Vacation Essentials: LoveBrownSugar’s Top 10

travel-packing-essentialsAs the summer is coming to a close, and many of us will be taking that late summer vacay, here are some classic and a few trendy “vacation essentials” to keep in mind. Take it from the girl who’s in a different state every weekend and knows how to pack an overnight bag in less than 60 seconds…you NEED these items!

10. Overnight Bag
Redhead girl sitting near tree with vintage camera.

The key to finding the perfect overnight bag is all in the size and material. Make sure to have something large enough to fit all your essential carry-on items, but not so large that it’s uncomfortable to carry. Also aim for material that exudes style as well as sensibility.

9. Romper

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Although the romper is a tricky trend to conquer, almost everyone’s safe in a loose-fitting silhouette and a basic color, like black or white. This way you can dress it up or down and you don’t have to worry about any crazy prints bringing attention to the wrong areas. If you’re daring, feel free to rock it out in a funky printed one like the one I’m wearing above.

8. Headgear

vacation-dresses

Whether it’s a fedora or a floppy beach hat, don’t jump on that yacht in the Caribbean without a stylish piece of headgear to top off your ensemble. I like the one pictured above (left) for its funky design and compact size – perfect for beach bags!

7. Maxi Dress

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These are my favorite summer pieces of ALL time. They’re easy, you don’t have to iron them, and they can go from day to night depending on how you accessorize. Get them in solid color or in fun prints. Just make sure you have one!

6. Trendy Shades

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So you don’t have money to splurge on a brand new vacay wardrobe, spruce up your classic outfits with some funky new shades. They’re attention-grabbing, they’re fun, there are numerous varieties AND they will be the first thing people notice if they stand out like the ones my trendy friends are wearing above.

5. Jean Cutoff Shorts

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Another great staple to any summer wardrobe, jean cutoff shorts can be dressed up or down and should fit loose enough to be super comfortable but snug enough to give you a nice shape (avoid the frumpy mom jeans!). Silver Jeans makes really great shorts for all sizes. I’m pictured above wearing their plus-size cutoffs.

4. Standout Swimsuit

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Whether it’s a sophisticated one-peice or sexy bikini that tickles your fancy, don’t blend into the sand! Get a suit that matches your personality AND suits your body shape. You can usually get great pieces at Victoria’s Secret, H&M, ASOS and for curvy girls who want something fancier – Monif C.

3. Statement Necklace

statement-necklace

What good is a sexy swimsuit without a statement necklace to pile on top of it? My friends and I are famous for this. We don’t just go to the beach in a swimsuit, we go with matching jewelry. Don’t leave home without it! Pair it with a cute plain beach dress and some heels, and it’s instantly an evening look. Pair it with a plain tank and your jean shorts, and you’re ready for your tour of the island. Whatever it is, statement necklaces will bring your look from frumpy to fab in 2 seconds…trust.

2. Patterned Mini-Dress

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The patterned dress is the quintessential peice for a summer vacay. It’s fun, its cute, its flirty, and it makes you feel good! Check out the day dresses section of ASOS for some cute options. For those of you more averse to online shops, Zara & Forever 21 have really cute and affordable patterned mini dresses as well.

1. Embellished Flats

beyonce-balmain-aldo-sandals

So my all-time favorite accessory for summer vacay is the embellished sandal. I LOVE how unique you can set yourself apart with a pair of funky sandals that nobody else has their hands on. Steve Madden and Aldo have a pretty great stock of embellished options. If you’re in the NYC, hit up the shops in SoHo. They have great stuff you won’t find anywhere else. Pictured above is Queen Bey  in Aldo sandals. Her outfit’s sick!

Anyway, I hope all my lovelies enjoyed this Summer Vacation Essentials countdown. Comment if you think I missed anything crucial, and happy traveling!

Shop My Top Ten Travel Essentials:

Christina Brown

Lifestyle influencer and digital mompreneur Christina S. Brown is a New York native, LA resident, and the founder of LoveBrownSugar.com and BrownGirlsLove. She's an award-winning storyteller, a motivational speaker and an advocate for confident millennial black women.

2 Comments
  1. For once bey did something right in the wardrobe department. This outfit if fun, youthful, and edgy love it!

  2. The Embellished Flats’ picture is of Beyonce’s feet. The question I have is why is she wearing nude tights with them. Why? She’s crazy. And I agree with the commenter above. She actually looks “nice” in her outfit above.