Summer Vacation Style Guide

It’s that time of the year again… School’s out, the weather is perfect, and we all need a break. For most of us, we’ve been deprived of traveling as freely as we would like to in the past year and a half. Finally, we’re seeing some changes in the world, therefore, changes in our vacation plans as well. 

While some of us hit the beach and some of us enjoy a more wildlife filled adventure, every year, every vacation, something seems to come over us when we’re packing for our getaways. Suddenly, we find ourselves wearing linen and strappy sandals that we would never even consider buying or wearing any other week of the year. However, the desire to be authentic to your vacation location can be tough if you’re working with only the clothes in your closet because, sadly, we’re not wearing flowy dresses and straw hats year round. At Michael’s, we find picking out the perfect vacation capsule wardrobe is half the fun of the vacation, so we’re here to help. We’ve compiled classic looks for some classic vacation spots. This year has been stressful enough. There’s no need to stress any further. Instead, follow our guide for some inspo and shop our favorite pieces to execute your look. 

By the Beach

The most classic summer vacation of all. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend trip to soak up some sun or you’ve managed to plan a tropical getaway to the beaches of the Caribbean, the beach never fails to maintain a distinct style. Step onto the beach and you’ll see linen galore, colorful patterns in breezy silhouettes, plus easy to slip on sandals. When there is salt in your hair, sunscreen on your skin, and sand in your toes, the last thing you wanna feel is restricted by tight clothes and closed-toe shoes. 

The summer selection at Michael’s is perfect for any beach packing worries. We have fun tops and dresses to cover up your swimsuit to and from the beach like this pink and white woven Missoni top as well as a large selection of Raquel Allegra pants like these. Our beach shoe pick is a slide sandal from Loewe just like these blue ones - a pop of color and an easy slip on situation. 

But wait! You can’t forget your accessories. Beach-goers have mastered the art of the floppy hat and sunglasses to protect themselves  in style. Check out Tom Ford’s sunglasses with a cat eye twist and a straw Rod Keenan hat you can store in this cute Tod’s tote bag - all found at Michael’s!

By the Lake

Next up on our style roadtrip is the lakeside. While lake style and beach style are similar, there are some key differences you may want to take into consideration while packing. For instance, the lake seems to get a little cooler at night compared to the beach, and most definitely buggier as well. Make sure you pack some full-coverage, yet light, layers to keep yourself warm by the lake fire pits, and consider an earthy palette to match the surrounding nature. 

From this perfect summer Sandro cardigan to the green hues of the Forte Forte silk tank top and cotton Isabel Marant pants, Michael’s carries plenty of summer pieces to make the lake luxurious. 

In the European Cities

It feels like our European vacations, which seemed far, far away from ever happening again, have been made possible just in time for summer. Yes, a European vacation seems like a rather broad term considering that the exact locations we might visit are endless: Athens, London, Paris, Rome. But to keep things simple, we’ve broken down this summer style guide into one overarching, classic European vacation - most commonly filled with art museums, beautifully designed architecture, and of course, cobblestone streets. Not only that, but Europe carries an aura of chic with multitudes of stylish women filling le métro et le strade. 

To put ourselves in tune with the the locals of our favorite cities, we suggest a minimalist capsule of clothing that you can rewear in multiple ways throughout your trip. Comfortable is key, but style is just as important, so always dress up each piece with a little sparkle, print, or color. 

Try layering a white, silk Loro Piana sweater on a Victoria Beckham slip dress like these found at Michael’s for your base. Then, spice up the all white look with a python Margiela clutch to complete the look. 

And the last thing we want is a Michael’s girl getting blisters that ruin her trip. Thankfully, there are plenty of comfortable shoes that prevent turned ankles in cobblestone alleyways but still keep your outfit looking fashionable.

Sneakers are no longer a style no-no with a simple white pair like these Hermes ones, but if you're not feeling that casual, a flat sandal like these Roger Vivier olive green sandals or a thick block heel from Tahari for a night out will do the trick. 

A Trip Into the Wild

For some of us, we’re feeling adventurous after being cooped up inside for so long. We need the fresh air, we need long hikes, and most importantly, we need comfort. However, just because your vacation may be dusty or a little sweaty, it doesn’t mean that you can’t look your best. Simply, it just means your style can shift into moveable, breathable clothes like shorts, tank tops, and sunglasses to shield off the sunlight.

At Michael’s, we have Gucci  glasses that provide function and fashion, plus some cotton pieces with this fun orange Vince tee and 6397 lace shorts that will let you climb any cliff and trek through any forest.

If you’ve planned a vacation (or multiple) for this summer, we hope our Michael’s summer style guide helped. If you haven’t planned a trip, we hope we inspired you to do so! Either way, Michael’s carries a full summer collection filled with lots of bright colors, bold patterns, and hot weather friendly fashion. Check it out here to mix and match all our exclusive pieces for your own unique look.