If you usually return from holiday unable to face the credit card bills, your suitcase might be more to blame than the sangria rounds and room service.

Women splash more cash on their vacation wardrobe than the trip itself, according to recent research. While the average woman spends £500 on their holiday, the new contents of their catwalk-hot luggage comes to around £700, a Clothes Show London survey reveals.

“Looking good on holiday is just as, if not more, important to some women as actually getting away,” says Maryam Hamizadeh of Clothes Show London.

“The fact women are willing to spend more on their wardrobe than on their summer holiday shows that even the bargain break isn’t quite as cheap as first thought.”

International designers used far-flung vacations as the theme for their exotic spring/summer shows, securing holiday chic as the height of fashion.

Ashish used globe-like maps as inspiration for his sequin prints and Dries Van Noten paraded models in eclectic fabrics, complete with oversized shades, sea-drenched hair and toting luggage.

Jetting off this summer? Bag a first-class ticket to destination style with our travel guide: Plane Parade: Unless your name is Victoria Beckham and you’re regularly chased through airports by paparazzi, there’s no need to go overboard with your flight fashion. Platform heels and mini dresses are a tad over-the-top and you never know when you might have to make a mad dash for a final call announcement.

Comfort and layering are key to a non-turbulent flight on the style front. Think lightweight jerseys and flat shoes that won’t start to pinch the moment your feet swell.

If you’re not a fan of jogging bottoms, this season’s new trouser silhouette, the harem pant, is a glamourous alternative.

Temperatures fluctuate wildly on board, so don’t jet off without a light scarf or pashmina to cover your arms or legs in a flash if you’re feeling cool. Get into holiday mode with a bright colour so that it doubles up as an extra cover-up layer while you’re away. Avoid black as mosquitoes are drawn to dark colours.

Suitcase Savvy: There’s a fine line between packing so little you have to go out for dinner scantily-clad in bikinis and stuffing so much in your suitcase you have to leave half of it behind at the airport because you can’t afford the astronomical excess baggage fees.

Layering is essential for a capsule holiday wardrobe that’s interchangeable and versatile.

Choose lightweight fabrics in colours that will work effortlessly together like khaki, grey and natural shades and bring individuality to your look with bright accent accessories and bold statement jewellery.

Try to plan vacation outfits that transcend effortlessly from beach to bar. Staples like tapered trousers, maxi dresses, kaftan tunics and culotte shorts can be worn as casual daywear and glammed up at night with heels.

If you usually can’t bear to be without an iron, look out for crinkle-effect material that’s ready to wear no matter how crumpled it gets in your case.

Luggage Lingo: If your suitcase is older than your expired passport, it could be time for an upgrade.

Fashionistas should bypass the bland numbers every other holidaymaker is hauling off the baggage carousel and stand out from the crowds with an eye-catching print or colour.

Designers Jasper Conran and Orla Kiely both have affordable ranges for Tripp that will give your luggage some jet-setting credibility.

Alternatively, give an old suitcase a new lease of life with a statement luggage tag or vivid strap.

Don’t waste your hand luggage limit on an oversized It bag containing nothing but your tickets. Do some holiday homework on your airline’s allowances before you pack as some don’t set a weight limit for hand baggage.

Switch your essentials into a small bag, which can easily fit into a larger holdall that meets the airline size requirements and you can transport all your plane essentials, as well as potentially save on costly excess kilos from your checked-in luggage.