I didn’t list my outfits in my last post because it was already so photo-heavy, so I wanted to share my Key West outfits in a separate post and offer some advice on what to pack for a beach vacation:
PLANE/TRAVEL OUTFIT:
I am all about comfort for plane rides.
Pants- Lululemon “still pants” (lululemon.com)
Sports bra- Champion (target.com)
Tank- Forever 21
Sports bra- Champion (target.com)
Tank- Forever 21
Sandals- Steve Madden
Sunnies- Marc by Marc Jacobs (NeimanMarcus.com)
Sunnies- Marc by Marc Jacobs (NeimanMarcus.com)
POOL OUTFITS:
Bikini Cover-Up- Target
Floppy Hat- CVS (I know, right!? How cute!)
Less floppy hat- Ann Taylor Outlet
Bikini- Victoria’s Secret
Floppy Hat- CVS (I know, right!? How cute!)
Less floppy hat- Ann Taylor Outlet
Bikini- Victoria’s Secret
BEACH/LUNCH/SHOPPING OUTFIT
Dress- $11 from a store on Duval St.
(even on vacation, I love a good deal! 50% off!!!)
(even on vacation, I love a good deal! 50% off!!!)
Dress- O’Neil brand—got it at a shop called “Ego” on Duval St.
Purple Scarf- Forever 21
Green/Pink Scarf- from a store on Duval…
forget the name but it’s an earthy store
Purple Scarf- Forever 21
Green/Pink Scarf- from a store on Duval…
forget the name but it’s an earthy store
I wore that black and white dress a TON! I am so glad it was one of my
“lost luggage” purchases because I really enjoyed wearing it on our trip!
Top- American Eagle Outfitters
Scarf- Forever 21
Shorts- Buckle
Hat- Ann Taylor
EVENING/DINNER:
Dress- O’Neil brand, also from the store “Ego” on Duvall
Belt- J. Crew
Necklace- Tiffany & Co.
Belt- J. Crew
Necklace- Tiffany & Co.
BEACH WEDDING:
Dress- Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent
(got it on MyHabit.com…originally $350, I paid $75!)
Sandals- Reef
(got it on MyHabit.com…originally $350, I paid $75!)
Sandals- Reef
BRACELET STACK:
This was my daily combo!
Watch- Michael Kors
Bracelet- Pandora
Leather Bracelets- That earthy store on Duval St.
PACKING TIPS:
(I used this zippered case to pack jewelry and makeup brushes, into my carry-on, of course)
Always Carry ON:
- Valuables—this includes jewelry, cameras, phones, expensive articles of clothing or accessories
- Anything you would be devastated to lose (when they lost my luggage, I was so upset I had packed a few items in there that weren’t replaceable—it’s not that the items were expensive, they were just no longer available and I kicked myself for not carrying them on)
- At least 3 pairs of underwear
- At least one swimsuit (if it’s a beach vacation)
- ALL of your makeup
- hairdryer or curling iron (hotel hairdryers are awful)
Include in Checked Baggage: - Items you aren’t attached to
- Hair products and toiletries
- Clothing and accessories that are replaceable/you wouldn’t be devastated to lose
- Luggage tag- with your address and contact info
- Extra shoes (unless they are crazy expensive, then carry those on)
Items I wore the most (we were there for 4 days):
Printed scarves (2)Bikinis (I packed 4)
Loose, flowy swimsuit coverups (2-3)
Cotton sundresses (3-5)
2 evening/fancier dresses
Flip flops (I wore my gold pair 90% of the time)
1 belt- I used it to secure my sweater at night1 maxi dress–great for evenings!2 sweaters (it gets chilly at night)
1 pair of shorts1 pair of wedges—perfect for summer and easier than heels to walk in sand2 hats—I opted for one floppy one and one fedora/bucket style hat
Lots of underwear
2 bras—one strapless, one regular (most of the time I was in a bikini though)1 pair stud earrings (to wear for daytime)2 pairs of dangling earrings (I brought my Kendra Scott ones) for evening
Honestly, after my experience with the airline losing my luggage and being extremely vague and unknowledgeable as to where it was, I am no longer comfortable checking luggage. I would rather buy toiletries when I arrived at my destination (if possible) than checking my luggage. I did get my luggage back, but it is very stressful not knowing that you will get it back. I recommend everyone carry on as much as they possibly can. Use packing techniques that allow you to maximize space. I actually had to throw my big hot pink suitcase out because it was so damaged and dirty from how many times I’ve used it, so now I am looking for carry-on luggage that can fit a lot of stuff but will still be allowed on the plane. Let me know if you have any recommendations for great carry-on luggage!
I hope this post was helpful!
xoxo,
Veronika.
That dress you wore to the wedding? What a steal…AND it's beautiful! I love the colors!!
I pretty much love every outfit! Great packing tips – I usually do the same thing.
I understand the frustration of losing your luggage (they lost mine before too), but can't imagine bringing everything on a plane. There is no room. I have never been able to find room in the overhead compartments because of selfish people and their 8 carry on bags. Try to remember that you are not the only one on the flight.
@anon—I do not bring 8 bags. I brought one carry on bag onto the flight and a very small handbag (my 1 personal item). I am just saying that there are smart ways to pack in a carry-on to maximize space. I used a duffle bag and was able to stow my bag underneath my seat on the plane, thus not taking up space in the overhead bins. It makes me upset when people put their small bags in the overhead bin. IMO, any bag that is small enough to fit underneath the seat should NOT be put into an overhead bin.
You make me laugh with the "earthy" store comment- I know exactly what you mean though. We have alot of those around Austin :).
You look so cute in all those photos! I'm in love with that big, floppy hat – I can't believe you found it at CVS! And I am in total agreement about trying to carry on as much as possible vs checking bags.
The beachy style is so gorgeous and natural on you! I'm heading to Europe for a little over a week at the end of November and just doing a carry-on bag! I'm a little scared of the packing, haha. I've never traveled for THAT long with only a carry-on. I'm going have to be super strategic in my packing!
@maryann—that is super brave. my best advice is to bring pieces that are super versatile and a lot of dark colors with bright accessories since darker colors show less stains.
I think you can do it 🙂 also—i always wear hats and coats onto the plane so they don't take up room in my luggage.
All of your outfits are super cute! Great packing tips too…thanks for sharing!
Looks like you guys had fun despite the whole luggage fiasco. You're cute even on vacation.
Have you seen https://www.3floz.com/? They have great products that you can carry on!
Your travelling outfit is so chic – love it – not the typical velour tracksuit option LOL! Loved all your dresses – you always look so pretty and pulled-toghether. Thanks for sharing 🙂
The "earthy store" is Earthbound Trading Company, we just moved away from Key West to Seattle in May. I miss it so much! I bet we would have ran into each other, it's too tiny not too!! 🙂
So cute! Good luck finding a new suitcase. That stinks that they misplaced yours. (I always wonder where the heck they put it?! How do you lose luggage when it's on a plane and then taken right off?
lauren—i think it like never got on the original plane and that is how they lost it—or it did, but then it was never re-routed to my next plane ride into Key West.
i love all your looks Veronika! especially the dresses and the laidback styles for the pool days! it looks like you had a nice time. and i'm the same way, i'm super leery about checking bags. i don't know how i managed to do it, but i've packed for a 10 day trip using a regular standard size suitcase. i had to roll all my clothes so that everything would fit!
Losing luggage is always my worst nightmare and I always pack enough in my carry on to last me a few days. Just a little of everything like you mentioned. My question–for your blue bikini, how on earth are you wearing it so low on your chest??
That is terrible that you lost your luggage! I have been lucky to never have experienced that, i would be devastated if that happened to me! You look super cute in all of your pics- in fact it looks as if you dropped some weight.
I am originally from miami, fl so i have been to key west before and i love it too! it's the perfect little beach community.
@anon—the top doesn't stay up that well because it's strapless but it's great for not getting tan lines!
Love your taste!!! Who makes the hoodie you are wearing on your traveling day? I like the way it fits. Thank you!
Anon- it is not a hoodie but its from banana republic
cute outfits, but your bikini is a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen. Maybe buy one that actually fits?
great advice, veronika! I've had some bad experiences with my luggage too so i know how stressful it is. one of the things i'll be looking for when purchasing new luggage is how heavy it is without anything in there. I know there are now brands marketing lighter luggage. I just don't know how strong and durable they will be. thanks for sharing your vacation with us! looks like so much fun 🙂
My H used to travel for work a ton, and he used Victorinox (Swiss Army) luggage and loved it. He never checked bags. He had what was essentially a heavy duty garment bag, but with tons of space for other stuff like shoes and toiletries. I can't find a link, but you might check out the Victorinox luggage the next time you're at a department store. I think we got his at Macy's. Also, Tumi luggage is really expensive, but will last forever. Tumi also has its own tracking system for lost bags. https://intl.tumi.com/webforms/registerTumi.jsp;jsessionid=1khvMs1DBxxnXVSggLpCD9GZ4vbNrjg8Y6FlnyyV1Hv6vtwddSfx!-864757
I love you hair and you're so pretty!
I love Key West- I've been there a few times and every time I go I fall more and more in love. Love all the outfits too! Especially considering the airline lost your bags, I don't know what I would have done!
Again, I adore the sunnies!! Love the outfits. I miss going to the beach now…
Loving you blog and your style. Definitely following. I am a hats gal and i love all the hats you are wearing.
Patience
http://www.justpatience.com
What in the world happened to your feet?! Looks like you're wearing bandaids. Were they caused by the flip flops, or one of your new pairs of shoes?
OMG love your packing tips! I've luckily never had my lugguage lost, but I have had them break and spill a ton of stuff. Anyways thanks for the tips! You look fab btw!!!
<3
Kelsey in Japan
oh THANK YOU so much, I found this extremely useful! Do you believe I am a 56 year old woman, as is my husband, and in May 2017 we’ll be in Key West for 11 days and this is our very first vacation in 28 years!!!! Soooo, since I am not the traveler, I found this article EXTREMELY useful,,,so thank you soooo much!! 🙂