Packing List For A Spring Break Warm Weather Girls Trip

Tina, here.

This is one of the most popular months, along with October and June, when we get requests to help our clients pack for a trip. Barbara packed us for a beach getaway trip last summer, and now I'm packing you for Spring Break or a warm weather destination girls trip! In one carry-on. Plus your tote. It's an art we're willing to teach you, how to pack lightly. (I also packed in one carry-on for a week long trip to Italy.) It's so freeing. All your outfits are planned, you can manage your own luggage, and have room to bring home any special finds. Here we go. (Style Vault Insiders, had advanced access to shop this post first. If you'd like to be an Insider to receive perks like these and access to our new video on How To Pack For A Warm Weather Girls Trip, become an Insider with our free trial!)

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The Carry-On Suitcase

Spring Break

You've got to get the luggage right. My list of most important must-haves are sturdy, spinning rolling wheels, the expandable option making your bag larger so you can bring home those fun purchases you make (this one expands by 25%), quality materials like quality zippers and nylon or even hardside exteriors. I have one of these larger hardside suitcases. Here's a less expensive nylon carry-on.

The Tote

Spring Break

Deidre gave me the tote I'm using here. But I like this one and this one. BIG TIP: for a beach trip, if your travel tote can serve double-duty as your beach bag, you are #winning. A couple requirements I have for my tote I carry on the plane: a zipper closure is non-negotiable. This is so no greedy (and terrible) humans can reach in and grab your wallet, but also you can put it under the seat in front of you without worrying about your candy bar sliding out and landing 3 rows in front of you.

Inside my tote, I carry my clutch which serves as my wallet. And I always carry on board my medications in a little mesh bag and all my jewelry. Don't forget your earbuds, a pair of socks for cold feet in flight, and a pashmina!

skinny-cta-blog-1

Spring Break

And here's what goes in your carry-on suitcase (and then we'll look at what you're wearing on the plane). Start with 3 zippered mesh bags zippered mesh bags (thank you to one of my lovely clients for this tip!).

The first mesh bag has my nightclothes and lingerie. And 3 camis (be sure you have an "ivory" one, not nude; I like these). These are what save you from packing multiple tops.

The second mesh bag has all my tops. I pack 2 full back tank tops (white + black  or  white + grey  or  white + a primary color), 1 white or black v-neck t-shirt (whichever one you're not traveling in, see below), 1 t-shirt in a primary color, 1 going-out top, 1 tunic / cover-up tunic/cover-up and optional: 1 lightweight sweater or wrap.


The third mesh bag has all my bottoms, 2 pairs of shorts (white and black), 1 casual skirt, 1 dress and 1 pair of either white or black jeans (only if you're not traveling in them, see below).


There's always some miscellaneous items. I throw in 2 Swimsuits, toiletries, makeup bag, 2 pairs of shoes: leather flip-flops and wedges wedges. Limiting yourself to 3 pairs of shoes (pack 2, wear 1) is essential to packing light. If you're going to work out, throw in your workout wear, too, and a plastic bag (for bringing home a wet swim suit). And I even was able to pack my floppy beach hat. Watch my packing video to see how! (Must be an Insider to access.)


Airport Travel Outfit

Spring Break Packing

Wear all white (hang on - you can do this) or all black, with a chic jacket or blazer. So, in this case, I'm wearing white ankle jeans with a white v-neck t-shirt and a blush color blazer (mine is Veronica Beard, but here's another option option). With  my heaviest pair of shoes, my sneakadrilles (picture below). If you're worried about stains, carry my favorite stain remover with you. It works. Like seriously works.

Now for your outfits.

Daytime

Rosemary Spring Break Cover-Up

For the most part, on a beach trip you'll be in your swimsuits and cover-up. One of my other best beach trip packing tips is to let your cover-up serve double-duty as a tunic over your white ankle jeans at night.

Alys Beach Spring Break

For bike rides and exploring, this is when you'll wear your shorts with either a t-shirt or your tank tops.

Alys Beach Spring Break

Sooooo, about this outfit. Sometimes when I travel I just like to break out of my mold and pretend I can wear whatever I want to. Just like you do, right? But really, at the beach I feel like a free young thing and so I borrowed a note from Deidre's wardrobe (at least my shorts don't have rips in them) and just went with it.

Spring Break Rosemary Beach

On a cooler day grab your white jeans and a t-shirt. Don't forget your beach hat! I packed mine, and you'll see how in the video. It arrived in perfect shape.

Target Sneakadrilles Spring Break

So these are my sneakadrilles that are my daytime walking shoes because they are both supportive and comfortable, unlike flip-flops. And aren't they the cutest??

Evening

Bud & Alley's Seaside Spring Break

Ok so I threw in this jumpsuit (similar) because it's soooo beachy and I wore it at night with my good leather flip flops, which were also my beach shoes (it looks like day here, but it was before sunset). I also substituted a lightweight sweater for my denim jacket (I like the "ocean hybrid") because the temps called for cooler weather at the last minute.

Other evening outfits:

  • tank tops under your pashmina or light sweater with your white jeans and wedges
  • cover-up/tunic with white jeans and wedges (really important to get some height with your wedges  or sandals to make up for the longer tunic)
  • dress and leather flip-flops (if they are the nice ones) or wedges


Spring Break Packing

But the REAL magic here is to fit it all inside a carry-on suitcase. To see me pack the suitcase (with beach hat), take a look at our video! Insiders, you'll find it here.

 

Thanks so much for reading! And don't worry, my spies are on vacation, too, so you won't be caught in your "no's." If you're not going anywhere, hey, I barely got out of town myself. And you have something to look forward to!

Best,

Tina

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