On a recent work trip to St Tropez, I succumbed to the allure of a port-side tourist shop, spending far too many euros on a rhinestone-embellished vest emblazoned with the words (you guessed it), “St Tropez”. I had every intention of wearing it all summer, but one catastrophic spin in the washing machine later, it emerged from my Miele completely crystal-free. My Côte d’Azur companion, British Vogue contributor Felix Bischof, made the wiser investment: an intarsia-beaded bracelet in oceanic shades, which he has worn all heatwave long back in London, around his ankle.
Holiday jewellery is the adult equivalent of a hair braid: beachy, beaded, bohemian, and the sort of thing you’d never consider buying at home. For digital director Kerry McDermott, whose annual trip to Ibiza is now only weeks away, it’s all about “fun necklaces” sturdy enough to withstand the salt of the Med, like a Missoma cord pendant and Arket freshwater pearls. “Nothing I’d be devastated to come home without,” she says. “I have a horrible habit of losing jewellery – RIP to the Sophie Bille Brahe hoops I accidentally left in a holiday rental last summer – so I try to keep it minimal when travelling.” From Barbadian beads to handmade Grecian necklaces, here, five Vogue editors reveal the holiday jewellery they treasure most.
Joy Montgomery, commerce editor
“I’m one of those people who gets one jewellery piece a season and essentially wears it to death. I have no patience for umming and ahing over accessories in the morning – particularly on holiday – so whatever I add to my capsule has to work with everything. For summer 2026, Lines & Current’s Agnes agate necklace was my buy of choice. With its vibrant coral hue and delicate beads, it’s exactly what I need to add interest to streamlined separates, loose-fitting linen or swimwear.”
Olivia Allen, fashion writer
“After an impassioned conversation with friends about the pros and cons of toe rings, I embarked on my own Christopher Nolan-inspired odyssey to find some bling worthy of my big toe. After a few false starts with designs that felt a little gap year-relic, I discovered Simuero, a Spanish duo who handcraft toe rings with the same care and attention as one-off engagement rings. Since then, I’ve worn them stacked three or four at a time with a pair of leather flip-flops.”
Alice Cary, senior commerce writer
“My favourite necklace is one I designed and had made in a tiny jewellery shop in Athens a couple of years ago. The combination of striped paracord, a milky marbled stone and an asymmetric glass bead inspired a side hustle that I’ve promised to launch for ages. Despite the fact I’ve since made several similar versions, I return to this one time and again. It’s perfect for holidays, whether worn with a bikini or minidress, but I also love wearing it beneath a V-neck in the winter months.”
Mia Portet, commerce producer
“I found this ring ten years ago, while traipsing through a sweaty market in Bangkok. To avoid stuffing it in my bum bag, and inevitably losing it, I put it straight on, and and have worn it everyday since. The vendor was set on convincing me it’s a ruby… it’s definitely just a pink glass stone, but I love it just as much anyway.”
Laura Hawkins, fashion and jewellery features editor
“Apart from everlasting love, I only came home from my May 2022 honeymoon in Barbados with two things: a suitcase full of hot sauce and a bracelet bought from a beachside seller, strung with white beads and a cute starfish-shaped pendant. I wore it all summer, but the moment I sat down at my desk when everyone returned to the office that September, it snapped. The honeymoon period was truly over. It’s been sitting in a wardrobe drawer ever since, but on my eternal to-do list is having the starfish dipped in gold so I can wear it on a chain around my neck.”
