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Fashion: Five holiday trends that have taken summer 2018 by storm

These viral must-haves are vying for a place in your suitcase, says Katie Wright

Marks and Spencer Cotton Rich Single Breasted Blazer, £49.50; Autograph Teal Pure Silk V-Neck Sleeveless Blouse, £45; Collection Linen Rich Striped Casual Shorts, £22.50; Collection White Faux Leather Cross Body Bag, £29.50, all M&S
Marks and Spencer Cotton Rich Single Breasted Blazer, £49.50; Autograph Teal Pure Silk V-Neck Sleeveless Blouse, £45; Collection Linen Rich Striped Casual Shorts, £22.50; Collection White Faux Leather Cross Body Bag, £29.50, all M& Marks and Spencer Cotton Rich Single Breasted Blazer, £49.50; Autograph Teal Pure Silk V-Neck Sleeveless Blouse, £45; Collection Linen Rich Striped Casual Shorts, £22.50; Collection White Faux Leather Cross Body Bag, £29.50, all M&S

TRY as they might, designer brands and high-street retailers can't always predict the trends that are going to go stratospheric and those that are going to fall flat.

Fendi might decide that it's all about minuscule handbags, but over in the real world we actually want to be able to carry around more than just our phone and bank card, so we'll be sticking with our titanic totes and supersized shoppers, thanks very much.

On the other hand, sometimes one dress (or, as was the case last month, a spotty M&S jumpsuit) suddenly goes viral and sells out in a matter of hours.

Now that we're well into summer, we can look back at the clothes and accessories that have been the biggest hits of the season – and that still have plenty of mileage in them.

From shorts to shoes and bags, these pieces are super-stylish in their own right, but it just so happens they also make a perfect capsule vacation wardrobe.

Here are five holiday hero buys to mix and match:

1. SHORTS

If you're anything like us, you are not prepared to embrace the skintight cycling shorts trend. Not a chance. City shorts, however, we are totally on board with. Worn by day with a slouchy V-neck tee and sandals, or by night with a blouse and blazer, they've got a grown-up but laid-back vibe.

Marks and Spencer Cotton Rich Single Breasted Blazer, £49.50; Autograph Teal Pure Silk V-Neck Sleeveless Blouse, £45; Collection Linen Rich Striped Casual Shorts, £22.50; Collection White Faux Leather Cross Body Bag, £29.50, all M&S
Marks and Spencer Cotton Rich Single Breasted Blazer, £49.50; Autograph Teal Pure Silk V-Neck Sleeveless Blouse, £45; Collection Linen Rich Striped Casual Shorts, £22.50; Collection White Faux Leather Cross Body Bag, £29.50, all M& Marks and Spencer Cotton Rich Single Breasted Blazer, £49.50; Autograph Teal Pure Silk V-Neck Sleeveless Blouse, £45; Collection Linen Rich Striped Casual Shorts, £22.50; Collection White Faux Leather Cross Body Bag, £29.50, all M&S
Elvi Goishi Shorts with Belt, £39
Elvi Goishi Shorts with Belt, £39 Elvi Goishi Shorts with Belt, £39

2. SANDALS

When it comes to shoes, Hermes' Oran sandal has been nothing short of a footwear phenomenon this season. There are more than 80,000 pictures under the hashtag #hermesoran on Instagram and the H-shaped flat mules have spawned a ton of copycats on the high street – which is good news if you don't want to pay upwards of £485 for the originals.

Dune Nadya Nude Diamante Embellished Slider Sandal, £90,
Dune Nadya Nude Diamante Embellished Slider Sandal, £90, Dune Nadya Nude Diamante Embellished Slider Sandal, £90,
Pavers Lightweight Metallic Holiday Mule, £14.99
Pavers Lightweight Metallic Holiday Mule, £14.99 Pavers Lightweight Metallic Holiday Mule, £14.99

3. DRESS

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has been spotted in no less than four different trench coat-style dresses this year, from ivory pinstripe and blush pink to inky blue. The great thing about a trench dress is that it needs very little by way of accessories, especially in summer, just add sandals and a tonal bag and you're good to go.

River Island White Tie Sleeve Button Bandeau Bodycon Dress, £60; Black Croc Embossed Double Ring Jeans Belt, £14; Black Barely There Sandals, £38, all River Island
River Island White Tie Sleeve Button Bandeau Bodycon Dress, £60; Black Croc Embossed Double Ring Jeans Belt, £14; Black Barely There Sandals, £38, all River Island River Island White Tie Sleeve Button Bandeau Bodycon Dress, £60; Black Croc Embossed Double Ring Jeans Belt, £14; Black Barely There Sandals, £38, all River Island
New Look Green Double Breasted Button Front Linen-Look Dress, £24.99
New Look Green Double Breasted Button Front Linen-Look Dress, £24.99 New Look Green Double Breasted Button Front Linen-Look Dress, £24.99

4. BLOUSE

The sassiest of statement pieces, the ruffle blouse has been around for a while now and we can see why this trend has been so huge.

For cool summer nights, choose a blouse in a block colour (pale hues work well) and pair it with breezy wide-leg trousers or the aforementioned city shorts.

Girls on Film Ivery Pussybow Blouse with Fluted Sleeves, £24, Little Mistress
Girls on Film Ivery Pussybow Blouse with Fluted Sleeves, £24, Little Mistress Girls on Film Ivery Pussybow Blouse with Fluted Sleeves, £24, Little Mistress
Simply Be Asymettric Pastel Ruffle Blouse, £16.50
Simply Be Asymettric Pastel Ruffle Blouse, £16.50 Simply Be Asymettric Pastel Ruffle Blouse, £16.50

5. BAG

Last summer's trend has come full circle, as it were, with round handbags going supersized. Embellished straw bags are ideal for the beach, while minimalists will love the unfussy leather variety.

Accessorize Olivia Straw Effect Large Circle Bag, £35; Roberta Thong Flip Flops, £17; Beaded Rainbow Stretch Bracelet, £12; Beaded Ball Stretch Bracelet, £12, all Accessorize
Accessorize Olivia Straw Effect Large Circle Bag, £35; Roberta Thong Flip Flops, £17; Beaded Rainbow Stretch Bracelet, £12; Beaded Ball Stretch Bracelet, £12, all Accessorize Accessorize Olivia Straw Effect Large Circle Bag, £35; Roberta Thong Flip Flops, £17; Beaded Rainbow Stretch Bracelet, £12; Beaded Ball Stretch Bracelet, £12, all Accessorize
Oliver Bonas Aylin Oversized Ring Leather Tote Bag, £85
Oliver Bonas Aylin Oversized Ring Leather Tote Bag, £85 Oliver Bonas Aylin Oversized Ring Leather Tote Bag, £85