10 Must-Pack Items for a Spring Break Vacation

If you’re lucky enough to be heading to warmer lands for a spring getaway, you probably have your flight booked. But do you have your bags packed?

Here are our packing list essentials for a tropical vacation: sustainable fashionista edition.

Stylish Tops + Shorts
The vacation-packing goal is to bring the minimum number of items that create the maximum number of outfits. Denim shorts are a spring break given, but you should also include a pair in another neutral color or print like tan flowy linen shorts or a black and white gingham pair. These will to go with any top you bring, like an elevated coastal knit tank or button up tee. A good trick for making sure all your pieces are mix-and-matchable is choosing items from the same color palette (all brights, all warm tones, etc.)

Casual Dress
If you choose the right dress, you can dress it up with heels and jewelry for a night out or dress it down with sneakers for hanging out or exploring the town. Whether you’re partial to a simple bodycon knit tank dress or a more easy, relaxed silhouette, make sure it’s a breathable, natural fiber like organic cotton. Polyester will turn you into a sweaty mess in high temps.

Going All Out Dress
This is the excuse you’ve been looking for to wear that dressier dress or fancy skirt in your closet. If you’ve got a nice dinner date planned, break out an attention-grabbing bright-colored number. Or choose a coordinated skirt set in a fun island floral.

Versatile Shoes
Flip-flops are a must on the beach, but throw a pair of casual flat sandals in your suitcase, too. They’ll come in handy when you’re sightseeing, shopping, and eating out. If you have the room, you could also take along a pair of comfy heels to break out at a club or nice dinner. But leave the fussy stilettos at home. Your feet will thank you later.

One Warm Outfit
All you can think about when packing is the sun and sand, but when it gets chilly at night, you’ll be glad you brought something warmer. A cozy hoodie or open knit cardigan will keep you comfy at a bonfire or during a late-night seaside heart to heart with your girls.

Active Outfit
When adventure finds you, don’t miss out because you’re not dressed for it. You might find yourself on a morning jog or a mountain hike where tennis shoes, some cool sweats, and a sports bra will come in handy. If not, you’ve got a comfy outfit for the trip back home.

Beach Bag
You could use a beach bag as your carry-on and then stuff in all your beach essentials in it once you’ve landed. But if you don’t want to deal with a bunch of bag switching, throw a net market bag in your suitcase. It take us like 2 square inches of space, but it’ll hold all your little souvenir purchases or pool essentials when you need it. Also bring along a small crossbody bag for going out at night. Hands-free, baby.

Swimsuits + a Coverup
This one probably is the first thing you thought to pack, TBH. Bring at least two swimsuits because putting on a cold, damp suit from the day before is the absolute worst. Choose a few bikini tops and bottoms that can be mixed and matched for a new beach look each day. Whereas bikinis are great for water sports and tanning (with SPF of course), a chic one-piece is perfect for lounging under an umbrella with a book. And don’t forget a cute little coverup, maybe even a slightly sheer one that can double as a dress when you decide to pop into a seaside restaurant after swimming. 

You can shop all these vaca essentials in sustainable fabrics in Ellekin's Vacation Mode collection!