July 8, 2019
Living on Maui, my wardrobe has changed considerably (goodbye chunky sweaters!) but there is no lack of inspiration in my closet these days. Anything airy, light, and flowy is a must-have for keeping hot days at bay and making me feel stylish and comfortable.
I’ve been contemplating this list for a while now, and since we are celebrating 6 months (!!!) on Maui I thought I would share the essentials that I would pack for a trip to the Pacific. Hopefully this will help you plan for your summer getaway whether it’s a quick road trip, a blow up pool in your backyard, or a true island paradise.
I created this list around bright and fun colors incorporating rainbow themes, light fabrics for maximum summer coolness, and natural materials like cotton, straw, and the macrame rope.
TOPS
With tops, there’s no need to get super complicated. Keep it simple with some fun t-shirts that are perfect for throwing on for a quick lunch by the beach. Add in a tank top and a flowy blouse to scale your look up for fancier occasions.
Stripe Tee | Ice Cream Tee | Pink Shirt | Tank Top
DRESSES
For this list, I included just one flirty floral dress that can easily be thrown on after a day at the beach for a fun date night paired with sneakers, or dressed up with the platform espadrilles and a bold lip. I found this dress to be incredibly versatile, which is exactly what you need with a limited wardrobe!
Floral Mini Dress
BOTTOMS
For the bottoms, I went with the items that I’ve been wearing non-stop this summer. When you’re on vacation, you don’t want to have to think too much about your outfit, so I picked some basics that will go with virtually any top. High waisted denim shorts are perfect to wear over a bathing suit and on to lunch, or serve as a comfortable staple for exploring and museum-hopping. A simple structured white skirt still feels beachy but can easily dress up any top for an easy dinner staple. Comfy, wide leg pants are perfect for those cool, windy nights by the beach or a surefire way to stay comfortable on a sunset sail.
Denim Shorts | White Skirt | Wide Leg Pants
SWIMSUITS
The island packing list can’t be complete without a couple of fun bathing suits. I chose a classic black suit with a fun ruffle detail that makes the suit both flattering and feminine. The rainbow striped suit adds a little fun and looks fantastic in photos! I’ve been obsessed with high waisted cuts as they are extremely flattering on those of us that are blessed with curves in the lower regions!
Black One Piece | Bikini Bottoms | Bikini Top
ACTIVEWEAR
No packing list is complete without a little bit of activewear thrown in there! This look is from outdoor voices, and is perfect for hiking or the impromptu yoga session, so you are covered no matter what active challenges are thrown at you on vacation!
Sports Crop | Leggings
LAYERS
Since the summer is hot, you can save space on packing layers. I always bring some kind of light jacket with me, because even though it’s warm, summer nights can get a little chilly so I always pack one just in case! This denim jacket will pair perfectly with anything in your packing list.
Denim Jacket
ACCESSORIES
The great thing about packing light on clothing for a trip is that you can have some fun and variety with accessories! In this list, I included a small straw bag (one of my favorite go-tos this summer) which is easy to bring along to a quick dinner and hold all of the essentials. The larger macrame tote is easily incorporates a fun rope detail on the familiar beach bag, making it feel both new and familiar at the same time. The sun is brutal in the summer, so hats are essential to keep damaging rays off of your face. My favorite is this straw visor that is more secure than a beach hat, and provides more coverage than a regular baseball cap.
Straw Bag | Macrame Tote | Ray Bans | Straw Hat | Belt
SHOES
An easy pair of sneakers that you can wear for light hikes or heavy walking days will be an essential. You will need a pair of “dirty” shoes that can easily go from beach to brunch without being completely ruined, and these Birkenstock’s are PERFECT for that! I’ve been seeing this pair everywhere, and they are made specifically to be waterproof and handle anything you throw at them this summer (the $40 price tag doesn’t hurt, either!). For nicer occasions, having a pair of espadrilles instantly elevates any look from street to island in a matter of seconds, and this pair is a bit of an investment but will definitely keep your feet stylish and elevated for summers to come.
Birkenstock | Espadrilles | Sneakers
. . .
And there you have it! My island packing essentials for summer. What do you never go without on a beach trip?
Thanks for stopping by!
XO
Kasey
