must-haves Archives - Style Trials

Cruises, beaches, tropical resorts! You’re probably wondering why I’m doing this post going into Fall, huh? In my attempt to hang onto the last bits of Summer, I actually have good reasoning beyond that. Here’s why!

Summer is ending so now is the time to find great stuff on clearance and stock up for next year.
I live in Florida so it’s still 90+ degree beach weather!
Most importantly, my husband Gary and I are celebrating our 1 year wedding anniversary NEXT WEEK (yayyy!) on an 8-day Carnival cruise! SOO EXCITED!!! 🙂 While cruises are definitely top of my mind right now, I actually know a lot of other people who are going/just went on a cruise too. Makes sense because you can find great deals on cruises in the off-season.

Whatever the case, my universal problem with traveling has always been packing because, let’s face it, I pack way too much….I like options! So I thought long and hard to narrow the essential must-have pieces for a cruise or really any other beachy, tropical getaway. You can use this as a packing guide, or inspiration for items to hunt during these end-of-season sales.

CRUISE WEAR

White Tank Top – The Row Roger Top – barneys.com
Teal Cutoff Shorts – hollisterco.com
Straw hat – Rag & Bone – ssense.com
Tory Burch Straw Metallic Channing Tote – toryburch.com
Tory Burch Fanta Orange Flip Flops – toryburch.com
Sundress – Blue Life Stripe Rope Dress – shopbop.com
Tom Ford Henry Tortoise Sunglasses – scoopnyc.com
Bright yellow bikini – Wonderland The Inception – nelly.com
Black fringe bikini – L*Space Swimwear ‘Dolly Estella Black’ – theorchidboutique.com
Summer wedge shoe in white and straw – 2b – 2bstores.com —> On Sale Now for $25!
White knit, tunic dress – J.Crew – jcrew.com
AX Paris Shell Strapless Playsuit – axparis.co.uk

Obviously it doesn’t have to be these exact pieces, but this is a general idea of basics to include. A few tank tops and shorts, a casual sundress, a swimsuit coverup, a nicer outfit you can dress up or down (like the romper), comfy flip flops, and dressier shoes that still look casual (platform wedges).

You’ll want to accessorize with a bag that is fairly neutral so you can wear it with everything, cool sunglasses, and a straw beach hat. Of course you’ll need a few bikini options, and I’d suggest mix-and-match bikinis so you can get more looks out of less pieces. Victoria’s Secret is actually having an end-of season sale right now on their swimwear, so I’d suggest checking it out! I just stocked up.

WHAT’S IN MY CRUISE BEAUTY BAG

Razor – Gillette Venus
Starfish crystal hair pins – etsy.com
Fekkai Summer Hair Beach Waves Spray – bergdorfgoodman.com
Self-tanner – L’Oreal Sublime with instant bronzer
Blush – MAC “Heavenly Creature” Mineralize blush – maccosmetics.com
SPF – Coppertone with an SPF of at least 30
Lipstick – MAC Cremesheen Pearl Lipstick – maccosmetics.com
Makeup remover wipes – maccosmetics.com
Tinted Moisurizer – NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer – neimanmarcus.com
Waterproof mascara – Maybelline Falsies Flared (my fav!)
My favorite instant bronzing Lotion – Lorac TANtalizer – get a travel size here!
Liquid Eyeliner – Stila Stay All Day Waterproof liquid liner – sephora.com
Nail polish – OPI Cajun Shrimp