So tomorrow I’m going to Florida for about a week—I’m meeting my boyfriend Paul, who is doing some work down there, so it’s not really a vacation, but it’s not not a vacation either. Either way, it’s going to be fairly hot in the daytime, so I’ll for sure be packing a hippie girl dress like this one (which I like because it is not tiered). You can find cheaper, similar dresses on Etsy, but in my experience they’re pretty tent-like so you might have to spring for alterations.
Even though it’s a stain magnet that will likely be a wrinkled mess once I take it out of the suitcase, I do not often travel somewhere warm without a white button-down like this one, a little oversized so it can double as a beach cover-up.
Going on these work trips with the boyfriend, I frequently end up needing to amuse myself for a while, and these awesome headphones really help with that. I can tune into my favorite podcast, listen to a book, watch a show, or play music, and entertain myself for hours. Best of all, they’re noise-cancelling.
I feel like travel—especially air travel—really messes with your skin and clogs pores, so I bring along a travel size of Drunk Elephant’s Babyfacial mask. It exfoliates beautifully and leaves skin so much glowier than it was before.
If you’ve been hanging out here for a while, you know that I always travel with a Chan Luu silk and cashmere scarf because they’re so lightweight but also warm and soft. I’m really digging this cute bandana print.
Chinos are a must if I’m going somewhere warm, and I like the slightly higher waist and slouchy fit on these.
I try always to stick to a very tight color palette when I travel so everything goes with everything else, and the only problem with that is that I end up wearing lots of neutrals and not much color. So I like to add pops of brightness with my accessories, like for instance this cute webbed belt. 
I typically bring cork-soled sandals with a bit of a platform too, because they’re so walkable (as long as that platform isn’t too high). These also come in black, but I’m kind of enchanted by the cheery green, and they conform to my bright accessories philosophy.
Even in the nicest hotels, a room can smell off, so I’m rarely without a travel candle like this one, which has a fresh citrusy scent.
Bucket hats are so much more packable than clunky straw ones, and I think they’re cooler too, but I know some of you disagree with me on that front.
A travel steamer is, frankly, a pain to bring along—even the smallest ones take up too much precious suitcase space. But I do it anyway, because otherwise I’d look like a rumpled mess.
And finally, I really dig these EVA Birkenstocks because they’re so lightweight and easy to keep clean. They come in a ton of good colors, but I’m partial to this cherry red.
You’ve recommended that belt before and I have it in the checkerboard print. I would definitely consider a more colorful one.
Completely off-topic, but why are so many models pictured holding their arms aloft and/or over their heads these days? I have been amused by the trend.
I’m grumpy about the way most of them are posed because it often means you can’t see features of the clothes. If you want to do fashion editorials go work at a magazine. Otherwise pose the models like JC Penney (just kidding).
maybe it was last year you pointed out the obvious- the tiered ruffles down a dress are no ones friend…and a few days ago the WHAT WITH THE RUFFLES….and i say thank you thank you thank you. who wants material to add WIDTH to ones body? not at 57 no thanks….
I always love seeing your suitcase postings. I’m in the what-to-wear-on-the-plane-traveling-with-an-elderly-dog market. I finally found an airline that will take Betty in the main cabin so I am super, super happy to be flying to the East Coast this year rather than driving. Still, I was browsing online for something comfortable, yet put together for my bottom half that will withstand a 10 hour trip (2 airplanes and a car) and other than my usual standby of bluejeans I’ve come up with zip. Yoga pants did flash through my brain briefly, but they are almost always black and Betty is a shedding blonde so nope to that idea. (the airline is JSX for those in similar need, but their routes are limited)
Athleta’s Brooklyn pants are my go to for travel. Lightweight, stretchy, won’t wrinkle but they look like a pair of pants. They are not a jogger. I have them in multiple colors.
I just received a pair of Faherty brand Arlie Day Tie Pants, which are basically straight legged 100% cotton chambray pants that are pretty stylish and would be great for the plane. Mollusk and Marine Layer also make really good non-denim pants.
I just got a pair of the dream pants from Everlane and they are a great looking, comfy but elevated sweat pant. They would make a great travel pant, though they are definitely not lightweight for summer travel.
One smart commenter recommended the brand Pact for joggers, and they have a range of pant styles in several colors, including a garment called Airplane Jogger. I like their woven twill pant, too, although I wish i’d sized up. I’m 5’7″ and the twill pants hit just at my ankle bone, so you’d probably need to roll them (you’ve mentioned being not-tall), but they look cute rolled.
oooohhh, Thank you, Jenny! Checking them out NOW!
Ugh, I love that first dress so much. It really is the ideal, and makes me wish the best vintage store, Foreign Affair Warehouse on Thayer St. in RI, were still around. They used to have racks of these for cheap. I’ll have to buy the also amazing but more affordable green sandals instead.
Oh go back further in time on Thayer Street when Spectrum India was in its heyday and you also could have found rack of beautiful dresses like that! :))
I didn’t realize there were so many Rhode Islanders, or former Rhode Islanders, reading! I remember Spectrum India, but the other one must have been after I left.
RHODE ISLAND REPRESENT!
I love the look of an oversized white button down as a bathing suit coverup. It’s so sexy, IMO. You’re going to give platforms another go with your knee, huh? Stick to the Birkies!
As long as the soles are cork, I can swing it, Val.
Love the first pictured hippy dress especially! How does it run size-wise? Order down a size?
Fell for the Etsy sundresses and cursed again. It’s over four weeks later and nothing… little
Shipping info. I fell for it last year too w tablecloths. And they were for a garden wedding created in five weeks. Imagine the stress. Buyer beware- when it reads free shipping it means maybe it will never arrive… or very very late. You get what you pay for.
welcome and enjoy my home state. Here is South Florida we “say gay,” avoid Palm Beach and the Trumpers and are proud of our homegirl Ketanji Jackson Brown.
This is my fashion bugaboo, also. Anthro and Free People, I’m evil eyeing you.
Hey. Full length pants!! (The model is probably tall.) Hurrahhhhh. … … … Have a fun trip, Kim!! Love the shoe color choices especially. … … … Anyone found any good new sunscreens lately?
Elta Sunscreen sheer 50 is great! https://www.dermstore.com/eltamd-uv-sheer-broad-spectrum-spf50-serum-1.7-oz/12852427.html?utm_egbu=%5Badv:+Dermstore%5D+%5Bplt:+Google%5D+%5Bcou:+US%5D+%5Bfun:+Action%5D+%5Bini:+Skin+Care%5D+%5Bstr:+NEW%5D+%5Btgt:+Generic+DSA%5D&utm_egb=&utm_ega=&utm_egc=DSA%3ESkin+Care%3ESunscreen&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkoj8psGC9wIViB-tBh0uMAW5EAAYASAAEgKoHfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Excellent, thanks people!!
I have been wearing their tinted sunscreen every day for three years. Perfectly happy with it.
Agree with Gilli. Elta’s the only one who doesn’t peel, gives me a white face, and doesn’t burn my eyes.
Elta Sunscreen sheer 50 is great! https://www.dermstore.com/eltamd-uv-sheer-broad-spectrum-spf50-serum-1.7-oz/12852427.html?utm_egbu=%5Badv:+Dermstore%5D+%5Bplt:+Google%5D+%5Bcou:+US%5D+%5Bfun:+Action%5D+%5Bini:+Skin+Care%5D+%5Bstr:+NEW%5D+%5Btgt:+Generic+DSA%5D&utm_egb=&utm_ega=&utm_egc=DSA%3ESkin+Care%3ESunscreen&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkoj8psGC9wIViB-tBh0uMAW5EAAYASAAEgKoHfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Not sure you should do an exfoliating mask before you’re in the sun? Unsolicited advice – take or leave it!
Kork Ease kills it. Cool retro vibe, well priced, quality construction, a slew of styles. I have three pairs and wear them everywhere and with everything.
I always pack an empty spray bottle. It’s lightweight and will work just fine for wrinkles, especially if you’re off to someplace warm.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XSM5VDT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1
I have this Amazon dress in about six colors. I think it’s excellent for the price and looks very similar to the first one pictured!
P.S. I don’t find it tent-like!