My husband and I are celebrating our third wedding anniversary this month and will be heading off on a beach vacation to celebrate. I thought putting together a beach vacation capsule wardrobe post would help me pack intentionally so that I can focus on enjoying the trip instead of what I’m going to wear!
Our first years of marriage have been a crazy whirlwind — on the day of our first anniversary we moved over 600 miles to a new state and then a few months later we entered into this insane pandemic time. Needless to say, we are both really looking forward to this upcoming getaway! It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been on a big trip like this, but I know that I always used to struggle with overpacking, yet at the same time feeling like I had nothing to wear while at my destination.
Keep reading for the list of 25 items (including shoes and accessories) that I’m packing for a week-long beach vacation.
1. Dresses (2)
I’m planning to bring 2 dresses with me on this trip. The first is a more casual wrap-style dress from Reformation, which I can wear to dinners but also use as a swimsuit cover-up. The second is dressier, which I plan to wear for the fancier dinners we have planned.
2. A 2-Piece Set
At the beginning of summer I picked up this tropical 2-piece skirt and top set by MINKPINK. This will be the perfect piece to bring on a beach vacation, not only because of the tropical print, but also because I’ll be able to wear it multiple ways. I plan to not only wear it as a set, but also pair the top with some denim shorts for a day of site-seeing, and pair the skirt with a white bodysuit for a casual dinner outfit.
3. Shorts (2)
As mentioned above, I plan to pack a pair of denim shorts, which are always versatile. They can be dressed up with heels and a nice top, and dressed down with sneakers and a t-shirt. I’ll also bring this pair of white linen shorts from Zimmermann. Linen is lightweight and will be perfect for a tropical destination! I can’t find the exact pair I have in stock, but I’m linking a few other white linen shorts options, ranging from more expensive with another Zimmermann pair to affordable with a pair from Express.
4. Jeans (1)
I plan to wear a comfy pair of jeans as part of my travel outfit, and will not be packing any additional pairs in my suitcase! Jeans are bulky and can take up so much room. I’m taking this pair from McGuire. I think the cropped, frayed hem is the perfect vibe for a beach vacation. I’ve linked a couple similar pairs below as well.
5. Tops (3)
This was one of the most difficult categories for me to pair down. Ultimately I decided on 3 tops which will be versatile enough for me to pair with many of the other items I’m packing.
- A white bodysuit — I got this one from Abercrombie about a year ago and have worn it repeatedly. The material is so comfortable, which is very important factor for a bodysuit!
- Tan-colored satin cami — this cami will pair nicely with jeans or my white linen shorts for a dressier outfit.
- Cropped puff-sleeve top — I love so many things about this top. The square neckline, the gorgeous low back with tie detail, the sunshine yellow color!
6. Swimsuits (3)
I’m planning to bring 2 bikinis and a 1-piece swimsuit on this trip. I expect to do some kayaking and snorkeling, so I want a 1-piece that I won’t have to worry about any mishaps with! I think bringing 2 bikinis is appropriate so that I won’t have to worry about putting on a wet suit each day.
Zimmermann does great swimwear separates that you can mix-and-match. I think the cuts are really flattering, and the best part is you can find their swimwear at really good sale prices! Their 1-piece suits are gorgeous too — I love the back detail on this black 1-piece!
7. Workout clothes (2 sets)
We’ll be doing some hiking on this trip, so I plan to pack 1 pair of leggings, 1 pair of biker shorts, and 2 tanks with built-in sports bras. I have the top and biker shorts by Beyond Yoga below, and the material is so soft. Zella is another brand that is highly rated and reasonably priced. I really like the high neckline and length of this sports bra.
8. Pajamas (2 sets)
Not much to say here — of course I’ll be packing pajamas! Bring whatever you’ll sleep comfortably in. I love the Moonlight pajamas from Nordstrom and will be bringing my black pair. They are so soft, comfortable and affordable, although I will say that I find this brand pills after a few months of use. With that said, I still wear mine on repeat!
9. Shoes (4 pairs)
The shoe category can get out of hand quickly! Shoes take up a lot of space so I’m sticking to shoes that will pair with multiple outfits. I’m bringing:
- Dressy heeled sandals — I picked a metallic gold pair with a lower heel. These should match well with all of my dinner outfits and be comfortable to walk in.
- Casual flat sandals — I’ve worn this pair quite a bit this summer. I love the platform sole and that they have some arch support.
- Sneakers — these Nikes have been a staple in my wardrobe since I got them last spring. I’ll plan to wear these with my travel outfit.
- Hiking boots — I have a pair from Merrell that I bought prior to a trip to Colorado a couple of years ago.
10. Handbags (2)
The first will be a straw beach tote which will double as my carry-on bag for the flight. Then I plan to bring my tan Bottega Veneta mini pouch. This bag can be worn crossbody but can also convert into a clutch to go from day to evening.
11. Hat (1)
I’ll bring 1 straw hat to protect my face while lounging by the pool or at the beach! I picked up this one from Nordstrom because of the glowing reviews. I like the wide yet structured brim and think it will pair nicely with my swimsuits.
12. Sunglasses (1)
I love a tortoise-shell pattern because the combination of black and brown tones makes it match any outfit. I’ll be bringing this pair from Prada, which I got on sale last year around Black Friday. Pick any pair that flatters your face and will match the color scheme of items you’re packing!
13. A rain jacket (or other light jacket)
Wherever you are going, you’ll probably want a light jacket of some sort! Whether it’s a rain jacket or a denim jacket, this will come in handy for those cooler nights or for when you’re inside an airconditioned building. We expect some rain on our hikes, so I’ll just be bringing a simple light rain jacket from The North Face.
Do you use a capsule wardrobe when packing for a vacation?
-Courtney
