Here's How to Pack For Your Beach Vacation With Just a Carry-On Bag

Hill House Home
Hill House Home
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My idea of perfect happiness is a beach vacation. Give me a sunny day, a good book, and an iced tea, and I am a happy girl. I have friends who love active trips, and want to see everything, but if I'm honest, when I'm on vacation, I want to relax, and for me, that's being by the beach. I used to pack a giant suitcase stuffed to the brim with all the fun, sexy outfits I thought I'd wear, and without fail, every single time I ended up wearing the same four bikinis and coverups. All the outfit changes and vacation looks, frankly, were just a waste of space, and so a few years ago, I set out to prove that I could pack for a week-long beach vacation in just a carry-on. Now that I've had some experience doing it, I'm going to share my tips and tricks.

I will say that this kind of packing is generally only possible for a beach vacation, where the clothes are inherently compact. There's no need for coats or boots, and honestly, minimal shoes. I like to go with one or two pairs of sneakers, generally one workout sneaker and one everyday sneaker, but if you can find one that fits both so much the better, and plus, you'll wear a pair on the plane. Then it's one pair of water shoes, like a Birkenstock or flip flop, and one to two pairs of nicer sandals. I'd take one neutral flat pair and one with a block heel or wedge for nights out. I'm not into the idea of a strappy stiletto on cobblestone streets, or even worse, sand. If you want to pack lightly but efficiently for a beach vacation, keep on reading to shop my picks!

A Maxi Dress: FP Beach August Nights Maxi Dress
freepeople.com

A Maxi Dress: FP Beach August Nights Maxi Dress

Whoever said maxi dresses weren't sexy clearly hasn't seen this FP Beach August Nights Maxi Dress ($68). It's easy to throw on and perfect for a day by the water. It works as both a coverup and a day dress, and versatility is key.

Rubber Sandals: Birkenstock Arizona Eva Waterproof Sandals
freepeople.com

Rubber Sandals: Birkenstock Arizona Eva Waterproof Sandals

If you're going to be by the water this summer, these rubber Birkenstock Arizona Eva Waterproof Sandals ($50) are essential. They're comfortable and affordable, and they have a lot of fans. They're also pretty easy to style, and as far as waterproof shoes go, pretty good looking.

A Classic One-Piece: Andie The Amalfi
andieswim.com

A Classic One-Piece: Andie The Amalfi

When in doubt, reach for a black one-piece swimsuit. This Andie The Amalfi ($95) is as classic as it gets, and we love everything about it. It can also be worn as a bodysuit and will help you feel your best at the beach.

Schutz Cari Flat Sandals
shopbop.com

Schutz Cari Flat Sandals

If you need a pair of versatile flat sandals, we like these cork Schutz Cari Flat Sandals ($108). They're really comfortable, and look just as good with a bikini as they do with a night out dress. Plus, if you don't feel like bringing a water sandal, you could get away with just these.

A Comfortable Maxi Dress: Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress
hillhousehome.com

A Comfortable Maxi Dress: Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress

The bestselling Hill House Home The Ellie Nap Dress ($150) is back and better than ever. It comes in a bunch of new colors and prints, including this rose print, mosaic print, lavender stripe print, and a solid red color. It also has pockets, making this the ultimate comfortable, useful dress.

A Versatile Set: Misha Rhea Set
revolve.com

A Versatile Set: Misha Rhea Set

We love that this Misha Rhea Set ($353) can be worn for so many different occasions. If you want to get dressed up for a night out, this is a fun set, and it also looks good separately. Wear the top with jean shorts or the bottoms with a white t-shirt, and you have three outfits in one!

Block Heeled Slides: Schutz Victorie Slides
shopbop.com

Block Heeled Slides: Schutz Victorie Slides

If you want a little lift, go with these Schutz Victorie Slides ($118). They're supremely versatile and comfortable. They're also sturdy, and can withstand cobblestone streets, grass, and even sandy paths.

A One-Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit: Summersalt The Sidestroke
summersalt.com

A One-Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit: Summersalt The Sidestroke

This Summersalt The Sidestroke ($95) is the brand's signature style, and it's a bestseller for a reason. It's sophisticated and cool, plus it comes in so many different color combinations. There's also an option if you have a longer torso.

A Comfortable Dress: Steve Madden Sleeveless Mini Dress
stevemadden.com

A Comfortable Dress: Steve Madden Sleeveless Mini Dress

This Steve Madden Sleeveless Mini Dress ($49) might not look it, but it's actually supremely comfortable. It's made of a T-shirt material, so it's comfortable to wear every day, and the side ruching is so flattering. This is a dress that you could wear as a beach cover-up, out to lunch, or to a dinner dressed up with heeled sandals. At $49, it should definitely be in your suitcase.

A Sexy One-Piece Swimsuit: Good American Showoff One-Piece
Riot Swim

A Sexy One-Piece Swimsuit: Good American Showoff One-Piece

If you love the look of underwire, then get this sexy Good American Showoff One-Piece ($109). The belt is a great way to define your shape, which we love. The flattering swimsuit also comes in white, red, and leopard print.

A Floral Skirt: Glamorous Ladies Skirt
shopbop.com

A Floral Skirt: Glamorous Ladies Skirt

We're big fans of the style and print of this Glamorous Ladies Skirt ($78). The ruching at the stomach is so comfortable and flattering, and the floral print is perfect for summer. This makes for an excellent swimsuit coverup when paired with a t-shirt or tank.

A Quality T-Shirt: Old Navy EveryWear Slub-Knit T-Shirt
oldnavy.gap.com

A Quality T-Shirt: Old Navy EveryWear Slub-Knit T-Shirt

A T-shirt is a travel essential. Picking a quality, well-fitting T-shirt looks great with shorts or skirts, and it's a comfortable top that's also easy to wash, making it great for longer stays. This Old Navy EveryWear Slub-Knit T-Shirt ($8, originally $13) is affordable and adorable; at under $10, you can pack a few extra in your carry-on.

Denim Shorts: Levi's 501 Original High Rise Shorts
levi.com

Denim Shorts: Levi's 501 Original High Rise Shorts

Denim shorts are a summer essential — you can wear them as a coverup or with a T-shirt and sweater for a more casual look. You can't go wrong with these Levi's 501 Original High Rise Shorts ($80). We love white denim for summer, but they also come in lots of blue washes.

A Supportive Bikini: Monday Swimwear Clovelly Top and Byron Bottom
mondayswimwear.com

A Supportive Bikini: Monday Swimwear Clovelly Top and Byron Bottom

We love Monday Swimwear because the brand really thinks about people with larger chests when creating its suits. The underwire design of this bestselling Monday Swimwear Clovelly Top ($96) is both sexy and supportive. Paired with the Monday Swimwear Byron Bottom ($79), it's a suit you'll return to again and again. We're obsessed with the powder blue shimmer hue, but it also comes in over a dozen colors.

A Ruched Swimsuit: Gnash String One Piece Swimsuit
freepeople.com

A Ruched Swimsuit: Gnash String One Piece Swimsuit

The side ruching on this Gnash String One Piece Swimsuit ($100) is so flattering. You could definitely wear this as a bodysuit with shorts or a skirt. It comes in over a dozen colors, but we're drawn to this soft lavender.

A Night Out Dress: Borgo de Nor Pietra Dress
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A Night Out Dress: Borgo de Nor Pietra Dress

Sometimes, you need a dress you can style for day and night. That, for us, is this Borgo de Nor Pietra Dress ($475). It's fun and vibrant, and feels just as natural with white sneakers for walking around as it does with sandals for dinner.

Polarized Sunglasses: Free People Astrid Polarized Sunglasses
freepeople.com

Polarized Sunglasses: Free People Astrid Polarized Sunglasses

Polarized sunglasses are a must-have for the beach. Keep the sun out of your eyes with these cool Free People Astrid Polarized Sunglasses ($40). They come in lots of different colors, and we love that the size isn't too big or small.

A High Waisted Bikini: Aerie Twist Halter Bikini Top and High Cut Cheeky Bikini Bottom
ae.com

A High Waisted Bikini: Aerie Twist Halter Bikini Top and High Cut Cheeky Bikini Bottom

You can never go wrong with a little black bikini. The crossover detailing on this Aerie High Cut Cheeky Bikini Bottom ($15, originally $30) and Aerie Twist Halter Bikini Top ($21, originally $30) hits you in all the right places. It's a great comfortable and affordable option that you'll always want to pack in your suitcase.

Sneakers That Go With Everything: New Balance 996 Sneakers
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Sneakers That Go With Everything: New Balance 996 Sneakers

We like these New Balance 996 Sneakers ($100) because they can be worn for both walking around and working out. If you feel like getting some movement in, it's nice to have a pair of sneakers on your beach vacation. Wear them on the plane, so you don't have to pack them!

A Cropped Jacket: Banana Republic Cropped Utility Jacket
bananarepublic.gap.com

A Cropped Jacket: Banana Republic Cropped Utility Jacket

If you're by the beach, there's a real chance it'll get cold at night by the water. A lightweight jacket is a great thing to have on hand, and we're loving this Banana Republic Cropped Utility Jacket ($110, originally $160). It's super light, easy to pack, and seems to go with everything in our closet.