A (realistic!) summer vacation packing guide
I may not be going to Europe, but I am going on vacation, and I'm going to wear things that make me happy everyday!
I’m not the first person to write about what it’s like to go on a trip with small kids, nor is this my first time writing about it! There is a whole process that goes specifically into preparing for these types of trips. It sometimes feels like the energy that goes into preparing and packing for the trip is equal (maybe even greater than!) to the energy that goes into the going on the trip itself. There are lists on paper, lists on my phone, lists in my text messages, lists in my head, lists on post-its to make sure no last-minute item is forgotten. And the last minute purchases I’ve somehow decided that we need - anything, anything, ANYTHING to make the plane ride go smoother, the long car ride a little easier, the relocation process just a little bit better. My chest feels a little tight just thinking about everything that has to happen between now and when we leave, and that’s just thinking about the things that have to happen so we can pull out of our driveway and drive to the airport — getting through the travel day (days in our case), then actually getting settled at our destination, and making sure everyone has what they need when we’re away from home… That’s a whole process in and of itself.
There is a frequent conversation amongst parents that a vacation with your (little) kids isn’t really a vacation - since there is little “vacation” from your day-to-day responsibilities and routine — it’s really a trip. I have conflicted feelings about this claim — because yes, there is a lot of work involved in leaving your normal place and comfort zone with kids and going somewhere else — lots of adjusting, and stuff, and disrupted routines and less sleep than usual. But there is also lots of magic in seeing new places with your kids, showing them new things, discovering new spots together - watching them run on the beach, play in a new playground, delight in trying a new food. And, I think, there is also always a way to enjoy these trips in an “adult” way as well — a babysitter to be found, or a special restaurant to try - even if it’s takeout - an afternoon tradeoff with your partner to get some shopping in or go for a walk or get a glass of wine and read your book.
As we’ve gone on more and more trips/vacations (whatever you want to call them) - my husband and I have gotten better and better at them. Both at setting our expectations appropriately — so much about parenting happily is related to making sure expectations are appropriate — both between you and your partner and for yourself! And at making sure we each (really - all of us) get to do the thing or things that are the most important to us on the trip.
So, I think we have actually gotten pretty good at the whole vacations with kids thing! Yes we will be more tired than usual, yes I’m sure there will be more tantrums and tears, more snapped responses, times when I wish I could just lie down and scroll through my phone and I can’t, and an assortment of other mishaps along the way that I can’t even picture right now, but I’m still excited! I like being in new places and I’m excited to see new things, explore a new place with my family, and let go of our normal routine just a little.
And of course, I’m excited to wear some of my favorite clothes! I might not be going on a European vacation, but there really is just something about getting dressed on vacation. It’s just - a little bit better, a little more fun, an incentive to wear EXACTLY what you want to wear, regardless of the dress code, or vibe, or what other people are wearing. Of course, I always wholeheartedly embrace this mentality, but sometimes the day-to-day gets in the way a bit. Especially when I am still early postpartum - I have found myself wearing the same thing nearly every single day. It’s my postpartum uniform, and I’m totally good with it, I feel good and comfortable and like myself, but It’s also a uniform and set of outfits borne out of routine and convenience. So, when we’re away, I’m excited to mix things up — get dressed every day in something other than athleisure, get dressed for cocktail hour and dinner every night, enjoy the early evening in something other than my pjs!
When I looked back at my summer vacation packing post from last year, I was pleasantly surprised by how many of these pieces still make perfect sense - and I was actually inspired by a couple of the outfits I had put together (specifically, I was prompted to make sure I pack my favorite slip dress to wear with a sweater, with a button down and sneakers, and out for a nice dinner). I have a lot of the pieces, or similar versions, in my closet, and I’ll be bringing a lot of them on our upcoming trip — except jeans…I’m not yet in the stage of postpartum where I feel ready to try on my jeans…maybe in September!)
This year, we are headed to Wisconsin for a few weeks, where my in-laws spend their summer on Lake Michigan, and then will come back to the east coast to Cape Cod for the second half of August. I am essentially packing myself and the kids for a month, since we’ll only be home for one day in between the two legs of our odyssey. But, even though we are going to two very different destinations, I think the vibe is the same — warm days and cooler nights, coastal, comfortable and classic. I’m thinking lots of flowy dresses, jean shorts, sweaters that can be thrown over everything, as much linen as possible. Here’s my ideal packing list… (and be sure to follow along on instagram to see what I actually end up wearing!)
1: Delphine Skirt & Top - I always over-index on dressier outfits when I pack for vacation, because I love to get extra dressed up when I’m on vacation. I love this set - and you can pain the skirt with. a simple white tee or your button down for a more casual look.
2: Earrings - I love these simple yet pretty earrings that will go with every outfit you pack, and are casual/simple enough for a vacation town.
3: Yellow One-Piece - A super chic bathing suit, great especially if you prefer color!
4: Button-Front Dress - A great mini dress that I love. Dress up or down!
5: Anine Bing Sweatshirt - There are few things I love more than putting on comfy clothes at the end of a long day, especially in the summer when its cool enough to wear a sweatshirt in the evenings. It’s one of my favorite things about being in the midwest by a lake!
6: Chimi Sunglasses - The best sunglasses are coming with us too!
7: White Mini Dress - A mini-dress is an always piece for me on vacation - perfect for daytime and then can also be dressed up for an evening out or a quick dash out for a drink!
8: Button-Back Sweater - We know we’re not packing a suitcase without a striped sweater, right? This one will go with everything and the cotton-knit is the perfect weight!
9: Navy and White Striped Shirt - A button-up is a summer vacation workhorse. Wear it as a coverup over your bathing suit, wear it over bike shorts or leggings for a morning coffee run, wear with jeans for a night out, or with jean shorts for a casual daytime activity. It could even be part of your travel day look! If you prefer a clean white look, I love this!
10: Chunky Necklace - A perfect vacation piece - will with with everything in your suitcase, and adds a great statement as a single piece with dresses or other dressed-up looks.
11: Wide Sleeve Crop Tee - You can’t go on vacation without a simple white shirt, and I loved the cropped look with slightly elongated sleeves of this one. Will transition so well into fall!
12: Raffia Tote - A packable tote is a must and this one will hold so much! Also, you can fold a tote like this in half and hold it as a clutch to double as your nighttime bag if you don’t want to bring two!
13: Squareneck A-Line Dress - All the white to beat the heat and feel vacation-y. I would also recommend traveling with this at all times.
14: Birkenstocks - A lake vacation screams birkenstocks - you’ll wear them every single day!
15: Ecru Jeans - For cooler nights, it’s nice to have a pair of pants to pull on. These are the perfect white jeans - the color will translate so well into fall, and still works great with easy tops, a button-down, or a simple summer tank.
16: Denim Shorts - I am an Agolde denim short enthusiast, and I love the clean-hem version this summer, I just got a pair. Perfect for summer vacation! The (slightly) distressed version is also great!
17: Striped T-Shirt - Another classic vacation piece - perfect for all your bottoms!
18: Polo Baseball Cap - I reach for a baseball cap almost every day while on vacation. Even if I’m not wearing it all day - I’m wearing it for coffee runs in the morning, at the lake, for an afternoon walk, to cover my unruly hair…you name it!
19: Black One-Piece - I am partial to a black bathing suit always, and especially on vacation! I love this one too!
20: Black Block Heels - One pair of dressier shoes that will go with all your outfits!
21: Black Athletic Shorts - For running around during the day, a run if you’re up for it on vacation, or even dress up with a simple tank or your button down!
22: Poplin Shirt Dress - An easy, breezy dress that is perfect for the heat. This dress especially caught my eye because it is nursing-friendly!
23: White Sneakers - White sneaks are a go-to for travel for me. They work as a great airport shoe, are comfortable for walks or any kind of exercise you might do on your trip, and will also look great with any other outfit!
great roundup. safe travels!