5 Easy, Elegant Pieces Every Summer Staycation Packing List Needs, According to An Expert

Not to toot my own horn, but I like to consider myself a bit of a staycation expert. As a lover of the outdoors who revels in the less celebrated side of British weather, I’ve camped and glamped across the UK, gone for a swim in the North Sea in October and even chosen a week in a cottage in Wales over an all-inclusive holiday in Spain.

But my staycation knowledge extends far beyond the ability to recommend idyllic Cornish bays and Welsh farm shops. Packing for a holiday in the UK requires a very different approach than packing for a trip abroad, and I’ve got it down to a fine art.

It requires striking the perfect balance between style, function and comfort, which means a mix of versatile dresses, good quality footwear, cool basics, and high-performance outerwear which can be styled with minimum effort, allowing you to move from country walks to pub dinner with ease.

Finding pieces that tick all those boxes isn’t easy, but with plenty of practice ( and plenty of ‘I wore the wrong shoes for this’ moments) I’ve landed on five staycation-proof staples I pack every single time.

So whether you’ve got a summer staycation booked and have no clue what to pack, or are looking to upgrade your usual British holiday wardrobe, below I’ve compiled an edit of the five pieces that will work hard and look good. Read on to find out more.

The Ultimate Packing List for Summer Staycations 2026

1. Broderie Anglaise Dress

Influencer Tia Dewitt wearing a white broderie anglaise dress with a plaid shirt and sunglasses.

(Image credit: @tia_dewitt)

Style Notes: Typically made from cotton, this feminine style of dress is as stunning as it is comfortable and easy to wear. The delicate embroidery detail gives the dress a heritage feel that can be leaned into with a raffia tote and knee-high boots, or modernised with trainers and a scarf or plaid shirt in place of a belt.

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2. Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Influencer Rebecca Ferraz Wyatt wearing a pink long sleeve t-shirt, camo jeans and flatform boots.

(Image credit: @rebeccaferrazwyatt)

Style Notes: Long sleeve t-shirts may sound a bit dull, but they’ve taken on a cooler vibe than your average basic this year, layered under oversized short-sleeve tees in a nod to 90s grunge, or featuring slogans and graphic detailing. Simply add to a statement pair of jeans or colourful athletic shorts and trainers for effortless style.

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3. Technical Jacket

Influencer Lou Northcote wearing a brown technical jacket and lace-hem shorts with loafers and sunglasses.

(Image credit: @lounorthcote)

Style Notes: The technical jacket has evolved far beyond its practical origins to become a staple in the wardrobes of the most stylish. The appeal lies as much in its ability to give outfits an effortlessly relaxed, off-duty edge as it does in its ability to keep you warm and dry, making it the perfect summer layer. Wear with a cotton midi skirt and fisherman sandals on dry days and swap to trainers when the weather turns.

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4. Longline Shorts

Influencer Monikh wearing cream longline shorts and a white long sleeve t-shirt.

(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: Bermudas blew the shorts trend wide open giving us more styles than ever before. While both denim and tailored versions have their place in a holiday wardrobe, for a staycation the longline short (their slightly longer and more relaxed sister style) strikes the perfect balance between comfort and polish and work with everything from loafers to ballet flats.

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5. Hi-Tech Trainers

Influencer Lucy Williams wearing New Balance trainers, jeans, black coat and baseball cap.

(Image credit: @lucywilliams02)

Style Notes: You’ll never regret packing a pair of these for a staycation. They have both style and substance covered, elevating more practical pieces like leggings and waterproof jackets, but also allowing you wear less practical pieces like dresses and jeans to the beach or on a long walk while remaining comfortable.

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My Goal Is to Look Expensive This August—7 Stylish Outfits I’ve Saved For Later

As we turn the corner into the last (and arguably hottest) month of summer, 31 lazy, hazy days stand between us and (hopefully) some cooler weather. Having now lost count of the number of times I’ve slipped on a pretty maxi dress and comfy pair of flip-flops, or shrugged on a frog-fastened blouse and denim shorts over the last two months, this August, I’ve decided to start anew.

After taking stock of the summer wardrobe I’ve worn and loved for work, weekends and everything in between, finding a way to make the same pieces feel fresh again has been a bit of a challenge. As a micro trend enthusiast, I headed to the one place I knew would never fail me—the chic dressers on my social media feed.

ingridedvinsen

(Image credit: @ingridedvinsen)

Always willing to provide a chic outfit, the content creators on my Instagram didn’t disappoint. As a pared-back dresser who will dabble with colour every once in a while, their rotation of classic shapes and stylish accessories instantly piqued my interest. After hours of trawling my social media feed, I was able to narrow down seven easy-to-recreate outfit ideas I’m banking for when I’m in need of a fashionable pick-me-up.

@smythsisters

(Image credit: @smythsisters)

In fact, almost every outfit in my edit below focuses on elegant and elevated elements that feel fresh for summer 2026, whilst still managing to be timeless enough for the anti-trend dressers amongst us. So, if you’re in need of a touch of inspiration when dressing for the month ahead, then you’re in luck. Keep scrolling to see the seven outfits chic dressers (and now me) will be wearing on repeat this August.

7 Failsafe Outfits To Take You Through August

1. Pretty Blouse + Linen Shorts + Ballet Flats

nnennaechem

(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

Style Notes: Opting for a blouse in a vivid aqua hue, Nnenna Echem(pictured above) uses classic ballet flats to make relaxed linen shorts feel more stylish than I’d considered possible. I especially appreciate how she’s kept her accessories minimal, allowing her pretty lace trim top to really shine.

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2. T-Shirt + Broderie Anglaise Skirt + Flip Flops

ingridedvinsen

(Image credit: @ingridedvinsen)

Style Notes: You can never go wrong with white in summer, but to give your look a more transitional spin, style your weather-appropriate broderie maxi skirt and fitted white T-shirt with a contrasting pair of black flip-flops, striped shoulder bag and light jumper (perfect for a chilly office air-con).

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3. Draped Top + Bermuda Shorts + Peep Toes

claire_most

(Image credit: @claire_most)

Style Notes: Leaning into autumn’s moodier hues, Claire Most (pictured above), slouched white Bermuda shorts are lent a refreshed finish. Matching her draped top to her prim peep-toe heels, their subdued shade really allows her shorts to shine. Who said dark colours can’t work in summer?

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4. Fitted T-shirt + Midi Skirt + Kitten Heel Sandals

@smythsisters

(Image credit: @smythsisters)

Style Notes: We’ve loved red and dabbled in aqua, but in August, Marianne Smyth makes a case for vibrant, royal blue [pictured above]. Her leather midi skirt might not feel like the most obvious choice in summer, but add strappy kitten heels and you show enough skin to balance things out. Bonus points if you finish with her signature silver jewellery and a slouchy clutch bag.

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5. Long Sleeved T-shirt + Maxi Skirt + Ballet Flats

annabelrosendahl

(Image credit: @annabelrosendahl)

Style Notes: As a pared-back dresser, this Annabel Rosendahl look [above] instantly tickled my fancy. From her almost-sheer-but-not long-sleeved T-shirt to her striking black split-hem midi skirt, there’s not a single piece in this outfit I don’t simply adore and wouldn’t mix and match to wear again.

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6. Maxi Dress + Flannel Shirt + Boots

tia_dewitt

(Image credit: @tia_dewitt)

Style Notes: With a number of warner days on the horizon, it’s not time to pack away your summer dress just yet. For a refreshed look, take style cues from Tia Dewitt [pictured above] and style yours with a loose flannel around the waist and a structured moto boot come cooler days.

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7. Kaftan + Strappy Sandals + Woven Bag

deborabrosa

(Image credit: @deborabrosa)

Style Notes: Could I really compile a list of chic outfits without including one Debora Rosa (pictured above) look? Casting a powerful silhouette in her sweeping kaftan and dainty toe-loop sandals, the outfit’s polish remains unmatched.

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Smokey and the Bandit Leaves Netflix: Fans Must Find Burt Reynolds Classic Elsewhere

Netflix subscribers have one less Burt Reynolds classic to revisit.

As of Aug. 1, Smokey and the Bandit is no longer streaming on Netflix after quietly leaving the platform on July 31. The 1980 follow-up, Smokey and the Bandit II, also departed as part of Netflix’s latest content rotation.

One of Burt Reynolds’ Most Beloved Movies

Nearly 50 years after its release, Smokey and the Bandit remains one of the films most closely associated with Reynolds’ career.

The 1977 action-comedy holds a 71% critics score and an impressive 85% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of Reynolds’ highest-rated movies among fans.

Directed by legendary stuntman Hal Needham, the film stars Reynolds as legendary truck driver Bo “Bandit” Darville, who accepts a high-stakes challenge to transport 400 cases of Coors beer from Texas to Georgia in just 28 hours.

Along the way, he picks up runaway bride Carrie, played by Sally Field, setting off a cross-country chase with some of the most memorable one-liners in movie history, led by the unforgettable Sheriff Buford T. Justice, portrayed by Jackie Gleason.

Released in 1977, Smokey and the Bandit became one of the year’s biggest box office successes and helped cement Reynolds as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

The movie’s mix of high-speed car chases, practical stunts, Southern humor, and the now-iconic black Pontiac Trans Am made it an enduring fan favorite that continues to attract new audiences decades later.

Its success also spawned two theatrical sequels, with Smokey and the Bandit II reuniting Reynolds, Field, Gleason, and Needham for another cross-country adventure in 1980.

While streaming libraries are constantly changing, the departure means fans hoping to revisit one of Burt Reynolds’ most beloved performances will now have to look beyond Netflix to ride along with the Bandit once again.

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Author: Rachel Schneider

Taylor Sheridan Returning for Onscreen Role in ‘Lioness’ Season 3

Taylor Sheridan is returning to the screen.

The prolific creator behind Lioness, Yellowstone, Landman, Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, and The Madison will also appear onscreen in season 3 of Paramount+’s hit spy thriller, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The surprise appearance marks Sheridan’s latest acting role after previously making a brief cameo in Lioness season 2.

Sheridan Will Share Scenes With Thad Luckinbill

The news was confirmed by actor Thad Luckinbill, who plays CIA paramilitary officer Kyle McManus in the series.

“He’s involved. I mean, he has a role, which is great,” Luckinbill told The Hollywood Reporter. “And the show’s better for it when he plays a role.”

Luckinbill added that Sheridan “kills it” in the part and revealed the two share scenes together during the upcoming season. Sheridan previously appeared in Lioness as CIA officer Cody Spears, but season 3 will expand his on-camera presence.

Although Sheridan is now best known as one of television’s most successful creators, acting was his first career in Hollywood.

Before creating the Yellowstone universe, Sheridan appeared in series including Sons of Anarchy, Banshee, and Veronica Mars. He has also made on-screen appearances in Yellowstone and 1883, occasionally stepping in front of the camera while continuing to write and produce.

Luckinbill, who also worked with Sheridan in the 2018 military drama 12 Strong, said the creator approaches acting the same way he approaches every other role on a production.

“He’s so real,” Luckinbill said. “Whether he’s an actor, writer, director or a producer, he’s still the same guy.”

Season 3 Promises Higher Stakes

According to co-star Matt Gerald, who plays Army Delta Force operator Cody J, the new season raises the stakes even further.

“It starts with a bang,” Gerald told The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s nonstop throughout the entirety of the season — and it ends with a bang.”

The cast also underwent extensive military training ahead of filming, including weapons drills, close-quarters combat, breaching exercises, and tactical movement with former special operations personnel.

Per Paramount+, Lioness Season 3 follows Joe (Zoe Saldaña) as “hidden networks, foreign operatives and personal betrayals collide,” forcing her to confront a conflict that reaches into every part of her life.

Lioness season 3 premieres Sunday, August 2 on Paramount+.

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Author: Rachel Schneider

Southwest Airlines Quietly Moving Forward With Subtle Change

Earlier this year Southwest Airlines announced a change to its boarding process with travelers selecting an assigned seat rather than being assigned a boarding group and being able to select their own seat upon boarding.

“All tickets purchased for travel starting Jan. 27, 2026, will feature assigned seating. Moreover, Southwest Airlines Customers can choose their preferred fare bundle, including the opportunity to purchase assigned and premium seating and select a seat at booking,” the airline said in a statement at the time.

In addition to the airline adding new bag fees, Southwest ran into trouble keeping their flights on time after travelers struggled to adjust to the new norms. With a lack of immediate overhead space near their seats, travelers were left to do more bin-searching and ultimately more gate checking.

Now Southwest is making a change to overcome that issue.

Southwest Airlines Changes Boarding Times

In a new report from View From the Wing, Southwest Airlines is moving up boarding times by five minutes to combat the boarding issues stemming from its decision to change the boarding process.

“Effective August 1, 2026 Southwest Airlines will begin boarding Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft 5 minutes earlier. The airline has not announced the change, but the flight attendants union put out the word to cabin crew,” View From the Wing revealed.

Airline insider Gary Leff revealed Southwest could take as much as an $825 million hit from the move.

“Since then there’s been 46.5% growth in the fleet, so 8-10 aircraft in 2010 scales to 12-15 planes today. At $55 million per aircraft that’s a cost of $660 to $825 million. That’s a hidden cost of Southwest’s checked bag fees that nobody calculates,” he said.

The change kicks in on Aug. 1.

Related: Southwest Airlines Moving Forward With Another Change

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Author: Andrew McCarty

How Richard Petty Became the First NASCAR Driver to Earn Over $1 Million in 1971

Fifty-five years ago today, Richard Petty reached a milestone no NASCAR driver had ever accomplished.

On July 31, 1971, Petty won the Dixie 500 at Atlanta International Raceway, becoming the first driver in NASCAR history to surpass $1 million in career earnings. At the time, the achievement was virtually unimaginable in stock car racing, where the sport was still establishing itself as a national powerhouse.

A Historic First for NASCAR

Petty’s victory in Atlanta marked far more than another trip to Victory Lane.

The win pushed “The King” past the $1 million mark in career prize money, making him the first NASCAR driver to reach the milestone. It was another record in a career that would ultimately redefine what success looked like in stock car racing.

By that point, Petty was already building a resume unlike any driver before him. Over the course of his career, he would go on to win a record 200 NASCAR Cup Series races, capture seven Cup Series championships, and claim seven Daytona 500 victories — records that remain among the most celebrated in the sport.

Petty’s $1 million milestone foreshadowed just how dramatically NASCAR would grow over the following decades.

Prize money, sponsorships, and television deals transformed the sport into one of America’s biggest motorsports, with modern stars earning many times what seemed possible in Petty’s era.

More than five decades after becoming the first NASCAR driver to surpass $1 million in career earnings, Richard Petty’s name is still synonymous with excellence. His record-setting accomplishments — and the understated way he approached them — remain a defining part of NASCAR history.

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Author: Rachel Schneider

Cousins Rises, Mendoza’s ‘Trying To Get Better’ At Raiders Training Camp

Fernando Mendoza eventually taking over as the Raiders’ starting quarterback seems inevitable, so much so that the only question is a matter of when it occurs. Kirk Cousins doesn’t appear to be in any terrible hurry to hand the position to him, exhibiting the emotions and precision of someone ready to secure the spot entering Las Vegas’ season. “I think in this league, it’s kind of one day at a time,” Cousins said. “You’re only as good as your last throw, your last practice. You try to every day go out and earn that opportunity and never take anything for granted.” Coach Klint Kubiak made national news on the eve of training camp that Cousins would be the starter when practices began, but he was stating the obvious. Cousins ran the first-team offense in organized team activities and minicamp and there was no indication that would change entering camp. Kubiak also made it clear at the time that he expected Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell to push Cousins, noting Friday he thought that position was off to a good start this camp. “Any time they complete a ball better than (Cousins) does or get it out faster than he does, then he should get pissed and want to do it better,” Kubiak said. “That’s the goal, and I think they’ve done that in these first three practices. Every guy is doing something good every day, and it makes the other guy want to stay after practice a little bit longer to work on that throw that they missed.” Cousins doesn’t hold back much emotionally on the field, though none of that has been directed at Mendoza or O’Connell. He has punched his fist in the air after throwing a touchdown pass and gotten into some verbal back and forth with the defense. “I think I’ve always kind of been pretty spirited and competitive in practice and kind of have a little inner fire,” Cousins said. “Sometimes I can be relatively calm, but if you rattled the cage, then maybe you’ll see a little different guy. Sometimes it’s good then to get my cage rattled because it brings out the best in me.” The Raiders brought in Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler entering his 15th season, to be a bridge rather than hand the offense directly to a rookie. Cousins is playing for a guaranteed $20 million, though his former club, Atlanta, is responsible for $8.7 million of that. Las Vegas drafted Mendoza first overall after he won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to a highly unlikely national championship. The hope is he will help deliver the Raiders, who haven’t won a playoff game in more than two decades, back to contention. For his part, Mendoza is still adjusting to NFL life, learning to take snaps under center and the footwork adjustments that come with that. He struggled during much of OTAs and minicamp, his passes often nowhere close to on target. That wasn’t the case so far in training camp. Mendoza was not only on point, he completed some tight-window passes. “I love the mindset that he has,” Kubiak said. “That’s what all of our players should have. Nobody has arrived, especially a rookie quarterback.” Mendoza would not argue, saying sometimes a play he feels good about on the practice field looks a lot different when reviewing the video, that he’s had to get used to the fact the margins are a lot smaller than in college. “When it was rookie minicamp and OTAs, it happens very quick,” Mendoza said. “However, now in training camp, I truly feel like a member of the team rather than a new rookie on the scene.” That was evident on Thursday in just his second camp practice during a seven-on-seven drill. Before the snap, Mendoza signaled to ninth-year wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II to move to his left. Dorsett indeed moved over and then Mendoza hit him in stride with the throw. When asked later about taking such command of the offense, Mendoza deflected the praise. “There’s a lot of times that the offensive line would correct me,” Mendoza said. “The running backs, tight ends, receivers, they would help put me in place. It’s that relationship that we have, that dynamic relationship where we can hold each other accountable.” That kind of answer likely sits well in the locker room. Rather than expecting to be handed the job as the top draft pick, Mendoza has shown he is willing to work for it. “Every day, he’s trying to get better,” fourth-year wide receiver Tre Tucker said. “I’m watching him in meetings and he’s listening, taking the corrections. Those are the type of things that you want to see from a guy like him, and he has a very bright future.” Reporting by the Associated Press.

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‘New Girl’ Is Getting A Reunion, Says Actor Max Greenfield

“The economy sucks, bees are dying, and movies are pretty much all sequels now.” Well, Schmidt might be right about that again as his actor confirms a New Girl revival is on the way.

Entirely relatable, totally quotable, and very 2010s, New Girl was an incredibly popular show that ran for seven seasons. Now, nearly a decade after the show’s finale, Max Greenfield, 45, has revealed that a New Girl reunion is happening.

Greenfield appeared on Today with Jenna & Sheinelleto discuss his role in the upcoming Netflix film Don’t Say Good Luck. Of course, Greenfield, who played the quirky, neurotic Schmidt, was asked about New Girl, arguably his best-known role.

The actor said, “As far as I know, it’s happening.” Greenfield added, “I’ve seen scripts, they’re amazing.”

New Girl stars Zooey Deschanel as the new girl Jessica Day, who moves into a loft with a group of guys played by Jake Johnson, Lamorne Morris, Damon Wayans Jr., and, of course, Greenfield. Hannah Simone plays Cece, Jess’ best friend and Schmidt’s future wife. As the show progressed, New Girl transformed into a beloved ensemble show with characters developing their friendships and relationships and becoming adults.

The Neighborhood actor is not the first cast member to be asked about the reunion.

In a recent interview, Fargo actor Morris joked that Johnson has become too big for New Girl. Johnson plays Peter B Parker, one version of Spider-Man, in the critically acclaimed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Morris, who now has an Emmy, and Johnson often rib each other, and it was clear he was not serious.

Johnson previously spoke to Entertainment Tonightabout New Girl. He said, “It definitely doesn’t feel like yesterday. It feels like a long time ago, but I’m still so close to the whole cast.”

“It’s crazy that we’ve now known each other for 15 years, but what a dream that show was, and the fan base of that show was so fun, and so honestly, being able to do a show like this show is because of that. So it’s really a blessing,” Johnson said while promoting Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed in May earlier this year.

“If you put us together in any circumstance, we go right back,” Greenfield told Peopleearlier this year.  With everyone seemingly on board and scripts in the works, if Greenfield is to be believed, it seems like a New Girl reunion is on its way.

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Author: Lily Elizabeth Bolanos