
For an entire generation, the dream vacation style still resembles the pages of , the book published by Alexa Chung in 2013. We imagine duffle coats, wool sweaters, a Brit girl in the rain. Then we discover her photos of the seaside, between ballerinas, scarves and cotton dresses.
In recent years, the model and author has made numerous trips to Italy, the Balearic Islands and Greece, always with a surprisingly concise suitcase. A guide published in 2026 summarized her escape wardrobe into six pillars: granny chic, boho, retro glamour, comfortable shoes, light transparency and statement accessories. Enough to inspire a real method, adaptable to almost all destinations.
Alexa Chung’s Vacation Style DNA
Even on vacation, Alexa Chung remains very London. She favors straight cuts, sober colors enhanced with vintage flowers, demure collars and a slight boyish air. Her silhouettes often start from classic basics, which she desecrates with a basket, a scarf or ballerinas.
On the beach and in town, she alternates slip dress, floral nightgown dress, white jeans and oversized cotton shirt. The materials remain natural, the volumes never tight to maintain this easygoing nonchalance. The whole thing immediately evokes a film, but with a very Brit girl twist.
Three uniforms to dress like Alexa Chung on vacation
First uniform, granny chic: light floral dress, mini or knee length, worn with baby flats or Mary Janes and a small bag on the shoulder. During the day, she adds an open cardigan; in the evening, she replaces it with patent ballerinas and a neat lipstick.
Another key uniform, Riviera glamour: printed sarong, bikini, loose white shirt tied or worn open, plus straw boater. Latest formula, its ballerina capsule: silky white mini-dress, white midi skirt with simple top, striped shirt tucked into cotton shorts, always accompanied by velvet ballerinas or slippers, easy to recycle in the city.
Build an Alexa Chung suitcase for your next vacation
To prepare an Alexa-style capsule suitcase, it’s better to think in categories rather than infinite outfits. The idea: take little, but choose pieces that combine with each other, from the beach to dinner.
- Two dresses (one floral, one plain slip dress).
- A white midi skirt and light shorts.
- An oversized white shirt and a simple tank top.
- A thin cardigan, a one-piece swimsuit, a bikini.
- Three pairs of shoes: ballet flats, low-heeled sandals, moccasins or espadrilles.
- A wicker basket, a light scarf, retro glasses.
For more modesty, you can choose the same codes in a midi version, with three-quarter sleeves or a wrap dress. An open linen shirt over a dress, or a slip under a sheer piece, makes the sheer trend very wearable. In terms of comfort, sandals with stable straps or canvas tennis shoes replace fragile ballerinas, without betraying the romantic and practical spirit of Alexa on vacation.
How to dress like Alexa Chung on vacation on a budget?
The important thing is to aim for shapes rather than labels. A floral cotton dress, a simple slip dress, a wide white shirt, canvas ballet flats and a basket found in a thrift store already recreate her spirit.
What shoes to choose to copy Alexa Chung’s summer style?
Her favorites remain ballerinas, sometimes patent, sometimes in satin or canvas, worn from morning to evening. You can alternate with low-heeled sandals for the evening and moccasins or espadrilles for long walks.
How to adapt Alexa Chung’s looks if you don’t like mini dresses?
We keep the same codes, but in a midi or long version: floral wrap dress, white midi skirt with tank top, slip dress under an oversized shirt. Retro accessories and ballerinas are enough to keep the same atmosphere.