Beach Vacation Packing List
Your beach vacation packing list will most likely have a bathing suit or two at the top of the list.
Ahhhh to lie on a beach for a week in a tropical local. Sipping on daiquiris and listening to the ocean. That is the life!
But what else do you pack? Especially when it is November and the stores are ready for Christmas shoppers and have long stopped stocking swim wear?
Easy. Start by shopping in your closet. These are the essentials that you will need for a 7 day vacation!
What
to Pack
- Swimsuits
- Cover-up
- Dinner outfits
- Excursion outfits
- Shoes for day & evening
- layering items in case of cool weather
- sunglasses & hatEurE
- Pajamas
- underwear
- toiletries
- Beach towel (optional)
Pack a cover-up or sun-dress that can go over your suit for breakfasts and lunches. Most resorts do not allow you to eat anywhere but the beach bar in your bathing suit alone.
Pack 5 to 7 dresses or dinner appropriate outfits. Many resorts require that you dress for dinner, meaning beach wear is not appropriate.
A sun dress, skirts and a fancy top or light trousers are all appropriate options. Jeans are fine too as long as you dress them up. No need to be the worst dressed, even at the buffet!
Men this goes for you too, long pants for dinner in a la cart restaurants and no tank tops!
Pack shorts, tees and tank tops if you are planning on going on any excursions. For each excursion you are planning pack one full outfit.
Don't forget to bring a sweater for the evenings and a hoodie for excursions. You never know when you might have cooler weather!
Remember to bring shoes that you can walk around in, you don't want to be nursing any blisters. Pack one pair of beach shoes, one pair of walking shoes and at least one dress shoe for evening.
Pick neutral shoes that will go with all your outfits so that you don't fill your suitcase with shoes alone.
Remember to add pjs, underwear and toiletries to beach vacation packing list! Don't assume that the hotel will have everything you need. I always pack shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste and hairbrushes.
I even pack my own towel so that our beach chairs are easily recognizable amongst the sea of hotel towels.
Plan your outfit for the plane ahead of time as well. Especially if you are flying at odd times, like super early in the morning. Pick something comfortable but presentable.
That should be enough for your beach vacation packing list.
If you are staying an extra week you don't necessarily need to double what you are taking. Many things like dresses and pants can be worn more than once.
Shopping for your Beach Vacation
When working up your beach vacation packing list you might find holes in your wardrobe. But in the off season where do you Toronto shopping for bathing suits and shorts??
If you are looking for swim wear off season in Toronto, try Sandpiper in Yorkville and Yonge Eglinton. There is also Swimsuit Essential also in Yorkville or Melmira at Yonge Lawrence Village.
These are swim wear specialty shops that stock extremely flattering swimsuits and staff can fit you with the best suit for you.
Beach wear can be tough to find off season.
Upscale retailers like Holt Renfrew will carry resort collections but most mall stores and boutiques do not carry shorts or beachy items in the winter months.
If you need to shop for items off season check out online retailers.
Often you will have access to their resort collections.
Retailers like JCREW always have a swim and beach selection available.
Check out the resort collections at Isabella Oliver 365.
Teens have it easier, stores like Roxy and Boathouse always carry beachwear. Find these stores on Queen West and at Yonge Dundas Square.
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