Packing for summer vacation can be a project of truly epic proportions. But, through the use of one simple strategy—having a list of essentials ready to go—you can cut down on packing time drastically. To help you on your own packing journey, I’ll share the top 7 summer vacation essentials I plan to bring with me, no matter where I’m visiting:
1. Multifunctional Noise Protection
Summer vacations are a noisy business. From the hustle and bustle of your destination to the sounds of the TV or your travel companions snoring in your hotel room, it is all too easy to feel overwhelmed. This is where Loop earplugs come in. As stylish as they are comfortable, Loop earplugs allow you to block out excess noise while still holding a conversation. Plus, these earplugs are not only reusable and easily transported in an adorable, durable carry case, but they also come with four interchangeable ear tip sizes to ensure a perfect fit.
I tried out Loop’s Switch 2 and Engage 2 earplugs, both upgraded versions of their predecessors. The Engage 2 earplugs filter background noise by 16 decibels (dB) (signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)), allowing me to pop them in whenever the world becomes a bit too overstimulating while still easily conversing with my friends. And the Switch 2 earplugs offer something extra special—three modes (quiet, experience and engage) that users can switch between via a little knob on the side. The engage mode offers 20 dB of noise filtration, the experience mode 23 dB and the quiet mode 26 dB, with the last mode serving as the perfect choice for quiet travel.
Find your own Loop earplugs HERE.
2. Comfortable, Sexy Swimwear
No summer packing list is complete without a couple of swimsuits that make you feel as good as you look. And, for the ideal balance of swimwear fit and function, Cupshe is the perfect choice. The business is committed to empowering wearers of most every size and body type through a range of unique, stylish and accessible products. And just how do they achieve this? By offering maternity pieces, a range of coverage options and sizes up to XL in the form of products including bikinis, one-pieces and cover-ups.
My tastes switch between modern and vintage depending on the day, and Cupshe delivered on both counts. The Serene Colorblock One-Shoulder Cutout One-Piece, a modern green and black swimsuit, offers an incredible boost in self-confidence. It’s form-fitting without being constricting or uncomfortable, something I was worried about as my height generally makes wearing a one-piece impossible. And the Polka Dot Sweetheart Bikini Top & High-Waisted Bottoms Set provided a lovely vintage feel alongside up-to-date benefits, including an underwire that offers increased bust support without digging into my chest.
Pick your perfect Cupshe swimsuit HERE.
3. Stylish, Water-Resistant Storage
While suitcases are important, they’re far from the only storage solutions to think about. For weekend trips and carry-on luggage, a tote bag—particularly the Tillie – medium-size tote bag by ShortyLOVE—may be your new best friend. With a structured base, an interior key leash and multiple pockets of varying widths and depths, the Tillie bag offers an incredible amount of storage in a relatively compact package. Plus, this bag is not only incredibly light, but also water resistant, making it perfect for trips to the beach.
Of course, tote bags aren’t all ShortyLOVE offers. Their product list also includes another of my summer travel favorites: the Merchant – small wallet. Like the Tillie bag, this piece is water resistant and available in a range of colors. It boasts a three-sided zipper that allows the wallet to open completely, 4 card slots, a cash compartment and a coin pouch. Plus, built-in RFID-blocking technology helps keep your personal information as safe as possible wherever you go.
Choose the right ShortyLOVE storage solution for your needs HERE.
4. All-Over Sun Protection
Before heading out the door and into summertime bliss, it’s important to grab the right form(s) of skin protection. And with products designed to both strengthen and replenish your skin as they work to protect you from sun damage, the clear winner in this unspoken competition is MDSolarSciences.
This summer, my suitcase will include the company’s Solar Stick SPF 40, Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 and Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm SPF 30. The lip balm, which I requested in the color Spice, is beautifully tinted and feels wonderful when applied. The Solar Stick, designed to offer 100% protection from ultraviolet rays, is the perfect product to stick in your purse for easy reapplication, particularly for areas such as your face. And the Mineral Moisture Defense cream is the ideal sunscreen for my arms and legs, which dry out incredibly easily. Why? Because it is intended to not only protect you from sun damage, but also to restore your skin’s moisture barrier. And, like the Solar Stick, it goes on smoothly and leaves me feeling ready for summer fun, with none of the sticky or itchy feeling some sunscreens create.
Take a look at MDSolarSciences’ sun protection offerings HERE.
5. A Cute and Classy Suitcase
What is more important for a vacation than a suitcase, and what showcases your sense of adventure better than a map? The Vitalia Underseater by Patricia Nash Designs, patterned with the company’s new Greek map print, is the answer to both of these questions. One of the latest offerings in the company’s wide range of exquisite designs, the map series pays homage to not only the company’s past, but also your ability to shape your present—and future—through travel.
Personally, I found the Vitalia Underseater to be the perfect piece of luggage for a short summer jaunt. The bag’s multiple zip pockets, expansive inner cavity and elastic garment straps allow it to fit a surprising amount of clothing and other travel necessities, given its relatively small size. It can also be carried in a number of ways—via the leather straps or retractable metal handle on top, or by using the back slip pocket to slide the Underseater over the handle of a larger suitcase. And, as an added benefit, the piece’s 100% cotton-linen blend’s thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating gives it exceptional water resistance, easily protecting it from weather damage.
Take a look at Patricia Nash Designs’ gorgeous luggage HERE.
6. Durable and Fashionable Waterproof Jewelry
Jewelry is a necessary summer accessory, but no one wants to worry about how it will hold up during trips to the beach or to rain-prone climates. Thankfully, with Flaire & Co.’s waterproof jewelry collection, you don’t have to. These pieces are designed to be safe from all types of water exposure, from sweat accrued during a hard workout to full submersion in a bath or pool. Just wash them in warm, soapy water to remove any residue, dry them with the provided jewelry cloth and store them out of direct sunlight. You’ll never again have to worry about rust or green skin with these lovely accessories.
As a lifelong art history buff, I quickly fell in love with the company’s Greek-inspired collection, with the Hercules Knot bracelet and Medusa Necklace in Silver standing out to me in particular. Both are sleek and elegant without being impractical or over-the-top, allowing me to showcase my interests while engaging in everything from an outdoor adventure to a night on the town. And don’t be fooled by the delicate appearance of many of the company’s offerings. Each piece has been designed to be as durable and long-lasting as possible, allowing you to enjoy them for many years to come.
Find your perfect Flaire & Co. accessories HERE.
7. A Stylish (and Thematically Appropriate) Drink Container
Hanging out in the summer sun all day can make you feel parched, but not everyone wants to buy a beverage or drink lukewarm bottled water. The solution, then, is to pack the perfect water bottle for the job, and that is where the Owala’s FreeSip® comes in. The stainless steel body ensures it can take some bashing, a necessary trait for any summer vacation drink container, while the leak-proof lid design allows you to knock it over without feeling (too much) anxiety. Each FreeSip® bottle also comes with three layers of insulation, keeping your beverage deliciously cold for much longer than most drink containers.
Of course, your summer vacation accessories should have a summery feel. For this reason, the 24oz FreeSip® in Pillow Fight, from Owala’s Birthday Bash collection, was the perfect choice for my packing list. Patterned with alternating blue and white lines, alongside a smattering of tiny, adorable cherries, the bottle feels like a piece my character would have picked up in Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. In short, it has the perfect cute and silly vibes for summer vacation without losing any of the usability I expect from a water bottle.
Find your own Owala water bottle HERE.
