Pack Light, Look Great: Vacation Suitcase Essentials

It’s my favorite season: vacation season! If you’re planning to jet-set this summer, you’ll want to curate a vacation-worthy wardrobe. Packing light with versatile, chic pieces you can style in various ways is key. We’ll guide you through the art of packing the perfect vacation bag with the seven essential basics to mix and match for an array of fabulous outfits. You’ll look stunning every time you get dressed and be Instagram-ready for all the photo opportunities!

Pack for the place

Our biggest tip for packing is to know the culture and fashion of the location to which you’re traveling. For example, if you’re traveling to a laidback beach, you can get away with bikini tops and shorts as an outfit. But if you’re sightseeing in Italy, you’ll want to cover your shoulders and knees to visit the religious destinations. Before packing, research the local customs and fashion to ensure you don’t stand out too much. (Standing out is great in terms of personality, but not if it makes you a target for theft or scammers.)

Below are the essentials that will work for most vacation spots.

White button-down

Every vacation wardrobe needs a classic white button-down. For summer, you’ll want light and breezy fabrics like linen or cotton that keep you cool while looking effortlessly chic. You can pair a white button-down with almost everything else in your bag for an instantly fashionable outfit.

Pair with jogging shorts, a tank, and cute accessories for sightseeing around the town.

Tuck it into tailored shorts for an elevated yet easy look that transitions beautifully from day to night.

Throw it over a skirt for a classic and refined outfit without feeling heavy or uncomfortable.

You can even use a long white button-down as a chic swimsuit coverup.

Versatile bottoms

Depending on where you’re traveling and for how long, you can get away with one pair of pants and one pair of shorts – if you choose the right ones! Opt for well-fitted jeans or shorts that you can wear with any top in your suitcase. This will save a lot of room, but you’ll look different in all your pictures thanks to your blouses and accessories.

Denim shorts are a must-have for most beachy vacations. Dress them down with a plain white tee and sandals, or dress them up with an elevated blouse, blazer, and wedges.

Even more versatile than denim shorts are white shorts. White shorts are easy to dress up or down depending on your activity, and a crisp, tailored white pant is forever timeless and sophisticated.

I love a pair of flowy, wide-leg white pants whenever I travel. They’re the quintessential “vacation” pant that are easy to dress down with a bikini for the beach, dress up with a blouse for dinner, or pair with a sweatshirt for lounging around the hotel.

Light wash jeans are summery and casual but also easy to wear for sightseeing and daytrips. In many countries, shorts are discouraged, so having a pair of longer, light-wash jeans is ideal for exploring the city – especially European cities. Choose any silhouette and style you prefer; I often lean towards a cropped, wide leg, mid- or high-rise jean for vacation because versatile and flattering.

Little white dress

You can’t go wrong with a white dress for summer vacation. Whether you opt for a mini, midi, or maxi, you can wear and re-wear a white dress multiple days of your vacay with different accessories – and you’ll look drop-dead gorgeous each time!

When choosing a white dress, go for the silhouette you feel most comfortable in. If you don’t want a tight white dress that shows off your body, a slip dress or wider waist creates a breezy effect that’s perfect for vacation.

I will always love a simple white dress with buttons down the front. This gives it a natural, purposeful look that’s perfect with a denim jacket for sightseeing, a shawl for dinner, or flip flops for a walk on the beach.

Look how easily this outfit comes together with just a white dress, a pair of wedges, and a cute sunhat. We’re always looking for easy, quick, and cute when it comes to travel wear.

Matching set

I always pack at least one matching set in my vacation suitcase. A set gives you one easy, put-together outfit, but you can also separate the pieces to create a variety of outfits with the other basic pieces in your suitcase.

Sometimes, I’ll pack all neutrals except one bold matching set that I rework a bunch of different ways with different tops, bottoms, and accessories to create endless outfits. This makes matching outfits easy, but it also offers a consistent color palette in photos, which is beautiful for Instagram and photo books!

Or you might go the opposite route and pack a neutral matching set, so you can mix and match with the other pieces you’ve packed.

Matching sets don’t need to be the exact same color or pattern. I’m obsessed with sets in the same color palette but with different patterns, like this polka dot top and striped bottoms.

Swimsuits as clothes

You’re already packing swimsuits for the beach, so why not use them in your day-to-day wear too. If you’re looking for more casual outfits, try wearing your swimsuit as your top.

A bikini top can replicate a bandeau, and a one-piece can work like a bodysuit. The goal is to find bathing suits that fit well, are made of quality material, and are easy to wear.

Look how easily this white bikini top and matching set create a purposeful, refined look. And then take off the blouse and shorts, and you’re ready to jump in the waves!

To make this work well, choose a swimsuit that feels comfortable and not too revealing. Wear it underneath a white button-down or jacket with high-waisted pants.

Sensible wedges

Wedges make every outfit look more purposeful by lengthening the leg. But you don’t have to sacrifice comfort; the right pair of wedges will be easy to walk in for hours. Wedges are the perfect vacation accessory for all the outfits mentioned on this list, like white dresses…

Denim shorts…

Matching sets…

And with a white button-down.

Practical accessories

Don’t forget your go-to summer accessories like sunglasses, sandals, purses, belts, hats, and jewelry. These can really take the outfit from simple to chic in an instant. If you have extra space, pair double accessories so you can re-wear the same outfits but make them look completely new with different accessories!

Pack light, look great

Packing light while still looking fashionable is a skill any fashionista traveler can master. Mixing and matching versatile basics with pops of color lets you create an array of stylish outfits for your vacation. As long as you pack outfits that reflect your personal style, you’ll feel comfortable and confident in all your travels. Happy vacationing!

Photo sources:

• White button-down 1: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/633387440924781/
• White button-down 2: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/36169603250746217/
• White button-down 3: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/774124927457155/
• White button-down coverup: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/143974519329387867/
• Denim shorts: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/422212533829919033/
• White shorts: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/3237030975632709/
• White pants: https://www.mychicobsession.com/what-to-pack-for-dominican-republic/
• Jeans: https://lizpacini.com/2019/07/25/cropped-jeans-im-loving-lately/
• White maxi dress: https://visual-therapy.com/resort-style-7-chic-4th-of-july-outfit-ideas/
• White mini: https://fashionjackson.com/10-affordable-summer-dresses-to-add-to-your-wardrobe/amp/
• White dress with buttons: https://alysonhaley.com/2020/07/3-ways-to-style-this-little-white-dress.html
• White dress with wedges: https://pumpsandpushups.com/white-dress-edit/
• Matching set: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/357402920442536267/
• Colorful set: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/39617671712598884/
• Neutral set: https://stylereportmagazine.com/new-neutral-spring-outfits-to-add-to-style-lineup/
• Mix and match set: https://sincerelyjules.com/two-piece-sets-for-summer/
• Swimsuit top: https://aloprofile.com/how-to-accessorize-a-swimsuit/
• Bikini bandeau: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/368169338301979876/
• Bikini with matching set: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/36943659434414306/
• Floral bikini: https://www.honeywerehome.com/2021/04/amazon-fashion-faves-27.html
• Wedges and white dress: https://www.instagram.com/emmahill/?epik=dj0yJnU9UkZUMVY1X0VLWl9iZGpfTnNOODhKZVN5YmMwbi1PMlEmcD0wJm49TVJaVFlNZjdrRTh5Y2tMRUQzMktiUSZ0PUFBQUFBR1J0R0lr
• Wedges and denim shorts: https://www.miamiamine.com/2017/06/5-staples-chic-summer-wardrobe.html
• Wedges and matching set: https://christinabtv.com/2019/06/28/5-exclusive-tips-to-plan-a-spectacular-summer-staycation/
• Wedges and white button-down: https://beachwoodbaby.com/products/palma-shirt-blanco
• Practical accessories: https://itsybitsyindulgences.com/junes-capsule-wardrobe-32-styled-outfits/