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Heading somewhere warm? Once your flights are booked and your itinerary is planned, it's time to go shopping (naturally). While some vacation spots are fairly low-key—even the Ritz-Carlton in Hawaii has a "resort casual" dress code—others might require a bit more fuss. With enough planning, you'll have enough vacation outfit ideas to last you your entire trip and then some.
The trick is to bring a few key pieces—a silk midi skirt, some slipdresses, and a couple blazers—from which you can make a little vacation capsule wardrobe. If you're traveling somewhere tropical, it's easy to lean on flowy dresses and versatile, humidity-friendly separates that you can mix and match throughout the trip. Similarly, you can take notes from the fashion set and repurpose bathing suit tops and cover-ups as makeshift shirts and dresses, respectively. Even if your destination gets cool at night, we have area few ideas to keep you from getting chilly during your sunset beach strolls.
Ahead, 17 no-fail vacation outfits to pack for your next jet-set adventure.
Tie One On
Don't waste valuable vacation time fussing with your hair. Instead, tie a silk scarf around your head for an elevated take on beach hair.
Get the look: Gucci Silk Scarf, $510, mytheresa.com
Go Tonal
A yellow maxi skirt feels right at home with a banana-hued handbag.
Get the look: Christopher Esber Ribbed Knit Maxi Skirt, $350, mytheresa.com
Go with the Flow
A flowy button-down with similarly easy poly-blend pants are a no-brainer for vacation.
Get the look: Citizens of Humanity Kayla Oversized Cotton Shirt, $200, modaoperandi.com
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Repurpose Your Bathing Suit
Wear your bathing suit top as a makeshift shirt—then pair it with a linen maxi skirt for a touch of insouciance.
Get the look: Johanna Ortiz Rich Earthly Strapless Bikini Top, $250, modaoperandi.com
Get Groovy
Don't be afraid to have some fun with your resortwear: Instead of packing solely minimalist pieces, add in a few that really sing, like a groovy, swirled dress with cutouts.
Get the look: Zara Cut Out Jacquard Dress, $40, zara.com
Go Bold on Bottom
Here's your official reminder that accessories can make the outfit.
Get the look: Jimmy Choo Minea Woven Raffia Sandals, $575, saksfifthavenue.com
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Heavy Lifting
If you're headed somewhere with unpredictable weather, pack a heavy-weight sweater dress in a fun pastel hue and top it off with a broach or a belt for a little something extra.
Get the look: A.L.C. Clara Rib Knit Dress, $550, alc.com
Tourist Trap
Pair a fancy, frilly vacation dress with sneakers and minimal accessories for a look that unapologetically leans into the tourist vibe.
Get the look: Prada Neon Running Sneakers, $750, modaoperandi.com
Accessorize Well
Top off a breezy top and mid-length shorts with fun accessories like a beaded necklace or a mini basket bag in a contrasting hue.
Get the look: Balenciaga Bistro XXS Basket With Strap, $675, theyes.com
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Easy Flowing
A flowy maxi dress is always a good idea.
Get the look: Mara Hoffman Luz Coverup, $195, marahoffman.com
Slow Drape
Heading somewhere that gets chilly at night? Drape a sweater around your shoulders as part of your dinner look—then throw it on when you stroll down the beach past sunset.
Get the look: Max Mara Leisure Giorno Sweater, $227, mytheresa.com
Layer Up
If you prefer to layer up, add visual interest by tying a full-size silk scarf as a makeshift tube top over a lightweight base layer.
Get the look: Dior Oblique Diortwin Silk Scarf, $590, dior.com
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Matchy Matchy
Pack a matching floral outfit for a look that feels impactful when worn together, but works just as well when worn separately.
Get the look: Wray Gregory Top, $178, wray.nyc
Put a Blazer on It
Top off a typical maxi skirt-and-tank outfit with a blazer for a more elevated feel.
Get the look: The Frankie Shop Tansy Oversized Blazer, $285, thefrankieshop.com
Elevate Your Tank
Pair a basic, wear-anywhere white tank with a slip skirt and kitten heels for a look that feels sophisticated and casual all at once.
Get the look: Acler Lawton Draped Satin Midi Skirt, $295, modaoperandi.com
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Keep It Simple
When in doubt, remember that a silk midi dress is a one-step outfit you can't go wrong with.
Get the look: Olivia von Halle Bibi Printed Silk Crepe De Chine Nightdress, $315, net-a-porter.com
Go Long
Make a pair of straight-leg denim feel special by adding an open-button poplin shirt.
Get the look: L'Agence Cameron Linen Maxi Shirt Dress, $319, intermixonline.com
Lauren Caruso
Lauren Caruso is a freelance writer, consultant, and digital media strategist that splits her time between NYC and Los Angeles. She has more than ten years of experience within the publishing industry with a focus on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, with tenures at Refinery29, Allure, and The Zoe Report.
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information on various topics. While I don't have personal experiences or opinions, I can provide you with factual information and insights based on the data I have been trained on.
Regarding the concepts mentioned in this article, here is some information related to each concept:
Vacation Outfit Ideas:
When planning for a vacation, it's important to consider the destination and the activities you'll be engaging in. The article suggests bringing key pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a versatile vacation wardrobe. Some outfit ideas mentioned in the article include:
- Silk midi skirt: A silk midi skirt can be dressed up or down and is a versatile piece that can be paired with different tops and accessories.
- Slipdresses: Slipdresses are lightweight and comfortable, making them a great option for warm weather destinations.
- Blazers: Adding a blazer to an outfit can instantly elevate the look and make it more polished.
- Flowy dresses and separates: Flowy dresses and separates are ideal for tropical destinations as they are comfortable and breathable.
- Repurposing bathing suit tops and cover-ups: Bathing suit tops and cover-ups can be used as makeshift shirts and dresses, providing a stylish and effortless look.
The article also suggests considering the weather and bringing items like heavy-weight sweaters or scarves for cooler evenings. It's important to pack items that suit your personal style and make you feel comfortable and confident during your vacation.
Shopping for Vacation Outfits:
When shopping for vacation outfits, it's helpful to consider the dress code and climate of your destination. Look for pieces that are lightweight, breathable, and versatile. Some popular online retailers mentioned in the article include mytheresa.com, modaoperandi.com, zara.com, saksfifthavenue.com, and net-a-porter.com. These websites offer a wide range of clothing options suitable for vacation wear.
Styling Tips:
The article provides some styling tips for vacation outfits, such as:
- Tying a silk scarf around your head: This can add an elevated touch to beach hair.
- Going tonal: Pairing items in the same color family can create a cohesive and stylish look.
- Repurposing bathing suit tops: Wearing a bathing suit top as a makeshift shirt can be a fashionable and practical choice.
- Adding accessories: Accessories like sandals, bags, and jewelry can enhance and complete an outfit.
- Layering: Layering pieces like sweaters or scarves can provide warmth and add visual interest to an outfit.
- Mixing and matching: Creating a capsule wardrobe with key pieces that can be mixed and matched allows for more outfit options with fewer items.
Remember, personal style and comfort should always be prioritized when choosing vacation outfits.
