Are you ready to leave cold weather behind? Same. I’m dreaming of a beach vacation, toes in the sand and piña coladas by the water to chase off that winter funk. Of course, planning for your perfect getaway can be tricky. What do you pack for a beach vacation?
Obviously, you’ll want a swimsuit. Even if you don’t get in the water, half the fun of the beach is feeling the sun’s warmth on your skin as you lounge, read, doze, or do whatever makes a vacation the most fun for you. The other non-negotiable? Sun protection. Whether that’s SPF from a bottle or UPF clothing, protecting your skin is important!
But you can’t live in your bikini, so what other types of beach vacation clothes should you pack? You don’t want to overpack, but you don’t want to find yourself stuck with nothing to wear. Here’s what you need to be resort-ready in no time!
Cute Swimsuits
Swimsuits are, of course, imperative when it comes to what to wear on beach vacations. After all, you’ll be spending your days soaking in the sun on the hot sand with a tropical drink, toes in the sand or the waves. The only other element needed to complete this formula is stylish swimwear.
You should plan on packing at least two–that way, one can dry while you wear the other one. Putting on a wet swimsuit is no fun at all! Plus, giving yourself options allows you to show off your personal style in tons of different ways and gives you a plan B if your suit gets dirty. And with more options for swimsuits than ever, it would be impossible to choose just one.
Beach Coverups
A cute coverup can turn your swimsuit into an outfit in a snap. It’s also a practical choice for hotels that would prefer that you have something on in the lobby, quick trips into the store, and keeping sand off of the furniture. And you have a ton of options!
One Reddit user mentioned that a “chambray shirt a size or two larger than my actual size” makes a great coverup that looks chic and classic, and others mentioned that flowy lightweight pants and shorts prevent uncomfortable thigh rubbing. Others prefer light dresses, and of course kaftans, kimonos, and other robe-like tops are also good choices. As far as fabric goes, cotton dries quickly, as do performance fabrics. Crochet is also super popular for its light weight and open texture.
Resortwear Dresses
When it comes to beach vacation clothes, dresses are an obvious choice: They’re easy, chic, and offer a ton of versatility. Whether you’re going out for a casual lunch in town, relaxing on the sand, or looking to dress up for a vacation date night out, packing several stylish sundresses is a vacation must.
When deciding which ones make the cut, pack one fancy vacation dress and keep the rest casual. As much as you might think that you’re going to party every night, chances are that you won’t need a formal dress for every night of the week that you’re out. And if you do, play with the accessories that you packed to make your casual sundress a little more “date-night” ready.
Vacation Matching Sets
Two-piece sets are an easy choice for a beach vacation. They create instant, perfectly-coordinated outfits that eliminate the guesswork of mixing and matching, allowing you to focus on enjoying your getaway. From breezy crop top and skirt combinations ideal for beachside strolls to chic matching pantsuits perfect for evening dinners, two-piece sets offer versatility for various occasions.
Vacation Tops
You can never go wrong with packing a variety of tops. Even if you don’t wear all of them (trust me, been there), it’s always a good idea to have options. Pack a couple of each of the following choices:
- Breezy tank tops (opt for a top in a breathable fabric to help keep you cool in the hot sun).
- Dinner-ready blouses (you never know when you might step out on the town).
- Playful crop tops (feel free to have fun with them and experiment with different colors and patterns).
- Casual tees (make sure to include a few long-sleeve shirts as well, for those downtimes of casually hanging around the resort or Airbnb).
- A light sweater (for those late-night, secret trips to the beach after the sun goes down and it gets a little cooler).
This is a place where social media can really help you make up your mind. Scope out your resort and some local restaurants on Instagram. Are the girlies wearing sundresses and shorts, or is the vibe a little more dressy? Keep that in mind as you’re packing your bag!
Summer Shorts
If tops are what take up the most space in your suitcase, keep the shorts to a bare-necessities level. We all know that denim cutoffs pair perfectly with anything, but you’ll also want to pack a pair of dressy statement shorts and, for the athletic type, maybe a pair of spandex or workout shorts. Neutral-colored shorts go with any top, so you can mix and match and save room in your suitcase for souvenirs, but at the beach, bold colors are always welcome, too!
You’ll be able to interchange all your tops with your shorts options and have the ability to dress any outfit up or down. Plus, if you’re spending all of your time on the beach, you’ll want to make sure that you’re packing the comfiest bottoms you feel most confident in.
Casual Pants
Even though warm weather is the norm on a beach vacation, packing one pair of long pants is a great insurance policy. Seaside evenings can get pretty chilly, and a pair of linen (or other natural fiber) pants can keep you comfortable without getting too warm. Toss a pair of lightweight, loose-fitting pants in your bag and cross your fingers that you don’t have to use them– but better safe than sorry!
Sandals and Shoes
No vacation is complete without the perfect footwear. Pack a couple of different sandal options, from super casual slides to platform wedges. Espadrilles are always great at the beach; the braided straw look is perfectly tropical. And since you never know where the vacation might lead you, having one pair of stylish, strappy heels that can help dress up your sundresses is worthwhile. But you’ll also want those chic, everyday shoes that you can slip on and stroll to the beach in. Crisp white sneakers are great if you plan on walking places!
However many pairs of shoes you pack, one of our pro tips is to bring along some extra bags in your suitcase to wrap them in on the way home. Save a few plastic grocery bags for this purpose; if your shoes get sandy (and they often do), having something to pack them keeps the sand from getting all over your suitcase.
Adorable Accessories
The easiest way to elevate beach vacation clothes is through accessories. Get creative with oversized sunglasses, straw hats, gold jewelry, and more. A wide-brimmed hat is cute and helps keep the sun off of your face– and of course, you need a cute tote for your book, towel, coverup, and room key! The advantage of a beach vacation is that you never need to feel like you have to overdo it. Simple extras can go a long way.
Are you planning a beach trip? Show us your resort looks on Instagram or TikTok @Lulus using #lovelulus–and head to our Vacation Shop for getaway clothes and accessories!
