The best travel outfits should be comfortable, yes, but ideally they should also reflect the spirit of the place – its colours, climate, culture and everyday rhythm. Here, we share a summer lookbook inspired by some of the world’s most visited cities, translating each destination’s unique personality into outfits you can actually wear.
Lisbon: Coastal Graphic
The famously steep streets of Lisbon are lined with intricate tile-covered façades, giving the city a graphic look from almost every vantage point. Walk through Alfama, and you’ll catch stark white stucco next to cobalt-blue tiles, called azulejos, with sharp shadows cutting across the cobblestones by midday. That interplay is exactly why stripes work so well here, but instead of going nautical, opt for graphic patterns that echo the tilework.
For Lisboners, linen and cotton shirts are worn boxy, with sleeves rolled up twice and Bermuda shorts hitting right above the knee. Raffia bags, leather sandals and rope-style jewellery add warmth and texture, since the palette can feel a bit too cold on its own. If you follow the architecture for cues, the styling comes naturally with strong contrasts and simple shapes.
[Products pictured: Shirt, Bermuda Shorts, Sandals, Bag, Sunglasses, Necklace]
Copenhagen: Functional Minimalism
Copenhagen is a biking city, and that changes everything about what people wear. If the general goal is to dress for a 10-minute ride, then light layering is key – it will keep you comfortable while making basics look thoughtfully styled. An oversized shirt, for example, stays open over a slip dress instead of being buttoned up, and a knit sweater gets tied around the shoulders, more for shape than for warmth.
Colours are pared back: pale blue, soft sage and grey, with one black or navy piece to ground it all. Mary Janes – practical yet put-together – work better here than sneakers, and a small cross-body bag is the perfect cycling companion, never getting in the way mid-journey. Add a baseball cap or bandana and a few delicate silver pieces, and the look is ready to ride.
[Products pictured: Dress, Shirt, Shoes, Bag, Sunglasses, Cap]
Marrakech: Tactile Luxury
Marrakech is called the Red City for a reason. The rammed-earth walls encircling the old medina were made using local iron–oxide-rich soil, glowing from dusty ochre to deep rust as the sunlight shifts throughout the day. That colour shows up everywhere – in the leather stalls, in the spice pyramids, in the dust that settles on everything by late afternoon. And it’s why the prevalent fashion aesthetic leans into warm, earthy tones and natural materials rather than anything too cool or synthetic.
Fabric matters more than pattern here: suede, washed leather, cotton or linen that isn’t ironed flat. This is a dry, dusty city, and anything too polished or perfect will feel out of place. Stick to draped columns and relaxed tailoring, and skip prints altogether. For jewellery, think bold and heavy instead of thin, delicate chains, mimicking the handmade pieces silversmiths sell in the souks. Nothing should look brand new; preferably it should appear as if it’s been passed through generations and worn in the heat of Morocco year after year.
[Products pictured: Top, Trousers, Sandals, Bag, Earrings, Cuff]
Mexico City: Artisan Craftsmanship
You can’t walk two blocks through Mexico City’s Roma Norte neighbourhood without spotting a leather workshop or a silversmith’s bench, and that density of craft says everything about how people dress here; the vibe is handmade. Think: a linen set in olive or terracotta hues with worn leather mules and colourful accessories sold at the artisanal market.
The city’s design scene has always favoured creative streetwear and honest materials over anything mass-produced, so reach for pieces by independent labels or, even better, local makers. The texture of traditional embroidery does the work that print would do elsewhere, and large, sculptural jewellery gives any look a hand-finished edge.
[Products pictured: Linen set, Sandals, Bag, Earrings, Necklace]
Amalfi Coast: Italian Femininity
Positano, Amalfi, Ravello – most of the Amalfi Coast is built onto cliffs overlooking the sea, so everything here moves vertically: up and down stairs or in and out of the water. Similarly, clothing needs to be easy to move about in while still looking good, like a poplin shirt, partly unbuttoned, paired with a cotton skirt that moves in the breeze. Colours follow the coastal palette: butter-yellow like the morning sun, bright blue like the azure sea, or soft neutrals with pops of vivid hues that mimic the colourful villas and vibrant flowers.
In terms of the silhouette, skip anything too fitted. Capri trousers and slip dresses keep air flowing better than skin-tight shorts and mini dresses – and lend more sophistication. Finish with a silk scarf around your wrist or neck, as well as a woven tote and a pair of espadrilles. The goal is to avoid postcard perfection, leaning into quality fabrics worn a little undone – and maybe with a playful fruit print.
[Products pictured: Shirt, Skirt, Espadrilles, Bag, Scarf, Sunglasses]
Tokyo: Engineered Elegance
That a city this big works like a well-oiled machine is its own minor miracle – and a testament to a local culture that values precision. You can see it everywhere, from the millisecond punctuality of the trains to the food traditions like sushi that demand painstaking attention to detail. Style trends often follow the same logic. Blouses, skirts and trousers have sharp, architectural lines and move with care. Nothing clings or drapes unintentionally; everything is meticulously proportioned.
There’s also a utilitarian quality to the whole look, more product design than traditional fashion. Retro trainers bring a technical edge, slim sunnies add a touch of cool, and colours stay clean: white, black, grey, stone and olive, perhaps with a flash of silver from a statement bag. Cotton and poplin do most of the work, as they hold their shape in the heat, but there’s room for other fabrics in unexpected places, like nylon in a shoe strap or a bag panel. Every piece is functional rather than styled, which gives the whole wardrobe an orderly feel.
[Products pictured: Shirt, Skirt, Sneakers, Bag, Sunglasses, Necklace]
Palm Springs: Retro Resortwear
Pistachio doors, rust-coloured rooflines and concrete that turns pink at golden hour: the Palm Springs palette, all sunny pastels and retro accent colours, becomes apparent right when you arrive. Mid-century architecture and desert light work their magic as well, making every hue look a few degrees more saturated. That goes for the clothes, too, which is why a citrus-yellow dress or a coral two-piece are a go-to here.
Silhouettes, for their part, should be breezy but not sloppy. Flowy caftans, maxi dresses and wide-leg linen trousers are welcome here. Balance them against something sharper, like a tailored polo, a fine knit or a tennis skirt, then add accessories to complete the look. Oversized round sunglasses or cat-eye frames add a strong vintage touch, as do wide-brimmed hats and silk headscarves. Keep footwear practical in this heat, whether that’s leather slides or block-heel sandals.
[Products pictured: Dress, Heels, Bikini, Bag, Sunglasses, Hat]
French Riviera: Low-Key Glamour
The French Riviera’s fashionable reputation precedes it, but when you stroll the cobblestone streets of Èze or the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, you’ll note that the true uniform is more understated than people expect. Dominated by crisp whites, soft beiges and deep navies in lightweight fabrics like linen, cotton and silk, the palette stays neutral and nautical with an emphasis on looking polished but never overdone.
Loose tailoring is designed for seaside walks and balmy evenings on the town, à la high-waisted, wide-leg trousers or shorts with a linen blazer thrown over a swimsuit instead of an actual shirt. For a hint of that signature Old Hollywood glamour, incorporate texture from a light cardigan draped over the shoulders, along with woven raffia sandals, a straw basket and a scarf tied around your hair. Smart yet relaxed, it’s the epitome of quiet luxury by the sea.
[Products pictured: Top, Shorts, Swimsuit, Sandals, Bag, Scarf]
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