Thank you to Zappos for sponsoring this post. || photos by rad and happyOUTFIT DETAILS: SWIMSUIT || SHORTS || HAT || BAG || SUNGLASSES
School is finally out for us, and that means it’s time for summer vacations! We have a bunch of little trips planned this summer and I cannot wait to get out of town and relax. But before I leave, there’s always the stress of packing — it can be the worst part of traveling! It’s so easy to overpack, it’s hard to come up with pieces that will make a lot of different outfit options, and I’d much rather be on a vacation than prepping for one.
If you guys are in the same boat, I’ve teamed up with Zappos today to put together a no-fail packing list below for those summer beach vacations so packing is made easy!
FOUR TOPS:
- 1 CHAMBRAY SHIRT. (it doesn’t have to be chambray, but you’ll want a button up. Knot it at the waist over a dress, wear it with your shorts or skirt, or tie it around your waist with any top or bottom!
- 1 NICE TOP. Choose a nicer one that can go with your skirt, or with a pair of shorts and dress them up a bit. I love this lace insert one — it’s casual enough for the beach, but dressy enough for a nice dinner!
- 1 T-SHIRT. Choose one that’s nice but not fancy. You can wear it at the beach with your shorts, during the day with your shorts, but also to dinner knotted over one of your dresses, or with your skirt and heels. This striped one is perfect and adds a little pop of pattern to your basics.
- 1 LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET. Choose denim, leather, anorak. Something you can wear for casual or dressy. You’ll be glad to have something warm for those cool evenings down by the beach! This one is perfect.
THREE BOTTOMS:
- 1 SKIRT. Choose a skirt that’s lightweight and easy to dress up or down. Wear it with sandals and your tee during the day, and heels and a blouse in the evening. I like this denim one, but I also like this A-line one.
- 1 PAIR OF SHORTS. Choose a pair that can double for daytime and beach time! These ones are cute and super comfortable.
- 1 PAIR OF PANTS. Choose a lightweight pair that works for day and night. I love a simple pair of joggers that you can pair with a tee or dress up with a blouse and heels. These are perfect.
TWO DRESSES:
- 1 MAXI DRESS. These make great coverups, but it’s also easy to upgrade them for evening with a jacket or knotted chambray. I love this orange one, but it also comes in navy!
- 1 DRESS. Choose something you can wear during the day, but easy to dress up at night. I like this midi dress, but this option is cute too! And for something a little nicer, this eyelet dress is gorgeous, as is this linen one.
THREE SHOES:
- HEELED SANDALS. For the evenings when you go out, you’ll want a nicer pair of shoes. I bring a pair that works well with dresses, skirts, and jeans — so, not too fancy. I own this pair and not only are they perfect for any outfit, they’re also super comfortable and they’re currently on sale!
- SNEAKERS/FLATS. You’ll want these for walking and traveling days. I like an easy pair of slip-ons that I can take on and off in the car or in the airport, but I also need something with a little support. These ones are darling and come in a few different colors (but blush is my fave!). If you’re not a sneaker wearer, try a pair of flats like these.
- FLAT SANDALS. You can wear these on the beach, during the day while you’re walking around, or to a casual dinner. I typically bring a pretty neutral pair like these that can go with anything, but if your clothes are fairly neutral, try a fun pair like these embellished ones.
TWO SWIMSUITS:
- 2 SWIMMING SUITS. If you’re bringing a two piece bathing suit, make the tops and bottoms intermixable so you can create 4 suits! I’m a one-piece lover, so I snagged myself this super flattering black and white one for summer, but I’m also loving this colorful one and this bandeau suit that comes in three beautiful colors.
TWO BAGS:
- Large bag. It works as a beach bag, a traveling bag, and a big day bag. I love this straw one — it’s super big so it can fit a bunch of things, but it’s also sturdy and so cute.
- Small crossbody bag. You can wear to dinner or during the day as you walk. This is great for other activities you do in addition to the beach, like an amusement park or sight seeing, so you can carry a few things but it’s easy to tote around. A neutral one is always a good choice, and something light colored is so fresh and clean for summer. This one is so perfect and under $70!
THREE ACCESSORIES:
- 1 HAT. Bring either a straw hat or baseball cap — whichever is your preference. Both are versatile and easy to wear during the day and at the beach or the pool. I love this straw hat in “honey” (it runs a little big, FYI so size down!), but I also love this ball cap.
- SUNGLASSES. I only bring one pair usually because multiples are hard to keep track of. I just choose a neutral pair like this oversized tortoise pair and then it goes with everything.
- ACCESSORIES. I don’t usually wear a ton of jewelry during my vacations because I’m nervous about losing it and it can get in the way. I bring one watch and one nice bracelet.
Zappos has been one of my go-to spots for clothing over the past few years. Shopping online is pretty much the only way I can shop with three little kids, but it can be hard to buy things without trying them on. I love Zappos because they have so many of the brands I love and a huge selection of items, but also because they show the clothing on models and tell the model’s measurements. That’s so helpful when online shopping for me.
Also, they have free shipping and free returns so it’s easy to try a few things and then easily exchange items that don’t fit. When you’re packing for your summer vacations, Zappos will be your best friend in helping you find the pieces you want for all those summer trips!
Also, they have free shipping and free returns so it’s easy to try a few things and then easily exchange items that don’t fit. When you’re packing for your summer vacations, Zappos will be your best friend in helping you find the pieces you want for all those summer trips!
You are so cute and beautiful, but honey that black and white suit is not slimming or attractive. I think you know it since you are hiding yourself in the pictures. I usually like you picks but this one is not good at all. You make all the Old Navy things you wear look so cute that I try them out, but this, no.
I have to agree. I don’t know if it is swimming suit or shorts, but this outfit doesn’t show your waist (which we know you have)
I can see your point — I think it’s the shorts with the suit because they’re cutting at a weird place. The suit by itself looks much more flattering, I think…just not super into posting pictures of myself in JUST a swimsuit 😉
Such a cute post!
Love,
http://www.thestyleventure.com
I am a terrible packer! So thank you so much for the inspiration to make myself a capsule wardrobe for holiday this summer. Also i love you beach look, so pretty!
Allegra xx
http://www.allegraghiloni.wordpress.com
Planning your summer vacation packing list? Don’t forget to include the sexiest bikinis to make a statement on the beach or by the pool. These must-have items will ensure you’re turning heads wherever you go!