The bag's half-packed and you're standing in front of your wardrobe wondering, again, how to take less and still feel like yourself. It's the same question every summer, and the answer is usually the same: edit better.
Lisa Snowdon gets it. Her new collection at Bonmarché is built around exactly that idea, pieces that work together, travel well, and look genuinely good from the beach to the terrace. This isn't a range of holiday clothes. It's a summer wardrobe, sorted.
The summer wardrobe question doesn't have to be complicated. These ten pieces cover everything.
What should I pack for a summer holiday?
Think in outfit formulas rather than individual pieces. A throw-on dress, a couple of versatile tops (one print, one plain), wide-leg trousers, shorts, and a blouse you can layer will see you through almost anything the trip throws at you.
What are the summer clothing essentials for women?
A lightweight dress you can wear anywhere, a print blouse that earns its place at evening too, linen or jersey shorts, and a cami that layers under everything and works solo in the heat. Add wide-leg trousers and you’ve genuinely got it covered.
What prints and styles are on trend for summer?
Tropical prints, florals, and crochet details are big this season. The Lisa Snowdon Edit leans into all of them. From the Tropical Border Print Dress to the Crochet Stripe Maxi, these pieces feel current without being try-hard.
What's the best dress for a summer holiday?
A maxi or midi that moves well in the heat and looks as good at dinner as it does on the beach. The Crochet Stripe Maxi Dress and the Tropical Border Print Dress both qualify, they pack light, arrive uncreased, and look expensive.
Can I find stylish summer clothes at Bonmarché?
Yes, and the Lisa Snowdon Edit is the proof. It's a seasonal collection designed with a clear point of view: effortless summer styling for women who actually care about what they wear.
Three dresses. All different. All worth packing.
The Tropical Border Print Dress is the one you build the week around. It's bold, it moves beautifully, and it goes straight from sandals-and-sun to wedges-and-dinner without missing a beat.
Lisa's verdict: "This really is my hero dress for the season. It's full of movement, beautifully floaty, and honestly feels like summer in dress form the moment I put it on."
The Pleated Dress is a different mood. Cleaner, more refined, the kind of piece that works as well for lunch in town as it does on holiday. The pleated detail gives it movement without bulk, which means it works harder than it looks.
Lisa on styling it: "I’m always drawn to pieces like this in a neutral tone. Casual with sandals in the daytime, then heels and layered gold jewellery for something more elevated."
Then there's the Crochet Stripe Maxi Dress. Crochet is one of the strongest summer dress trends this season, and this one earns its place. The column shape keeps it sleek; the texture does the talking. Beach bar, terrace dinner, anywhere the evening light is good.
Lisa says: "I love how refined this feels while still being really easy to wear. The crochet adds just the right amount of interest without overcomplicating it."
A good holiday top does more than one thing. These do several.
The Floral Print Tie Blouse is the going-out piece. Print-forward, easy to style, over denim by day, with wide-leg linen and heels for summer evenings. Lisa calls it effortless, and she's right. It's the kind of top you reach for more than you planned to.
For something a little more refined, the Embroidered Lace Hem Blouse is the pick. The lace hem detail lifts it above a basic blouse without making it fussy, and it works particularly well with white linen shorts or the Pleated Wide Leg Trousers for a smarter look. Lisa's verdict: "Such a pretty, elevated summer blouse. The embroidery gives it a really refined finish without taking away from how effortless it feels."
The Floral Embroidered Top is the versatile one. Neutral tone, broderie detail, goes with almost everything, Lisa's own description. Pair with the Chambray Denim Shorts for an off-duty holiday look that doesn't need overthinking.
For everyday wear, the Palm Embroidered Stud T-Shirt takes the white tee concept and gives it a bit of edge. The palm embroidery and stud detail around the neckline make it feel deliberate rather than thrown on. Lisa says: "It's my way of upgrading a basic."
And then there's the Shirred Cami, the piece you’ll end up wearing more than anything else. Layer it under a blouse, wear it solo in the heat, or pair it as part of the matching set with the Palm Print Hem Trousers. For packing light, it’s a genuinely smart choice. Lisa says: "I love that I can wear the set together for a really pulled-together look, but also mix and match so it feels like I’ve brought twice as much with me."
Dresses get the headlines, but the right shorts and trousers are what make a holiday wardrobe actually work.
The Palm Print Hem Trousers bring the print without the full-dress commitment. The palm hem detail sets them apart from a plain wide-leg, and they work best with the Shirred Cami or a simple white tee for a complete, easy holiday look.
For something more versatile, the Pleated Wide Leg Trousers are the kind of piece you'll still be wearing in September. Clean lines, relaxed fit, and the pleating at the waist adds flattery without any effort. Lisa says: "White trousers are a true summer essential, and this pair gets it just right. They work with everything from simple tees to more dressed-up tops."
For shorts, you've got a few routes. The Chambray Denim Shorts are the go-anywhere option Lightweight, versatile, ready for the market, the beach, or a casual lunch. Style with the Floral Embroidered Top for a put-together daytime look.
The Linen Shorts are the summer staple. Light, easy, and the tie waist detail makes them feel a little more polished than a basic short. Lisa's verdict: "These are exactly what I want to wear on warm days. The linen feels so fresh, and the tie waist makes them feel styled but still really laid back."
The Embroidered Jersey Shorts are the off-duty option. Comfortable enough for poolside, relaxed enough for a walk into town, and the embroidery stops them looking like an afterthought. Lisa's opinion: "The ultimate easy summer set. The jersey fabric is so comfortable, and the embroidery gives it a really modern, stylish edge."
The summer wardrobe question has an answer this year. Lisa Snowdon’s Edit at Bonmarché covers everything: the dresses, the tops, the shorts, the trousers, and every piece works with every other. Pack less, look better. Start with the Edit.