Beach Vacation Packing Ideas…

The Felicity & Coco Stripe Strapless Maxi Dress ($88) has the kind of give 
to make it flattering on nearly any body shape.

While winter is raging away outside, I’ve been inside happily shopping and packing away for my Costa Rica vacation!! I came across so many beautiful options it was hard to narrow it down to one suitcase.

Looking for some vacation inspiration? Come on inside…

The Donna Morgan Flutter Sleeve Shift Dress ($118) would be perfect for fancier getaway dinners,
yet it could also be dressed down with sandals for shopping around town.

For my boyfriend and I, our beach vacation getaways usually have 3 goals: relax, tan, and be as adventurous as possible! Packing for so many different activities can be challenging but my mindset is this: pack as much practical as you need, and then spend the rest of your space on the pretty.

With that in mind it’s time to pack this post full of the pretty!

A perfect vacation ‘evening’ outfit idea.
Top | Skirt | Shoes

1 | The ASTR Chloe Off the Shoulder Minidress ($112) is a simple dress that could play any role you need it to on va-k, from day to dinner to over-your-bathing-suit.
2 | The Volcom Chambray Swing Dress ($70) is another laid-back multitasker that is very easily to layer over, and it has pockets to boot!
3 | Although I don’t usually go for Lilly Pulitzer®, the Largo Cotton Dress ($198) is a beautiful cotton body-skimming frock!
4 | I love the idea of romping around the beach village with the Sanctuary Spring Fling Racerback Slipdress ($119) over my bathing suit.
5 | The reviews may be all over the place for the Fraiche by J Shirred Print Midi Dress ($88) but I saw it in person and the pink pattern is lovely and flattering on!
6 | If your vacation plans include lots of dinner dates, time on a boat or windy areas (hello, Maui!) then I think the BCBGMAXAZRIA Swing Dress ($228) would be lovely!
7 | Add some extra cheer to your suitcase with the A by Amanda Delilah Dress ($88).
8 | This Chelsea28 Cold Shoulder Shift Dress ($149) would be perfect for a day on a boat.
9 | I do love me a good romper, and the 1.STATE Stripe V-Neck Romper ($119) looks perfect for bounding around the resort or town!
10 | Part of my challenge is keeping the sun off me for periods when I’m at the beach. The Free People Little Sway Stripe Shirtdress ($148) looks ideal for making sure my skin is protected when I start to feel that equator sun’s effects.
11 | Another great popover is the Nordstrom Collection Placed Stripe Tunic Shirt ($229), which would also look amazing over a denim skirt and is sure to get plenty of wear back home too.
12 | If you’re on the shorter side the Caslon® Mixed Media Roll Sleeve Tunic ($79) is sure to work as a sun-lessening dress, and if you’re tall like me it’s great over a swimsuit or with shorts.
13 | I also love long sleeve tee popovers like the Free People Friday Feelin Tee ($58)…
14 | …the Eileen Fisher Stripe Organic Linen Jersey Tunic ($148)…
15 | …the rag & bone/JEAN Rugby Long Sleeve Linen Tee ($125)…
16 | …and the Two by Vince Camuto Collarless Linen Shirt ($79).
17 | There are also 3/4 sleeve cover-up options like the Rebecca Taylor Arella Linen Jersey Tee ($250)…
18 | …and the Free People First Base Henley Top ($68).
19 | I also love this short-sleeved Caslon® V-Back Linen Top ($59).
20 | You really can’t go wrong with a ribbed tank a la the Caslon® Ribbed Racerback Tank ($19).
21 | The Roxy Paradise Waiting Swing Tank ($29) is a cute, loose, strappy tank.
22 | The Chelsea28 Halter Top ($68) would be perfect for slightly fancier vacation affairs, like the hotel bar.
23 | These Joie crops are ideal for chiller days or evenings.
24 | And these Vince Crop Chinos ($245) have a spectacular fit and are not see through like many white pants are!
25 | Vacation is also the ideal scenario for what friends and I affectionately call ‘crazy pants’. Take these cutie crops from BP for instance.
26 | Or these definitely crazy Wayf Side Slit Wide Leg Pants ($69).
27 | Or these certifiably insane Topshop Palazzo Trousers (now $48).
28 | At the other end of the spectrum are these Hue Dot Loafer Skimmer Leggings ($40), which instantly dress a vacation look up.
29 | Sometimes you need to keep the wind off or evening chills at the beach. The Chelsea28 Lace Back Bomber Jacket ($149) would be perfect for this function!
30 | As would the Leith Shawl Collar Cocoon Cardigan (now $45).
31 | And the Free People Brentwood Cotton Cardigan ($148).
32 | If you want to go slightly sexier with your coverup, there’s the very lightweight Hinge Wrap Cardigan ($68).
33 | For active beach days, I find that a combination of Lululemon’s Energy Bra ($52) and Run Times Short ($58) work perfectly. I can run, surf, swim, or play beachsports in them without fear of ruining them if they get wet.
34 | I also love their Top Knot Toque (now $19) to keep my hair out of my face during various exercise activities.

Next we’ll chat vacation accessories, from beach bags to superb sandals.

Note: I am currently on vacation in Costa Rica and not checking comments regularly. If you have a question please leave a comment and I’ll answer you when I can! If your comment is in moderation please be patient, friends are going through it as am I at least twice a day.

Please feel free to use this post as an open thread to discuss anything shopping going on today!

34 Comments

  1. klj1
    March 1, 2017 / 5:42 pm

    Have fun in Costa Rica!! That was the first time my then not husband (yet) took a vacation together was to CR. Such a great place 🙂 (We were in the Manuel Antonio area)

    OT~ I WANT that Lash Printed Swing dress so bad…but I would personally have to get it altered on the sided to make it a bit more fitted. UGH….otherwise it will just be a tent on me..esp. with a chest. WANT! 🙂

  2. Anthropolitan
    March 1, 2017 / 3:11 pm

    Hope you are having a lovely time in Costa Rica, Roxy!

    And oh my goodness you guys – something actually popped up in New Arrivals that I liked – I mean really liked! Isn't this skirt pretty? https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/malai-knit-ski… I'm totally not biting at the $150 price, though. That's exactly the skirt that used to be $98 (and then $118) just a couple of years ago, so I'm holding out for sale. But still – I'm encouraged.

    • klj1
      March 1, 2017 / 7:45 pm

      I noticed as well…gorgeous!!

      • Anthropolitan
        March 1, 2017 / 10:48 pm

        Oh, some very pretty pieces!

    • Lindinha
      March 1, 2017 / 8:58 pm

      Oh yes it's lovely! And I think Anthro day is coming up so maybe with the 20% it could be more attractive?

      I would be weary of waiting for sale in this case as I'm seeing new items go OOS quickly and this is a 3rd party brand.

      Good luck 🙂

  3. Nancy
    March 1, 2017 / 3:13 pm

    I love all your suggestions…
    I really like the Hue Dot loafer leggings
    What would you wear for a top with these?
    Thanks

    • March 2, 2017 / 4:04 am

      I would wear a crisp white v-neck tee shirt with them!

  4. stefanie
    March 1, 2017 / 9:51 pm

    I feel like it's been forever since Anthro had a sale…

    • Swill
      March 2, 2017 / 12:06 am

      It feels like there haven't been any fresh cuts for a bit. Any predictions of markdowns tomorrow…or a weekend promo coming up?

  5. Jess
    March 1, 2017 / 8:51 pm

    Okay I just received my Odilia Shirtdress from Kachel today for anyone who is interested and it fits me in my regular size 6 (34D-27-35) perfectly so it's TTS. It's wonderfully soft,super comfortable, has pockets and the print is so pretty in person too. I highly recommend this one!

    • Tanda
      March 2, 2017 / 1:15 am

      Thanks! I ordered one as well and now I'm super excited about it. Glad I've ordered. They added a top made out of the same fabric to the new arrivals page.

    • Amelia
      March 2, 2017 / 2:10 am

      Thanks for the update!!

      • Jess
        March 2, 2017 / 8:13 pm

        You're welcome Amelia!

    • nam
      March 2, 2017 / 10:13 am

      Thanks for the review Jess. Im out of country due to death in my family :(:(

  6. lulu
    March 2, 2017 / 2:30 am

    New items are showing up in the freshly cut section.

    • lulu
      March 2, 2017 / 2:34 am

      Including the Blocked Sherpa Bomber.

      • Anthropolitan
        March 2, 2017 / 3:05 am

        also the asymmetrical wool sweater and maretta sweater dress.

    • evb
      March 2, 2017 / 2:45 am

      yay!

  7. Anthronana
    March 2, 2017 / 3:03 am

    But I am still seeing original prices on these fresh cuts.

    • Amelia
      March 2, 2017 / 3:09 am

      New prices will probably start showing sometime this evening

      • Anthropolitan
        March 2, 2017 / 3:16 am

        They are showing up now. Lots of 2nd/3rd cuts too.

  8. Jess
    March 2, 2017 / 1:31 pm

    Oh sweet Nam, I'm so very sorry to hear that. I wish you and your family well during this difficult time. I was wondering where you were and was about to ask in the newest thread. Take good care and know you are a such a dear friend here.

    • Nam
      March 3, 2017 / 2:08 am

      Thanks Jess?

    • Nam
      March 3, 2017 / 2:08 am

      I feel the same way about u??

  9. Jess
    March 3, 2017 / 1:37 pm

    Aw you're the sweetest!

  10. March 11, 2017 / 2:32 am

    Oh man, I need another black and white striped dress like a hole in the head…but it's so cute! I'm arguing with myself that it being strapless makes it different enough from my other 2 b&w stripe maxi dresses-they both have straps! hahaha

    • March 11, 2017 / 3:22 am

      Ha! I get it, but this one is so cute and wonderful..I might wonder if I really need the others in my closet. 😉

  11. Deme
    March 29, 2017 / 1:55 pm

    Hi can someone help me…I wear a 12 and I'm looking for comfortable jeans that are like skinny and comfy like leggings (I tend to live in lulu). I don't like NYDJ and J. Crew doesn't have enough stretch. Paige or Joe's? I Just bought a pair from J. Mclaughlin. Vineyard vines was too low cut for me. Thanks so much!

    • March 29, 2017 / 6:23 pm

      Paige is a great brand! I like their Skylines a lot and they have good stretch, as do Mother's Looker. Joe's in my opinion stretch out way too much over the course of the day.

  12. lazypadawan
    March 29, 2017 / 9:16 pm

    I'd bought that same BlankNYC jacket in black and it's so cool! I love it!

    • March 29, 2017 / 10:01 pm

      Yay! Jacket twins. 🙂 Almost.


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