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Spring Break is a time to celebrate, whether you’re going on vacation or not. It’s the halfway mark of second semester and a symbol that spring is right around the corner. Even if the weather in Hamilton right now says otherwise, warm weather will be here before you know it. For those of you who are lucky enough to take a one week vacation to a warmer climate, I’m jealous of you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to go home and see my friends, family, and dog, but the suburbs of Chicago are definitely not the same as Florida or Mexico beaches. Even though I won’t be going to a beach, I do have the perfect Spring Break packing list for those who are.
- Bathing suits
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This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s important to have a few staple bathing suits packed and ready to go for Spring Break. If you’re going somewhere tropical, you will be spending most of the day poolside laying out in the sun. Bathing suits are pretty expensive, but you will get a ton of use out of them in vacations and summers to come! Some of my favorites are linked below:
LA Hearts by Pacsun Red Daffodil One Shoulder Bikini Top
LA Hearts by Pacsun Red Daffodil One Shoulder Bikini Top
Tia Triangle Bikini Top – Frankie’s Bikinis
Riot Swim Jax Bikini Top – Revolve
Lovers and Friends Cyan Bikini Top – Revolve
- Sunglasses
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Another basic piece, I know. But cute sunglasses are essentials for any Spring Break trip. My favorite sunglasses are from Quay, an affordable but high-quality Australian brand that has a large selection of various styles. On their website you can also search for sunglasses that are designed for your face shape, so you are sure to find one pair (or multiple!) that you’ll love.
Some of my favorites are linked below:
High Key Sunglasses – Quay Australia
- Dresses
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You will for sure need some fun dresses to spice up your wardrobe for those splurge-worthy dinners and fun nights out. I will continue to live by the idea that you feel the best when you feel the most confident. Like swimsuits, even though some dresses can be expensive, there are many times throughout the year when you can wear them. One of my favorite ways to get value out of my dresses is to wear them casually in the summer with some platform sneakers to dress them down.
Some of my favorites are linked below:
Love Galore Playsuit – Princess Polly
Satin Shirt Mini Dress – Princess Polly
Lovers and Friends Boa Mini Dress – Revolve
- Loungewear Sets
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There is no better feeling than climbing into comfortable clothes at the end of a long day. Another great use of these matching sets is wearing them while getting ready for dinner. There’s always that time in between swimming and going out, and a sweatsuit is the perfect attire for this period of time. They’re comfy but cute, and they’re also the perfect clothing to wear to a sunrise or sunset on the beach.
Some of my favorites are linked below:
Be Nice! Blue Collared Crew – The Mayfair Group
Be Nice! Blue Sweatshirts – The Mayfair Group
Cozy Fleece Boyfriend Boxy Zip Hoodie – Aritzia
- Jean Shorts
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In summer, you can find me wearing jean shorts more often than not. They’re one of the most versatile articles of clothing and can be paired with tank tops, sweatshirts, pretty much anything. I love throwing on a pair of jean shorts on top of my bathing suit to walk to the beach and they can also be dressed up; my favorite way to do this is with a bodysuit and a pair of boots.
Some of my favorites are linked below:
High-Rise Mom Shorts – Abercrombie
Urban Renewal Recycled Low-Rise Slouchy Denim Short – Urban Outfitters
- Jewelry
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The best way to dress up an outfit is to pair it with jewelry. There are hundreds of ways to mix and match jewelry pieces, and there are so many cheap options to choose from. While a nice necklace and pair of earrings are staples I like to have, I love ordering inexpensive jewelry that will stand the test of time if you take care of them properly. One of my favorite things to do is layer a bunch of necklaces and pair them with some simple earrings. Jewelry is a great way to spruce up a bathing suit or that simple black dress you’re planning to wear to dinner.
Some of my favorites are linked below:
The Lover Bracelet Set – Princess Polly
The Ciara Earring Set – Princess Polly
Aldous Coin Necklace – Princess Polly
Flower Bliss Necklace – Princess Polly
- Hats
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Hats are a great accessory to add to any outfit to create a statement. If you want to switch it up from wearing sunglasses, a hat is your best friend. Trucker hats and bucket hats have been in trend recently, but one of my favorite go-to hairstyles is to wear a baseball cap with two french or dutch braids (this is also a perfect beach look!). No matter what your style is, there is a hat that will match anything you’re looking for.
Phrase Baseball Hat – Urban Outfitters
Blake Printed Bucket Hat – Urban Outfitters
Make You Smile Tote Bag – The Mayfair Group
Smiley Trucker Hat – Altard State
Online shopping is your best friend at Colgate, and looking at warm weather items is one of my favorite things to do in my free time… It means summer is in sight. Although the stress of midterms is coming up, I suggest treating yourself to some cute new pieces for Spring Break and letting your mind forget about the snow that is stubbornly looming outside. Many websites have quick shipping options, so you still have time to grab those last minute items before break! Be sure to soak in all the sun and warmth while you can, and before you know it, summer will be here.