Written by Menswear Style in Travel on the 15th November 2016

Sometimes, you just get fed up with the idea that Christmas has to be snowy, cold and rainy. Who cares about mulled wine, board games and yet another pair of festive socks? Sometimes, Christmas should be about mojitos, scuba diving and opening yet another pair of festive socks - but doing so on a beach in Bali. If you’re one of the few people who makes the smart decision to get away from the miserable winter weather this year, here are some things you’re going to need.

The Wardrobe 

If you’re going somewhere warm you’re going to need to pack for sunny weather. You might have just bought yourself a brand new parka in preparation for winter but that’s not going to do much good at the beach. Get yourself a couple of pairs of stylish beach shorts – since those might be the only things you wear most days – and some easy to wear t-shirts too. No matter where you’re going for Christmas, save space in your suitcase by packing clothes you can mix and match rather than seven or fourteen completely different outfits. Focus on the double S principle: staples and statements. Pack two thirds of your suitcase with simple, plain clothes that you can dress up or down and one third with the pieces that have a bit more character. That way you won’t be packing your entire wardrobe and you’ll look great in any setting.

The Footwear 

You should probably bring more than one pair of shoes and only one of those pairs of shoes should be flip-flops. When you decide to take a walk around a sunny town please don’t subject everyone to the awful slapping sound that comes from your flip-flops when slapping the bottom of your feet. You can’t go wrong with some lightweight trainers or plimsolls. They go with most outfits so they’re a great way to complete a look without putting too much thought into it. However, make sure to keep in mind the type of holiday before you start packing. Are you going hiking? Are you going out to a smart dinner? With a little pre-planning you can keep yourself looking dapper and appropriately dressed.

The Sunglasses 

We know you’ve had those second hand aviators for more than five years now and they’ve served you well, but don’t you think it’s time to level up? Christmas is the season of giving, so maybe you should give yourself a decent pair of sunglasses for the first time ever. A good quality, attractive pair of sunglasses is a staple of any beach worthy outfit and they could make or break your whole look. Keeping the sun out of your eyes effectively would also be a pretty sweet bonus.

The Lotion 

Don’t neglect your skin. You might want to go home with a tan that makes everyone jealous, but no one is going to be jealous of sunburn (especially sunburn that ends where your t-shirt sleeves start). Get yourself a good supply of suntan lotion and don’t forget to keep your skin well protected everyday.

Fancy Christmas on a beach? We give you tips on what to pack for a fashionable festive getaway this winter.