Summer Vacation Essentials: 15 Fashion & Beauty Items To Pack

Do you tend to overpack or underpack for summer vacation? I used to over-pack, but I’ve worked out a few tricks to lighten my load! Here are the summer vacation essentials that I pack, and what I leave behind…

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1. Comfortable Shoes

I always start with shoes to take, as they tend to take up the most space in my suitcase. Most of our vacations include walking or hiking, the beach or pool, and restaurant visits, so I need shoes that are both cute and comfortable. I almost always take these shoes:

• Sneakers – these Slip-On Sneakers are my latest pair, and so comfortable.
• Water-Resistant Sandals – I have two pairs of these Tirra sandals for rainy days, short hikes, and long walks.
• Dressy Sandals – I have a pair similar to these for dinners and other events when I need to dress up a little.
• Comfortable slides – these Birkenstocks are like a massage for tired feet.
• Flip Flops – I received these Oka-B Charmed Millie flip flops from the brand and they’re much more confortable than your basic flat flip flops. Oka-B is a women-led company based in Georgia that takes back its well-loved footwear to recycle into new products.

2. Easy Shorts

One of my favorite shorts style is Athleta’s Retreat Linen Shorts. I have them in pink (and I also have two others that were the original Cabo design). I wore them multiple times during my week in Florida. Even in 90+ degree weather, they were cool and comfortable, and coordinated with almost every top in my suitcase.

I also bought Athleta’s Trekkie North Short, which is perfect for travel, as it has 3 zip-up pockets for valuables,. They are also lightweight so I know that in a pinch, I can handwash them and hang them up to dry. The flat front waistband, seams in the back, and wide leg openings make them very flattering for pear-shaped figures.

3. Skirts or Skorts

I also pack at least one skirt or skort for casual dinners, and as an alternative to shorts. I wore my Brooklyn Skort a few different ways when I was in Florida. This color is no longer available, but there are plenty of other options.

4. Tanks And T-shirts

I usually pack a combination of tank tops and t-shirts for my vacations. Some of my favorites include this Pact Organic Cotton Ribbed Tank and this Everlane Box Cut Tee.

5. Easy-Care Dresses

I usually take wrinkle-free dresses for less active days or dinners out. My favorite summer vacation dress is Athleta’s Santorini Dress, which is buttery soft and has a flattering a-line shape for that after-dinner belly! I bought mine a few years ago, so they no longer sell this style, but Pact has this Fit & Flare Dress which has a similar feel.

6. Handbags

I always like to carry a bigger handbag for travel and then switch to a smaller one once we reach our destination. Tory Burch’s Perry Tote is a classic, and comes with a removeable laptop insert. And I have an older version of this Longchamp Crossbody Bag to use while I’m there.

7. Hats

Packable hats are summer vacation essentials, especially if you’re going to be out in the sun all day. Take a bucket hat for active days, and a pretty straw hat for sightseeing. Target has some inexpensive straw hats.

8. Sunblock

Even if you wear a hat, you’ll want plenty of sunscreen! Some of my favorites are Supergoop’s GlowScreen for a tinted option, and Cocokind’s Daily SPF for a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast.

9. Skincare Products

While we’re talking about skin, don’t forget to take mini containers of your favorite cleanser, moisturizer, eye cream, and whatever else you use.

I often save my free samples for travel, like my birthday gift from Sephora. (Sign up for free to be a Beauty Insider, earn points, and receive a birthday gift!)

10. Travel Beauty

I‘ve been using Jane Iredale makeup for a couple of years now and appreciate that the products are all travel-friendly (compact and light). I take one of my eyeshadow trios with me on trips, but if you like a couple more color options, try this eyeshadow kit.

11. Jewelry

At home, I often skip jewelry because it sometimes gets in the way of household chores. On vacation, when I’m not cooking or cleaning, I love a little sparkle. Im wearing a Victoria Emerson wrap bracelet here – sadly the company is now out of business. If you like this look, Baublebar has some fun semi precious stone bracelets.

12. Sunglasses And Reading Glasses

Sunglasses and reading glasses (if you need them) are summer vacation essentials, so don’t forget to pack them! When choosing sunglasses, consider your face shape, skin tone and lifestyle. Wondering what’s trending? Oversized, oval and wire-framed sunglasses are popular right now.

13. Jackets, Wraps, and Cardigans

No matter how hot the location is, I always pack an outer layer for unexpected weather and air-conditioning. Denim jackets are always popular vacation outerwear, but I actually prefer a light-weight cardigan or wrap. You’ve probably heard me rave about my Pranayama wraps. I almost always take one of them with me, and it usually doubles up as a robe in the mornings.

14. Swimwear

If your vacation plans include a pool or the beach, don’t forget your swimwear and cover-ups. All of my swimsuits are from Athleta. They have affordable mix and match tankinis, one-piece suits, and bikinis, including modest cuts.

15. Bras And Underwear

For winter trips, you probably don’t need to give bras and underwear a lot of thought; just pack enough for the days that you will be away. In the summer, if you take strapless, cutaway, semi-sheer, or halter styles, you’ll need the right bra styles under your clothing. For underwear, I only take seamless nude-colored pieces that disappear under whatever I’m wearing.

A note about packing: for short trips, I put outfits together ahead of time and fold them together with the appropriate bras and underwear. For longer trips, I lay everything out on my bed in piles of tops, bottoms, underwear, etc., so that I can make sure each piece coordinates with a couple of others.

So those are my summer vacation essentials! What other summer vacation essentials do you pack when you travel? Let me know in the comments!