak up the sun in Aspiga’s Tabitha Dress

The ultimate sundress in eye-catching scarlet red, is Aspiga’s Tabitha Organic Cotton Dress (£80), which has pretty, ric rac trim details and wide-tie shoulder straps. The maxi length is effortlessly glam and the dress also has a fixed bodice and shirred back panel for comfort no matter how hot it is. Having launched in 2016, Aspiga is renowned as one of the UK’s leading ethical and sustainable fashion brands, so not only will you look good, but you’ll feel good, too.

Aspiga.com

Gallop away with a Downed Horse Bag from Patt London

Made from Italian calfskin leather, the half-moon Downed Horse Bag (from £320) is the accessory upgrade you needed. The Downed Horse line of bags forms the debut collection from Patt London. The label was founded by designer Pattarakorn, and celebrates leather heritage and modern aesthetics. Each Downed Horse bag is available in a variety of sizes and is made with high quality materials by passionate artisans. The brand’s attention to detail is key, from the shaping of the softest leathers to the precision of the stitching. The bag can be worn in a number of ways, with its top handle, chain strap and longer strap—giving the option to style it with a variety of outfits.

Patt-official.com