This is how we’re packing for our summer holiday

It might be a waterlogged monsoon here, but it’s still summer at your next holiday destination. And if you’re like us and you’ve booked tickets, stay, and even restaurant reservations, then it’s time to tackle the next step—wardrobe planning. In an attempt to curate a local-approved itinerary, today’s traveller seeks museums that are not yet crowded with fellow tourists, cafés that only a resident would know about, and shops that won’t empty your bank balance in the name of authenticity. While all these are steps towards that Eat Pray Love experience, what adds to it is dressing the part. 

To build the perfect holiday look, we paired the hottest destinations with the Indian designers we feel best capture their spirit. All you have to do is start packing.

With inputs from Naheed Driver

Tokyo

Embrace the Japanese city’s eclectic street style with avant-garde pieces from Bloni by Delhi-based designer Akshat Bansal. Blend in effortlessly on your visits to Harajuku in the brand’s distinct, future-forward styles such as the butter-yellow rubber jacket for men or a broad-shouldered denim mini dress for women. Pair with sneakers from brands like Y-3 or Sacai and scour the city for local jewellery designers to complete your look. 

New York City

In a city of hustlers, you need to dress like one. And there’s no better fit than the Diljit Dosanjh-approved label Almost Gods. Founded by designer Dhruv Khurana, this young streetwear brand puts the wildest prints on the easiest silhouettes. Take its Victoria Fresco shirt with imagery of Greco-Roman deities or its Dream of the Orient line featuring slip dresses and bra tops covered in painterly floral motifs.

Bangkok

In the heart of Bangkok, amid its bustling streets and vibrant markets, lies a world of luxury and sophistication. Whether you’re out exploring cutting-edge fashion, savouring Michelin-starred meals, or immersing yourself in contemporary art, dress for your day in brands like Countrymade and Kanika Goyal. Be it the embroidered patterns on the former’s shirts or the latter’s updated take on denim, both labels celebrate fine craftsmanship and the ease of one-and-done silhouettes.

Vienna

The Austrian capital is steeped in old-world history and culture that is offset by a rich underground music, dance, and art scene. Bring the two together in your wardrobe with the help of Mumbai-based menswear label Rosani, whose clean lines and sleek tailoring meet more artisanal details such as cut-outs or metallic embellishments for an elevated take on grunge. For women, Ura offers enough options to build your travel wardrobe—think sleek column dresses, bodysuits, and cropped shirts.

London

Summer in London is hardly a groundbreaking idea, but with parks, museums, theatre, and great restaurants to enjoy, it still retains its status as a favoured destination. Blend in with the locals (and the weather) by choosing a Bodice look in a neutral palette of black, grey, or beige. For men, Lovebirds offers the same mood but with details that make each look smart enough to wear even for drinks at the latest, hottest bar.