Beach Vacation: What To Wear (And Pack)

We spent a sun-and-fun soaked weekend in Cape May a few weeks ago, and it was one of those rare occasions that I managed to pack perfectly.  I brought just a few things, but felt chic and comfortable in every situation we encountered.  Here’s what I brought…and how I plan to extend it for our beach week(s) in Michigan.

Weekend Packing List

(featured items:  drapey tank | stay-put swim | chic pajamas | cool sweatshirt | graphic tee | easy overalls | flat sandals | cool bag | glam coverup)

1.  Two Tops

Even with spills, spit-up, etc.  I can easily get by with just two tops for a beach weekend (most of the time I’m wearing a swimsuit anyway).  For a modern update, I like a drapy tank and graphic tee.

2.  Stay-Put Swimwear

In addition to cool rash guards, and reader Daisy’s perfect post-partum find..has anyone checked out ASOS?  Their selection is staggering.

3.  Overalls

I know I’m going to get some hate for this one.  But wait!!  Wait!  Not only are these things insanely comfy (perfect for the road trip to the beach), but once there, they are surprisingly sexy over a swimsuit.  You know…highlight the good (yay boobs!), cover the bad (*cough*poochystomach-and -vericoseveins*cough*).  As a child of the 90’s, my love of overalls runs deeeep. I’m thrilled to be in overalls again.

I am eating chips.  Obviously very concerned about my pooch.

 (wearing:  stupid-expensive overalls (these are much more reasonable, these are a bargin), old j.crew bikini, Salt sunnies)

4.  Something Warm

With the exception of Miami’s South Beach, I freeze every morning and evening.   So I never go on a beach weekend without packing something warm.  I like a modern, drapy sweatshirt, or, if you dare, something cropped-ish.  The right cropped sweater can hit at a nice pooch-disguising length, and works over a bikini (for the always-colds)….

…or layered under the overalls.

Excuse the blurriness.  My photographer had a few too many at the Rusty Nail.  Which, incidentally, is our fav place to bring the kids.  It’s sand pit – meets – bar perfection.

5.  Cute and Comfy Sandals

If I choose carefully, I can get by with just one pair of shoes.  Personally, I always pick flat sandals.  High heels often feel waaay too fussy for a beach weekend.  (And I always bring my rubber flip-flops as backup.)

6.  A Glam Coverup

Before kids, I never really concerned myself with beach cover-ups.  But neither did I concern myself with saggy boobs, poochy stomachs, or old-lady skin, so….yeah.  Ideally, I’m looking for a beach coverup that’s somewhere in between, say, a mesh bodysuit and a mumu.

Free People nails this fine line, every year.

(wearing: Free People High Noon Tee)

Incidentally, this was our kitchen at The Sandpiper in Cape May.  We were within walking distance to the aforementioned Rusty Nail (key), and our stay included full access to Congress Hall’s beach umbrellas and chair set-up.  Our favorite place to stay, hands-down.

7. Chic Pajamas

I have a loungewear/pajama problem.  It’s out of control.  But I tend to spend most of my time in them – especially on vacation.  Why not make them cute?

Morning coffee bliss

 (wearing: tank – similar, pj pants – same print (different colors) and this pair is also pretty rad)

When Staying For A Week, Add….

(featured items: lightweight scarf | soft tee or tank | windbreaker | easy summer dress | long-sleeve striped tee | denim cut-offs | walkable wedges)

As I finish this, we’ve been hanging out on the Michigan beaches for well over a week now.  The above list contains pretty much the only items of clothing I’ve worn…with the addition of a standard pair of jeans (the bugs!!), a cozy, over-sized sweatshirt and warm, Love Michigan sweatpants (the last two purchased out of desperation because OMG so cold in June!!).  Besides – the Love Michigan design is so cool, I almost forgive them for leaving out the U.P.  Almost.

Note my choice of words, however:  the pictured items are the only pieces I’ve worn.  Since we’re gone for almost three weeks, I felt the need to pack smart…and then keep packing.  So, per usual, I have a suitcase full of crap, yet have been sitting here in the same tank top and shorts* all week.   Sigh.  Really, one of these times I will just take my own advice.

*And by ‘shorts’ I mean ‘sweatpants’.

Happy Summer, Mamas.  It’s officially here.

xo,

S