Ask BX: How Do I Pack Light for Spring Break?

Posted by Lauren DiLello on February 24th, 2010

: Cruise without carrying too much!

Dear BX,

I’m going on my first spring break trip this year, but I can’t seem to travel anywhere without over packing. The pressure is on to pack light, so please help!

-Hilary W.

Ah, yes. The case of the textbook over packer. We’ve all been there (sometimes more often than we’d like to admit), but we all know it’s totally avoidable. If you’re traveling to a warm weather climate, you’re especially in luck! There are only a few simple things to remember when trying to keep the spring break load light.

Be Shady – As a serious sunglasses fanatic, it is my personal as well as professional duty first and foremost to advise you against stepping on a plane, train or automobile without a marvelous pair of shades. Feel free to leave your resident designer duds at home, though. Spring break is all about (not so much) rest and (a ton of) relaxation, so sport a super fun Wayfarer or any pair that pops with color.

Go Back to Basics -- Although some spring break trips last up to eight days, you don’t have to pack upwards of 20 outfits. There are basic items that can be worn repeatedly, but create totally different looks. You’d be surprised how far a pair of crisp white shorts can take you. Wear them over your bathing suit to the beach, with an off the shoulder peasant top and gladiators to dinner, or with a silk cami and wedges for a nighttime affair. Same goes for your favorite black cotton wrap dress (American Apparel doesn’t call it Ways to Wear It for nothing) and dress-up/dress-down gold strappy sandals. Should I even get started on the possibilities of a sarong? Exploit the basics for their versatility.

Water Wear — If there’s one thing that’s okay to over pack on a tropical spring break it’s bathing suits. Really. Feel free to stuff your suitcase silly with all your mix and match bikinis and cut-out one pieces. Don’t hold back — they’re super small and you’ll be wearing them the majority of everyday.

Be a Screen Queen – No matter how much you jam into your suitcase, there’s always room for sunscreen. Or at least there better be! A brutal sunburn is never worth it and will only draw attention away from your lightweight, but fabulous, spring break looks.

Happy travels!