This beach vacation packing list will help you prepare for sun and sand. This is the time of year when I am ready to escape Chicago’s chilly temps and relax on the beach. I am probably not the only person who feels that way.

We have reached that time of year when everyone is ready for warm weather, and O’Hare is filled with people wearing shorts and tee shirts excited to jet off to somewhere sunny and hot. I recently escaped from the cold for a weekend in Florida, and this is what was on my beach vacation packing list.

Two Swimsuits

Table of Contents

I always bring two so that I don’t end up with completely crazy tan lines, and so that the swimsuits have plenty of time to dry before I need to re-wear them. Putting on a slightly damp bathing suit is unpleasant. J.Crew has the best one piece swimsuits right now, they are super flattering, and J.Crew has always been my go-to brand for swimwear.

Sunglasses

A beach essential. I just picked up a new pair of classic Celine shades and I love how lightweight they are.

A Hat

To keep the sun out of your eyes and to combat beach hair. I like to pack either a simple baseball hat or a crushable straw hat.

One Light Sweater

Just in case it gets chilly at night, this is often the case in Florida this time of year. I love J.Crew’s classic cardigans which look great with jeans or over a sundress and tied at the bottom.

A Maxi Dress or a Jumpsuit

My Yumi Kim jumpsuit is one of my favorite more-recent purchases. I love the bold colorful pattern, and it doesn’t wrinkle in my suitcase. Perhaps the best thing is that it is an entire outfit, it takes the guesswork out of getting dressed in the morning.

A Sundress that Doubles as a Beach Cover-Up

My fair skin has a tendency to burn, so I like to bring a lightweight dress that I can wear on the beach if I need to cover up. Lately my gingham Zara dress has been a go-to.

More Dresses

Packing a bunch of dresses is the easiest way to pack. You don’t need to worry about matching tops and bottoms. Just throw on a dress and neutral colored sandals and you are ready. I always pack a simple black dress that can go from day to night, plus a couple more colorful options.

Jeans

I can’t leave home without a pair, and they are perfect for cooler nights.

A Book

Reading on the beach is one of life’s greatest pleasures. I just started reading While You Were Breeding, which is a travel memoir that was recommended to me, but I am finding it to be a bit disappointing so I started The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost which is a travel memoir that is more focused on travel (and less on overseas hook ups).

Sunscreen

I always try to bring a bottle that will fit into my liquids bag. I prefer to not check luggage, and this is enough sunscreen for a couple of days, and if I need more I can always go to a pharmacy.

Sneakers

I might opt to wear sandals during my trip, but I always wear sneakers at the airport – you never know when you will need to sprint from gate to gate, and you don’t want your footwear holding you up. My pink Adidas are super trendy right now, and they can be worn with a dress too.

Sandals

I like to bring a nicer pair of leather sandals that can do from the beach to dinner. Versatility is key when it comes to packing shoes because they take up so much space in a suitcase. I have been wearing a pair of gold sandals for years and I love them because gold goes with absolutely everything.

A Bag for The Beach

This is important because I don’t want to get everything all sandy. I bring my Bric’s waterproof tote bag with me on most trips because it is the perfect size and it is so easy to clean. When I am traveling I put my purse and toiletries right in the Bric’s bag, and then when I am going to the beach I fill it up with towels, books, sunscreen, sunglasses, and water. Another bonus is that if I end up shopping and can’t fit everything in my suitcase, I can use the Bric’s bag as an extra bag. It’s it a packing strategy that I have held onto for years.

A Lightweight Rain Jacket

I can wear this to stay warm at night, or if afternoon showers roll through. Last year I purchased a light pink rain jacket and it comes on most trips with me.