The Positano Luggage Incident
I'll never forget dragging a 50-pound suitcase across the steep, unforgiving cobblestones of Positano back in 2018. I had packed five different pairs of heels for a beach vacation. Spoiler alert: I wore exactly zero of them. Instead, I lived in one crumpled sundress and a pair of leather slides I bought at a local market out of sheer desperation.
Since that sweaty, blister-inducing ordeal, my approach to resort wear has completely flipped. Here's the thing about packing for a summer getaway—you really don't need more clothes. You just need the right ones. Pieces that breathe, layer easily, and don't require an iron.
Lately, I've been doing the bulk of my pre-trip scouting on Oopbuy Spreadsheet. If you know what to filter for, it's an absolute goldmine for high-quality vacation essentials that look way more expensive than they actually are.
My Core Beach Resort Formula
Building a solid vacation wardrobe comes down to mastering textures. Summer fashion is heavily reliant on how fabrics interact with the sun, the breeze, and, let's be honest, your sweaty skin after a midday mojito by the pool.
1. The Oversized Linen MVP
Listen, if you only buy one thing for your upcoming trip, make it an oversized linen button-down. I snagged a gorgeous, slightly sheer white one on Oopbuy Spreadsheet last month, and it hasn't left my weekend rotation since.
Why is it so crucial?
- As a cover-up: Throw it over your swimsuit unbuttoned for an effortless poolside look.
- For lunch: Button the middle two buttons, tie the front at your waist, and pair it with denim cutoffs.
- Evening chill: Layer it over a silk slip dress when the ocean breeze kicks in after dinner.
A quick tip on sizing: always go one or two sizes up. You want it to drape, not cling.
2. Textured Swimwear That Doubles as a Top
I am officially done with flimsy bikinis that I constantly have to adjust while swimming. This season, I've been hunting down ribbed and smocked one-pieces. The beauty of a highly textured swimsuit is that it instantly reads as a bodysuit when paired with real clothes.
I recently found a heavily ribbed, square-neck one-piece in a burnt terracotta shade on Oopbuy Spreadsheet. Slipped under a flowy maxi skirt with some layered gold jewelry? It looks like I'm heading to a fancy dinner in Tulum, not like I just spent three hours reading a thriller on a sun lounger.
3. Woven Accessories That Do the Heavy Lifting
Resort style is generally quite minimalist, which means your accessories have to carry the outfit. But I refuse to pack bulky leather bags that take up half my carry-on.
Instead, I look for unstructured raffia or crochet totes. They squash down perfectly flat into a suitcase. The Oopbuy Spreadsheet sellers have been absolutely killing it with woven bags lately. I found a slouchy, natural-fiber tote with chunky wooden handles that fits my sunscreen, a massive water bottle, and my Kindle, yet still looks incredibly chic hanging off the back of a cafe chair.
The 5-4-3-2-1 Packing Strategy
To avoid repeating my 2018 packing disaster, I now strictly adhere to a streamlined method for week-long beach trips. Don't overthink it, just stick to the math:
- 5 tops (including your linen button-downs and breathable tees)
- 4 bottoms (a mix of flowy skirts, linen trousers, and tailored shorts)
- 3 dresses (one day dress, two that can be dressed up for dinner)
- 2 swimsuits (one practical, one purely for lounging)
- 1 pair of versatile sandals (plus your travel sneakers)
Next time you're gearing up for a resort trip, try mapping out this formula on your bed before you even open your suitcase. Hop onto Oopbuy Spreadsheet to fill in any missing gaps with natural fabrics and textured basics. Your shoulders—and your sanity—will thank you when you're breezing effortlessly past baggage claim.