Beach Vacation Capsule Wardrobe that Fits In Your Carry-On

In January, I shared about my winter travel capsule wardrobe for Italy where I packed 10-days of outfits into my carry-on. Since then, I am fully convinced that efficient packing is the way to go for any trip, any season! With some experimenting during my latest trip to Cancun, I decided to put together an easy beach vacation capsule wardrobe. You can use this guide for your next resort, pool, or family beach getaway. And the best part is that these all fit into a carry-on suitcase!

Tips for Packing for a Resort or Beach Vacation

Before I dive into the exact pieces I recommend packing for your next summer getaway, here are some quick tips to maximize wardrobe options.

Mix and match where you can. I love the idea of packing a two-piece set because you can easily swap out the shorts or top, and create a completely new look.
Choose versatile pieces! A dress or romper that can double as a cover-up, a swimsuit that works as a bodysuit under a pair of shorts—these are all great ways to maximize outfits without buying anything new!
Stick to breathable and lightweight fabrics. Not only will you feel more comfortable, but if you do need to hand-wash anything, they will dry faster too!

Some of my favorite lightweight summer fabrics are: linen, eyelet, poplin, and Tencel.

Packing List for Summer Resort Vacation Capsule

To create an effective summer vacation capsule wardrobe in your carry-on, here are pieces that can last you 1-week by mix and matching effectively.

Cotton Maxi Dresses: I recommend packing 2 that you can rotate between. Abercrombie has some great poplin options running every season in a variety of prints, colors, and lengths!
Jumpsuit or Romper: Love these one-and-done outfits that skip the effort of coordinating top and bottom. Also they are super easy to pull over a swimsuit, and can double as a cover-up! (I love this wide-leg one from Aritzia)
Matching Sets: Choose a color that can match well with other separates or swimsuits in your capsule to maximize options. Again, love Abercrombie’s selection here!
Cover-Up: Feel free to reuse a gauze button-down or crochet dress that’s already in wardrobe if you want to cut down on new purchases!
Swimsuit (2) – Try Cupshe (affordable) or S ummersalt (higher price point). Use VIANNAJS10 for $10 off your full-priced purchase.
Shoes (3) – Slides, Flip Flops, Sandals (I love this waterproof platform pair that’s super effortless to slip on and off)
Accessories – Beach Hat, Straw bag, Sunglasses

Beach Vacation Capsule Wardrobe Pieces

You are free to swap out pieces to achieve the looks that feel most comfortable to you. These are some outfit ideas that worked well for me during my last Cancun resort trip.

Summer Vacation Capsule: Dresses & Rompers

I grouped dresses and rompers together because these are full-body pieces that remove the hassle of having to match the top and bottom. For my trip, I packed:

2 Maxi Cotton Dresses: I can always count on the neutral options from Abercrombie, J. Crew, and Gap, and linked some options below.

1 Jumpsuit or Romper: I am a huge fan of stretchy Tencel fabric because it is breathable, doesn’t cling to your skin, and works as a cover-up. These options below are breezy and easy to travel in.

Optional: I like to pack a fancy option for when I want to dress up for dinners (or photos). ASTR is one of my favorite spots to shop. They have really romantic designs for under $200. I wore an old style, but here are some similar options. See how I styled their dress for Cancun in my later post.

Beach Vacation Summer Resort Travel Capsule Wardrobe - Outfit Ideas ft. cotton gauze button down, Summersalt one-shoulder sidestroke swimsuit, Demellier Santorini Straw Bag, rattan sandals.

Clothing Separates: Tops & Bottoms

I love the idea of packing a two-piece set, along with basics such as drawstring linen shorts and a gauze button-down shirt. Abercrombie has a great Getaway Shop, and you can easily swap or layer these pieces to create multiple looks.

Flattering Beach Vacation Swimsuits

My favorite swimsuit is still the effortless one-piece because they feel the most secure to me for swimming. Choose silhouettes that can double as bodysuits, and pick within a complementary color scheme so you can mix and match your shorts! I love Cupshe for affordable and trendy options, but Summersalt is my go-to for something flattering and high-quality. You can read my review of the brand HERE.

Shoes to Pack for a Beach Vacation

One lucky part about packing for a summer vacation is that your shoes are much lighter weight. If I had to limit my shoes to just 3 pairs, I would prioritize the following styles:

Flip Flops for the Poolside: Old Navy is my go-to choice.
Slides: Slightly more elevated, and supportive for walking outside.
Everyday Sandals: For leather options, try Nisolo – use code STYLEDBYSCIENCE20 for 20% off. Otherwise, I love these waterproof platform sandals that are easy to buckle and a nice heel height.

Beach Accessories

I packed my wide brim straw hat, beach tote/bag, and sunglasses. Ever since getting a sunburn on my scalp a few years back, I always pack a hat with me to the beach!

Beach Vacation Capsule Wardrobe Summary

I hope you found this blog post helpful as you pack for your next warm destination! I found that packing these pieces was enough to get me over 10 unique outfits for the trip. With efficient folding techniques, you should be able to fit all of these pieces into your carry-on suitcase. Have a great start to your summer!