7 fashion mistakes we make when we pack for a beach vacation
While we all anxiously wait for our next big vacation, there’s a small part of us that can’t help but want to pack everything in sight. Sometimes, its hard to let go of those not-so-comfortable sandals or convince yourself that your red evening maxi dress just won’t be able to pass as a sundress for the beach.
The harsh reality is that you just won’t be able to wear everything and bring everything you own and love. So, to save you from your misery, here are 7 fashion mistakes all make as we prepare to pack for vacation. Don’t repeat them, and you’ll save yourself from ruining another holiday!
1. Do not create outfits in advance
Before packing for a beach vacation, take a look at all the different combinations based on the numbers of days and occasions of use. The best method to follow is to focus on 3/4 basic and versatile garments and see how you can get different looks out of them. This will allow you to save space and avoid unnecessary items.
Brigitte
embellished high-waisted bikini set - Purple
£120.00
FARFETCH
-43%
Fat Face
FatFace White Beachwear Stripe Longline Shirt
£28.00
£49.50
FatFace
Sara Cristina
Weave Strapless Bikini Size: XS
£235.00
ABASK
-20%
La DoubleJ
Boy floral ruffled bikini top White
£232.00
£290.00
Mytheresa
-48%
AllSaints
Polyamide Xalia Leopard Print Bikini Bottoms, Size: XS Black
£25.60
£49.00
AllSaints
-50%
Jean Paul Gaultier
Printed bikini Red
£140.00
£280.00
Mytheresa
2. Don’t bring more than 3 pairs of shoes
This one’s tough, for our shoe lovers. You can get away with just 3 styles of shoes: Sneakers, low sandals, and heeled sandals. But, somehow, when we go to pack for a beach vacation, we want to take all of our sandals. Try to stick to this rule and allow yourself a pair of beach flip-flops as an extra bonus.
Burberry
Vintage Check slides - Neutrals Beige
£274.00
FARFETCH
-47%
Kurt Geiger
Womens Kgl Greenwich Flat Sandal Sandals - Beige Fabric - Size UK 3
£69.00
£129.00
Secret Sales
Michael Michael Kors
Milan Signature sandals - Brown
£145.00
FARFETCH
Charles & Keith
Gabine Velvet Gold-Buckle Slides Black
£95.00
Charles & Keith
-10%
Hermès
Oran leather sandals - Black
£1,024.00
£1,138.00
FARFETCH
-60%
AllSaints
Cow Leather Isla Leather Sandals, Size: UK 4/ US 7/ EU 37 Black
£68.00
£169.00
AllSaints
Dolce & Gabbana
Bianca DG-logo slides - Yellow
£259.00
FARFETCH
-60%
AllSaints
Cow Leather Isla Leather Sandals, Size: UK 4/ US 7/ EU 37 Silver
£68.00
£169.00
AllSaints
3. Don’t underestimate the weather
Even though you’re expecting beautiful weather all day every day, this isn’t really the reality. Instead of packing a billion pairs of shorts & crop tops exclusively, throw in a pair of jeans or perhaps a denim jacket just as an added bonus. You never know when you might need a little extra layer, especially in the case of a tropical storm.
Polo Ralph Lauren
crystal-embellished jeans - Blue
£534.00
FARFETCH
-30%
Self Portrait
Embellished high-rise wide-leg jeans Blue
£262.00
£375.00
Mytheresa
-10%
Polo Ralph Lauren
wide-leg distressed jeans - Blue
£222.00
£247.00
FARFETCH
-40%
7 For All Mankind
Mid-rise cropped straight jeans Grey
£123.00
£205.00
Mytheresa
-60%
AllSaints
Womens Cotton Blake Studded Wide Leg Denim Jeans, Size: 29 Blue
£79.20
£199.00
AllSaints
-30%
Sportmax
Runway HIGH-rise wide-leg jeans Blue
£220.00
£315.00
Mytheresa
-61%
Armani
Emporio J23 Push Up Fit Mid Rise Womens Jeans - Blue Cotton - Size 25 (Waist)
£58.99
£149.99
Secret Sales
-40%
Khaite
Corben high-rise tapered jeans Blue
£288.00
£480.00
Mytheresa
4. Order is very important!
Packing for a beach vacation means a few rules when it comes to packing. First, start from the bottom by putting in the heaviest items and accessories. Proceed according to weight. Once you put in the absolute essentials, you can figure out if you need to throw in any more pieces. Those can then go on top.
-10%
Dsquared2
BOTTOMWEAR - Jeans on YOOX.COM Blue
£218.00
£243.00
Yoox.com
-40%
Fat Face
FatFace Broadway Denim Vintage 100% Cotton Denim Shorts Blue
£25.00
£42.00
FatFace
-75%
Kenzo
Dark-Wash Denim Shorts with Frayed Hem and Logo Embroidery i size 48
£44.48
£177.92
GLAMOOD
-50%
Versace
Faded denim shorts Blue
£320.00
£640.00
Mytheresa
-21%
Marc O'Polo
frayed-hem denim shorts - Blue
£84.00
£106.00
FARFETCH
-40%
Max Mara
Lola camel hair shorts Blue
£318.00
£530.00
Mytheresa
-37%
Mother
The Fun Dip pleated denim shorts - Blue
£152.00
£241.00
FARFETCH
-30%
G-Star
Womens G-Star RAW True Denim Shorts Raw Edge - Navy - Size 31 (Waist) Blue
£55.97
£80.00
Secret Sales
5. Keep the essentials in mind
While you might be a bit busy thinking of that beautiful straw hat you need for your IG pics, you might forget about the important stuff like your SPF, beach flip flops and phone charger. Make a list and check it twice. Santa’s strategy really works here.
Tory Burch
Metal Miller leather thong sandals Black
£265.00
Mytheresa
Charles & Keith
Sianna Canvas Contrast-Trim Tote Bag Grey
£95.00
Charles & Keith
Dolce & Gabbana
DG cutout slides Black
£285.00
Mytheresa
-20%
Tory Burch
Kira canvas sandals Blue
£264.00
£330.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Versace
Alia Medusa thong sandals Yellow
£231.00
£330.00
Mytheresa
-47%
Fat Face
FatFace Natural Raffia Tote Bag
£24.00
£45.00
FatFace
6. Make a detailed list of everything you want to pack
Not only will this make you more efficient, but it will help you realize if you’ve in fact overpacked. Do you really need 5 pairs of flip flops and 7 dresses for a 7-day vacation? Probably not. Write it down and you’ll see a pattern.
Burberry
Check EKD Bucket Hat Beige
£325.00
Burberry
-33%
Jacquemus
Le Bob Gadjo Black
£80.00
£120.00
Labels
-50%
Ganni
Mixed Multicolour Crochet Bucket Hat - Size M/L Organic Cotton
£72.50
£145.00
GANNI
-31%
Burberry
Knight Stamp Corduroy Bucket Hat Brown
£290.00
£420.00
Labels
Polo Ralph Lauren
Polo-Bear bucket hat - Blue
£107.00
FARFETCH
Paul Smith
wide-brim cotton bucket hat - Black
£75.00
FARFETCH
7. Be realistic
If you think you’re going to wear your stiletto gold sandals to discover some beaches or walk in the sand, you’re wrong. Remember, the less you bring with you, the more you can buy from the country you’re visiting, so you probably want to have some room for that. 🛍
-31%
-30%
Antler
Large Suitcase In Black - Juno
£161.00
£230.00
Antler
-33%
Antler
Large Cabin Suitcase In Antler Green - Icon Stripe
£200.00
Antler
-16%
Infinity Leather
Unisex Lightweight Print 8 Wheel Luggage Travel Soft Suitcases - Navy/Blue - Size Medium
£84.99
£101.14
Secret Sales
-20%
Antler
Luggage Strap In Mist Blue
£17.60
£22.00
Antler
Antler
Medium Suitcase In Antler Green - Icon Stripe
£220.00
Antler
-30%
Antler
Cabin Suitcase In Navy - Saturn
£115.50
£165.00
Antler