Finding the perfect capsule holiday wardrobe is the holy grail of travel. When we get it right, it makes the rest of our trip easier, giving us more space to think about what really matters – experiencing the destination.
Our Holiday Hero series celebrates the style essentials that go the extra mile. Each month, we spotlight a sartorial staple that will make your vacation looks sing without ever dating, which brings us to the cashmere jumper.
It might seem counterintuitive to spotlight knitwear as part of a travel-led style series, but stay with me. When we think of what to pack for our holiday, we tend to think of what will look good in the sunshine – pieces that accentuate tans and will be breathable enough for warmer climates. Of course, if the destination is known for its cold temperatures, it’s a different story, but for the most part our travel style lists pivot around resortwear – carefree clothes completely removed from ordinary life. This, I’m afraid, is where we are going wrong.
There is something deeper about the way we dress on holiday, as if we want our clothes to be as weightless as the way we feel without the minutiae and responsibilities of our day-to-day. There is something freeing about leaving so much of our wardrobe behind and filling our suitcases with linen, crochet and colour. Without many options to choose from, we spend less time on holiday thinking about what to wear. That in itself is liberating, and gives us more time to see, eat, drink and enjoy. All this makes knitwear – a category joint with footwear in taking up the most space in our holdall – very unappealing to a sun-ready capsule wardrobe. Aside from the dominant role they occupy in our luggage, they’re also a horribly grounding reminder of being at home; of the cold, of practicalities that we try our best to forget about when we’re away.
The weekend relaxed jumper, £225, Navygrey
A certain level of practicality is essential when we go on holiday, which is where the cashmere jumper comes in. Now, I know that cashmere doesn’t scream utility – this soft, fluffy knit that often falls on the expensive side of the spectrum – but it is useful. After finding myself shivering on a plane from being pelted with AC one too many times, a light but snug jumper has become a travel essential. And a cashmere version has the indulgent, escapist quality required of a holiday staple. It’s not too bulky, which is handy for suitcases, and doesn’t crease easily, which is handy for aesthetic reasons. A cashmere jumper in a neutral tone is the perfect mix of practical and happiness-inducing.
I have also been burnt in the past by warm days blending into considerably cooler evenings, and there’s something very chic about teaming resortwear with a light knit. For all the sunshine and warmth of a beach destination, there are travel-based situations where a jumper is a real asset – boat trips, spring sundowners, a late dinner or a morning walk.
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High-waisted-jeans and a cashmere knit is a classic combination, as is a summer dress layered under a jumper. Roll it up and pop it in your basket bag for the day, then feel smug in the evening when you’re able to casually wrap it over your shoulders. Fit is important – don’t be afraid to size up for a more relaxed look. Look to Alexa Chung for inspiration; she wore an oatmeal jumper on holiday on the sun-drenched Greek island of Hydra in 2024, loosely knotting round the neck, allowing one side to drape nonchalantly off one shoulder.
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Choose a shade in a neutral colour for the most longevity – Cos’ viral crew-neck style has all the slouchy elegance of The Row without the steep price tag, and Navygrey does an entire collection of lightweight knits made in 100% Scottish-spun wool, which has the same elevated quality of cashmere. Everyone loves Khaite for its understated luxury, as seen on Katie Holmes, Kaia Gerber and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. & Daughter’s Ada crew-neck cardigan has also become a fashion-editor favourite and will look great with denim or your favourite summer dress. I like Suffolk-based brand Jean and Temple for its classic shapes and commitment to sustainability, and Scottish brand Kiltane has become another go-to for the softest, hardest-wearing cashmere. Uniqlo, Rise & Fall and Boden all offer well-priced cashmere with real durability.
A cashmere jumper lets you squeeze the last drops out of sunny days and, at the very least, is the chicest, softest on-flight pillow imaginable.
Ella Alexander is Citizen Femme’s fashion features editor. She started her career at the Evening Standard, and has since held senior editorial roles at Vogue, The Independent and Harper’s Bazaar, where she remains a contributing editor. She also writes for The Telegraph, Sunday Times Style, Service95 and CNN. She is an author, having co-written Dame Zandra Rhodes’ memoir, Iconic: My Life In Fashion In 50 Objects, published by Transworld in July 2024. Her favourite travel destination is Catania, Sicily’s second city.
Lead image: Kiltane
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