What to Wear in Ibiza: A Fashion Editor’s Packing Guide

Sophie Robyn Watson

Save these styling ideas and recommendations for a chic getaway to the White Isle.

It’s no secret that I adore Ibiza. Having made multiple trips over the years and never grown bored with it, I still feel I have so much more to explore. The island has many facets, faces and experiences to suit many moods and clientele, from hedonistic party resorts to gastronomic destinations, luxury fincas and agroturism hideaways, plus plenty of rugged hiking trails and endless sandy beaches. This time round, I experienced the liveliest side of the island on Playa d’en Bossa, courtesy of COYA Ibiza and the team at CuraConn. I spent a swift 72 hours on the flagship Balearic hotspot and squeezed out every last sun-soaked drop. From chilling at the private beach club to lounging by the crisply cool outdoor pool, to mastering the art of cocktail-making at the Rooftop Pisco Bar and dining at the chef’s table in the namesake COYA Ibiza restaurant, all set within the luxurious Bless Ibiza, The Site, I ate, drank, swam and partied to my heart’s content.

Now, what did I wear? I hear you ask. Packing for a trip can be daunting, especially when you’re travelling with hand baggage only. But when the destination and length of stay are short, sweet, hot and fun, the challenge becomes easy, and I’m about to show you how. As a classic dresser who likes to artfully curate a capsule wardrobe, my idea of holiday dressing leans towards pared-back pieces, mix-and-match items, and ageless luxury buys that stand the test of trends and time. Here are all the outfits I wore on my trip to COYA Ibiza, plus shopping picks to get you ready for your next island getaway.

On arrival at my COYA Ibiza exclusive suite, the first thing I wanted to do was hit the beach. After a quick shower (Aesop products on tap are always a delight) and a generous lathering of Ultraviolette Extreme Screen 50+, I threw on a bikini from Hunza G. Their classic triangle bikini is so versatile and easy to wear, made from their signature crinkle fabric, which feels nostalgic and comfortable on the skin. It’s a great investment style I come back to time and again, as it withstands the sun, sea, pool water and SPF. When drying, I would switch it out for a bikini top and matching briefs from Understatement, in this cool, chocolate zebra print, which feels on-trend yet timeless.

I had recently popped into the Baserange sample sale and picked up this linen kaftan dress, which I knew would be an ideal beachwear staple. Unfortunately, it was a one-off piece, but TOTEME, Rise & Fall, By Malene Birger and Lisa Marie Hernandez all offer strikingly similar styles that make perfect swimwear cover-ups. I finished the look with some luxury leather accessories, chiefly these St Agni leather flip-flops and a Dragon Diffusion Nantucket leather bag, which is a great throw-it-all-in style. Lastly, for a bit of bling, I called upon my YSSO fish pendant necklace and a handful of resin bangles from Pilgrim.

Stashed in my bag were my Nina sunglasses from DMY Studios, shopped via Bessette, and a black raffia sun hat to keep the glaring sun rays at bay. An endless supply of iced coffee, an array of small, fresh from the grill lunch plates and a platter of watermelon gave me a taste of COYA’s beachside menu (a curated take on their lunch and dinner offerings, masterminded by Global Executive Chef Fabrizio Fossati) between a few dips in the sea and lounging on the plush, private sunbeds.

This look is simple to master and doesn’t require over styling. The uncomplicated silhouette makes it a total breeze to dip into the sea, head to the sunbeds, and later to the beach-side restaurant for lunch, all in a fuss-free yet considered style.

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I’m not one for heaps of colour, preferring a muted, expensive-feeling base colour palette of neutrals, white, black, and chocolate brown, sometimes with an unexpected hue thrown in. Some may think it’s ‘boring’, but I believe it suits my skin tone, hair colour and taste to a T. It’s also a dressing ethos which makes for capsule dressing a no-brainer.

For a golden-hour cocktail-making session at the Rooftop Pisco Bar, hosted by mixologist Sanyi Bácsi, I opted for a boxy, oversized all-white fit. Comprised of an organza camp-collar shirt by Amsterdam-based label Róhe, and these culotte-cut trousers from MSCH Copenhagen, which I discovered at the Oldstrom press day, it’s a look that feels equal parts dressy and relaxed. The shirt has the most precious floral embroidery details and mother-of-pearl buttons, and I know I will return to it for many a summer. I anchored the look with a classic white racer tank and finished it with sunglasses, white thong kitten heels, a woven leather evening bag, and, lastly, a pair of silver drop earrings from Copenhagen label LIÉ STUDIO. Easy, fresh and comfortable, perfectly suited to making and sipping COYA Ibiza signature cocktails.

Later that evening, I got to dine at the flagship COYA restaurant, testing out their world-famous ceviches, grilled dishes and vibrant sharing plates (the Arroz Nikkei leaving an indelible mark on my mind), not to mention a decadent array of expertly arranged dessert platters. This all-white look was somehow spared any splattering of food and drink, so I will plan to re-create it again and again for a chic dinner ‘fit.

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Don’t mind me while I continue the all-white theme, on, well, the White Isle. As Bless Ibiza, The Site is a brand-new resort (in which the COYA Ibiza outpost resides), a fabulous launch party felt apt. I reached for a milky-hued dress from Harris Tapper, a style I picked up at a recent sample sale in New Zealand. It has a napkin-like quality, with fold-over elements, an asymmetric cut and slinky straps, making it easy to slip on and feel instantly put together. I’ve since seen similar styles from Faithfull, Self Portrait and Rat & Boa, which all offer low-impact, but exquisitely made, stylish summer dresses.

I re-wore my white heels, woven leather bag (hello, hand-luggage only!), and a pair of green sporty sunglasses to add just a hint of colour, which paired perfectly with the animal-print Nanushka silk scarf I tied to the bag for a bit of flair. Last, but not least, my new acquisition, a pair of statement pearl earrings from Completed Works. Somehow, this look took me to dinner, the party, the superclub and back again, but it felt glam, unfussy and elegant.