Headed On A Tropical Trip? Here Is Everything You Need To Pack

Counting down the days (or ahem, hours) until you finally depart for that long-awaited vacation you've been dreaming of all year? The last thing you want to do is forget the essentials and wind up impulse buying and splurging on next-day delivery for clothes and beauty items on your flight over.

If you're being proactive in planning your vacay looks (which we highly recommend), Pinterest is a great place to start! Start a board with inspo pictures of how you want to dress on your trip, and then recreate those outfits with your own personal touches! My current Pinterest board is titled “Cruise Fits” and includes everything from sundresses to boxer short outfits and even how to style a bikini top for sightseeing tours. I plan on using each pin as an outfit for the day, which will make packing much easier now that I know what I will be wearing. It's a fun and creative way to get excited about your upcoming trip (and kill some time not doom-scrolling TikTok) and it will help you get some clarity on what you need to shop for beforehand. 

The bare-bones essentials: a pair of undies for each day, cute and functional bras that work for each of your planned outfits, and socks. And don’t forget a natural deodorant, your wallet, travel documents, and a good book to read on the plane!

Swimwear

Is it really a tropical vacay without the perfect swimwear? Pack a variety of different styles and colors to ensure plenty of photo opportunities by the pool or the beach!

Here are some of our favorite sets for summer! 

L'SPACE x Anthropologie Sunrise Shell Bikini Top, $130 | L'SPACE x Anthropologie Frenchi High Waisted Bikini Bottoms, $99

Free People Amber One Piece Swimsuit, $168

Aerie Beach Babe Shine Rib Voop Bikini Top, $37

Aerie Crinkle Banded Cheeky Bikini Bottom, $27

You’ll also need to pack a cover-up to wear on your way to the sand. A crochet mini dress or lightweight cotton dress adds a feminine touch to your pre-beach routine!

Abercrombie Crochet Mini Dress Cover Up, $80

J. Crew Cinched Shirtdress in Sheer Cotton Voile, $98

Sleepwear

A vacation is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a new pair of pretty pjs! Imagine yourself sitting on a balcony, watching the ocean waves crash on the shore while sipping a delicious coffee. 

This scene is so much cuter in an adorable sleepwear set! 

Anthropologie Silky Patterned Pajama Top, $58 | Anthropologie Silky Pajama Shorts, $32

Intimately Beauty Sleep PJ Set, $88

Old Navy Waffle Lounge Romper, $30 

Flowy Dresses

Show off your latest tanlines with a flowy dress for every day of your trip! Is there anything better than a post-beach shower and a cute sundress to wear to dinner? (The answer is no.)

This is what your suitcase could look like! Add to cart! 

Free People Lovey Maxi Dress, $118

Old Navy Tiered Maxi Swing Dress, $35

Maeve Drop Waist Mini Dress, $138

Free-est Struttin’ Mini Dress, $60

J. Crew Clio Dress in Textured Gauze, $138

You’ll also want to pack an evening dress for date night or a dressier dinner. Think LBD with a touch of island flair!

Abercrombie Cowl Neck Halter Mini Dress, $80

Seafolly One Shoulder Jersey Midi Dress, $68

Casual Outfits 

When it comes to everyday style on your vacation, you want to have options for comfortable and fun summer outfits. Cute tops are easy to pack, and there is a ton of versatility with the type of bottoms you prefer. 

Free People Dolce Vita Tank, $58

Old Navy Cami Crop Top, $20

Pilcro The Kacey Easy Crop Cotton Slub Tank, $28

Abercrombie Ruffle Strap Eyelet Set Top, $60

Denim shorts are a classic summer essential, so you should definitely add a few pairs to your suitcase. You can also add linen shorts for a looser fit and easy styling. 

Abercrombie High Rise Dad Short, $70

Vitamin A Tallows Linen Shorts, $88

Levi’s 501 Rolled Short, $70

Footwear

Depending on how much space you have in your luggage, your footwear options should stay minimal: a pair of casual sandals, a dressier heel or platform sandal, and a travel sneaker. You can mix and match these essential footwear options with your everyday outfits, sundresses, and nighttime looks. 

Steve Madden Serbia Bone Sandals, $70

Havaianas x Farm Rio Thong Sandals, $38

Seychelles x Anthropologie Pepper Block Heel Sandals, $90

Dolce Vita Lumena Strappy Slide Block Heel Sandals, $70

Veja Chrome Free Recife Sneakers, $185 

Vans Classic Slip-On Sneakers, $55

I’d also recommend a functional pair of sandals that you won’t mind wearing on beach walks and tropical hikes. Tevas are a great option because they dry quickly if you wear them in the water and are comfortable enough that you won’t miss your normal sneakers on active excursions. 

Teva Original Universal Printed Sandals, $55

Beauty 

When traveling, less is more when it comes to your beauty routine. The summer season is the perfect time to transition your 13 step beauty routine into a simple sun care routine. Pack the basic essentials: SPF, blush, mascara, and a tinted lip balm! 

Kosas DreamBeam Moisturizing Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40, $40

Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara, $28

Rare Beauty Mini Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, $14

Tower 28 LipSoftie Hydrating Tinted Lip Treatment Balm, $16

The same guidelines apply to your hair! If you have wild, unruly hair like I do, the temptation is to use hot tools on your locks daily – even when on a tropical vacation. Not only does this habit fry your delicate, sun-drenched hair, but it also adds more time to your morning routine, which takes away from your relaxation time. 

Instead, pack a hydrating hair mask and the essentials you need to allow your hair to air dry! This fan-favorite mask and leave-in spray softens and calms my wild hair so it will dry into manageable waves. It is a Mamma Mia! summer, after all! 

Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask, $19

Ouai Leave-In Conditioner, $30

At night, lavish your suntanned skin in a lightweight moisturizing face cream to protect your skin’s barrier. And don’t forget a body lotion as well! 

Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Lightweight Face Moisturizer, $16

Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream, $22

If your skin is extra inflamed due to sunburn or other irritation, try this travel-size rescue spray from Tower 28. My sensitive skin loves this little spray for breakouts, sunburns, and other skin-related inflammation. 

Tower 28 Mini SOS Daily Rescue Spray, $12 

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