Vacations are fun, but they’re more fun when you look good. Let’s face it: you want your vacation to look as fun on Instagram as it felt in real life. And looking your best in all of your vacation photos (not to mention at the fancy restaurant or singles bar at your vacation destination) means dressing the part.
You may dress well in your everyday life, but dressing well on the go involves a skill set that’s a bit different. Here’s what you need to know.
Dress for the weather
This may seem obvious, but your travels could land you in a place that has a climate very different from your own. The time to think about getting the right clothes is now, while there’s still time to shop before your trip! If you only have clothes that suit your Michigan hometown and you’re about to head to Hawai’i, then you’ve got your work cut out for you.
Never fear, it’s not too hard to dress for the weather. Think carefully about fabrics and materials, and look into which ones are used in clothing that’s popular at your destination. You may not be used to wearing this stuff, but it’s going to feel much better when you arrive.
You can also check out retailers that target people who live in your vacation destination. That could mean local shops or even larger chains that are known for their appeal to the people who live where you’re going. If the locals buy their clothes from these places, then you should check them out as you build your vacation wardrobe. Odds are that the fabrics, fits, and styles are the right choices for the spot.
Dress for the activities
Planning a vacation is fun, but don’t forget to plan your outfits. As silly as it may seem, it’s not uncommon for vacationers to schedule once-in-a-lifetime activities only to find that they didn’t bring any appropriate attire!
It’s easy to forget to pack something you don’t usually wear, so make a special note of necessary outfits as you plan. If you’re hoping to go to a fancy restaurant, check the dress code and update your shopping list accordingly.
Physical activities are going to require certain clothes, too. Let’s say that you’re going to take some surf lessons in Waikiki. Surfing is a ton of fun, but if you’re going surfing, you’ll need certain types of swimwear. It’s a good idea to chat with your instructor over the phone to learn what will and won’t be provided. Bring clothes to change in and out of, too. Whatever physical activities you choose, bring all the necessary clothes, gear, and footwear.
Make dressing easy
You’re on vacation, not a high-fashion runway. You want to look your best, but you also don’t want to spend an hour every morning picking out the right clothes and pairing up the right accessories. So pack clothes that you can quickly assemble into outfits. Grab one-piece outfits like dresses. Choose clothes in colors that go together. Consider a “capsule wardrobe” that makes dressing simple (without making you look run-of-the-mill).
If you do it right, you should be able to dress easily and return with no unused and unnecessary clothing items in your suitcase.
Shop smart
Where you shop matters. You’re going on vacation, so you need certain types of clothes. You need quality, but you don’t want to overpay (your vacation is going to cost you enough already).
For these situations, it’s best to check out online boutiques. These hip shops have all the great taste that their brick-and-mortar counterparts do, but since they have less overhead to worry about, they can charge less for their clothes.
Look for retailers that offer stylish clothes that suit the moment. If you don’t plan to wear these clothes much after you return from your trip, you can go all-out with the latest (and perhaps most fleeting) styles! Go for affordable clothes aren’t “cheap” — you want reputable retailers and quality boutiques, not big-box stores and ecommerce giants.
Shopping online is a great choice because modern shipping and return policies make it safe and keep things quick enough to ensure that you have the right clothes before your flight leaves.
Looking and feeling great
How you dress is more important to your vacation than you might think. But it’s not what you’ll want to think about when you’re traveling! Do yourself a favor and think about it now. Prepare your vacation wardrobe early, and be Instagram-ready!
