The Capsule Wardrobe I Always Take on Holiday to Spain

When I go on holiday I like to dress to a theme and when I go to my favourite place in the world (that's the Costa De La Luz in Spain) I take it to the extreme. When heading to Andalucia I know exactly what will be in my suitcase and I love packing for the adventure: polka dots, big sleeves, ruffles, red dresses, basket bags, gold hoops… anything that you'd imagine a flamenco dancer wearing in a 1970s postcard, I will have bought and stuffed into a carry-on. 

Over the past few years I've been back to the same area and each time I default to the same ultra-Spanish vibes, so it now means that I've got a capsule vacation wardrobe of perfect pieces when it comes to visiting again. Whether you're heading off to Ibiza and want to keep things classy rather than club-appropriate, hitting Madrid for a spot of sightseeing or touching down in any part of this beautiful country I guarantee the following looks, trends and items will serve you well. Keep scrolling to see and shop my ultimate Spanish capsule wardrobe…

I bought this Staud dress earlier in the summer, knowing that I'd 100% wear it in Spain. Combined with slicked-back hair, giant earrings from Pascale James and red lipstick I think I was about as flamenco emoji lady as I've ever been. You can shop a similar new style below.

These are not classic espadrilles (thanks to the mini stiletto heel) but any iteration of this traditional Spanish shoe is good by me—sometimes I buy a new pair when I'm out there as the Spanish-made wedges are always the best (and cheapest).

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This Solid & Striped swimsuit has undoubtedly been one of the biggest beach trends of 2018. They will be back after selling out for the zillionth time, but the message is this: retro swimwear really suits the more rustic, back-in-time beaches in this part of Spain.

I picked up these earrings in a little boutique in Spain—they're traditionally handmade in North Africa and cost around £30. There's something so charming about how uneven and mismatched they are in real life and I always wear them back home too.

This off-the-shoulder dress from & Other Stories is one that I bought when the store first opened around 2013—so did three other women in my office at the time and I'm pretty sure we all still wear it every summer. An OTS LBD is a wise summer investment, especially in Spain where that silhouette feels right at home.

My lucky little Muuñ basket bag goes on every beach holiday and whilst this exact style is now old, the brand has introduced even more delightful versions for summer 2018—see below…

It's obvious, I know, but I can't help wearing polka dot prints (especially in monochrome or red/black) when I'm in Spain! This Zara crop top has served well over the year, but right now it's Topshop leading the spotty game.

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I bought this Hunza G swimsuit in two colourways: black because flattering and timeless, red because SPAIN! You can still get both colourways at Brownsfashion.com, but I also wanted to alert you to a very cool, very Costa-ready red bikini from Araks below.

Yellow lenses + Mediterranean sunshine = the best formula for happiness. I've worn my Rejina Pyo x Projekt Produkt aviators on repeat this year, and they never fail to make the world look like a better place.

This printed maxi kimono from Camilla was SO useful on my most recent trip: great for a chillier evening or when you're having a tourist-y sightseeing day, useful over a bikini when you're not wanting to reveal all, great as a wrap dress fastened with a belt… I recommend.