How to Pack for a Summer Trip, According to a Style Editor

I’VE TRAVELED QUITE a bit this summer: hitting the Caribbean, visiting family down South, reviewing out properties for our Travel Awards, and getting ready for my best friend’s birthday trip to Saint Maarten next month. As fun as those trips have been, they’ve reminded me that a great vacation starts before you even leave home—with smart packing. I never want to arrive and realize I didn’t bring enough outfits, forgot a key essential, or wasted half my suitcase on clothes I never end up wearing. Every summer trip comes with a different itinerary, so think about what you’ll actually be doing before you throw anything in a suitcase. After boarding at least one flight a month this year, I’ve settled into a packing system that makes it easy to build outfits from a handful of pieces, so I never feel like I’ve overpacked or run out of options halfway through the trip.

Start with the Basics

I always wear underwear, socks, and a T-shirt more than anything else on my trips. I say pack double the amount so there’s enough and you’re not forced to do laundry halfway through your vacation. Moisture-wicking underwear and socks are especially useful in hot, humid climates because they dry faster and stay more comfortable throughout the day. Don’t skimp here.

Choose the Right Fabrics

Summer travel means sweating, walking, and spending long hours outside. I believe linen is unmatched for airflow, cotton is comfortable for everyday wear, seersucker naturally sits off the skin to promote airflow, and performance fabrics dry quickly after sweating or getting caught in the rain. These materials have kept me cooler and are less likely to feel heavy or sticky by the end of the day.

Build Around a Neutral Color Palette

Stick to a cohesive color palette. Neutrals like white, navy, black, olive, khaki, and light blue make it easy to mix and match. If every shirt matches every pair of shorts or pants, you’ll create twice as many outfits with half as many clothes. Save louder prints or bright colors for one or two statement pieces instead of building your entire suitcase around them.

Choose Versatile Pieces

A linen button-down can be worn open over a tank top at the beach, buttoned up for dinner, or with chinos for a nicer occasion. The fewer one-trick ponies, the better. Even if the forecast is all sunshine, you’ll likely want pants at least once. They’re useful for flights, cooler evenings, upscale restaurants with dress codes, or simply taking a break from shorts. Linen pants, lightweight chinos, or travel pants strike the right balance between comfort and polish.

Trunks That Pull Double-Duty

If you’re heading to a hot destination, it’s likely that you’ll go swimming in a pool or take a dip in the ocean which calls for you to pack a solid pair of swim trunks. Make sure it’s one that can be worn with clothes like a camp collar or tank top when beach days turn to oceanside lunches or sightseeing tours.

Shoes

Limit the amount of shoes when packing because they can be too bulky and take up space. Three pairs is usually plenty. When I go on a trip, I always pack a pair of comfortable sneakers or wear them on the plane. They always come in handy for walking tours and workouts. Sandals or slides will look great with all your vacation fits. And if your trip’s itinerary calls for a dressier option for a resort dinner, a pair of loafers will do.

Accessorize

Accessorize instead of overpacking. A summer hat, sunglasses, belt, and watch can make the same outfit feel different and not take up too much room.

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