I’ll admit that I’m a compulsive over-packer. The thought of being without an outfit I want gives me serious agita, so I usually end up packing everything. Even for a weekend home, I’ll bring a duffle and a carry-on sized suitcase. But the madness ends here.
I’ve scoured the internet and magazines for the best packing tips, and having gone somewhere warm every spring break of my college career, I can clearly identify the items I needed, and the ones that were frivolous. So if you are departing frigid Orono for two weeks of bliss in a tropical location, here are the essentials you need to pack:
Dresses. Dresses take up less room in a suitcase than jeans and pants, are easy to throw on. Plus, they always look so much cuter than jeans! If you are going for a week, bring four casual dresses that you can wear over your bathing suit to the pool, or out and about during the day. Black is your best bet
because you can wear them multiple times, without it being obvious, and can accessorize with scarves and fun jewelry. If you exclusively wear dresses, and plan on going out every night, bring a dress for each night, plus two extras in case you are not feeling any of your choices. Or, pack a simple black skirt that will go with multiple tops, and you can get a few outfits out of.
Pants. If you are more of a pants girl, pack one pair of dark skinny jeans, and one pair of black jeans. Together they will cover you for the week, as they can be paired with many different tops. Since jeans are pretty bulky, to save room in your suitcase, wear a pair on the plane.
Shoes. All you need are three pairs; I repeat three pairs! Bring a pair of Havaianas flip flops, a pair of nice sandals, like Jack Rogers or gladiator style ones, and a pair of heels. If you will be somewhere warm, espadrilles will work in lieu of heels, which is a plus since they’re so much more comfy. Perfect for those late nights filled with dancing with your girls! Shoes take up so much room in a suitcase, so limiting yourself to three pairs forces you to leave room for other items.
Cardigans and Jackets. If you’re going somewhere tropical, chances are you won’t need many cover ups, so stick with two. Wear a black, or neutral colored cardigan, on the plane, that will go with everything later in the week. The only other cover up you should bring is something a little dressier, like a boyfriend blazer, for nice dinners.
Accessories. I’m a huge accessories fan, so I always leave lots of room for these. Bring some silver and gold jewelry, which will transition well from day to night time. Think about your outfits in advance, and pack your jewelry according. I’m obsessed with sunglasses and wear them constantly, so I always bring two pairs. Two is not excessive by any means, but leaves you with options so you don’t have to wear the same pair every day. Make sure to pack a fedora, which not only looks super cute, but protects your face from the sun. Another plus about fedoras? Throw one on when you don’t have time to do your hair, and you’re good to go. I always pack one or two bright colored scarves, which I throw on over a plain black dress to update my outfit.
Beauty Products. If you prefer a particular brand of shampoo and conditioner, make sure to bring some. The same goes with sunscreen, which of course is a must! Burnt red skin is so not cute in pictures, so to avoid a painful burn on your trip, use lots of sunscreen. Don’t forget to pack some aloe incase you do get burnt, which should help the redness subside quickly. It’s a good idea to pack your own, incase there’s no convenience store in the area, or you will be without a car.
Stick to these essential items, and you should have no trouble keeping your suitcase under the allotted weight. It’s a good rule to tentatively plan your outfits in advance, so you’ll know what you need for each outfit, and what items you can make work in different ways. Happy Spring Break!
Images from Madewell and Havaianas