The Style Hawker: It’s Easter Break! Streamline Your Holiday Packing

The Style Hawker lets you know how to pack in a flash for any weekend mini-break (while staying on-trend, of course)

Those of us living in Singapore understand that holidays take on a life of their own over here: a  black hole of lost hours trawling the net for the frankly indecent number of mini breaks we spend more time planning than being on. Likewise the time we take to pack for these multiple trips is usually minimal, as the little-and-often approach to holidaying generally translates to ‘little preparation’.

Packing in haste for a family of five (yes, I pack for everyone including my husband, I have absolutely no idea how this happened), I generally spend around seven minutes on myself, which explains my previous form of 5 pairs of shoes and no bottom halves packed for a 4-day trip.  I won’t assume that you live under the same unenlightened packing regime, but whether it’s due to multiple children or a hectic work schedule, holiday packing in Singapore is usually done at speed. It needs direction, which is when the now-slightly-retro-sounding ‘capsule wardrobe’ becomes your friend.

I’m all for being eclectic with style — pulling your favourite pieces from the trends and dressing as the mood takes you. But it becomes a challenge when combining with the restraints of carry-on luggage (who wants to pay budget airline add-ons? Not this frugal family). So rule one is pick your holiday style and stick with it. Once you have your core staples on a theme that can mix and match, it becomes easier to add quirky extras if you feel the need. Check out Pinterest for exact quantities.

Rule two is remember where you are travelling to.  A beach holiday and a city break might both be 35 degrees on this side of the world, but they still need different wardrobe approaches. You don’t want to overload yourself with clothes that never get worn, so keep your wardrobe location-specific. Will ethnic nomad style feel right when walking around a CBD?

The main point with all this is to keep an idea in your head of the ‘person’ you want to be on holiday while packing. And before you ask, this doesn’t make you a weird/shallow fashion obsessive.  I prefer a ‘concise holiday outfit planner.’  Although yes, my husband is appalled that his entire family, including two boys under 10, use the word ‘outfit’ on a regular basis. He’ll get over it.

EASTER DESTINATION: TROPICAL HIDEAWAY
LOOK: LUXE HIPPIE

Colour is the key here- go for mix-and-match brights in fine cottons and loose maxis with a rich hippie vibe. Must-have accessories include the obligatory trilby (try a pimped up version with colour and pompoms), thong sandals, and quirky bag to throw over your kaftan. Bianca Jagger eat your heart out.

Find it: Tulua Hat from The Punch List, Crossbody Petrolio A bag from Furla, Lantern Flat sandals from The Tui Collection, Geometric swimsuit from Eres.

EASTER DESTINATION: CITY BREAK
LOOK: ROMANTIC PREPPY

Denim underpins this look. Lightweight cropped jeans, mini dresses and shorts teamed with peasant style blouses in the season’s blue stripes, pink, white and embroidery. Think Audrey Hepburn transplanted to 2017.  Accessorise with a cross-body bag and ditch the flip flops in place of pumps or loafers. Anothersole travel pumps are a new local brand I am totally in love with.

Find it: Matthew Williamson Aviator Sunglasses from Shopbop, Block-T Brogue Micro Drawstring Cross-Body from Tory Burch, Luisa Pebbled White shoes from Anothersole, Off-The-Shoulder Embroidered Dress from Zara.

EASTER DESTINATION: LUXURY RESORT
LOOK: OFF-DUTY FILM STAR

If you’re splashing out on a high-end resort then you may as well look the part. Retro  swimwear (this one is reversible — a mini-break winner) and voluminous cover-ups accessorised with  huge sunglasses, a floppy hat and a luxe monogrammed beach bag. Plus a monochrome colour palette is a holiday wardrobe no-brainer.

Find it: Eugenia Kim Bunny embellished toyo sunhat from Net-A-Porter, Monogram Sparkly Shopper from rae feather, Harbor Mist Sunglasses from Michael Kors, Smudge Reversible Swimsuit from Topshop.