The Vogue Editors’ Guide to Anti-Beach Vacations
A summer sojourn at the shore is nothing short of blissful—if you can overlook the traffic on the LIE, the itchy torture of sand crushed inside your bikini, the thick, clumpy way saltwater makes your hair look and feel. Admit it—sometimes you need a break from these watery weekends. Every once in a while, a holiday far from the seaside can seem like a walk in the park—and, if you fancy idyllic country villages—might even include an actual walk in the park.
We asked a passel of Vogue editors to tell us about what we call the “anti-beach” vacation and learned that our intrepid co-workers are looking forward to everything from a Telluride Mushroom Festival to the Newport Folk Festival. One respondent is longing for the blessed silence of a sylvan glen upstate that boasts spotty cell service. Others are crossing borders, planning halcyon days in Mexico City, Scottish car trips (which side of the road do they drive on there? Better check!), or sentimental journals to see relatives in southwestern France. A few are planning to wander further afield—to Ukraine! To Japan!
But whether they are sticking closer to home or tripping the light fantastic thousands of miles away, this gang is determined to look chic, even if their languid little dresses, their nifty shades, their ready-for-action sneakers, all have to fit in an airline-acceptable carry-on.
Here, what our troop of stylish travelers is planning to see, do, and pack:
Ella Riley-Adams, Senior Living and Beauty Editor
Location: Telluride, Colorado
I’m planning a trip to Telluride for its annual mushroom festival—celebrating all things fungi—for which I’ll need a range of clothes, given the combination of mycology forays and festive dinners. For the former, I’m going to pack a Ganni sun hat, some Crap sunglasses, and a skort (Anny tells me they are the thing to wear this summer). For kombucha sipping (I am committed to the theme) and chanterelle eating on a cooler Colorado night, the obvious choice is a dress with puffed sleeves, for which I’ll turn to Copenhagen-based Stine Goya. Bag-wise, I’m still obsessed with my Away, even though the built-in battery is long lost. It’s seen me through countless trips, and always seems to accommodate whatever items I pick up along the way. To keep my skin balanced in the dry altitude, lately I've been swearing by Prima's Night Magic, an oil that leaves my skin notably moisturized in the morning.
Emily Farra, Senior Fashion News Writer
Location: Phoenicia, New York
Next weekend I’m going to my favorite weekend destination: Phoenicia. It’s truly an escape, with minimal cell service and the most beautiful forests and trails. I love unplugging and going makeup-free, and I only pack comfy, practical clothes I can wear on a hike or to sit around the campfire.
Chloe Malle, Contributing Editor
Location: France
I’m heading to visit family in southwestern France in late July, and it can’t come soon enough! This D’Ascoli dress has already become my dress of the summer and I won’t be going far without it. I’ll wear that for days on end with a pair of espadrilles from the local supermarket, LeClerc, but these Castaner ones are a chicer substitute. The sun is unrelenting there, so I’ll bring my Greenpacha panama hat, Zak sunglasses, and Supergoop sunblock to shield myself— and I’ll have my Herbivore Botanicals Phoenix Facial Oil on hand for post-sun repair. I’ve already had the pleasure of reading Lauren Mechling’s brilliant new novel, How Could She, but am bringing it for my sister who will love its sharp wit and tender heart.
Caroline Griswold, Market Manager
Location: Scotland
I am road-tripping around Scotland at the end of June for a wedding, where apparently the high will only be around the mid-60 degrees! Not exactly summer tanning beach weather, but I am excited to see the Highlands and get into the Scottish heritage. I’ll be dancing all night at the wedding, hiking, exploring castles, and enjoying tea and as many Scottish treats as possible. Maybe I am taking it too literally, but I’m thinking that besides the wedding, where I’m thrilled to finally rock my newest Loewe splurge, my outfits will mainly consist of chunky knits, cut-off denim shorts, wellies, and a kilt or two thrown into the mix.
Madeline Fass, Associate Market Editor
Location: Mexico City
Last summer I took a trip for a few days to Mexico City. I explored the many art and architecture museums and houses the city had to offer; tried every piece of food in sight, from searching for the perfect cup of elote to grabbing tuna tostadas at Contramar or a light breakfast at Cicatriz; and, of course, went on the quest for jewelry, knickknacks, and some woven straw bags at the Baazar Sabado.
When it came to packing, I needed a summery take on urban dressing that was comfortable, modest, and still seasonally appropriate. And although I wasn’t sitting on the coast of the Italian Riviera, I still wanted to feel like I was on a proper summer vacation—behold, the gingham sweetheart blouse. Usually, I start with versatile sneakers when I know I will be walking a lot and a scrunchie, because let’s face it, no one feels like doing their hair when they’re on vacation.
Willow Lindley, Accessories Director
Location: Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI
I’m excited to be seeing friends play in one of my favorite places, Newport. I love a music festival that also allows for some epic historical home tours.
Alexandra Gurvitch, Editor
Location: Japan
My boyfriend and I decided to go to Japan this summer for two weeks because we both have been dying to go (his first time, my second), and because we wanted to do a mix of city and beach. We will be spending half of our time in Tokyo and half on a tropical beach off of Okinawa. I know it is the hottest time to go, but the beach part will be a sweet relief from all of our Tokyo pavement pounding. I am already vacation-outfit planning, and on my packing list are these amazing Agolde ripped jeans that I’ll pair with cotton tanks and Suicoke sporty sandals. I’ll be making sure to protect my skin from all my adventures with this Aesop sunscreen that smells amazing and a Prada bucket hat. And for the plane and train time, I’ll be occupying myself with the Outline trilogy by Rachel Cusk—the shell on the cover of the first book makes it feel like a book made for summer. These will all be shoved in the titanium Away suitcase that will go the distance!
Liana Satenstein, Senior Fashion News Writer
Location: Odessa, Ukraine
I want nothing more than to just roast and sweat on the boardwalk among hoards of Speedo-wearing men and shove my face with chocolate-stuffed tubes for two weeks. For this trip, I will probably bring a baseball hat and basic flip-flops. I usually don’t wear makeup while I’m there, but I will be washing my face (#selfcare), so I’ll bring a bar of Neutrogena, which I love. For entertainment, I’ve been trying to get through the same really heinous Nicholas Sparks romance novel in Russian for about a year. It’s my travel book that I read on trains unless I fall asleep. Also, I don’t pack a lot and will probably only bring a duffel. I travel alone, so I really don’t care about repeating outfits. For my miscellaneous item, I will be lugging a liter of water around with me.
Originally Appeared on Vogue
