Anya Hindmarch, accessories designer

What are your holiday essentials?
I always make sure that I have a great sunscreen and sunglasses from Oliver Peoples or Barton Perreira. My beloved camera and sketchbooks are also a must: you never know when you might be inspired.

Top packing tips?
I always travel with my loose pockets. I developed these leather pouches to keep my bag organised. I became frustrated by the plastic wallets that you get given when you change currency. So now I have pockets stamped with dollars, yen, euros, receipts, etc. These also mean that I can change my bag really quickly.

How do you dress for the beach?
I like having fun with more vibrant colours, though I tend to stick to a simple silhouette in plain fabrics rather than prints, as they are easier to accessorise. I love cool cotton kaftans when I am on a beach holiday — there’s nothing better (or sexier) than a man’s cotton shirt, which I dress up with a great raffia basket or clutch.

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A perfect holiday outfit

I am going on a motorcycle holiday to France and have very little packing space. How do I look chic and crease-free for three weeks? I am 57 and a size 14.

BACKGROUND

• How to choose the perfect sunglasses

• A perfect holiday outfit

• What to buy in the sales

• The 8 trends you should buy in the sales

Averyl Oates, buying director of Harvey Nichols

What are your holiday essentials?
Lots of bandeau-style bikinis by Tara Matthews and Marc by Marc Jacobs, which look great and avoid strap marks, as well as a one-piece for some serious swimming. Also, a python print dress, a maxi dress from Heidi Klein, a Babajaan Panama hat, and some great heels for the evening. Jewellery is the key to dressing up jersey pieces at night.

How do you dress on the beach?
Mixing and matching is a more contemporary look, for example a clashing bikini and cover-ups can look great. Otherwise, swap your bikinis around to give more options — a print bikini top looks great with a solid bottom from the same colour family.

Sarah Curran, founder of MyWardrobe.com

What are your holiday essentials?
I always pack a selection of Heidi Klein bikinis and kaftans, my favourite Miu Miu sunglasses, SPF15 and SPF6 Clarins sun lotion and an iPod. Over the years I’ve built up a collection of cocktail rings, which are the perfect easy-to-pack accessory and help to dress up every holiday outfit.

What are the joys and the pitfalls of holiday dressing?
I had a very glamorous French aunt who was always impeccably dressed even for the beach, so for me holiday dressing is a joy. It’s all about glamour and not dressing down. I love kaftans and maxi dresses and will always wear some chunky jewellery even by the pool or on the beach.

Melissa Odabash, swimwear designer

How would you sum up your holiday look?
It depends. In Europe I’ll have the whole outfit — long kaftans, matching bags and bikinis and Jimmy Choo sandals — so that I’m ready to go on a boat, shopping or have lunch. In America, where I spend a lot of time in the summer, it’s more bikinis, denim shorts and flip flops.

What is a holiday fashion no-no?
Girls walking in high heels in the sand and badly fitting, saggy bikini bottoms!

Any packing tips?
Lay all clothes flat — suitcases always hold a lot more that way. Always pack an extra roll-up bag, as everyone loves to shop on holiday, and carry a bikini in your hand luggage just in case your suitcase gets lost on the flight.

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