At Citizen Femme, we talk a lot about what to pack for your holiday because, ultimately, the clothes we take with us set the tone for the trip.
Overpacking makes getting ready each morning feel chaotic, and leaving the wrong piece at home can change the way we feel that day. We want pieces that make us feel special, that denote that we’re away somewhere beautiful with our favourite people. Mastering packing requires careful consideration of the setting, occasion and how we want to feel when we’re there – a girls’ weekend in Paris will require a different wardrobe to a family beach break in Greece. Wherever we’re going, none of us want to be wasting time on holiday worrying about what to wear.
Our Never Travel Without series calls on some of the world’s most stylish globetrotting women to find out what they always pack – the sartorial classics they depend on year after year. Next up is South London-based content creator and author Stephanie Yeboah, who is best known for her upbeat imagery and vivid, evocative writing about global destinations, from St Lucia and Ghana to Japan and Greece (you can read her work for Citizen Femme here). This summer alone, she’s visited the French Riviera, Ibiza and Zurich. Yeboah has also written three books, most recently Doing It For The Plot, a warm Gen-Z book version of The Wedding Date.Â
When it comes to packing, Yeboah has a lot of experience. Her holiday style is bold, bright and joyful – eye-catching, printed co-ords, voluminous dresses and swimwear in saturated tones. It’s playful and maximalist, sunshine in sartorial form. Here, she shares her North Star packing items – and explains how to wear them.
The Leopard-Print Dress
“My body-con maxi dress from Club L is the dress I always turn to when I need a bit of a confidence boost on holiday. You always need at least one sexy dress for an evening event, whether it’s dinner or a show, and this dress is stretchy enough to hug my curves in all the right places, with the fishtail train giving a gorgeous silhouette.”
The Underwired Bikini
“I know, I know, when on holiday, the last thing a lot of us want is for our boobs to be contained in yet another bra, especially in the heat. But for those of us with bigger boobs, an underwired bikini bra is definitely needed for worry-free sea frolicking. I absolutely love my Elomi bikini top because it gives me extra security and support.”
The Linen Skirt
“Summer is my least favourite weather, especially in countries that harvest a lot of humidity. For that reason, I always try to pack at least two or three linen pieces, so that my skin can breathe and not feel sticky or clammy when sightseeing. My Alice linen skirt from Hobbs is my go-to piece for simple-yet-chic, functional daywear – ideal for a city break. It’s also now on sale, a double win.”
The Dependable Headscarf
“As someone with afro hair, and whose hair goes haywire as soon as it encounters humidity, I’ll always try – where I can – to braid my hair or install another protective hairstyle. This means that I always travel with a headscarf (preferably satin or silk), to protect my hair and keep it neat and frizz-free. I love my Damson Madder one; they come in a variety of different patterns and are the perfect size for my head.”
Edited in Tezza with: Vintage & Moka V
The Showstopper
“As a travel content creator, I love to create editorial images, so I always tend to bring at least one high-octane gown or outfit with me for real main-character energy. My Sister Jane dress has always been a conversation-starter with others while abroad. I like to try and create a fashion moment using the surrounding landscape as part of my travel set.”
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.
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