Five Packing Essentials for a Tropical Vacation
design: Finley Banks
A guide to looking and feeling your best on this summer’s trip.
by CAMI APPERSON ★ June 24, 2024
Packing for any vacation is difficult, but a trip to a hot, humid, and close-to-the-equator location can pose even more difficulty. There is just so much more to consider: how am I going to avoid getting burnt and heat stroke while looking cute doing it? Making a list is always my first step for packing. I suggest mapping out what you’ll be doing when you’re there, whether that be laying by the beach, scuba-diving or going for a 10-mile hike. Planning ahead will give you a better understanding of what exactly you will need to bring. Most packing choices are solely personalizable, but in the UGirl approach, there are five essentials that you just can not go without:
#1: Fun Bikinis
In a bright and colorful place, like a tropical island, you can not be seen in anything but a bright and colorful bikini. This summer, neutral and boring bikinis are out, and vivid and lively bikinis are in. Plus, a bright color will make your new tan pop. An affordable place to buy some bright bikinis is Pacsun. Pacsun’s Eco Swim line allows you to shop sustainably while on a budget. More expensive, but worth it nonetheless, is SNRKLBR Swimwear. This Australian swimsuit brand creates unique bikinis from recycled materials and deadstock vintage fabrics. No other swimwear brand does anything like this, which makes every piece special and irreplaceable.
#2: Matching Sets
From the poolside to a fancy dinner, or even a club dancefloor, matching sets are taking over. They can be dressed down or up and prove to be runway-ready. The versatility of a matching set renders it impossible to forget when packing. Matching sets offer a way to look put together without putting in much effort at all, because why would you want to stress over an outfit on a trip meant for relaxing? For a set to lounge by the pool in, Djerf Avenue is a great place to look. Designed in Sweden and ethically made in Portugal, their sets are gorgeous and of the highest quality. For a fancier beachside dinner, White Fox Boutique, or even Edikted is bound to have something for you.
#3: Unique Sunglasses
It can be hard to spice up an outfit in warm weather. You can’t exactly layer when it feels like 100 degrees outside, and nobody wants to wear chunky shoes like boots when they are definitely going to fill with sweat. What you can do, however, is wear a super cool pair of sunglasses. LeSpecs, an Australian eyewear brand, has tons of different frames and colors, making it difficult to not find a pair that is your style. LeSpecs glasses are sustainably made and affordable, what’s not to love? On the pricier side, Vehla has hundreds of luxury and incredibly stylish pairs to choose from. Seen on Gigi Hadid, you’ll be walking around your resort looking like a celeb. Vehla is 100% worth the hype and will last you year round. No need to repurchase the same cheap pair of sunglasses over and over again, when they inevitably break, anymore!
#4: Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Now we all know that sunscreen is necessary for a tropical vacation. But did you know, the sunscreen you are planning on packing is probably harmful to the environment and may not be allowed? Take a look at your current sunscreen. Does it contain oxybenzone or octinoxate? If so, it is not reef-safe. These materials damage the coral reefs and the ecosystems in the ocean — more specifically in Hawaii, where they are actually banned. Commonly used sunscreens that disguise themselves as “clean” are SunBum, Neutrogena, Alba Botanica, and even certain products by Hawaiian Tropic. There are tons more that you should never enter the water in, but how would you know without understanding what to look for? Some reef safe brands that you should be packing are Goddess Garden, Thinksport and specifically the mineral sunscreen by Hawaiian Tropic. These can all be purchased at Target, Walgreens and on Amazon.
#5: Aloe Vera/ After Sun Cream
In a place where the UV is normally 10 daily, no matter how much sunscreen you use, you will most definitely get at least a little sunburnt. To avoid the pain and redness of a sunburn, aloe vera or an after sun cream is a must. AloeUp is a clean brand that has plenty of aloe-based products with reef-safe and biodegradable ingredients. Want your burn to turn to a tan, or your tan to last longer? Hawaiian Tropic has an incredible product called After Sun Body Butter that will do exactly that. When you finally get out of the sun for the day, use it as you would use any lotion, and your tan will last weeks.
Packing for a tropical vacation can be an exciting process if you know what essentials to bring. By following this guide and including these five must-have items, you’ll be ready to soak up the sun while looking stylish and staying protected.