What to Pack for your Hawaii Vacation (aka Summer Fashion)-Clothes:

Okay, so shoes are sorted and packed. Now on to the star of the show…those cute outfits! What to pack for mostly hot, humid, sometimes breezy weather? 

My go to are natural fabrics like linen and silk which are cool but stylish. Dress an oversized button down linen shirt tied at the bottom as a chic swim cover up or slip into a breezy linen dress paired with a great pair of sandals and some beautiful jewelry for a sunny brunch or relaxing dinner. Thin cotton and cotton blends (cotton gauze dresses and pants are light and breathable) in airy dresses, skirts, tanks, and wide leg pants are other good options. 

Farm Rio has great prints if you love a tropical flair as does Tommy Bahama and Lilly Pulitzer.

Or go for tasteful pieces in washable silks-slip skirts, tank and camisole dresses, sleeveless blouses. Breathable, light, polished. 

I also like to have a light cardigan or wrap (some of my favorites come from Banana Republic) to throw in my bag for a breezy evening or as an added layer over a light fabric. 

Then there’s your active wear. You probably already have your favorite brand (Lululemon has always been my go to) and you’ll want at least one outfit for hikes, the hotel gym, or other outdoor adventures.

And of course you need a couple of swimsuit options! Looking for some new brands to try? Trina Turk makes up most of my swim collection with additional pieces from La Blanca, Hurley, and Robin Piccone. Again, you probably already have your favorites, so these are just a few that I love. Strapless styles are my favorite to lounge around in (and especially to avoid those weird tan lines) though I always reach for a supportive but cute suit for playing in the waves. And don’t forget a cover-up! Apart from a linen piece as earlier mentioned, L Space makes great loose maxi dress cover-ups that can take you from the pool to happy hour while simple sarong style wraps are great for tying around your waist. Have some extra time and looking for a little souvenir while you’re here? Costco here in Hawaii carries a local brand of pareo/sarongs in tropical prints for under $10 (watch for a mini Hawaii Costco blog to come!). And if you forget your swimsuit all together? Check out Ala Moana Shopping Center for Nordstrom, Macys, Bloomingdales, Target, and other shops with swimsuits or drive a few minutes away to the Ward Village complex to pick one up at TJMaxx or Nordstrom Rack at a deal. Right there in Waikiki are several other options-your surf brands like Billabong, plus Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack, Tommy Bahama, and H&M to name a few.

Now that those packing cubes are full of cute outfit options, it’s time to think accessories and other must-haves to pack for your week in paradise. Coming up soon-What to Pack for your Hawaiian Vacation (aka Summer Fashion)-Accessories!

Sunshine and aloha,

Hawaii Girl Life 🌺☀️