What to Pack for Your Hawaii Vacation (aka Summer Fashion)-Shoes:

So you’re planning that perfect getaway for a week away in Hawaii. Out-of-office replies scheduled-check. House/dog sitter, check. Reservations confirmed and travel insurance information ready-check. Suitcases open and packing cubes (have you tried these? Seriously our travel VIP) ready to be filled-check. But now, what to pack?

To be completely honest, our weather doesn’t vary a whole lot. Apart from certain areas (we’re thinking of you Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island) and times of the year (December-May of this past year has been unusually rainy even on the south shore of Oahu), you’re probably going to be having sunny warm to humid hot weather with a slight breeze or occasional rain shower. It doesn’t really cool off that much in the evenings, even with the disappearance of the sun. Consistency is easier to plan for, I suppose? In any case…let’s talk summer fashion.

A little disclaimer before we start. Fashion is always very subjective, so please do take the suggestions here with a grain of salt and based on personal experience (and fashion favorites) living here in Hawaii for the majority of my life. Truly just a starting point for a fashion travel mood board or some inspo!

Okay, so now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s talk about what’s going into that Samsonite, Tumi, or RIMOWA. First off, comfortable shoes. Comfortable and cool shoes that is. Yes, many of us wear some variation of flip flops for casual every day, be it a surf brand or luxurious leather alternative, or a more supportive orthopedic brand like Clarks or Cole Haan. And there’s good reason for it. They really are just super cool (temperature wise, maybe even looks if you go for a fashion pair) and pretty comfortable. You’ll probably be spending a fair amount of time at the beach and pool, so a cute pair of flip-flops would be a good thing to pack. For nicer jaunts around town, a nice brunch, or an elegant dinner, a pretty pair of comfortable leather sandals would be another great add. Espadrilles with a cushioned foot-bed are a nice option as are strappy versions with a stable heel (check out one of my favorites-Kork-Ease). I always like a little heel, I think it adds some polish and makes for a nice silhouette. Even if you drive (or are driven) to your destination, there will be a fair amount of walking involved around the resort, to and from restaurants, maybe to some shops that catch your eye along the way. If you have the room, an additional sandal option-maybe a chunky fisherman style or flatform could be a great add. Lastly, a good pair of supportive sneakers with a slip-free sole would be perfect if you plan to do any hikes or use the hotel gym. If possible, breathable ones do have an advantage as do cool socks. My current favorites? A pair of Nike React Infinity shoes and Adidas Climalite cool socks.

Now that we have shoes down, what about clothes? Get those packing cubes ready, we chat clothes next!

Sunshine and aloha!

Hawaii Girl Life