Fashion: Great escape

It may seem incongruous for retailers to be on sale already, making way for next week's first drop of spring deliveries, but there you have it. Such is the cycle of fashion these days you'd be forgiven for feeling nonplussed as to what to buy let alone wear. Take into account global warming, and you'll find a large percentage of what to buy now is focused around trans-seasonal separates that are warm enough for mild winters and light enough for balmy summers. After all, this is where designers are now make the bulk of their sales during the year; such offerings more appealing when your motivation for buying clothes centres on the practicality of cost-per-wear.

If you're thinking of escaping to the Pacific or the Northern Hemisphere summer, pack light with these easy resort suggestions, including floaty skirts, crisp white separates and the ubiquitous peasant top. Don't forget to throw on this year's sunglasses of choice - a tinted aviator style that will immediately put you in the right frame of mind: off-duty, sundowner in hand and with your out-of-office email turned on.

PJ Jeans & Co. jacket $199, from Silverdale.
Vanessa Bruno embroidered silk top, $539, from Workshop.
Recycled fabric bead necklace $27, from Trade Aid.
Ray Ban aviators, $220, from Sunglass Hut.
H&M scarf $12.
Ruby top $189.
And So It Goes handwoven net bag, $147, from Tessuti.

Topshop skirt $72.
Staple & Cloth skirt $199.
DVF Skirt $895 from Muse.
Citta sunhat $59.90.
Camilla & Marc slides $481.
Karen Walker yellow gold earrings $1829.