It’s Memorial Day, and you know what that means… SUMMER is finally here! I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that I am sooo stoked for long weekends and beach vacations. Call me high maintenance or just well traveled; but for me the secret to a carefree holiday starts with being well packed. Check out my essential tips to help you prepare for the three day weekend ahead, so that you can relax and enjoy every minute, and of course look great while doing it.
Plan Your Wardrobe
Hackhouse Convertible Tank Dress $310
My trick for keeping it light is planning, planning, planning. If you know your basic itinerary for the weekend, plot out your specific outfits ahead of time so that you’re not lugging a bunch of extra options. If you’re not sure, pack simple styles and bring accessories to transition outfits from casual to dressy like statement earrings and a chunky heel. Keep heavy accessories like shoes and bags to a minimum by devising your weekend wardrobe around them so that they crossover to multiple outfits.
Earthen Warrior Sleep Mask $60
Bring a Sleep Kit
You never know what kind of noises your hotel neighbors may bring, and floor to ceiling windows in a rental house may make for great views - but how bright will the morning sun be?! To guarantee quality shut-eye I never leave home without a sleep-mask and earplugs, just in case. Not to mention, they’re essential for napping on planes and trains.
Maison Francis Kirkjian Fragrance Wardrobe $215
Miniaturize Your Favorites
If you’re a little high maintenance about your beauty products but don’t want to check a bag, buy minis! Even the most high end brands make mini sizes of their most popular products, and if they don’t, get empties so you can decant your own.
Snag a Signature Accessory
Whether it’s a jazzed up sandal or an awesome pair of sunglasses, a statement accessory will make you feel stylish even when you’re just wearing jean shorts.
Jamboo Earphones $45
LISTEN UP
If you’ve got a long road trip ahead of you, even the best Spotify playlist can get tired. Podcasts are a great way to keep you entertained while stuck in traffic. Besides NPR’s "Politics" and "The Daily" by the New York Times, I’m personally obsessed with Susanna Scully’s “The Cosmos in You” (if science and spirituality had a baby…), The Moth (amazing storytellers from all over the world) and NYT’s “Modern Love.” Make sure to download a few episodes if you want to listen without wifi!
AWAY + PopSugar Carry-On $225
Pack Smart
I don’t just mean WHAT you pack, but how you pack it. I’ve long loved my vintage Louis Vuitton duffle, but I’m newly addicted to AWAY’s hardshell roller-boards (I have both the XL and the carry-on size). The inside is divided into two main compartments plus all kinds of useful pockets that keep things from getting as wrinkled or lost like they would in a duffle. They come in lots of cute colors in a pretty, sleek design so I don’t miss my LV too much. Did I mention there’s a built in iPhone charger?! Game. Changer.
Intro photo by Angela Pham , romper by Paper Crown
As always, this post features sustainable fashion brands and independent designers to support shopping globally and locally.
Written for Public Goods
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