Travel Light: How to Pack for a Warm-Weather Getaway

4. Pack smart to save space.

Always check with your airline to confirm carry-on measurements since they often differ. There are many detailed YouTube videos on how to pack and plenty of social media posts raving about compression cubes. As a fashion editor, I traveled all over the world for photo shoots with a week’s worth of clothes in one small roll-on bag like the Delsey Paris Delsey Shadow 5.0 Expandable 20-inch Spinner Carry-On in Harbor Grey or Silver Pine ($126, macys.com), and my core pack-smart tricks still work (even without cubes!).

The idea is to maximize space with what I call a “clothes sandwich.” Here’s how it goes: Layer the longest pieces like pants, midi dresses and skirts full length at the bottom of your suitcase. Leave the excess “ends” out and hanging over the sides, alternating sides as you go. Next, roll all soft and wrinkle-resistant items like tees, leggings, jeans and swimsuits and add them as the next layer. Fold any crispy items like button-down shirts and add them on top of the rolls before flipping in the ends of the bottom layer to hold them all in place. Add shoes around the sides of the case with the soles facing the walls and stuff them with baggies of small items like jewelry, a belt, hair accessories and scarves.

Put all must-haves like chargers, cellphone, I.D., wallet, passport, hearing aids, e-reader, sunglasses, Rx glasses, meds, snacks and your zip-loc TSA baggie in your personal bag for easy access. This may very well be a tote. Note that a water-repellant style with inner compartments and a secure closure like the Athleta All About Tote Bag in Black, Shadow Blue or Redwood ($79, athleta.gap.com) with a water bottle sleeve and the Kelly & Katie Classic Tote in Black ($45, dsw.com) are lightweight and can double as a beach bag. 

(From left) Quince Women European Linen Tapered Ankle Pants in Deep Navy; Universal Thread Women’s Pull-On Tie Waist Midi A-Line Skirt in Brown; J. Crew Factory Women Gauze Button-Up Shirt in White; Old Navy Ballet Mule Flats in Linen-Blend Tan.

AARP (Quince, Target, J. Crew, Old Navy)

5. Deal with the weather and other problems in advance.

As Maya Angelou and Lee Child’s Jack Reacher character said, “Hope for the best, plan for the worst.” Warm-weather destinations can be gloriously sunny or rainy, blazing hot or cloudy, humid and sticky or cool, so be prepared. Check the forecast for your destination before packing. Breezy fabrics that breathe, like cotton, linen, rayon, viscose and crinkle gauze, don’t stick to the skin, and loose light clothing like oversized tops, A-line skirts and relaxed longer dresses let air circulate and sweat evaporate.

Good examples are the Universal Thread Women’s Pull-On Tie Waist Midi A-Line Skirt in Brown ($28, target.com), the Quince Women European Linen Tapered Ankle Pants in Deep Navy ($40, quince.com) and the J.Crew Factory Women Gauze Button-Up Shirt in White ($53, jcrew.com). Open shoes like the Old Navy Ballet Mule Flats in Linen-Blend Tan or Faux Leather Black($17, oldnavy.gap.com) and Sam Edelman Bay Jelly in Tortoise or Cafe Noir ($50, zappos.com) are always going to be more comfortable than enclosed styles and sneakers. But here’s a super tip: wear any new shoes or sandals (even innocent-looking mules, EVA pool slides and jellies) around the house for a few days to break them in and avoid blisters on arrival.

(From left) J. Jill Cotton Gauze One Pocket Shirtdress in Royal Blue; Loft Stripe Twisted Midi Wrap Dress in Neptune; Loft Beach Triple Cloth Mixed Media Pocket Dress in Sonic Blue.

AARP (J. Jill; Loft, 2)

6. Add items that pivot day to night, casual to dressy.

There is no need for completely different day and night pieces. Dresses are always a good choice since they reduce the need for separates and offer versatility. Many midi styles like the Loft Beach Triple Cloth Mixed Media Pocket Dress in Sonic Blue ($45, loft.com) Old Navy Striped Midi Shirt Dress in Blue Stripe ($40, oldnavy.gap.com) and the J.Jill Cotton Gauze One Pocket Shirtdress in Royal Blue ($90, jjill.com) can multi-task as a swimsuit coverup with pool slides, go sightseeing with espadrilles or sneakers, and head out to dinner with metallic sandals. 

Midi or maxi-length skirts and dresses also offer leg coverage for those concerned about discolorations or going bare-legged and reduce the need to do a self-tan or use leg makeup for camouflage. Super-tip: add a pair of metallic sandals like the Sofft Noella Women’s Sandals in Platino ($81, 6pm.com) or Seychelles Cape May Metallic Sandals in Silver or Gold ($89, zappos.com) to give anything you wear a glam effect without a lot of fuss.

(From left) Quince 100 % Organic Cotton Poplin Tiered Maxi Skirt in Vermillion Red; Croft & Barrow Women’s Effortless Stretch Capri Pants in Black; Old Navy Ribbed Boat-Neck T-Shirt in Navy Stripe.

AARP (Quince, Kohl’s, Old Navy)

7. Let clothes and accessories solve body problems.

No judgment, but a warm-weather getaway often triggers anxiety for those worried about post-winter weight gain, displaying bare legs and jiggly thighs, or wiggling into a swimsuit again. Body positivity aside, revealing one’s shape and discolorations are still major problems for many women over 50.

The best solution is to do it your way. If you’re shying away from shorts, try trending capris like the Women’s Croft & Barrow Effortless Stretch Capri Pants in White, Genuine Navy or Black ($28, kohls.com) or the Lane Bryant Pull-On High-Rise Knit Denim Capri in Peach ($80, lanebryant.com) that extend over the knees and upper calves like elongated Bermudas. Or opt for a flowy pull-on skirt like the Quince 100% Organic Cotton Poplin Tiered Maxi Skirt in Vermillion Red, Navy or Classic White ($60, quince.com) paired with a fresh white tee or tank. 

Hesitant about short sleeves or tanks? Choose elbow-length tees like the Old Navy Ribbed Boat-Neck T-Shirt in Navy Stripe and White Lilies ($10 each, oldnavy.gap.com) that leave forearms bare. And know the best way to drop the cover-up is with a confidence-boosting new swimsuit like the Summersalt Sidestroke in Sky & Blue Mountain & White Sand ($95, summersalt.com), a one-shoulder style with full bust support, torso-trimming diagonal seaming and color blocking that works for all.

8. Choose accessories that multi-task.

Cramming your carry-on with flimsy flip-flops, baseball caps and big straw beach bags never works. Every accessory you pack should offer more than one benefit. Those that do include a “packable” sunhat like the J.Crew Women Packable Straw Hat in Raffia ($50, jcrew.com) or Solbari Wide Brim Beach Hat UPF50 in Vanilla/Beige ($65, solbari.com) that can handle squashing in a case since but spring back to shape with a shake.  

Bring waterproof sandals with support and a traction rubber sole like the Wild Fable Women’s Maysen Footbed Sandals in Off-White, Taupe or Black ($15, target.com) and bold eye-defining sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection like the modern cat-eye-shaped Warby Parker Women Kadri Sunglasses in Manuka ($95, warbyparker.com). When you wear these peepers, you won’t need eye makeup.

(From left) Burt’s Bees 3-in-1 Micellar Makeup Removing Towelettes; IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Nude Glow SPF 40; E.l.f. Cosmetics Untouchable Invisi-Stick SPF 50.

AARP (CVS, Target, Ulta)

9. Streamline your beauty kit.

This is actually the toughest part of packing for many women. Obviously, you can’t take all your at-home products and hair tools. The approved TSA rules and your carry-on limitations are in charge.

You can get a pro gel mani-pedi before leaving to stay chip-free and glam for the trip and long after, and stock up on hair accessories to dress up wet, frizzy or frazzled hair fast. Remember, all liquid, aerosol spray and cream beauty products must be 3.4 ounces or less each and fit in a quart-sized resealable plastic bag for the security check before boarding. That’s it! This includes hair, makeup, deodorant, sunscreen and fragrance items, except for those in a stick format.

Look for solid stick lipsticks, sunscreens, deodorants and makeup wipes. Then, buy sample sizes of other essentials or transfer them to TSA-approved containers to include in your plastic baggie. If you want to go minimalist, lipstick, sunscreen, a tinted moisturizer and sunglasses are all you really need on a daily basis. 

Save the eyeliner and mascara drama for the evening. Some that fit the bill now: e.l.f. Cosmetics Untouchable Invisi-Stick SPF 50 ($14, ulta.com), Burt’s Bees 3-in-1 Micellar Makeup Removing Towelettes ($4, cvs.com), IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Nude Glow SPF40 ($47, target.com) and Milani Color Fetish Matte Lipstick in Red Flag ($11, walgreens.com).