As we brave through winter in New England, frigid temperatures, endless snowstorms, ice and slush – having a warm weather vacation booked can be a great way get you through. Some of you may have gone in January and are already enjoying the memories and planning another…..For me, half the fun of vacation is the anticipation! You can look at resort photos online, explore restaurants, browse resort wear, chat with friends about their experiences….. This March we are looking forward to a week in Aruba so the wardrobe planning has already begun…… And it does take significant planning if you want to look your best, pack efficiently, and not be frazzled in the last two days before you go. Because I love clothes, this is FUN for me – I know not everyone finds this fun, but still, you want to pack the right things….Here are some tips that may be helpful and make the process easier…….

1 – About a month in advance, go through all your summer/vacation clothes; dresses, shorts, sandals, jeans, tops, bathing suits, cover-ups – try them all on and decide what you have that you want to take. Some may not fit, some you just may be tired of, some may just need cleaning.
2 – Make a list. Make it with 2 columns for the number of nights you will be there: One column for days, one for nights. Write down specifically what you will wear each day and night….you can wear the same bottom with different tops, so will not necessarily need different shorts for each day……if you are a beach/pool person, make a separate list for swimsuits and cover-ups.
3 – For each outfit you listed, write down what shoes you will wear, what purse, what sweater/wrap, what accessories. Duplicate shoes if you can, but take extra if it makes an outfit look great.
4 – Examine your list – what do you need? Maybe two new casual dresses for evening? Maybe just new shorts or sandals? Or a new beach tote? Make a separate list (yes, I am a list person….) of all the items you NEED.
5 – Shop! Stay focused on your list. Because you are planning ahead and you did your “homework”, you are being a smart and strategic shopper.
6 – Week before: Pack your suitcase. Leave the last two days to do your nails, pick up last minute toiletries…

Photo above was taken two years ago in Anguilla….love this dress, but the shoes I sold in consignment – too high, too stiff. If this dress gets packed for Aruba (yet to be decided) I will wear it with lower heels…Photo with straw hat was on same trip – important accessory here is actually the tan cross-body bag – just big enough for wallet, phone, lipstick, and leaves your hands free for drinks, shopping, etc….

Not on the list, but definitely warrants advance planning is what to wear on the plane……stay tuned till next time!!!! FYI, you can leave a comment or a question by clicking “leave a comment” under the post title. Always welcome your thoughts!