My Summer Vacation Packing List

My family and I are taking a trip to visit friends, and since I know you all love packing posts, I thought I’d share my summer vacation packing list with you!

We are headed to somewhere that is typically above 100 degrees in the summer, but luckily it’ll only be in the 80s-90s during our stay. 😅 I’m not totally sure what we’ll be doing there, but I anticipate a lot of time outdoors hanging out at the pool or at parks and a lot of walking around or light hikes.

Even though we will only be there for five days, we will be doing a lot of different things which will require some outfit changes each day. I feel like I need to pack for like 10+ different things. 😅 That said, here’s what I plan to pack!

SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.

 

My Summer Vacation Packing List

Summer Vacation Packing List Casual Cute Clothes

Shop the Items:

Printed Tee  | Sun Tank | California Tank | Yellow Printed Top | White Printed Top | Black Tank*
Activewear Tank
 | Denim Shorts| Olive Shorts | Red ShortsBlack Activewear Shorts | Brown Activewear Shorts
Maxi DressSoft Pants | Joggers | JeansShortalls* | Swim Top | Swim Bottom
Denim Jacket*
| Sweatshirt | Backpack | Crossbody Bag| Short PendantTan Earrings* | White Earrings
White Sandals* | Tan & White Sandals | Water SandalsSneakers Slip-On Sneakers

Items marked with a * means it’s a similar item and the exact one I own is no longer available.

Bottoms

I’m bringing several pairs of shorts and pants that cover a variety of activities, from hanging out near the pool and at parks while our kids play, to things like hiking. I have a lot of shorts that I love, which I never ever thought I’d say, haha! They’re all super comfy!

Denim Shorts
Super comfy and stretchy, and VERY affordable! They are often on sale for around $16.99! Look for them HERE. I wear size 6. 

Linen Shorts
Why not bring a colorful pair of linen shorts? These are a little more lightweight than my denim shorts, which is helpful when it’s super hot and humid. These shorts come in 5 colors, in regular, petite, and tall, and in sizes XS to 4X, HERE! I wear size XS. These do get a little baggier with wear.

Trailblazer Shorts
Pictured in the collage is just the olive version of the linen shorts, but I’m actually bringing this pair of trailblazer shorts. I like the versatility of this pair. They are still comfy with stretch and a fully elastic waistband, but they hold structure better than the linen shorts. You can pair them with t-shirts, you can dress them up a little with a nicer casual top, and while I would probably wear different shorts for the hiking we’ll be doing, you can hike in these. Catch them HERE. I wear size 27 as they run large.

Activewear Shorts
Both pairs are really lightweight, stretchy, and very comfy! They both come in multiple colors and are available in regular, tall, and petite lengths and sizes XS to 4X. The biggest differences are where the pockets are placed, with the second pair having prominent pockets on the front. Find the black pair in many colors, HERE. I wear size S. Check out the brown pair with the big pockets in lots of colors, HERE. I wear those in XS.

Soft Pants
It’ll be a little cooler in the evenings and probably indoors thanks to air conditioning, so I’ll bring a few pairs of pants. These pants are super COMFY, lightweight, and very breathable, so they keep you cool. And they have an elastic waistband! I’ve told you that I put them to the test by wearing them on a day that was 102 degrees. There was no humidity, but still, I was shocked at how breathable these were! They come in 5 colors and in regular and tall lengths, HERE. I wear size 6.

Joggers
I can wear these in place of my activewear shorts for anything active, but I also can wear them in casual outfits for hanging out. These come in 11 colors, in regular, petite, and tall lengths, and in sizes XS to 4X, HERE! I wear size M.

Jeans
I’ll also bring a pair of jeans that I don’t know if I’ll need, but in case I do, I won’t regret having them. These girlfriend jeans are one of my favorite pairs of jeans to wear in the summer. SO COMFY! So soft! Stretchy! And stretchy elastic waistband! Find them HERE. I wear size 4 as they run large.

 

Tops

Printed Tee
I don’t own this exact tee, but I own a similar one from the same brand. The one I own is VERY SOFT with a great drape, and it while it’s pricey, it just looks and feels good.

Graphic Print Tanks 
Love these! Prints add some interest and variety to outfits. These are lightweight, comfortable, SUPER affordable, and they come in 17 prints, HERE. Plus size options are HERE. I wear size S.

Printed Tops
I’m also bringing a couple of nicer casual printed tops. They are easy to hang out in but are a step up from muscle tanks.

The yellow one is a comfy t-shirt material. It has a cross back, so it does require a strapless bra or a cross back bra. FWIW, two great strapless bras that don’t slide down are the Natori strapless bra and the Wacoal strapless bra. The yellow tank comes in 3 prints and 3 colors with lace texture, HERE. I wear size S.

The Ikat tank is probably my favorite top of the season right now! It is super duper lightweight and very breathable! Find it HERE on sale (but final sale), and HERE at regular price but eligible for returns (and with free return shipping)! I wear size XS as it runs large.

Activewear Tank
In case we do something a little more strenuous, I’ll either bring this tank, which feels really, really good, or a similar crop version. I wear both in size S.

 

Dresses & Shortalls

Maxi Dress
I’m bringing this in case I want to dress up at all. This is made of really COMFY, t-shirt material. It comes in 8 colors, HERE. I wear size S.

Shortalls
I never thought I could pull off shortalls, and while I still don’t know if I can, I think they’re so cute! So, why not try? I want to bring a pair to use as a coverup for swimwear, but unfortunately, I haven’t found a pair I love yet. If I can find a pair before our trip, I’ll bring it. If I can’t, I’ll bring an old romper instead. I don’t love using the romper as a coverup because the material is a little thicker and it’s not as easy to pull on and off, but it’ll do. The romper I own is no longer available in black, but it’s available in other colors HERE. I wear size M.

 

Swimwear

I shared these pieces in a reviews post. I bought the top separately from the bottoms. I like the sporty vibe of the top, and it comes in a TON of prints and colors. Check them out HERE. It comes with its own bottoms, but I wanted something different. I’m wearing size M in the colorway Leopard-D.

I purchased separate high waisted bottoms with ruching, which helps secure my midsection better. It also provides more coverage in the back. They’re available in 6 colors, HERE. I wear size 8.

 

Shoes & Accessories

All the shoes, or similar options, are linked at the top of the post with the collage, but I want to highlight the sandals that work in the water. Those are Crocs, and they’re really comfortable with a squishy, rubber footbed. And they’re really versatile! You can wear them around water, like at the pool or beach, but they also work for everyday wear with shorts, pants, and dresses. Love them! You can find them HERE. I wear size 8. The rest of the shoes are at the end of the widget below.

For jewelry, I’ll mostly be wearing a variety of earrings (all of which are not shown) and my short pendant necklace that I wear all the time. I love how it adds just a touch of polish to every outfit but stays out of the way. BTW, the necklace is part of the upcoming Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! I got it during last year’s sale, and I highly encourage you to scoop it up while it’s on sale again!

 

Shop My Summer Vacation Packing List

That’s it! Hope this helps any of you with your summer vacation packing list, or even if you aren’t going anywhere and want an easy-to-use summer wardrobe!

You can shop all the pieces and a few extra options in the widget below!

P.S. Remember, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale begins THIS WEEK! On Thursday, I will post a huge roundup with my first-glance favorites! Until then, you can check last week’s blog post to learn what the sale is all about and see my tried & true all-time favorites that are part of the sale (that you should definitely try to grab while they’re discounted)! See my tried and true items and add them to your wish list HERE!

 


If you want to put together your own version of this mini wardrobe AND a catalog of outfits you can create with it, check out the 2nd Edition Summer Starter Kit Wardrobe Guide®️. It’ll help you feel put together with a minimal amount of effort this summer!

You’ll get a customizable list, a plan, and a wardrobe strategy to create a super versatile mix-and-match starter kit work wardrobe and an outfit catalog with 35 freshly updated outfits that you can create from it! Get your copy, HERE.

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