Today Annie, Mary Ann and I are joined by our friend Ashley from Modern Glam to discuss how to pack for a vacation. We will be traveling to Hawaii in September with a three-year-old. We will be spending a lot of time around the pool and beach so she can enjoy the trip. We have not been to Hawaii for several years but it is very casual, so there is no need to pack dressy clothes that won’t be worn. Let’s take a look at how to Rock and Over 50 Travel Wardrobe-Hawaii.
The plan is to bring a capsule wardrobe of items that can be mixed, matched and repeated. I will stick with a neutral color scheme, for simplicity, to get the maximum wear out of the items I take. Linen and lightweight cotton will be my staples. It will be quite warm in September so most items will not be worn multiple times unless I can give them a light hand wash.
Here is my packing list.
I plan to get a lot of mileage out of this J Crew Voile skirt. It can perform double duty. Here I am wearing it with the J Crew swimsuit and with a linen shirt tied at the waist should we decide to have a poolside dinner. It is also lightweight enough that it could be washed out by hand and worn twice.
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I would imagine the first day will be a beach/pool day to recover from the trip. The Etsy straw tote packs flat and expands to a large tote. All items are linked below the graphic.
The skirt could also be worn for a casual dinner, with the J Crew linen shirt tucked in with a jute belt from Banana Republic, and simple accessories and sandals.
The skirt could also be worn again if necessary for a shopping day in town with a simple sleeveless tee from banana republic, yellow box sandals, the etsy tote, and simple accessories from Etsy.
Another easy to pack and wear is this shirt dress from J Crew.
This T shirt dress can be dressed down or up. It could be paired with the Ilse Jacobson sneaks (which can be washed by the way) for a morning walk.
Or dressed up a bit for a lunch out.
The Michael Stars Gauze pant in black and white will be comfortable staples on this trip. They can be mixed and matched with other items, they don’t wrinkle, and they could be easily hand washed if need be. Only packable hats are practical for travel.
The black pants could be paird with a different tee and the J Crew beach sweater for travel days back and forth.
The great thing about this dress from Mango is it is super lightweight and it can be dressed up for dinner or double as a coverup. I am having mine hemmed up to an above the ankle length to avoid tripping!
It can be dressed up for a dinner out.
SHOP THE LOOK HAWAII
This packing list could easily be extended to a ten day or two week vacation with a few hand washings. Gauze does not need to be ironed, and even linen looks fine with very light ironing. You might also enjoy my european version of this post here how to rock an over 50 travel wardrobe Italy.
Thanks for reading How to Rock and Over 50 Travel Wardrobe-Hawaii .Now let’s pop over and visit my friends. They are all seasoned travelers so I know they will have some great ideas.
CLASSIC CASUAL HOME
MOST LOVELY THINGS
MODERN GLAM
Hi Cindy, My first venture into your noteworthy blog, and it’s time to shop! Please help me locate links on Hawaii feature for both collapsible straw tote and animal-print sandal. So chic and different!! Love how you stuck to color palette and kept the look effortless. I envision re-creating every one of these looks.
Hi Char
First of all welcome! We are so glad you are here. At the bottom of the post you will find a link that says SHOP THE LOOK HAWAII. ALL OF THE LINKS ARE THERE!
Oh, whoops, I spoke to soon. I found the link. Unfortunately, they’re out of it in the color I want. I’ll keep a watch…. Have a most enjoyable time with your family!
Hi Cherie
I hope you can find what you want!!
Please, please post the etsy link to the flat bag that opens into a tote! I love it!!!
You’re gonna’ look cool and be cool. After the year you two have had, you deserve a great vacay!
Hi Patricia
It has been a busy year! Looking forward to some small getaways and Hawaii!!
just ordered the straw tote! Great for going to the beach, shopping, etc! Have a wonderful time in Hawaii with your family!
Hi Cheryl
I think that tote is a winner! I hope you enjoy it.
Love these colors Cindy thanks for the inspiration.Have a gorgeous trip!
Hi Francesca
We won’t be travelling until September but we sure are looking forward to it.
I love your style and brands that appear in your blog. Have ordered several items and
loved them all. Just reorganized my closet with Joy Magnano hangers. Got 50% more
space. Is there a link to the sunglasses featured? Heading on a road trip up the Oregon
coast. Need to get out of the heat in Southern Oregon.
Roberta
Hi Roberta
I added the sunglasses. Have a wonderful time on the Oregan Coast!
Hi Cindy,
You and your husband deserve a lovely vacation. You will look amazing in your selection of vacation wear. Have a wonderful trip.
xo,
Karen
Hi Karen
Thank you so much we are looking forward to it.
Cindy … you’ll be the most stylish woman on the islands! Making note of your wardrobe list … I could use packable hats. After not traveling for over a year this topic is so timely … I think I forgot how to pack. You ladies have me motivated to start googling Hawaii flights. You’re going to have an amazing trip! xo
Hi Juliet
I think we have all forgotten how to pack!
Kindly share the Etsy link. Thank you
Cindy, I have been traveling SO much that I feel like I should leave a suitcase packed all the time. Great reminder about what one needs for a beach vacation. Unfortunately my travel has been less fun and more business, but great post!
Hi Gayle
I need to try those hangers. I have so many things that slip off! I love your suggestion about washing linen. I am going to try your strategy!! That is why I love linen so much!
The hangers are the best! No bumps on knits, no sliding off the hangers, lightweight and indestructible. I only buy Joy’s brand. Imitations are worthless, IMO. Available from HSN and probably Amazon and eBay. Joy sold the brand to HSN, so no longer at Target. Bummer. The add on waterfall hooks are handy, too. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
I forgot to say that I only use this shower method for wovens. Knits would probably stretch too much. They should be rolled in a towel and dried flat. Most hotels have dryers, too.
Hi Gayle
Thank you so much for sharing. I don’t iron any of my linen anymore. I hang dry and stretch!!
Gayle thank you so much for the hanger tip! I am going to order them!!
Cindy, I like to pack two or three Joy Magnano hangers when I travel. Hotel hangers don’t always make me happy. Re: hand washing, I generally take my favorite silk/ cotton tunic to the beach. It is dressy enough for most Florida restaurants, and cool enough to wear on the beach. I take it to the shower with me on Joy’s hanger, rinse under the shower and use a little shampoo on the collar and underarms. Rinse again and leave in the shower to dry. It is so lightweight it will dry very quickly. Ditto for the linen pants. Rinse, shampoo, rinse and hang by the hems. No ironing required!
I bought my sister these from your blog Ilse Jacobson sneaks and she loves them! You are going to have so much fun!!! YOU deserve it. I want that straw bag!!! Wish I could get it in time!
I think that straw bag is a winner, but I have not received mine yet. Love that it collapses for packing!
Anyone pack for a 10 day road trip?
Grey info!
*great
The Vivenne Files covers about every scenario. A wealth of capsule wardrobe info.
Pat that is.a great suggestion. Once my husband retires we will be making road trips!
LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE READY TO FLY!!!!!!
TAKE LOADS OF PHOTOS AND ENJOY THOSE MAGICAL WARM EVES!
Hi Elizabeth
We will enjoy it. We have a few small trips planned before we head to Hawaii!
Etsy straw tote link?
Looking for that tote link too. You’ll help sell a lot of those Cindy! Adore your style and packing list!
Hi Marilyn
So sorry I always manage to miss a link or two. I fixed it and emailed you the link as well! It is a great tote!
Packing now for a trip to Seattle to visit son, daughter-in-law, and 2 year old grandson. Haven’t seen them for almost 2 years. I’m beyond excited and am already packed…very casual clothes, 2 hats, sneakers, a comfortable cross-body bag, and a tee-shirt dress if we get out. Love your blog and instagram, you always have something that interests me.
Hi Nancy
I am so happy for you! Have a wonderful time with that grandson. I know how hard it was when we could not see Summer. So happy we are all getting back to normal!