I’m headed to Jamaica this Saturday with my mom, and I am so excited to be traveling again! I don’t think I’ve been on a plane since February of 2020 for a sorority conference, so I’m sure walking in my airport will be a breath of fresh air (dramatic? maybe- but I’m excited life is feeling normal again!).
Since I am going to an all-inclusive resort, I plan on relaxing by the pool, walking the beach, and eating and drinking everything in sight. But of course I also plan to bring some cute outfits to take photos of for the blog! Let me walk you through what I’m packing below.
You can click on an item directly if you want to learn more about it or use the pink links below!
pink puff sleeve midi dress // blue and white striped one piece swim suit // black low neck swim suit // espadrilles // Lisi Lerch statement earrings // white bow packable sun hat // red bow back dress (use code MADISON15 for 15% off) // Hermes leather sandal dupe // best jean shorts // platinum Jack Rogers sandals // white circle bag // white beach cover up // white ruffle skirt // pink kimono // tortoiseshell sunglasses // white bikini // pink statement earrings // Australian Gold sunscreen (my absolute favorite) // Unseen Sunscreen by Supergoop // abalone statement earrings // straw clutch // books- Book of the Month
How did I decide what to pack? Let me walk through how I tend to pack:
- Do some research. Look at the forecast for your trip. Plan for the weather, as well as plan for the “culture” in the area. Do people tend to look trendy or overdressed? Are you going to a super casual destination where heels and dress clothes are unnecessary? Get these details first, then dive into planning.
2. Identify situations , events, weather, and days you will need events for. Have a fancy dinner? Pack a fancy outfit. Planning a workout during your trip? Pack a few exercise outfits. List out the amount of days you will be gone and have at least one outfit planned per day. Then add on items for different situations each day. Of course you can rewear outfits and items, but it is helpful to start with general outfit ideas first. I will be gone for 5 days and considered beach and pool outfits, nice dinner outfits, casual resort outfits, and will of course pack pajamas, underwear, and a casual outfit to lay around or workout in.
3. Take pictures or write out your outfits. Doing this helps you to not overpack and truly envision what you will wear each day. Here is what my packing list kinda looked like:
-Airport outfits: pink dress, sandals or sneakers, maybe jean jacket (for the plane there) // tennis skirt and oversized top, sneakers (for the plane ride home)
-nice dinner outfits: red maxi dress, espadrilles, Lisi Lerch statement earrings // pink dress, abalone statement earrings, clutch, espadrilles or sandals
–pool and beach outfits: black swimsuit, coverup with jean shorts, white skirt, or white coverup, Jack Rogers, earrings for pictures // blue swimsuit, white dress coverup, leather sandals // white bikini, kimono coverup, statement earrings for pics
-resort outfits: blue swimsuit tucked into jeans or white skirt, sandals // green top (not pictured), white skirt to denim shorts, jack rogers
4. What else do you need? Of course pack your essentials. Then consider- where are you going? If you are going to the beach, you obviously will need to bring a certain number of swimsuits, sunglasses, sunscreen, a beach bag, coverups, beach-friendly sandals, etc. Consider your plans and be prepared. As a contacts wearer, I always pack an extra pair of contacts. For my medicine, I usually only keep about double the amount I will need for the trip. In case I lose it or my luggage is lost or whatever, I will have the rest of my medicine at home for when I get back. I also usually carry my medicine and contacts in my purse so there is no chance of losing it. I also of course pack a razor, deodorant, lotions, skincare, toiletries, etc.
5. After figuring out the basics, add in the fun. After I planned my general idea of outfits (which is ok to change around once there or once you realize you packed too much), I add in fun accessories. I don’t take a lot of accessories while traveling, but I do try to pack few pieces of jewelry that matches the destination, a few pairs of shoes, and sunglasses/bags/scarfs/etc that will go with my outfits.
This list isn’t completely exhaustive of the way I pack, but I think planning by outfits is a really great way to avoid overpacking. Rather than throwing a bunch of random things you hope go together, lay out the outfits ahead of time and then pack after you confirm you have enough outfits for your trip (and it’s ok to pack a few extra if you have the space!)
I am excited to share my trip with y’all (aka all the beach and poolside pics!!). If you are going on a vacation soon, I hope this post can help you a little with packing or at least give you some outfit inspiration.
xoxo,
Madison
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