WHAT'S IN YOUR vacation bag?

The summer travel season is in full swing. Here's a guide to help you pack all the essentials for beaches, mountains and plains

- Manish Mishra

Packing for a vacation can be a task if your agenda is to wear comfortable clothes and accessories that also look trendy and chic on your Instagram account but don't exceed your aeroplane baggage weight allowance. The trick lies in creating an ultimate travelling wardrobe of sorts: light, with the key ingredients suitable for your destination, allowing for a mix and match so that you have a new outfit each time you step out.

We reached out to some experts to help you create a holiday bag, depending on where you are going-the mountains, beaches or plains. Their suggestions include known, practical options as well as those inspired by the current trends dictated by fashion houses and social media, like mixing streetwear with sportswear.

BY THE SEA

If the beach is on your mind, have a trendy "beach tote" ready. "It's the new trusty sidekick and now as sought after as the leather tote," says stylist Sukriti Grover, recommending raffia, bamboo and canvas beach bags. "Loewe's basket bag and the Prada raffia tote bag are all over social media right now, proving that such bags work just as well in the city as they do poolside."

Now, let's fill the beach tote. For starters, you need a resort rug, sunscreen and a pair of sunglasses. "Besides these three items, an ideal beach bag for men should include swim shorts or trunks, depending on the man's comfort, and a vest and a relaxed silk shirt, just in case you decide to head to a restaurant later," suggests Shivan Bhatiya, head designer of Shivan & Narresh.