Long Weekends + The Perfect Vacation Dress

I don’t know about you, but I am so excited for the long weekend (Memorial Day to my US readers). Although it’s that long weekend which always seems to mark the start of ‘summer’ to me, the weather has finally started to play nice in England and I couldn’t be happier. The days are longer, the gardens and trees are blossoming, everyone is in a better mood, the stripey sun chairs in the parks fill with office workers seeking a lunchtime ‘vacation’, and the weekends call for brunch dates and bike rides and ice cream.

The moment the weather warms up, I have sun-drenched escapes on the brain. We’re just back from a month in Australia (which was heaven) and are heading to Lisbon and Lake Como for long weekends next month, so I think we’re going to spend this long weekend having the perfect staycation instead. Picnics, ice cream dates, bike rides and games of croquet in Cambridge with friends, an exhibition or two, and the annual Chelsea Flower Show (it’s been on my bucket list for years) in London with my family.

Wearing: dress // sandals // bag // sunglasses // earrings

Whenever I’m planning for a trip (or just a new season for that matter), my first destination is always J.Crew. They always manage to capture exactly what my sartorial mood is, and everything is always timeless, impeccable quality, and affordable. Before I headed to Australia I bought this swimsuit (it’s SO cute and flattering and manages to contain my 🍈🍈 without making me feel like I’m wearing an actual bra on the beach, which is no small feat) and stocked up on some fun earrings for summer (their jewels are always my favourite), and I just added this broderie anglaise dress to my collection of white dresses. It might just be the perfect summer dress – cute, breathable, and perfect to just throw-on-and-go (just add sandals, earrings and a bag and you’re ready).

By this point, I’ve got my packing formula down to a fine art.

My summer vacation wardrobe – whether for a quick weekend getaway or a long haul adventure – is usually a combination of dresses and cute accessories that go with everything else in my case: two pairs of shoes (one flat pair for walking all day and a higher – but still comfortable pair – for evenings), a few pairs of sunglasses, fun earrings (that make it look as though you’ve made an effort but require zero effort), a silk scarf to tie my hair up (remember Monica from Friends when they all go to Barbados? Yep, that’s my curly hair when it’s humid…), one larger basket bag (my current obsession) which fits everything I need to tote around for a day of sightseeing and doubles as hand luggage and one small clutch (which doubles as jewellery storage or an evening clutch).

My number one packing tip is to always plan your entire outfits in advance (so you don’t pack anything you won’t wear / use) and to stick to one colour combination – mine is usually a series of white dresses with a few blue accents and neutral accessories. That way everything works with everything else and you won’t need to pack multiple bag or shoe options.

Wearing: J. Crew dress c/- (also comes in navy + coral) // J. Crew sandals (old, but similar style here) // Whistles bag (old, similar style here) // Karen Walker sunglasses (old, similar style here) // J. Crew bracelet (old, but similar styles here) // J. Crew earrings (sold out, but similar styles here) // American Tourister suitcase c/- // vintage scarf.

In suitcase: J. Crew pyjamas (I recommend the petite version if you’re 5.5″ or shorter) // bikini (also available in a swimsuit version) // sandals c/- // stripe top // pink sunglasses // tortoiseshell sunglasses // pearl earrings // tassel earrings.

Here’s to those long, languid days of summer (and the perfect dress to match).

Love, Briony xx

Photos by Joe Galvin

This post is in partnership with J. Crew – a brand I have loved and shopped for years. 

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