It can be all too easy to buy your holiday wardrobe in a last-minute panic. I’ve often been that person who buys a bikini on my lunch break mere hours before my flight. But I’ve learnt that in order to really feel confident on the beach, it’s best to avoid that rush and buy your holiday wardrobe as soon as the best new pieces to land in store. We may still be experiencing fluctuating travel restrictions but one things for certain, you will holiday again one day— whether that’s sooner or later— and it always pays to be prepared.
To save you from a pre-flight impulse shopping spree, we turned to the coolest girls on Instagram who, let’s face it are always one step ahead of the trends, to bring you a guide to all the key sun-drenched items you’ll need in 2022. Of course, beachwear is no longer just all about bikinis and one-pieces— Net-a-Porter notes that 60% of the beachwear sales on the site come from clothes rather than swimwear. So this trends guide also includes the cover-ups and accessories that will make your holiday packing so much easier and your warm-weather wardrobes so much cooler. Keep scrolling for some escapism, and a list of what you’ll see on the hottest beaches in 2022 and beyond…
Tiffany Hsu’s white cropped blouse is the perfect cover-up for lazy days at the pool.
When it comes to sandal trends, this year, there is one that is certainly leading the way: platform sandals.
If your summer eyewear needs an update, why not opt for large, square retro pair for 2022. They’re back in a big way.
It’s not just sunglasses that are going retro. According to Lucy Williams (who knows a thing or two about looking cool on holiday) retro prints should be worn on swimwear and cover ups too.
A headscarf is the new hat, and you can’t help but feel a little bit glamorous in one.
If it’s time to invest in a new swimsuit, try one that has a square neck. It’s a simple update that will keep even the most minimal of swimsuits looking interesting.
Thanks to Prada’s popular logo raffia tote, crochet and woven beach bags are now the only thing to have on your arm this summer.
Co-ords are an easy option for looking chic when you’re actually a bit sweaty and sandy. Try Frankie Shop’s shirting combos for an uexpected take.
Cuban collar short-sleeved shirts are the perfect alternative beach cover-up. Who What Wear’s Editor in Chief, Hannah Almassi, wore her Warehouse shirt to the beach with a midi skirt with a sarong-effect front.
Next up, see our guide to the key trends for spring/summer 2022.
Opening image: @bettinalooney
