You've got your summer escape wardrobe - now get packing
It's that time of year again when we have to plan our summer escape. Unlike the Italians, who get to take all of August off, we get just two weeks to frolic under the sun, party hard in some resort town club or indulge in relaxing massages.
If you read this column religiously, you should already have your latest summer wardrobe. You will know that strong, vibrant colours are in and that if you mix unlikely colours together you get bonus points. And stripes, crazy floral prints and sandals are big summer wardrobe news. The question now is what travel bag to pack it all in.
That generic black bag just won't do, especially with all the hot colours, patterns and textures available this season. And as for those logo carry-alls and luggage, they scream nouveau riche and are so 1990s. To truly travel in style this summer, it is not enough to just have the perfect outfit; you must have the right bag, too. So it's lucky for you that designers are giving us options that are bang on trend.
If you plan to set sail with Prada's striped outfits, you're sure to find the Marc by Marc Jacobs (5) roll bag (HK$890) to your liking. It comes in wide blue and white stripes - what could be more nautical than that? And you cannot beat that price.
If colour blocking is more your trend of choice this season, why not pair those shockingly bright Jil Sander garments with, say, a turquoise (1) Damier motif bag from Louis Vuitton (HK$8,250). This one is made from light nylon material, allowing you to fold and pack it in your suitcase, which you can later use to bring back new purchases from your summer sojourn.
Pink Tommy Hilfiger trousers and a yellow Ralph Lauren polo shirt would go well with Hermes' (3) Victoria Elan carry-all (HK$50,800) in hunter green. It is in a long, rectangular shape with interior straps to secure and hold the clothes in place so they do not wrinkle.
If neutral is more your thing and you want something that's less conspicuous but stylish nonetheless, there are plenty of options. Neutral-coloured bags come in all shapes and materials, with an outstanding one from Bottega Veneta (HK$15,500) made of brown calf leather with the signature woven detail on the handles. Its shape is similar to a doctor's bag but larger.
Brunello Cucinelli (6) has the perfect summer weekender in tan leather and beige canvas. Tumi (HK$3,180) has a similar style in leather and linen from their Bravo collection. And Gucci has an oversized men's tote in woven leather, which, from afar, looks like woven wicker. Carry this with you on the plane and you're sure to get a lot of looks. It could also double as a beach bag, especially if you have to lug around your own beach towels.
Lastly, you need something white, especially if you are going to Mykonos or Sotogrande or the Amalfi Coast. White is the most popular summer colour because it is cooling, fresh and easy on the eye. There are two great white bag options this summer. One is an overnighter made from soft deerskin (4) from Ermenegildo Zegna (HK$15,000) and the other is made from strips of suede woven into a geometric pattern from D&G (2). The latter is more cream than white, but it screams summer holiday. Now it's time to book your tickets.
Shopping list:
Bottega Veneta, The Landmark, Central. Tel: 2973 0882
Ermenegildo Zegna, Alexandra House, Central. Tel: 2868 9638
Hermes, Pacific Place, Admiralty. Tel: 2522 6229
Louis Vuitton, The Landmark, Central. Tel: 8100 1182
Marc by Marc Jacobs, The Landmark, Central. Tel: 2868 9782
Tumi, Prince's Building, Central. Tel: 2869 7488