Hey friends! I’ve finally settled back into my regular routine after our trip to Maui and things are back to normal. While I was unpacking our bags and putting things away, I thought it would be fun to put together a Maui Packing Guide with all of the vacation essentials you will need for a trip to Maui or any other warm weather destination. I know many of you have trips planned for this spring/summer so this could be a great resource for you as you plan for your next vacation!
I’ve decided to break up this guide into various categories and then give you product recommendations for each category. You can use this guide as a both a packing list and a shopping resource. I included my personal favorites that I took to Maui as well as additional suggestions to give you more options. As always, if you have any questions about sizing, fit, quality, etc., don’t hesitate to ask! Read on for my 2018 Maui Packing Guide!
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Tees and Shorts:
I don’t know about you but vacations for me are all about relaxing, recharging, adventure, good food and comfort! While I love to dress up once in a while, I always make sure to pack lots of comfy clothes that include basic tees and shorts. These are great for hanging around, walking along the beach, etc. so I make sure to take several that I can mix and match.
Tees: A few of the tees I took to Maui include this graphic print, this summer classic and this striped one. You can shop them all along with some other current favorites here:
Shorts: I have a really hard time finding shorts that fit me, my curves and my height but have been really happy to find this pair of denim shorts and this pair of twill shorts. I just noticed that the denim pair now comes in white so I recently ordered them too. Both of these styles are not too tight around the thighs and accommodate a pear-shaped body really well! Check them out here:
Tops and Dresses:
We’ve got some casual clothing checked off the list but what if you want to dress up a little a couple of the days or just wear something a little nicer to dinner in the evenings? Take along a few pretty tops that you can wear with shorts and also pack a few dresses. I personally don’t dress up too much but a casual dress is an easy way to stay comfortable but still look put together!
Tops: There are lots of really lightweight cotton tops out there that are perfect for a beach vacation. I love this one that I took on my trip as well as this one. Both are made of nice, thin, breathable fabric. The embroidered details on the first one are so pretty and perfect with a pair of shorts. Also, you can roll up the sleeves of the button-down shirt and tie the front in a knot for a super-cute feminine look.
Dresses: I don’t normally wear dresses too often but I loved wearing them while we were on vacation! I picked out a few prior to our trip that were both casual and comfy and ended up wearing them out to dinner and sometimes even during the day while we were out and about. It was so simple to just throw on a dress and look put together without even trying! I even wore this romper one day (my first time wearing a romper) and loved it so much! This particular romper was so comfy that I felt like I was wearing pajamas! I also liked that the inseam on the bottom part wasn’t too short and provided good coverage. Check out this romper along with the other dresses I took to Maui here:
Footwear:
Sandals/Flip Flops: On this last trip to Maui, I was able to narrow down my shoes to just a few pairs which was a huge accomplishment! Most of them were easy to pack and didn’t take up too much space. Of course, I took my favorite Tory Burch Miller sandals. They’re cute and stylish, very comfortable and super lightweight. In addition, I packed my new favorite espadrille wedges which I absolutely love! They literally go with EVERYTHING from shorts to dresses to jeans! I also included my Jack Rogers jelly flip-flops for the beach and pool. I love these sandals because you can get them wet but they’re also nice enough to wear as regular sandals too!
Sneakers: I usually take a pair of sneakers for our morning walks along the beach and sometimes wear them on travel days too. The sneakers I took to Maui are sold out but this pair is very similar.
Beach/Pool Attire:
Next up are the things you need when you head down to the beach or pool like swimsuits, cover-ups, sunglasses, etc.!
Swimsuits and Cover-Ups: Swimsuits are another tough item for me since I’m short and curvy but last year I found the BEST swimsuit and it seriously looks great on so many different body types! It’s both comfortable and flattering and comes in a few colors. As for cover-ups, this one is my new favorite! It comes in regular, petite and tall sizes which you don’t see too often in cover-ups. And, it’s available in both a print (love this one!) and solid version. I also have this hooded cover-up which is a great basic and goes with everything.
Flip Flops: Love these jelly sandals I mentioned in the footwear section above.
Sunglasses: I love sunglasses so of course I took three pairs to Maui. This pair was a recent splurge and I absolutely love them! They’ve been on my wish list for quite a while and I finally decided to buy them. I also took this pair which is a very similar shape but a fraction of the price. They’re currently sold out but I’m hoping they’ll be restocked soon. Finally, I also took my classic Ray-Ban Aviators for a more sporty look. You obviously don’t need to take so many pairs of sunglasses on your trip but make sure you include at least one pair in your bag!
Hats: I’ve been loving hats lately too! They’re a fun accessory but also provide good protection from the sun too. This year I took my big floppy hat for the beach/pool, a baseball hat to wear on the whale-watching boat and a fedora just for fun!
Sunscreen: Don’t forget sunscreen! It’s super important to protect your skin from the sun so make sure you include a bottle or two of your favorite kind. This year I took along this spray sunscreen which was recommended to me along with a tube for our faces too!
Beach Bag: Now that we’ve come up with this big list of items to take down to the beach or pool, you’ll need a bag to carry them all! My bag is from last season but I’ve rounded up several cute ones that are currently available here:
Other:
I’m using this “Other” section as a catch-all for the rest of the items I packed that don’t necessarily fall in one of the above categories.
Jeans: I always pack a pair of jeans to wear in the evenings and/or on travel days. White jeans are great for the summertime and this pair is a favorite right now!
Denim Jacket: A little denim jacket is perfect for keeping you warm in the evenings or during air travel. This one is my favorite! It’s nice and stretchy and fits great! Love that it comes in both regular and petite sizes.
Sweater/Sweatshirt: I’m always freezing in air conditioned places and on airplanes. Loving this hooded summer sweater that’s perfect for pairing with either shorts or jeans.
Athletic Wear: I usually take a few workout outfits for our morning walks along the beach. My high waist Zella leggings are a must!
Summer Purse: A straw or bamboo purse is a great accessory to take on a beach vacation. They’re neutral and versatile and add a nice touch to your whole look. I purchased this cool bamboo arc bag this year for $40 and it has been such a fun addition to my spring/summer wardrobe.
Jewelry: Don’t forget to include a few jewelry pieces to complete your outfits. Lately I’ve been loving big statement earrings and recently picked up this pair in white. They add the perfect finishing touch and are actually really versatile since they seem to go with so many of my spring/summer outfits. They also come in several other beautiful colors and I kind of want them all!
Nail Polish: Whether you do your nails yourself or get them done in a salon, it’s always fun to have your hands and feet sporting a pretty color when you’re on vacation! My favorite colors for a tropical destination are Strawberry Margarita and Aloha (so fitting!) by OPI.
Toiletries: I’m adding this to the guide so you can check it off your list once you’ve included all of your personal items in your suitcase.
There you have it – my complete Maui packing guide! I hope you enjoyed this post and hope it serves as a helpful resource as you plan your next vacation. If you have suggestions on any other items I should add to this guide, please let me know. Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a great week!
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