What to Pack for a Beach Vacation

March 28, 2017

Spring break is right around the corner! Although my daughter may not quite be in school yet (ha!), we are going on mini vacation before the spring break rush. Our little getaway got me to thinking about what to pack as a mom for the first time?! While our activities may be a bit limited, it’s still important to pack multi-purpose items that can be mixed and matched. Here are some tips for what to pack for a beach vacation and a peak into what I am actually packing for my mini vacay 🙂

How to Pack for a Beach Vacation:

1. To start, list out the activities in which you are going to partake i.e. a day at the beach, a long hike, a walk around town, a nice dinner etc…. If there is an activity that calls for a specific outfit make sure you have that covered first. Walking around a museum or zoo in uncomfortable shoes will put a damper on your experience! So be prepared 🙂
2. Hold the fancy cover-ups for a grown up trip. For me, cover-ups should double as casual wear. Same goes for jewelry, leave the nice stuff at home and bring 1 or 2 statement pieces.
3. Stick to a color theme. This way you can be sure that your tops and bottoms can be easily mixed and matched. Keep prints to a minimum, unless its a dress or jumpsuit!

Here’s a peek at what’s going in my suitcase….

Beach to bar cover up: This easy breezy dress is perfect for a beach day or strolling around town at night by swapping out accessories. And it’s only $29!
The slouchy pullover: This sweater comes in so many colors it’s really hard to choose. I like bringing an oversized sweater rather than a sweatshirt to look more put together.
The casual pant: I am a pants person, but this could easily be swapped out for shorts or a skirt. I like to have an alternative to denim that can be easily dressed up. Pair these cargos with an off-the-shoulder top and rancher hat for an effortless look.
Basic tank: I love the texture of this sweater tank, it is comfortable for day, but can also be dressy for night. Pair with denim bottoms for a casual look.
Casual shorts: My go-to for shorts is denim cutoffs, but if you are going somewhere dressier these can be swapped out for a more tailored short. If you are going somewhere more active a sport short would be a great option.
Easy Tee: I don’t think I will go anywhere with out a white tee shirt. It’s a basic that literally goes with anything – even a dressy skirt.
Walking sandal (or sneaker): Comfort is definitely key – don’t spoil your vacation with the wrong shoe choice. Be sure to pack something that you can walk around all day in.
Swim Suits: I tend to pack too many swim suits when I go away, so I am trying to limit myself to one printed and one basic suit.
Embellished Denim: While I could bring my basic denim, this embellished pair just adds a little bit of flare to a basic outfit. Pair it with the white tee and your off for the day!
Dressy sandal: I love these flat slides as an alternative to a heel. Vacation is supposed to be relaxing so don’t stress your feet out either.
Trendy Top: Having one trend item in your bag is always a good idea. This top fits the bill for a casual zoo visit, but it’s saucy enough for a night on the town.
Casual yet cool dress: Over-the-top dresses are difficult to pack, so having a dress that has that throw-on-and-go vibe will be much easier. With the right accessories this dress, can be worn to the beach or out to dinner.
Accessories: I like to bring a variety of accessories to dress up my basic items. A pair of statement earrings or necklace will go a long way! A hat and sunglasses are also a must 🙂

What to Wear to the Beach:

Another common question we get is what cover-up with what swim suit? For me it’s all about the neckline – if you’re wearing a strapless cover-up, pair with a strapless suit. If you are wearing an intricate top, try a sheer cover up or just throw on a pair of shorts/pants. Here are a few of our favorite variations. And don’t forget the accessories 🙂