The urge for less layers and more poolside cocktails this time of year is what we call the hump month blues. We’ve got them, and you might too, but should you have the means, we suggest high tailing it out of town for a week by way of a beach holiday. There is little more effective than sand and sun to satiate one’s yearning for summer through the transitional April and May months…particularly when living in an area where seasonal temperatures hover between the 0°C and 5°C mark.

Whether planning to travel the tropics, sail the seas, or cruise the coast this spring, FILLER has the resort wear styles that make the most of wearing little.

Hawaii Heat

Aloha, colored accessories call! Colourful country club attire is a stand out on the pool deck when travels take you to destinations  frequented by the ladies who lunch set, such as Maui and Lana’i.

Achieve casual elegance with the Robinson Spectator Mini by Tory Burch in the line’s Daisy shade. This uber cute crossbody bag (matching wallet available, show in Stream above) is on trend with its bright colour palette.

When on the islands, leave the floral button ups to the tourists on the sightseeing buses, subtly is what you want. Pair your perfect purse with the spring blooms on Kate Spade‘s Ila Heels and you’ve got yourself a sunny ensemble accented by all that is pretty and girly.

As for the beach, the classic polka dot bikini has been replaced by J.Crew’s seersucker busier bathing suit — a must-have wardrobe addition. Trust us, should your vividly hued accessories not draw surfer boys’ eyes, this tiny swimsuit will do the trick.

Dressed to turn heads, keep your cool under the heat of admirers’ eyes with Ralph Lauren‘s Leather Belt Straw Hat, a sophisticated accessory for beach chair lounging.

 

Chic Cuba

The ’60s appear still in their tracks when exploring the streets of beautiful Cuba. Take a cue from the vintage charm of areas like Havana with its many cultural splendors and opt for Boho chic pieces when packing for your Cuban holiday

Like the simple wonder of Cayo Santa Maria’s Beach on the north east coast (designated a UNESCO reserve), rely on natural beauty to turn heads…well that and stylish bare essentials with understated charm. Be sure to include a straw bag in your suitcase, ideal for the beach and day trips alike. Pick up J.Crew’s Farmer’s Market Tote — a classic, sure to come in handy during future vacations.

Don’t weigh your baggage down, pack dresses that are versatile and can go easily from afternoons walks in the sand to evenings wandering the city streets, like any number of crochet dresses from Anna Kosturova. Or make your day to night look Etro-themed with a colorful swim suit from the label peeking through a knit dress by day, and then come night, pull out your matching silk Etro cover up from your tote, and off to the salsa bars you go.

 

Fresh French

“La Vie en Rose” never quite rings as lovely as when played on a spring day in France. Be it an April day people watching at a Paris café or star gazing in May at the Festival de Cannes, style is always on display when vacationing in France

And so, to put you on level with the local mademoiselles, we recommend perusing a designer native to the area in order to add a dash of French flair to your own wardrobe. Look to Hermione De Paula’s SS13 collection for a fashionable floral frock that could ask for no better place than the South of France to be strutted about in. The line’s embroidered romper pictured above is perfection! Or, check out The Zero + Maria Cornejo for a resort look worthly of a Grecian goddess. We love the warm orange sunset hue of the look above.

Pair either look with Marsell Multi-Band Thong sandals, a well-suited match for a romper or maxi. Versatile, the no-fuss sandals are the perfect accessory to a sophisticated relaxed look. Just a little advice, leave white footwear in your hotel room while exploring the local vineyards.

 

BORA BORA BABE

Bora Bora is a romantic island getaway for the upper tiers of the well-heeled travelers bunch. Private huts suspended above turquoise waters are not an exotic escape afforded all couples, or more, affordable to all couples.

When rubbing shoulders with the elite, dressing to the nines in your holiday resort wear is an effort that should appear effortless i.e. look like you’re not trying hard to look stylish, but look stylish. May we suggest walking the boardwalk in Vera Wang’s Alena Sandal, paired with a Clover Canyon + Alexander Grant’s collaborative cover up. The splash of bright colors in the brand’s selection of cover ups read cool and carefree like a Bora Bora breeze.

And of course there’s the sunglasses, which no well-to-do Miss ever ventures outdoors without. The object is to remain coy and stylish, and Burberry’s Metallic Gold Splash Sunglasses help one do just that. Up your allure factor with a Mara Hoffman swimsuit, stylish shades and the perfect bikini is the only style that really matter’s when luxuriating in sun-kissed waters in the end anyway.

 

CABARETE CRUSH

Hoping to live out the plot of all sun holiday based rom-coms and stumble upon love when on vacation? Well then, we’ve got the look that will have boys crushing, while girls sit in envy. Remember Blue Crush?

Just in time for your spring vacay, Diane von Furstenberg is partnering up with Roxy to create the DFV Loves Roxy collection, the ultimate surfer chic look from trendy cover ups to adorable bikinis, you’ll want to nab as many items as possible from this collaboration. All would go great with a Marc Jacobs Checkmate Tote, a chic unisex accessory your new love won’t feel silly carrying to your beach picnic date.

Finish off your look with a classic sun hat like the fedora above. Your beach curls may be cute, but when sea salt and wind cause unruly hair, best hide the mess with this little Aritzia’s Talula hat.

Published March 29th, 2013