What to Pack for Every Possible Summer Trip, According to PEOPLE Style Editors
Whether you're going for a low-key lake trip or major Vegas vibes, our editors have curated their ideal packing lists
It's about that time when everyone will be asking each other what fun summer plans lie ahead — and whether you're heading on a long-planned European getaway or just hoping to make the most of a long somewhere closer to home, it's also about that time when you'll want to start assembling everything you need for the trip. (And, let's be honest, the content.)
PEOPLE's Style editors have trips of all types planned, from chic weeks in Cannes to Vegas vibes, and we've already started putting together the perfect packing lists. Read on for some of our favorite SPF, sandals and summer dresses, and shop them to add to your own suitcases.
A Lake Vacation
Alex Apatoff, Executive Editor: My family's annual trip to Door County, Wis. is not about glamour or relaxation. It's about reapplying sunscreen constantly to my two children and trying to fake an injury to get out of minigolf. With that in mind, my packing list is all about maximum practicality, while trying to stay at least a tiny bit presentable on the off chance my husband remembers to take a #proofofmom pic. Hence the hard-working, multitasking beauty products (a tinted moisturizing sunscreen, SPF tinted lip balm and humidity-repelling hair gel); the UPF hoodie I can quickly toss on over my swimsuit or dress when I don't want to bother putting sunscreen on my back; the cute bag organizer for hauling everyone's stuff; and the best beach chair so I'm prepared for the seven minute break I get to read a book.
Buy It! Brush On Block Sheer Genius tinted mineral sunscreen, $36, amazon.com; Fresh Sugar tinted lip balm in "Coral," $26, fresh.com; Ouidad Advanced Climate Control heat and humidity gel, $26, ulta.com; Lands' End women's zip UPF 50 cover-up, $38 (orig. $63), landsend.com; Minnow gingham travel pouch, $40, minnowswim.com; Tommy Bahama backpack beach chair, $90, tommybahama.com
Poolside in Sin City
Jackie Fields, Deputy Beauty Director: My song of summer is "Viva Las Vegas" because for so many years I've lost count, that bright light city has set my soul on fire. But rather than gamble like the King, I spend it poolside at the hottest parties on the Strip. For that, I need a bevy of designer bathing suits, and an arsenal of beauty products to keep me looking glam in weather that can be best described as hot as hell (they don't call it Sin City for nothin'). A chic claw clip like this two-tone option takes my hair accessory game to the next level while keeping my curls out of chlorine. Hand sanitizer in a purse-friendly, refreshing citrus scent keeps me relatively germ-free. Meanwhile, this cheek and lip tint in SPF 50 helps me pull off a monochromatic makeup look with ease, and this shimmery sunscreen sticks helps me give glowing goddess from the neck down. Lastly, I pack a face mist for a vitamin-packed pick-me-up for then the assignment is splash water on your face, but make it cool.
Buy It! Alexandre de Paris Hair Clip, $95; nordstrom.com; Evolvetogether Hand Sanitizer, $40; evolvetogether.com; Nudestix Nudescreen Blush + Lip Tint SPF 30, $30; sephora.com; Kopari Sun Shield On-The-Glow Sheer Stick Sunscreen SPF 40; $29; ulta.com; Evian Face Mist, $22; ulta.com
Taylor Swift Concert in Europe
ICYMI, making a vacation out of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour dates in Europe this summer is all the rage, thanks to the reasonable ticket prices in comparison to the U.S. dates. For me, though, concert vacations have been a way of life for, well, much of my life, so when it comes to packing for my Eras Tour extravaganza overseas, I know just what to do. While many Swifties devote their allegiance to one era when it comes to dressing for the show, I prioritize two things: sun protection and making the whole place shimmer. With a tinted SPF, I've got the first part down, and with a sparkly minidress, I can stay cool while I'm swapping friendship bracelets in the sun before the show (inevitably sweating, as I'm wont to do). The hair glitter and face gems also serve double duty for me as I will pull them out again when Harry Styles heads back out on tour (hopefully sooner rather than later). As for the perfume...well, I'm about to be in a large room with thousands of sweaty people. I'm just doing my part.
Buy It! Half Magic Iridescent Sparkle Self-Adhesive Face Gems, $12; ulta.com; Hally Glitter Shade Stix Temporary Hair Glitter, $14; ulta.com; EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40 Tinted Face Sunscreen Moisturizer, $31; amazon.com; Abercrombie & Fitch Sequin Squareneck Mini Dress, $90; abercrombie.com; Orebella Salted Muse Parfum Travel Spray, $35; ulta.com
California Essentials
Brittany Talarico, Deputy Style Director: I'm going to San Diego (twice!) this summer to visit my sister who is pregnant with her first baby. And while finding the time to wear this Paige swimsuit might be wishful thinking, I splurged on the style because it will be my go-to one-piece all summer long. It's a great mom suit for chasing my kids at our Jersey sure beach club, but also feels elevated thanks to the the u-shape neckline and lace-up back. Plus, it pulls double duty as a bodysuit and looks really cute with a pair of white jeans. I also decided to nab a new pair of sunglasses for the season — the price on these Saint Laurent sunnies from Marshalls was too good to pass up. As for the other West Coast essentials — a good hat, some face SPF and travel-friendly skincare will be at the top of my rotation. Plus, this lightweight-yet-spacious State backpack alongside some new Calpak packing cubes will make carry-on luggage a breeze.
Buy It! Saint Laurent Cat Eye Sunglasses, $179.99; marshalls.com; CeraVe Skincare Toiletry Set, $42.01; amazon.com; State Lorimer Backpack with Pockets, $115; statebags.com; Paige Gianna U-Ring One Piece, $209; paige.com; Alo Yoga Off-Duty Hat, $58; aloyoga.com; SkinCeuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense Cream SPF 50, $54; dermstore.com; Calpak packing cubes (Set of 5), $57.80; calpaktravel.com
Cozy East Coast Getaway
Michelle Lee, Editorial Assistant: My vacation vibe is putting on Taylor Swift's Folklore and driving out east to a seaside town that lives up to Ina Garten's quaint lifestyle. When I'm this relaxed, I can't be bothered with multiple outfit changes or 10-step glam, so I only stick to the essentials. A clarifying and hydrating shampoo-conditioner duo is all I need to refresh my hair on wash day, while one-and-done vitamin C eye patches do the job of brightening my dark circles without the fuss of smearing on an eye cream. Plus, a skincare-infused BB cream helps me achieve that "I just work up looking effortlessly glowing" base, only adding to that salt air sheen. Outfit-wise a summery dress, woven sandals and round sunglasses cover any and all summer dress codes, whether I'm going casual for a day of window shopping or chic for a fancy dinner on the deck.
Buy It! JooY Clarify Shampoo and Conditioner ($29 each), morejooy.com; Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Eye Gel Patches, $18 (orig. $20), amazon.com; Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Diamond Perfector BB Cream, $17; physciansformula.com; Aerie Pool-to-Party Tie Back Maxi Dress, $70, ae.com; Dolce Vita Ralli Sandals, $140, dolcevita.com; Le Specs Outta Love Sunglasses in Caramel, $65; revolve.com
Work Travel
Andrea Lavinthal, Style + Beauty Director: This summer my calendar is filled with work-related trips to everywhere from Cannes to Connecticut interspersed with family weekends at the Jersey Shore (hence the ankle bracelet which is the unofficial accessory of my home state), so I'm constantly switching up my beauty bag depending on where I'm headed. Since I've yet to encounter a hotel that stocks the bathroom with a high-quality blow-dryer and hot tools (if I did, I'd sign up to be a platinum/diamond/star medallion member), I schlep my own set. I also bring an air dry styling product for the days I want to be easy breezy with my hair. As high-maintenance as I am with my hair, I like to keep it simple with my makeup. An illuminating skin tint evens that evens out my skin tone and adds a glow eliminates the need for a separate highlighter and bronzer. With the space I save on makeup, I use for skincare. Especially cleanser since I like to double-cleanse. These micellar pads are compact and spill-proof. When it comes to sunscreen, I like to have a few different formulas on hand including a water-resistant SPF 50 spray.
Buy It! Sutra JetSetter Collection, $100, sutrabeauty.com; MAC Cosmetics Strobe Dewy Skin Tint, $38; nordstrom.com, KMS Conscious Stye Beach Style Creme, $20.23, amazon.com; Sofie Pavitt Micellar Cleansing Pads, $24, sofiepavitt.com; Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 Water-Resistant Body Spray, $9; amazon.com; Jenny Bird “Dane” Anklet, $110, shopbop.com
A Southern California Getaway
Catherine Santino, Writer-Reporter, Style: As a life-long East Coast-er, visits to my in-laws in California are the respite my sensitive sinuses and severe vitamin D deficiency craves. The trip is mostly spent basking in the dreamy weather, visiting favorite West Coast eateries (read: In-N-Out) and, if we're lucky, a trip to the beach. These breezy (and oh-so-comfy) linen pants from Quince are ideal for lazy days when I want to feel a bit put together (Chillhouse's press-on nails serve a similar purpose). Because my stubborn fair skin can't handle the sun it so desperately craves, I rely on Naturium's Dew Glow Moisturizer SPF 50 — a one-and-done moisturizer and SPF combo that comes with a gorgeous glow. As for the getting there of it all, my Baggu Travel Cloud Bag serves as the perfect carry-on as it can easily store the myriad of snacks I shove inside it to avoid absurd airport food costs. If you are prone to altitude-induced headaches like me, you'll want to pack TheraICE's Migraine Relief Cap for the flight (bonus: it's also great for cooling down after too much sun at the beach).
Buy it! Quince 100% European Linen Pants, $39.90, quince.com; Chillhouse Press-On Nails in '90s Supermodel, $11.20, chillhouse.com; Naturium Dew Glow Moisturizer SPF 50, $22, naturium.com; Baggu Travel Cloud Bag, $78, baggu.com; TheraICE Headache Relief Cap, $29.95, amazon.com
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