The Ultimate Packing Guide for a Beach Getaway – Southern Curls & Pearls

There is nothing that excites me more than packing for a beach vacation when it’s absolutely freezing at home! Don’t get me wrong… I love cozy sweaters and all things winter, but once the holidays are over and we’ve been living in layers for awhile, I’m more than ready to trade my Uggs in for sandals! Read on for the ultimate packing guide for a beach getaway…

If you’re planning a warm-weather getaway – whether it’s a weekend in Palm Beach or a weeklong stay at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico – this beach vacation packing list has you covered. From stylish resort outfits to must-have travel essentials, here’s everything I consider when packing for a little fun in the sun!

Dresses

When I think about what I’ve worn most on past vacations, it’s almost always dresses! A good dress can take you just about anywhere. You can throw on the same dress with sandals for breakfast in the morning, and then pair it with heels and a nice clutch for a fancy dinner at night. For a tropical trip, I tend to gravitate toward lightweight fabrics that breathe and don’t cling, like cotton gauze, linen blends and soft jersey. A dress with a little shape or a tie-waist can be flattering without feeling too structured, and I try to bring at least one that has some coverage for my shoulders in case I get too much sun! This dress is a good example of a classic vacation dress that would definitely make it into my suitcase. I also don’t overthink the dresses I’m packing – sometimes simpler dresses are better, and then you can really have fun with the accessories. I wore this bag with several “simple” dresses on a recent trip to Palm Beach, and each time I got stopped to ask where everything was from!

Casual Outfits

I love wearing casual outfits on a resort vacation… many mornings, we will go on a beach walk or walk around town to get a little exercise. For this, I like to have a pair of comfortable tennis shoes and a little workout dress with a built-in bra (to avoid having to pack too many pieces). I also love easy, breezy two piece sets that can be mixed and matched to create a few different looks. This polka dot set is so cute, and you could totally re-wear the pants with a black tank top for a completely different look another day of your trip. I just ordered this comfortable shorts set for an upcoming trip – throw on tennis shoes for a casual look, or wear it on top of a swimsuit with sandals and you’re automatically beach-ready.

Swimsuits

You can’t pack for a beach vacation without thinking of swimsuits! When packing for a trip, I usually think about where I’m going and what the resort looks like before deciding which swimsuits to bring. You’re headed to a colorful, all-inclusive resort in Mexico? You may want to bring some bright-colored suits! You’re headed to a chic, minimalist hotel in Palm Beach? Maybe some classy, black-and-white suits are more the vibe. No matter what, though, I always bring a mix of bikinis and one-piece swimsuits to make sure I have some variety, and I try them all on beforehand to make sure they fit well and I feel confident in them. It’s also important to think about the activities you have planned: are you going on any excursions where you need a supportive swimsuit? Or will you be laying around in a lounge chair all week? As a mom, I now tend to gravitate towards suits that are more full-coverage and supportive like this brand, especially if I know I’m going to be chasing around my kids at the beach and pool all day!

Cover-Ups

Cover-ups are an important part of resort life, because you will find yourself going from breakfast to the beach, or from the pool to lunch, and you need a cover-up that can transition with you. My favorite cover-ups are dresses like this one that provide a lot of coverage, are easy to take on and off, and look just as nice for brunch as they do on the beach. If you pick a neutral cover-up in a white or black color, you will find that it can easily go with every swimsuit you pack! If you’re more of a classic girl, go for an oversized linen shirt like this one and accessorize with a chic straw hat and sunglasses. If you’re wanting to be fashion-forward, look for a cover-up in this crochet material – these are SUPER trendy right now, and Amazon has a ton of options that won’t break the bank.

Beach/Pool Essentials

First of all, a packable beach tote is a necessity that you simply can’t forget – I love this one because it’s a neutral, folds completely flat in your suitcase, is nice and spacious inside… and there’s even a spot for your hat! And speaking of hats, I always bring one neutral straw hat (this one is my favorite) that goes with all of my outfits. I either wear it in the airport on the way there, or I pack it in my suitcase. (To do this, fill the inside of the hat with socks or underwear and place it in the bottom of your suitcase first, before anything else. Then fill in the surrounding areas with your other clothes, packing around the base of the hat!). Some other items that I really like to include in my beach bag are a hair clip, my Kindle (it looks just like a real page, so yes, you can read it even in bright sunlight!), lip balm with SPF, my favorite sunglasses, and a small portable speaker.

Sunscreen

I am making sunscreen its own category because it’s so important!! (If you didn’t know, I had melanoma removed earlier this year.) Anytime I am headed on a resort vacation in the winter, my skin is extra vulnerable since it hasn’t seen the sun in so long. And, we are usually headed towards the equator, where the sun’s rays are stronger! My favorite non-toxic sunscreen to keep in my beach bag is this one right here – it’s made of great ingredients and is fast-absorbing. This sunscreen stick is perfect for faces (I even use it on my kids) and is easy to re-apply quickly after you’ve been in the ocean. For everyday use, I love this tinted moisturizer, it provides a little bit of coverage which is so nice if you don’t want to apply a full face of makeup on vacation. It is also smart to pack some aloe vera gel in case of sunburn – this one is not sticky at all and feels nice and cooling on your skin! And of course, always pack a hat with you to keep your face out of direct sunlight!

Accessories (jewelry, hats, bags) 

Finally, you can’t take a resort vacation without some killer accessories. These can either make, or break, your outfits! This is where I really like to have fun with vacation outfits, because jewelry, sunglasses, shoes and bags should be fun and make a statement on vacation. You can really have fun with handbags, like this fun bag, or how about a clutch shaped like a fish? I love classic gold jewelry on vacation (it goes beautifully with a tan), as well as a good pair of statement earrings. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your sunglasses, too! I recently got this pair to wear in Palm Beach and they ended up giving my outfits the perfect 60s vibe that I was going for.

As far as shoes go… you’ll definitely want to wear something comfortable since you might be walking on sand or cobblestone! These are my all-time FAVORITE sandals – they are so comfortable and the neutral color ensures they match with every single outfit. If you’re dying to wear heels, consider a rattan pair like these that provide a little bit of height but are still easy to walk in. As far as trends go, I am seeing mesh flats like these EVERYWHERE. They are very comfortable and come in a lot of fun colors, perfect for a winter getaway!

I think that about covers it, but if you have any other questions, I’d be happy to answer in the comment section! 🙂 If you like this post, be sure to check out my Palm Beach Guide linked below! Also, if you want more resort outfit ideas, I have plenty of options here!