Out of office: the ultimate second hand packing list for summer 2026

The "Out of Office" auto-reply is on, the flights are booked, and the panic-packing is about to begin. We all know the feeling of staring at an empty suitcase and wanting an entirely new vacation wardrobe. But before you rush to buy cheap, fast-fashion resort wear that will fall apart after one wash, consider a more sustainable itinerary.

Thrifting your holiday wardrobe on Sellpy means you can pack high-quality, breathable fabrics that look effortlessly chic on the beach and in the city. Here is your ultimate second hand packing list for summer 2026.

1. Breathable linen sets

If you only pack one outfit, make it a matching linen set. It is the ultimate vacation hack: you can wear the breezy trousers and button-down shirt together for a chic dinner look, or wear them as separates over your swimsuit.

Brands to search for: Filter your Sellpy search for 100% linen pieces from Massimo Dutti, Arket, or Mango.

2. The throw-on-and-go slip dress

A silk or satin slip dress takes up virtually zero space in your suitcase and is incredibly versatile.

The thrift hack: Search for mid-length slip dresses. You can wear it with sneakers and a t-shirt underneath for daytime sightseeing, then swap to strappy sandals and statement earrings for the evening. Look for brands like Realisation Par, Ghost, or & Other Stories.

3. The oversized poplin shirt

Forget traditional beach cover-ups. The coolest way to walk from your hotel to the beach in 2026 is an oversized, crisp cotton poplin shirt worn unbuttoned over your swimwear.

The thrift hack: Head straight to the Men's Tops section! A vintage men's Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger button-down offers the perfect oversized, effortless drape.

4. The "ugly-chic" walking sandal

You are going to be walking a lot, which means blisters are your worst enemy. The chunky, ergonomic walking sandal is still reigning supreme this summer.

Brands to search for: Filter the shoes category for Birkenstock (especially the Arizona model), Teva, or chunky leather sandals from Vagabond. They are incredibly durable and already comfortably broken in when you buy them second hand!

5. The woven basket bag

Leave your heavy leather handbags at home. A woven raffia, straw, or canvas tote is the ultimate summer accessory that transitions perfectly from a beach bag to a city shopper.

What to look for: Search for raffia, straw bag, or canvas tote to find beautiful vintage basket bags that instantly make any outfit look like a Mediterranean holiday.

A new year, a new summer in sight. We all have those "vacation only" pieces we swore we'd wear again, but never did. If your premium summer wear is just taking up space, it's time to cash them in for your next trip. Selling with Sellpy is completely effortless. Grab a bag here (use code BLOGBAGS for 2 free bags), pack up the pieces ready for their next holiday, and send them our way. You fill it, close it, ship it—and we take care of the rest.

Ready to pack your bags? Below we have linked a selection of our curated Sellpy Edits to help you shop for your summer adventures sustainably: