How to Pack for: a Tropical Holiday

Thanks to the endless references to places like Hawaii across popular culture, taking a vacation to a tropical paradise far removed from society may just be a bucket-list ambition for you. Or, perhaps your upcoming stay somewhere surrounded by sandy beaches and turquoise waters may have been the result of a (possibly substance-inspired) last-minute impulse booking.

Either way, the items you decide to bring with you deserve an equal amount consideration – and until you set foot on said sandy beaches, ensuring you can make the most of your holiday starts with packing the perfect bag.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the essential items you just can’t afford to leave at home.

Some Upscale Sandals

If you’re flying direct from the concrete jungles of modern society, you might not be up to speed with just how often sandals will become your footwear of choice during your warm, sun-drenched getaway. Let us give you the inside scoop.

More so than you might imagine, a stylish pair of leather sandals will serve you well throughout your tropical trip. From the hotel room to the pool bar to the beachfront and beyond, there’s no telling how much use you’ll get out of a sturdy pair of sandals, so why not invest in some with some genuine style factor and quality?

A Pair of Posh Linen Pants

If the thought of wearing sandals so frequently feels somewhat informal compared to your day-to-day dress code, then you’ll be happy to hear you can more than make up for things by incorporating some lightweight tailoring onto your travel checklist. The perfect compromise? A pair of rather posh white linen pants.

Linen always bodes well in warm climates because of the fabric’s loose weave and relatively generous cut, both of which allow ample airflow between the garment and your body. For those long, leisurely beach walks or spectacular dining experiences, a pair of tailored linen trousers will be your secret weapon to dressing smartly in sweltering heat.

A Few Colourful Camp-Collar Shirts

No matter how much you might enjoy dressing up, the perfect travel bag can’t solely consist of formal items – don’t forget, you’re meant to be on holiday after all. This is where the argument for a few audaciously patterned or strikingly coloured camp collar shirts enter the conversation.

When it comes to this genre of shirt, the trademark Hawaiian Aloha shirt tends to reign supreme, and if you’re going to try to pull one off, your tropical holiday is the place to do it. However, if you’re not overly enthused with the idea of sporting a classic Hawaiian, a few lightweight camp collars of any colour or pattern make for suitable substitutes in any suitcase.

Some (Responsible) Skincare

Admiring Mother Nature is what tropical vacations are all about. From volcanic rock formations to spectacular vistas to lush green flora and more, you can expect to encounter some of the most breathtaking sights there are to see this side of the Milky Way.

However, Mother Nature has a harmful streak in her too, and on these types of trips that typically takes the form of intense and prolonged sun exposure. Ensure you make room for plenty of appropriate protection when it comes to your skincare routine here. Whether that means moisturizers with built-in SPF or some dedicated sunscreen, you’ll be sorry if you forgo these in your toiletries bag ahead of takeoff.

A Bucket Hat or Two

Speaking of sunshine, another way to avoid taking on too much exposure to harmful rays is by packing some protective-yet-stylish headwear. Recently, we’ve been big into bucket hats because; namely because they tend to tick all the boxes when it comes to the perfect summer headwear.

Unlike a baseball cap, bucket hats offer you 360-degree sun protection as their generous brims run entirely around the head instead of just one forward-facing brim. Bucket hats are also easy to pack – you can simply roll yours up and stuff it into a tight side compartment of your bag or case. And, among many more valuable attributes, bucket hats tend to display a certain laid-back, almost insouciant style when worn, which is a demeanor very much welcome on tropical holidays.

Some Suitably Eccentric Swimwear

This suitcase-essential follows a similar sentiment to our point about Hawaiian shirts – when on holiday, especially to a tropical paradise, it’s oftentimes therapeutic to let go of certain inclinations you may have about day-to-day dressing and instead, embrace the silliness of it all.

We’re not saying it’s necessary for you to go all out and purchase the most eccentric swimwear you can find on the open market, but we do believe that tropical holidays are the perfect scene and setting for something a little more ‘out there’ than you might usually gravitate towards. So, whether you plan on spending more time by the beach or at the pool, feel free to contribute your fair share of colour and pattern into the equation.

The Perfect Pair of Shades

Of course, the last thing you can’t afford to forget when packing for a sun-filled vacation is the perfect pair of shades. In this instance, ‘perfect’ doesn’t necessarily mean your sunglasses need to enhance your facial features with architectural consideration. Instead, the perfect pair for a certain holiday means something that will look authentically at home in your destination.

Do a bit of research, see what’s en vogue where you’re headed and determine a style that not only suits your face shape, but matches the local vibe. Picture yourself drinking your favourite cocktail by the pool bar – what's going to make you look less like a tourist and more like a professional guest? Try on a few different styles (perhaps while wearing your Hawaiian shirt of choice) and pick out a pair that you feel best in.