Hooray – summer vacation time has finally come
around. But before you can laze on that sun-kissed beach and forget all your
troubles for a week or so, there is the small matter of a suitcase to pack.
Many of us go into some sort of mental meltdown
when it comes to packing. I know I end up with all sorts of things in there
that I never end up using, and, of course, leave all the really useful things
back at home.
Let’s take the bull by the horns, and narrow
down what you genuinely need for that week in the summer sun.
Plan ahead
Two factors should be taken into account.
Firstly, what is the weather going to be like. Saying “hot and sunny” is fine,
but check on a website like AccuWeather, and get an accurate forecast.
Secondly, be clear about what you will be doing
each day and evening. Then you can draw up a picture of what you will actually
need.
Skirts and
Dresses
Think about the materials as well as the style.
Cotton is perfect for keeping cool, while maxi skirts and kaftan style dresses look sophisticated and
are ideal for those perilous treks between the beach and the bar.
Shorts and
T-shirts
On a casual week away, shorts and Ts are going
to be the order of the day more often than not. When it comes to shorts, denim
is always a winner, and a loose style fit with a fashionable frayed edge
provides comfort and style. Another pair in cotton is ideal for the beach –
white or pastel colours look fresh and summery.
Pack two or three T-shirts – if you go for plain
ones, you can be sure they will pair up well with anything. Vest type tops are
tempting, but you might just be grateful for a little more shoulder coverage if
you overdo the sunbathing.
Shoes
Think about it, do you really need those heels
where you are going? There’s a good chance they won’t even make it out of the
suitcase. A good pair of sandals will match just about every eventuality, from
the beach to the town to the restaurant.
If you want a little more choice, a pair of
espadrilles and some flats for a night out dancing are certain to cover all the
bases.
Swimwear
Clearly an essential thing for a beach holiday,
and it makes sense to save time and effort by packing two swimsuits. If you
think you already have that area covered, do yourself a favor and make certain
it still fits – a lot can happen in a year!
This is good advice to follow. I know before going on a vacation I do have to make a list of clothing and shoes to bring with me.twinkle at optonline dot net
Two swimsuits are crucial. One always is wet. NO HEELS. (ever) slehan at juno dot com