When it’s the middle of winter, daydreaming can lend itself to visions of being sprawled and sun-kissed on a sandy beach—on a beach holiday somewhere far from zoom calls and slack pings. And once the fantasy takes over and the flights are booked, the last thing you should be stressing over is what to pack.
Wherever the wind blows you, breeze right into your warm weather getaway with a suitcase brimming with beachy wardrobe essentials. From period swimwear to effortless lounge, so long as you have your passport, we have the rest covered. Consider this your beach vacation packing list.
Period Proof Swimwear
How thoughtful of your period to show up on day two of your vacation. Packing period swimwear means not having to worry about steering clear of the pool. We’ve spent years perfecting the timeless style and fit of the Leakproof Classic One Piece Swimsuit, which looks and feels like a regular swimsuit (but with major benefits—like a built-in absorbent liner that absorbs 1-3 tsps of blood).
Something to Save Your Thighs
Thick thighs save lives, but they’re also known to rub together when the temperature rises and the short-shorts come out. The only sting one should feel on vacation is that of rum-punch, which is why you’ll find multiple pairs of Thigh Savers in our suitcase. High ranking on our list of beach travel essentials, these seamless bottoms (which can be worn under anything) reduce chafing and sweat—or having to sit on anything gross. There’s also, of course, a period proof version—the Leakproof Thigh Saver—that will also take care of sweat and period leaks.
Lightweight Sleepwear
The best kind of sleepwear, in our opinion, is the kind that doubles as loungewear or beach clothing (especially when there’s suitcase space to be accounted for). Made from luxuriously soft fabric, dreamy nights and days are made of the Modal Sleep Top and Bottom. Whether you’re in between high-thread-count hotel sheets or asleep in a lounger by the pool, you’ll be the comfiest.
Sun Protection
For obvious reasons (protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays), sunscreen is not to be overlooked as you make your break from the cold. Nothing faster ruins a beach vacation than a bad sunburn—including looking like a lobster in all your vacation pics. For streak-free protection for all skin types, our go-to is Black Girl Sunscreen. Hats and sunglasses are, of course, also high priority beach travel essentials.
Easy-to-Wear Swimsuits
We know a thing or two about what makes an effortless one piece swimsuit so essential. It’s easy to slip on, doubles as a top (that happens to match with everything), fits in all the right places, and holds the girls. It’s just a winning formula—and the one behind our Deep V One Piece Swimsuit.
Beachy Cover Ups
Riddle us this: what matches your swimsuit, ties a swim look together, and doubles as a headband? It’s the ever-underrated sarong. Designed using the same material as our swimsuits, this lightweight beach cover up is as versatile as it is easy to style.
Spa-Worthy Robe
Packing your robe might be a hard sell in terms of the square footage it will take up in your suitcase, but the experience of having access to a comfy, flowy robe while on vacation makes it worthwhile. Wrap yourself up after a salty ocean swim or use it as a cover-up on your next beach trip, either way you’ll be happy to have it on hand.
A Solid Beach Bag
Once you arrive in paradise, you’ll still have the pack for a beach trip (we suggest making a beach trip packing list). It always feels weird to pack a bag into another bag, but versatility is the beauty of the beach tote—a beach bag that can also double as a carry-on. When in doubt, reach for a couple solid reusable bags that can be used to haul your beach gear—flip flops, beach towel, and sun hat—to the beach and back. Then all that left to do is find some beach chairs to lounge in and sink your toes into the hot sand.
Water Bottle
If you don’t go anywhere without your Stanley cup, then we don’t have to tell you twice to drink plenty of water. Beach resorts and pool bars are nice, but they can also be a detriment to staying hydrated. Having a reusable bottle on hand is a game-changer when it comes to keeping quenched on a beach getaway. It’s equally handy to have close by during travel—a beach vacation is for splurging on cabana cocktails, not airport water bottles.
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Planning your next beach vacation? Shop more beach travel essentials, like our full Swim Collection and assortment of Everyday Wardrobe Heroes.