From City Breaks to Countryside Escapes: What to Pack for a Summer Trip

With the summer months and warmer weather finally here, many of us have trips on the horizon and we’re starting to think about whether we have everything we need to go away.

Knowing what you’ll need to pack can be tricky - too much and you’re lugging a hefty case around and too little and you run out of clothes before your trip is over. For summer getaways, you need versatility, items that you can dress up for evenings and down for the daytime - this way, you can pack light. You need to consider what type of clothes to pack too. We often want to leave the monotony and mundanity of everyday life behind when we’re away, preferring casual and comfortable clothes for holidays.

Colhay’s specialises in high quality knitted, casual tops, and have several garments that fit the bill perfectly for travelling. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of our favourite pieces for summer trips.

Garments That Feel Great on Your Skin

On holiday comfort is key. You’re taking a trip to give yourself a break from the norm, and being able to leave your formal office wear firmly back at home is a big part of this. Here we’ve chosen our top three garments for holiday comfort. All three feel wonderfully soft against the skin - they’re the kind of tops you want to wear again and again, making them excellent choices for trips away. They’re also very versatile, meaning you can easily change their look and get away with repeated wear.

Extra Long Staple Cotton Coach Polo

Moving away from wool and into other fabrics, this polo is made from extra long staple cotton. This material is a far cry from the rougher garments that might spring to mind when you think of cotton. It’s supremely soft, but still offers the moisture wicking and temperature regulating properties you expect from natural fibres, again, making it well-suited to vacation wear.

 

Versatility is another major factor in choosing this top. As a polo shirt, it has a collar which can be dressed down when you’re out exploring in the daytime, but also dressed up for evening dinners.

The extra long staple cotton coach polo is now launched - view them here.

For a very similar product and equally luxurious, take a look at our cashmere silk tennis polos here. 

French Linen One Piece Collar Riviera Shirt

Our French Linen Riviera Shirt was inspired by the attire worn by the Hollywood elite on their trips to the south of France back in the 1950s, so it perhaps goes without saying that this is the perfect holiday piece!

Made from French linen, the texture is light and airy, brilliant for hot days. Linen develops a naturally casual characteristic the more you wash and wear it, giving it a really relaxed holiday feel. It’s a classic layering garment and won’t look out of place on the beach, wandering city streets, or in restaurants.

The French linen riviera shirt is now launched - check them out here.  

Merino Sport Shirt

Made from extra fine merino wool, this shirt is soft to the touch and has a relaxed feel. Despite this said relaxed feel, the shirt certainly isn’t overly casual thanks to its carefully considered, elegant design features. This merino wool is not only soft, but also temperature regulating, meaning if you’re visiting a warmer climate you won’t need to worry about overheating. 

You’ll also notice the brown shade is easy to style with other items you’re likely to take away with you, particularly the beige and cream trousers and jackets many of us opt for when on holiday.

View more of our merino sport shirt here.

Light Outerwear for Chilly Moments

Wherever you are in the world it always pays to be prepared! An extra layer on hand for those times when the sun creeps behind the clouds or the evenings naturally cool down is essential. Below are our favourite outer pieces, both ideal for layering and easy to either carry around draped over an arm, your shoulders, or folded up in a bag. 

Superfine Lambswool Cricket Sweater

We love this sweater worn over the shoulder (ready to be pulled over when needed) with a polo shirt, shorts and a pair of loafers - an easy practical yet stylish holiday outfit. This sweater comes in both dark and light shades - all sober and muted tones that don’t demand too much unwanted attention - so you can choose either a typical lighter holiday colour or something a little smarter if you prefer.

Made from superfine lambswool, this sweater is, again, supremely soft on the skin and comfortable to wear. This one leans toward the thicker, mid-weight knitwear, so we recommend it for locations where you’re expecting a coastal breeze or where the temperature is likely to drop as you move into the evening.

View more of our cricket sweater here. 

Merino Club Cardigan

Nothing beats a cardigan for ease of wear and styling or practicality. Just like a sweater, you can drape it over your shoulders for easy access when you’re feeling cold. In terms of design, this cardigan was inspired by early sportswear giving it a naturally casual feel and making it great for holiday wear. Colour wise, this one, again, is available in lighter cream shades that many of us favour for our holiday wardrobe but it also has a dark navy option. The ribbed texture and coloured trims add a little extra interest.

Our club cardigan is made from merino wool, which gives it a soft and airy hand feel that lends itself well to holiday wear. Pair with shorts, jeans or casual chinos for days on your feet exploring new cities.

View more of our merino club cardigan here. 

If you’ve any questions regarding these - or, in fact, any of our Colhay’s products - please feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to help.