Whenever the word 'summer' comes to mind, so does the word 'vacation'... like 'milk' and 'cookies.' I mean lets face it -- adults need summer vacation too! I constantly find myself daydreaming of lounging by the pool, soaking in the sun, and feeling the cool ocean breeze somewhere exotic. My tropical paradise, however, is rudely interrupted by a dreadful realization: packing.
We all know that along with the joys of any dream vacay comes the stressful planning of what to pack. Lucky for you, I just returned from sunny California last week and have the packing essentials fresh on my mind. So whether you are off yachting in the south of France or island-hopping in the Caribbean, (a girl can dream, can't she?) there are a few items that should be in every suitcase.
Here are my MUST-HAVES:
1. Maxi Dress: Always bring this. A maxi dress is always a good choice because you can easily take it from day to night. Dress it up and wear it out to dinner or you can dress it down and wear it to the pool. Fashionable and comfortable are always key, just like this Gypsy 05 little number from L.Bartlett.
2: Denim Shorts: You can never go wrong with jean shorts, plain and simple. A pair like these
from Lucky Brand should be in every girl's suitcase.
3. Summer Sweater: Even in the warmest of weather, a light sweater like this from Club Monaco is always good to have. Even if it just gets it's use in the frigid airport, you will be thankful. Plus, many places that are warm during the day can quicky turn cool at night. Trust me, you will be glad you brought it.
4. Tote: A carry-all that you can throw everything in is super practical when you are taking a trip. Use it to store your passport, wallet, makeup- anything you want. Some can be bulky and a pain to take, I know. Try to find one that is easy to pack that can easily lay flat in your suitcase, like this leather travel tote from Gap.
5. Basic accessories: Once the issue of what clothes to bring is
determined, you're still not quite done yet. I love bold statement
pieces just like every other girl, but sticking to the basics is never a
bad idea. Also, try to stick to one color- either silver or gold- to avoid overloading on jewelry. You can still
accessorize and add some flare to your outfit with simple pieces, like
these hoops or link necklace from Banana Republic.
6. Flip-flops: Flip-flops are a definite must. They
basically take up zero space and can just be thrown in your bag! I like these Yosi Samra flats because they are comfy and basic, but also can easily be dressed
up. You can wear them daytime or night. Or shoot,
because of the comfort factor, wear 'em all day
and night!
7. Clutch: When going out at night, have fun with your outfit and carry a clutch or small purse. Usually I like to bring clothing in neutral colors that are easy to mix and match and add a colorful punch with accessories. I like this Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C. from Demerara because the blue is a pop of color but it is dark enough to be chic and neutral enough to easily be worn with anything.
8. Nude Wedge: Let's face it- every girl loves a good shoe. That's sometimes the best part of an outfit! Unfortunately, they can also take up the most room in your suitcase. Luckily, good nude wedge will go with everything. The comfort of the platform of this pair from LOFT is an added bonus if you are going to be walking around a lot.
9. Travel-Size Toiletries: Once you made it this far packing, you can finally start to see the end of the tunnel! I always find it really useful to bring travel-size toiletries. It seems like an obvious essential, but it's also really easy to forget to bring (plus, sometimes even the nicest of hotels have the worst taste in shampoos). I discovered the best shampoo, Kérestase, at
Lure Salon and was so excited to find that the brand makes their products in travel-size!
Of course, I couldn't forget about the guys out there:
1.
Shorts
Now, enough of this packing nonsense. Get going! Your adventure awaits you.
West Village
3699 McKinney Ave.
Dallas, TX 75204
Posted by Meredith Williams, Marketing Intern.
