Bonmarché Blog - fashion tips and styling advice

Passport Ready: Your Bonmarché Holiday Style Checklist

20th June 2025

Holiday Style Checklist

Heading off on a summer escape? Whether you're jetting off to the sun or enjoying a staycation by the sea, the right wardrobe can make all the difference. 


From lightweight layers to elegant evening outfits, our holiday shop collection has everything you need and more to feel confident, comfortable and chic. 


We’ve put together an easy-to-use checklist to make packing a breeze and holiday dressing effortless. So, let’s dive in and find the best styles for you this summer.

Effortless Holiday Style for Women

Choosing your holiday styles shouldn’t be a stressful experience. But, we’ve all been there - staring into the wardrobe in a mild panic and wondering what on earth you should pack in your suitcase.


That’s where our holiday shop comes in - flattering fits that work from day to night, designed with breathable, lightweight fabrics to keep you cool but confident, whatever you’re up to. 


Our checklist will feature the basics you’ll need to pack, the secret of vibrant prints and comfortable outfits, and also the art of mixing and matching your clothes to avoid overpacking. 

The Ultimate Holiday Clothing Checklist


  1. Daytime Dresses & Tunics
  2. Swimwear & Cover-Ups
  3. Versatile Trousers & Shorts
  4. Stylish Tops for Day to Night
  5. Evening Outfits
  6. Travel-Ready Accessories

1. Daytime Dresses

Of course, first up on the holiday checklist is summer dresses. Because what’s a summer holiday without ample stylish dresses to choose from?


And our range of summer dresses is everything and more you could need for your holiday apparel - breathable, lightweight, and never going out of style.


One of our favourites is this dotty leaf bodice dress. You can easily dress it up for an evening meal out with a pair of wedges, fastening a tan waist belt to create a figure-flattering fit. Or, keep it flowy and cool with a pair of sandals for a day trip with the family. 


Another top holiday choice would be our ditsy print pleat jersey dress. With a hem cut just above the knee, this is perfect for either daytime or evening wear. Just pop on a denim jacket to keep out the breeze.

daytime holiday dresses

2. Swimwear & Cover Ups

Feeling your best around the poolside or the beach is so important when you’re away. This is the time for you to relax and kick back with a book (or a cocktail!), so worrying about your appearance should be the furthest thing from your mind. 


That’s why we’ve created flattering swimwear with tummy control, giving you all the support you need in just the right places.


And the fun doesn’t end there. We’ve also designed a range of cover-ups, including sun dresses and playsuits, just perfect for popping on over your swimwear.


So, take a tour around our holiday beachwear section to feel comfortable at the beach and by the pool this season.

womens holiday swimwear

3. Versatile Trousers & Shorts

Another essential on the packing list is summer trousers and shorts. Spending a day out in the sun isn’t complete without bottoms that make you feel your best.


These long dotty leaf green shorts are the ultimate choice for daytime activities. Whether it’s sightseeing around busy cities or heading out for a bite to eat, these printed shorts will keep you cool with breathable fabrics and a loose-fitting finish. Speaking of shorts, we also love these white denim shorts. With a fitted design, you can pair them with a flowy tucked-in blouse or a cool, lightweight linen shirt. 


While our long shorts are great, we also need to give a shout-out to crops and full-length trousers, too. We’d suggest picking easy pull-ons for daytime wear - linen trousers with an elasticated waistband are our top choice for ultimate comfort. 

women's versatile holiday shorts and trousers

4. Stylish Tops for Day to Night

Making sure your suitcase is kitted out with plenty of holiday tops and t-shirts is a priority for your packing checklist. 


Whether it’s t-shirts for around the pool or sightseeing, or tops to pair with skirts or trousers for your evening meals, choose items with breathable fabrics, allowing you to feel cool. 


We just love this palm tree style tee - its beautiful design is very holiday-apt, while it transforms what could be a simple tee into a design worthy of some holiday photos. We’d suggest pairing with patterned shorts to contrast the dark t-shirt, and sandals or flip-flops.


Top tip: Adding beading, embellishments or prints to your top collection can really make a difference to your outfit choices, adding that extra splash of glamour!


Another one of our favourites is our leaf print button through blend top. With a stunning green and white design, really capturing the essence of summer, popping on a pair of white cropped trousers can create a look you’ll feel confident in.


Our best tip? Mix and match your tops - buy a range of colours and patterns, so you know you’ll be able to find a stylish pairing.

women's holiday tops and tees

5. Evening Outfits

And, of course, what would your holiday apparel be without a bunch of evening outfits to choose from? Whether it’s having dinner around the poolside at your hotel or heading out into the local town, your outfits should leave you feeling cool and confident. 


We love this green playsuit - fasten a waist belt around the middle to pull in your figure, creating a flattering fit that shows off your silhouette. 


But of course, evening outfit options are endless! You could choose maxi dresses, midi skirts, wrap dresses or co-ords… all just perfect for wearing as a base with a light layer to cover up if there’s a nighttime breeze. 


Want pieces you can dress up or down? Our versatile holiday skirts are the perfect choice. Take our leaf print jersey skirt, for example - you can dress this up with a white blouse for an evening meal with the family, or even pair it with a simple t-shirt for daytime wear. 


Whether it’s dresses or skirts, crops or shorts, feel elegant without being overdressed for your holiday evenings.

evening outfits for holidays

6. Travel-Ready Accessories

Of course, your holiday wardrobe wouldn’t be complete without accessories in tow!


Find the perfect pair of sunnies to lounge around by the pool, must-have sandals that just go with everything, and a bag (or three) to style effortlessly with your swimwear, lunch-time outfit or evening look.


With the right accessories, you can take a casual look to elevated-glam in seconds.

Packing Tips for a Fuss-Free Holiday

So, you’ve got all your holiday apparel sorted - next up is fitting it all in the case (gulp).


We’ve all been there - sitting on the suitcase while your family member dutifully zips it up, even though swimming costumes and towels are poking out the sides. 


But by packing smart, you won’t need to worry about luggage allowance (or squeezing it shut). 


Of course, it’s great to have options while you’re there, but the key is not to overpack - it can lead you to feel overwhelmed when you’re choosing your outfit. Pick items that can easily mix and match with other pieces, saving on space and outfit decisions when you’re out there.


We’d suggest using a capsule wardrobe approach - coordinate your colours accordingly, and figure out what goes well together before you start packing. That way, you won’t end up chucking in loads of random tops and skirts that don’t even fit your holiday wardrobe aesthetics.


Another top tip is to roll, don’t fold. This will really help to reduce creases in items that easily wrinkle. You could even try using packing cubes - this can easily differentiate between your swimwear, day outfits and evening styles.

Shop Bonmarché’s Holiday Collection

And… breathe. We’ve covered a lot there, but you should now be fully prepared for your next summer holiday!


Whether you’re on the hunt for evening outfits that flatter, swimwear that is comfortable and cool or lightweight fabrics for daytime wear, we have it all here waiting for you. 


Now you know what to pack, and also importantly, how to pack, head over to our full holiday wear collection to find more of your favourites to add to your holiday wardrobe this summer.