One of my BFF’s (yes I use that word) has recently enlisted my help for a beach wedding she’s in. It’s Cancun so yes, go ahead and be jealous. Needless to say the whole event has really brought to mind how going on a week-long beach vacation can be a bit more daunting to pack for than it seems. After all, none of those pencil skirts, black pants or jean+stilleto looks you have as closet staples will hardly do on a sandy beach. So here, I did a little preliminary shopping on what to pack for that sunny vacay. Makes you just want to sip some Pina Colada huh?
‘sigh.
Linen pants
I Heart linen pants for beach vacays, cruises, wherever. They’re just so very resort and so never go out of style. I prefer a pair in white or khaki since it’s light and summery. Plus with linen you don’t have to worry about it getting crazy wrinkled, mostly because it already is and it’s O.K. to look that way. These Ya Ya Aflao pants from shopbop.com are right on the money.
An amazing swimsuit
You’re at the beach, and if you will be for days you might as well pack a crazy fabulous swimsuit or two. I’m totally in love with this Thayer halther one piece from shopbop.com.
Maxi dress for day and night
Yup, the maxi dress is still around, and the perfect dress to run around in for day or night. The silk Jay Godfrey version above is perfect for a nice dinner. I’d wear with metallic flats and jewelry to keep the look resorty.
The Julie Brown hot pink number below is the dress I’d want to do all my touristy shopping in. Also doubles as a swimsuit coverup and the bright color is very summer-chic. Both dresses available at Nordstrom.
Gladiators
These are the shoes you’ll spend the whole week in. Buy them, wear them, love them. They go with every outfit, promise. Tory Burch metallic flats, available at Neiman Marcus.
Take a tote
I may heart my designer bags but beach appropos they are not. Take a fanciful tote like this Nancy Gonzales one from Neiman Marcus.
Hello hats!
I’ve always wanted to be that girl on the beach with that huge oversize hat. Now’s the time to do it! Pucci hat pictured available at net-a-porter.
A flowy blouse
Try a loose flowy blouse like this Rebecca Taylor one for daytime activities. It’s comfy, casual and airy enough for the heat. You can easily pair with some city shorts if you want to forgo denim altogether.
Don’t forget a coverup!
If your swimsuit is solid, try a bright funky print. If your swimwear is busy, try a solid-color coverup instead. Milly swimsuit pictured at Intermix.
Nice choices. i would wear all of these things – well maybe not that bathing suit with the intense V-neck. but everything else, for sure.
I like the idea of linen pants for a beach vacay…personally, I always assume I’ll be in shorts the whole time but never think about the evenings which are usually chilly, and end up freezing my butt off. These would work great for dinners and such. Also, I cannot emphasize how much I LOVE that printed coverup! Cutest one I think I’ve ever seen (besides the one on the Beach Bunny post the other day, I really liked that too).
What are you gonna wear the the wedding?
I love the maxi dress!! Now I just need to get the abs of the first girl and I can start planning my beach vacay.
I love reading this each day and cannot agre on your ideas so much! What about me and my friends are going skiing to Aspen this next weekend? Help a bunch of Aspen want to look hot! What do we wear? Day and night?
Excellent tips as always.
I love these looks! This blog got me super excited about the Summer! I love maxi dresses for the summer, it does get above 100 degrees here ya know!
With summer nearing I am getting very excited to shop. I adore those linen pants. Yes they are extremely flattering, but what I love the most is they look okay wrinkled. Nothing worse than opening a tightly packed suitcase realizing things need to be re-ironed.
The Rebecca Taylor top is cute and wearable.
I’m headed to Mazatlán in June so this is muy helpful!
I really want that flowy top. That’s so me!
I love this blog. Makes me feel good and excited when they see these images and sets.