Send that PTO request and draft an OOO auto-email—summer is calling! Here’s how to shop for looks that are easy to pack and restyle, whether for a simple-but-sweet staycation or luxe getaway.
Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to vacation packing. That linen gauze shirt can double as a beachy cover-up or a casual top for browsing the shops. A pair of colorful chino shorts goes with a crisp t-shirt just as well as a smart button-up. A cotton knit maxi dress can be styled casually for daytime excursions with strappy sandals or elevated for an elegant dinner with all the right accessories. A backpack covers your carry-on and day-trip-essential needs.
Keep an eye out for wrinkle-free fabrics. As lovely as linen looks (and feels) in the summer, it’s notoriously wrinkle-prone. If your destination isn’t guaranteed to have an iron on hand, think twice before packing too much linen. Stretchy knits, soft cottons, and other flexible materials inherently keep away the crinkles. Grab a cotton midi dress, a few comfy t-shirts, and a seersucker blazer—and leave that iron out in the cold.
Pair colors and prints with intention. You want your vacation wardrobe to work hard (while you’re absolutely not), mixing and matching and pulling day-to-night shifts. Try to stick to complementary colors and patterns (or minimize the amount of patterns) so that your eyeballs are soothed rather than overwhelmed when trying to put together a getaway fit. If you’ve thrown leopard-print, stripes, or dots into the mix, make sure you have solid color pieces that you can rotate in and out.
Take a closer look at the pieces you’re packing. If they seem worn, pilled, or even have a few stains you usually gloss over, let them sit this one out. Vacations are a time to reset and refresh your emotional and mental states—and some key wardrobe pieces. Shopping secondhand and resale is a sustainable, budget-friendly way to get fresh vacay-ready fits that enhance the incredible experiences and memories you’re sure to make.
Bon voyage!!!