Tropical Vacation Packing Guide for Women
Ladies, picture this: You’re laying on the beach, toes in the sand and margarita in hand. You have a good book and and just ordered a plate of fries, poolside of course. Does this sound like the ideal vacation for you? If so, then you’re destined for the tropics. First things first, you need to get packing.
How To Get Started
Even if you’re not a procrastinator, one of the hardest parts about packing is just getting started. It can be overwhelming to find a mix between being prepared and overpacking. This packing guide will help you get the motivation to go grab your suitcase out of storage as well as give you inspiration on some pieces to add to your packing list.
Base Layers and Bathing Suits
Let’s be real, on vacation you spend the majority of your time at the beach or pool in your bathing suit. As tempting as it is to pack every single one of your bikinis, try to pick some that mix and match easily giving you the feeling of a different suit each day!
The easiest option is to pack a one-piece! No matching needed. There are so many styles of one-piece suits in stores now, but check out how cute this olive, strappy suit from Target is.
One-pieces are hard for us tall girls, but Target has a whole line of one-pieces that are designed for tall and long-torso girls.
Bikinis
If you’ve ever jumped into a pool, leaped off a cliff or spent the day learning to surf…bikini security is key!
This Lululemon See the Sea swim top was made for beach activity! The high neck helps you feel extra secure.
Just like any other item of clothing, if you get it in black you know it will match with everything. Go for a solid black bikini top or bottom to making mix and matching easier.
Prana’s Rimini Top comes in black and is such a trendy style right now. It looks great with any style of bottoms!
The Xochil Bottoms by Prana also come in black, but I love the green shade they come in. These bottoms aren’t too cheeky which I like as well and would look great paired with the Rimini top!
Cover-ups
Cover-ups are an essential when packing for a beach vacation. Ever try putting on denim shorts right after swimming? Not a good choice.
For a quick, light layer, check out this tank dress from Target. The back is super cute and the black color will show minimal dampness through it.
My new favorite cover-up option is a breezy pair of pants that are easy to toss on and look great with both bikinis and one-piece suits.
These cover-up pants from Target offer lots of sun protection while still being cute, light, and breezy.
Tops
Before you start throwing every crop top you can find into your suitcase, let’s talk practicality for a moment. If you pick the right tops to pack, you can cut your luggage load in half! It’s all about finding tops that can go with everything and anything.
ASOS has great basics to pick from like this racer front tank. It comes in all the classic colors so you can pick which ones would work best for your wardrobe. Remember that light colors are always the way to go to stay cool on tropical vacations.
Nobody enjoys wearing a strapless bras and finding the right bra to wear under tanks can be hard. This racerback lace bralette from Target is a perfect fit for under tanks. It has a functional fit and is so cute, you won’t mind if the straps show.
If you’re an early morning beach walker or avid sunset watcher, you’re going to want a light but cuddly layer to throw on when it’s a bit chilly out.
This Eddie Bauer Motion Enliven Wrap is perfect to toss on for your early morning coffee run.
Pro Tip: Wear this as your top layer for the airport! It will be one of the heaviest things you pack so wear it on the plane to lighten up your luggage.
Bottoms
On a tropical vacation, the last thing you want is to be uncomfortable. You’re probably already sunburnt and sweaty, why add to it by throwing denim into the mix?
Relaxed fit shorts are going to be your best friend. Pick a pair in a neutral color if you want them to go with every top. Check out the Billabong Road Trippin' shorts! Bonus: they can double as pajamas, they’re THAT comfy.
If you’re planning on throwing some adventure into your tropical vacation like a hike or zipline excursion, you’ll want a comfortable pair of shorts that give you stretch without riding up.
These North Face Aphrodite 2.0 shorts are the perfect length for hiking in the heat. Plus the material is super breathable and moisture-wicking which is great for humid climates.
Pick something thats all-in-one
Want more beach time and less fuss? Pick a jumper or romper that means no need for matching! This will also help cut down your packing time. It’s a win-win!
This Toad & Co jumpsuit is made out of hemp which means it’s sustainable as well as super lightweight. It’s great for exploring cute beach towns and the light color it comes in will help keep you cool.
Jumpsuits are also a great option when you’re wanting to dress up a bit for dinners or out on the town. This ankle length, V-back jumpsuit from Target comes in the my favorite color and at the best price.
Shoes
Chances are you’ll be spending the majority of your tropical vacation barefoot with the sand between your toes. If shoes are needed, though, here are some great options for you to check out.
Slides are a great option for walking because they don’t fling sand as much as flip-flops and they are literally the easiest shoe to slip on. These Asos Freya pool slides are the perfect neutral shade and are sturdy for all day comfort.
Flip-flops are obviously the OG choice if you’re packing for a vacation. Of course you can get a cheap pair at the dollar store, but you won’t regret splurging on a good pair when you realize how much of a difference it makes.
Rainbow is an awesome brand for quality sandals. They have great arch support and the strap is thick so you won’t get blisters.
Accessories
The last element to tie together your outfit are going to be your accessories. The important thing to remember when packing accessories for a trip is to be sure that they are all functional. No need to clutter your bag with a bunch of extras that you won’t end up using
SUnglasses
Sunglasses are the perfect example of fashion with function. They can pull together a full outfit without adding more to your luggage because they can travel along with you right on top of your head.
Revo sunglasses are our personal favorite brand of sunglasses. The Clayton and Zinger styles are great classics, but the Brayton style is super trendy right now! Check them all out.
Hats
You can never go wrong with a cute sun hat. They’re perfect for those beach hair, don’t care days and also protect your face, neck, and chest from the sun.
This Sunday Afternoons Sun Haven Hat is a great option that is just the right amount of floppiness.
Bags
Have you ever carried a beach tote that just ends up getting mounds of sand in it and cuts off the circulation of your arm? Yeah, we’ve been there too. That’s why we recommend taking a backpack style bag to the beach. They zip up so minimal sand gets in and allows you to have both hands free!
Tripped Travel Gear Traveling Backpacks are a great option because they can double as your carry on/personal item on the plane as well as your beach bag! They pack so much and won’t leave you sweating when your carry it on your afternoon beach walk.
How to Pack a Suitcase
Tips and tricks to happy packing
Use this packing list as a guide for what to bring for a well-prepared but not over-packed trip to the tropics. If you’re short on space or wanting to stay organized, check out Tripped Travel Gear Compression Cubes for an even easier packing experience.
Enjoy the sun and happy travels!
