Summer is rapidly approaching us.  As we continue into spring, a lot of us are starting to plan our vacations!  It’s one of the best times of the year.  Of course, this also means we need to start considering what our vacation wardrobes will be. 

That’s one of the trickiest parts of planning my outing for me.  After all, I can’t bring my entire wardrobe with me (as much as I might want to).  I have to pick and choose pieces that might have multiple uses or are super comfortable for whatever I might be doing.  No one wants to be stuck with a suitcase entirely full of high heels for a hike right?

So, that all being said, what are some of the best pieces to bring for a vacation?

Sundresses

This is one of the most universal clothing selections for a summer (and vacation) wardrobe.  While this year designers are experimenting with it like Cosmopolitan Magazine details here in this article, the basic idea remains the same.  A flowy, comfortable dress that lets your arms and shoulders get some well-appreciated sunshine!

This year, we’re seeing a lot of crocheted or knitted styles of these dresses.  It might sound a little weird to wear something like that in summer, but with a loose-knit or thin yarn these definitely stay comfortable in the hot weather! The other thing I’ve noticed a lot of is bright colors or floral patterns.

Dresses, especially long and flowy or even short sundresses are timeless.  You can rarely go wrong with one, especially if you highly value moveability and comfort while you’re vacationing.

Light Colored Blouses

This style really reminds me of my own Y2K roots.  Low-rise shorts and jeans with a frilly, light-colored top, bonus points if it has a spaghetti strap.  This is really coming back into fashion this year!  Even if you don’t like the low-rise pants (I know I don’t,) these tops are a great addition to your wardrobe. 

There are plenty of examples of this if you’re curious.  For example are those vacation clothes from Pampelone, which showcases some of the creamier whites and pale pinks that are popular this year.  This style is good for a vacation because these colors don’t attract too much heat. You can also pair them with almost any style of bottom.  Be it a skirt, shorts, jeans, khakis…well, it’s hard to go wrong with such a universal garment.  This is great when you’re packing for your vacation – one blouse can be styled in a few different ways, and no one will even notice that you’re wearing it twice!

Thin Cardigans

We’ve all been there.  It’s been super-hot outside, along the beach, boardwalk, or maybe even hiking trail.  It only makes sense to stop somewhere with some sweet, sweet air conditioning to take a breather.  Unfortunately, if we’re there for a long period of time…we might actually start to get cold.

That’s why I always make sure to pack at least one little cardigan into my vacation suitcase.  It seems a little counter-intuitive at first but trust me.  At some point, you’ll probably end up cold.  When I go on vacation, I always try to go out and check out some restaurants.  It’s always nice to have cardigans in case it gets chilly.

Since they come in so many different colors and styles, they pair really well with the pieces I already mentioned.  This page gives some good examples: https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/summer-2022-fashion-trends/.  It’s hard to style one “incorrectly.”  They can go over your little blouse or sundress if it happens to get chillier out than you expected, or the temperature inside is a little low for your tastes.

You can stuff them into your bag otherwise – they’re lightweight, so it shouldn’t put a strain on your shoulder.  That’s why I always try to bring one with me!

Vacation Wardrobes aren’t Scary!

While it might seem like you need to go out and buy a lot of different clothing for your outing, a selection of functional but fashionable styles can serve you perfectly.  That’s why I compiled this list – these three pieces are a great base for any accessories you might want to incorporate.

With simple colors and comfortable fashions, your standout necklace, purse, or sunglasses will really hold a punch!  Go out and experiment!

Kenneth

Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].