Get ready to go! Must-have wardrobe items to pack for your summer vacation
BY LINDA MILLER | Published: May 1, 2012 | Modified: May 1, 2012 at 5:53 pm
Nod your head if you're ready for a vacation.
Will it be the beach or the mountains? A quiet resort or big-city excitement? A road trip along historic Route 66 or a leisurely drive on a coastal highway?
Whatever you choose, eventually you have another decision to make. What goes in the suitcase?
Luckily, this season's clothing styles are easy to wear and, more importantly, fun to wear. Bold colors and patterns offer a playful mix. Lightweight dresses and tunics aren't just for the street. Metallic sandals go with everything.
Often what you choose is a matter of personal preference or dictated by the locale or climate. But there are certain items that are just a good fit, no matter where you go.
“You must have a great pair of white jeans,” said Alex Bratton, buyer for On a Whim at Classen Curve.
Skinny jeans are still popular, but if skinny isn't your style, reach for a pair of straight legs, a pair of white trousers or slimmer fitting crop pants.
Bratton also suggests a printed tunic top that can be worn with jeans or as a swimsuit coverup. Try to pick one that will add some texture and color to your vacation wardrobe, she said.
Don't leave home without a scarf, either, even if you're heading to the islands.
“You can use it to cover up your arms or provide warmth on the plane, or you can wear it as a sarong over your bathing suit,” she said.
A little black dress, maybe a tank or slip style, and a white blouse are worthy of a place in your suitcase, too. The blouse can be worn with jeans or shorts, or layered over the dress. The dress is a nice option for dinner, but it goes casual when belted with that scarf you also packed.
“I think you also need an awesome straw tote bag for the beach, for shopping, for the flight,” Bratton said.
“Finally, I think you need a flat metallic sandal so you can wear it dressed up at night or completely casual during the day with jeans or a bathing suit.”
Shelley Cox, owner of Cayman's in Norman, said she always grabs a lightweight jacket or sweater when vacationing. Not only is it perfect for the plane trip or in the car, it's often needed for cool evenings and chilly restaurants.
For double-duty style, don't leave home without a maxi dress, especially one in a bright color or print. It can be worn with flip-flops or wedges and go from casual to dressy. A colorful maxi dress is also perfect as a beach cover-up. And most of the stretchy knit styles pack well and can make the trip without wrinkling, Cox said.
A pair of shorts is another item that can be dressed up or down. Add a floral tie blouse and platform wedges, and those shorts can go almost anywhere. Opt for black or another neutral color for the shorts if you must, but what's interesting and fun this season is the explosion of orange, yellow, lime, turquoise, cobalt and hot pink.
Throw in fun colors, and it will brighten any vacation wardrobe.
“Everything is bright and cheery. That's how I would travel,” Cox said.
