Your summer holiday might still be a few weeks away but there's no harm in starting to daydream about the sun, sea and sand, and what you're going to wear, right now. But rather than look like everyone else on the beach or on your city break (please no more beaded kaftans, tired denim cut-offs and wedge sandals), why not invest in a striking sundress, playful bag, effortlessly elegant shirt or chic cover-up to spruce up your existing holiday wardrobe.
Ahead are 11 of the best brands making the last-minute panic of holiday shopping a thing of the past. No more frantic running around the airport Zara minutes before you're supposed to board, trying to find something to throw over your bikini or a big enough beach bag. Check out the labels ahead to ensure you look your very best on the beach...
Cloe Cassandro
Cassandro began her brand in Bali, where she and her family have repeatedly returned to for the past decade. Each item is handmade and crafted by local Balinese artisans using silk chiffon fabrics, forming a collection of timeless, classic designs produced ethically and to the highest standard.
These pieces are perfect to take you from the beach to the poolside bar and you can keep the holiday dream alive, pairing them with your favourite denim when you return home.
Cloe Cassandro Tessa top, £150, available at Cloe Cassandro
Cloe Cassandro Bandeau top, £50, available at Cloe Cassando
Cloe Cassandrom Kimi dress, £155, available at Cloe Cassandro
Uterqüe
Still relatively unknown in the UK, Uterqüe is Zara's ultra-stylish younger sister. Currently only available online, the Spanish brand offers a focus on sleek silhouettes, sharp tailoring and playful prints that could quite easily be mistaken for designer pieces. Check it out if you're after high fashion finds for high street prices.
Uterqüe Off-the-shoulder gingham top, £65, available at Uterqüe
Rixo
Launched in 2015 by best friends and London College of Fashion alumni, Henrietta Rix and Orlagh McCloskey, Rixo London is a new womenswear label offering distinctively British and vintage-inspired collections for the modern woman.
This Cuban-inspired palm print, bias cut ruffled blouse with a plunging neckline takes inspiration from the Versace dress J Lo wore to the Grammys in 2000. Dress up with a maxi skirt, heels and statement earrings or dress down with flared denim and sandals for a sultry evening look on holiday.
Rixo Lopez top, £165, available at Rixo
Asceno
For SS17, Asceno ’s collection is full of casual luxury, off-duty tailoring and eccentric splashes of colour. This sandwashed silk pastel pink two-piece is an effortlessly elegant look for wandering around a new city and exploring exotic locations.
Asceno Blush prism printed silk top, £145, available at Asceno
Lemlem
Supermodel-turned-designer Liya Kebede founded her brand in 2007 following a trip to Ethiopia where she met skilled weavers who were struggling to find work or a market for their goods due to the proliferation of fast fashion and Westernisation. Lemlem, meaning "to bloom or flourish" in Amharic, offers beautiful clothing, footwear, accessories, and homeware, all handmade by artisans in Africa, with an aim to expand production and job opportunities across the continent.
Lemlem Halima off-the-shoulder striped cotton and linen-blend top, £185, available at Net-A-Porter
Nannacay
Nannacay (from the Aymara word for sisterhood) was founded by Marcia Kemp with the mission statement “creative hands transforming lives.” Inspired by her frequent travels around the globe, the collection consists of colourful bags that have been handwoven. Already sported by Pandora Sykes and Leandra Medine, they'll be the It Bag of summer '17.
Nannacay Maldives Baby pompom-embellished woven raffia tote, £90, available at Net-A-Porter
Nannacay Baby Roge pompom-embellished woven raffia tote, £96, available at Net-A-Porter
Dodo Bar Or
Israeli designer Dodo offers a contemporary twist on the holiday kaftan but it's this dress that's top of our holiday wardrobe wish list. Simple and sophisticated, it could be worn with pool slides and a wide-brimmed hat for daytime lounging or with strappy heels and an evening bag for nighttime glamour.
Dodo Bar Or Jossef cross-back cotton midi dress, £380, available at Matches Fashion
Topshop Holiday Shop
Perfect for both a picnic in the park as well as your next far-flung holiday, this cold-shoulder playsuit will barely take up any space in your suitcase but can be thrown on top of your bikini every day.
Topshop Posie cold-shoulder playsuit, £28, available at Topshop
Paloma Blue
Unable to find the kind of holiday clothes she wanted to wear, Ariana Stein founded her own label, Paloma Blue, inspired by travel, beach culture and ‘70s glamour. This ruffled Fiesta wrap-dress is cut from lightweight silk crêpe de chine and patterned with a pale-blue, burgundy and baby-pink motif.
Paloma Blue Fiesta ruffled printed silk crêpe de chine wrap dress, £240, available at Net-A-Porter
LONB
Even if you're not a frequent traveller, you'll be familiar with the thankless task that is packing and unpacking your suitcase. Why is it that at the end of your holiday (even if you haven't haggled any purchases), your belongings never quite fit back in your bag as easily as they got in?!
Enter LONB, the new luxury leather goods brand, with a shiny new store off Mount Street in Mayfair, which offers a beautiful collection of premium leather bags that transcend seasons, are as practical as they are polished and only get better with age.
Celebrating perfected Italian craftsmanship, the bags come in all shapes and sizes with pouches and compartments for your every need. This series of packing pouches designed to hold and protect each type of item you pack for your journey, from different categories of clothing to toiletries, are perfect for the seasoned traveller and modern nomad.
LONB Small clothing pouch, £350, available at LONB
LONB Medium clothing pouch, £390, available at LONB
Mara Hoffman
Mindful and conscious practices are at the centre of the Mara Hoffman brand. With its colourful embroidery, geometric patterns and feminine silhouettes, Hoffman’s sustainable collection of bikinis, kaftans and beach dresses are a luxury holiday essential. Wear these polka-dot trousers with this season's basket bags and a pair of velvet sandals for an Insta-worthy look that would make a street style star proud.
Mara Hoffman Polka-dot high-rise wide-leg cotton trousers, £252, available at Matches Fashion
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