With Memorial Day Weekend at the end of this month — the unofficial kickoff to summer! — I wanted to share several of my favorite summertime getaway essentials so that as you’re getting your suitcases and SPF ready, you’ll be well prepared no matter what your travel itinerary entails.
A fun, colorful, and — most importantly — comfortable outfit
Regardless of where my travels take me, I love packing for vacation and treating myself to a new outfit — or two! — before takeoff. When putting together summertime vacation looks, I recommend choosing colorful pieces that can be dressed up or down with the right accessories, but above all, do not sacrifice your own comfort! There’s nothing worse than wearing clothes that are too tight, too itchy, or too fussy on vacation — you want to focus on the memories you’re making and not your clothing.
One of my favorite spots to shop for vacation for the whole family is J Crew Factory — they carry men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing that is on-trend and usually on sale. For summer, I gravitate towards their maxi dresses — they are super easy to pack and lightweight in the summer heat, but still make me feel pulled together on vacation.
Travel-size versions of your favorite products
When I am traveling, I don’t want to sacrifice my normal skincare and beauty routine — which is why I stock up on travel sizes of all my favorite products at Ulta before my trip. Whether it’s my favorite shampoo + conditioner, nighttime moisturizer, or CC cream, having smaller versions of my regular products with me not only helps me breeze through the security checkpoint with ease, it also gives me some of the comforts of home while traveling.
Several summer beach reads
Regardless of whether or not my ultimate summer travel destination is the beach, I always make sure I have several “beach reads” in my carry-on. When traveling, there can be a lot of downtime — whether you’re waiting at the gate, on the plane, or have a few extra minutes to kill before heading to your dinner reservation — so it’s always nice to have a book you can pick up while you wait. (Or simply to just enjoy while on vacation — one of my favorite things to do in the world is read a great book on the beach!)
Before a trip, one of my favorite rituals is to head to my local Barnes & Noble to buy some books. I have found that their team does a great job of curating recommended selections no matter what genre you’re interested in. Some of the best books I’ve read recently and would recommend for any trip this summer include Seven Days in June by Tia Williams, Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr, and The Tobacco Wives by Adele Meyers.
The right travel storage
When packing for a trip, I try to keep my suitcase as organized as possible so that once I arrive at my destination, I can focus on being present and enjoying it — and not worrying about tracking down something that’s lost in a messy suitcase. A must-have for me is a jewelry organizer — it helps keep my necklaces tangle-free and all my rings and earrings securely in place. I picked up mine at The Container Store, which also has a great selection of packing cubes, luggage locks, and anything else you might need to stay organized while on the go.
Sunglasses, SPF, and accessories
No matter where I am traveling, sunglasses and SPF are always at the top of my packing list! For sunglasses, Anthropologie always has a fantastic selection, and for SPF, I can always find a great option at Blue Mercury.
Once those two essentials are out of the way, though, that’s when the fun begins as it’s time to pack accessories! Earrings, bracelets, and bags are a fun way to change up a look while on vacation without having to pack extra clothes — two of my favorite places to grab these fun wardrobe additions are J Crew Factory and TJ Maxx. Both stores always have a wide selection, so matter your personal style, you’re sure to find something you love.
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Wherever your travels take you this summer— bon voyage! And if you need the perfect playlist to have on while packing, I’ve curated the perfect one! Follow Sonder/Sway on Spotify and give it a listen!
Katie Urban is a lifestyle blogger and hosts A Touch of Teal. Read her blog to find the perfect desk-to-drink or weekend outfits, travel guide for your next adventure, home decor ideas—and cocktail recipes for when you have people over, a new book to read, or just reflections on life as a millennial living in DC.
