What to Pack for a Fun, Flirty Memorial Day Weekend Trip

You’ve got three days of sun and fun this Memorial Day Weekend. Pack well!

-PJ Gach

I don’t know what I like more: Going away on a trip or packing for one. Every item I pick up tells me a story about what will happen when I wear it. If I decide to not take something, I swear I heat it whimper. You never want to hurt your clothes’ feelings.

When packing for a short trip, the key to getting it right is, well, packing right and making sure what you got packed is versatile enough to go from day to night. We all have a tendency to over pack, but the truth is that you’ll never wear half of what you’ve got stuffed in your bag. Which brings us back to the word “versatility.” Pick pieces that you can use for more than one place. A romper is a cover up is a casual brunch outfit. Worse comes to worse remember this: If you’re staying at a friend’s house, you can borrow something. And the planet has stores! Friends have shampoos etc., that you can use and hotels have cute tiny travel sizes that come with the room.

Before you go

Get your tan on with some help from a bottle! Try Philosophy Here Comes the Sun Age-Defense Golden Glow self-tanner for body ($28,sephora.com)

and Philosophy Here Comes the Sun Age-Defense Golden Glow self-tanner for face ($26, sephora.com).

Cosmetics

Pick a makeup palette or a kit that has everything you need, you’ll save space for important things like shoes.. Check out Sonia Kashuk limited edition Escape to Paradise face palette ($19.99, target.com). This mirrored palette has all you need for day to night looks. It’s got three lip glosses, blush and 4 eye shadows.

Pair it with Sonia Kashuk Double Duty set ($23.79, target.com). The brushes have double ends, giving you all the brushes you’ll ever need and it comes in its own case.

Did you know that your lips have zero protection against the sun? Protect them with Fresh sugar lip treatment SPF 15 in Sugar Coral ($22.50, sephora.com). It comes in 6 different shades.

Only you can prevent sunburn! Slather on the L’Oreal Paris Sublime Sun Sublime Sun body lotion SPF 50 ($8.70, drugstore.com)

 and the L’Oreal Paris Sublime Sun Sublime Advanced liquid silk sunshield for face ($10.99, lorealparisusa.com), you’ll stop premature aging and other icky things.

Read Katie Holmes, Kristin Cavallari and Dita Von Teese’s Style Secret: Sneakers

Suitcase

Hang Accessories orange purple crocodile two-piece weekend travel set ($249. hangaccessories.com). It’s not really croc! It’s fabric. This retro travel set will hold all of your stuff stylishly.

Clothing

Rachel Comey Corbey dress ($541, rachelcomey.com). This dress works for day or night, all you have to do is switch up your shoes and accessories.

Vineyard Vines Sailor tee ($49.50, vineyardvines.com). A cute classic tee that you’ll find yourself wearing with anything all summer.

G Star Raw Midge Dover short ($170, shop.g-star.com). Dark colored shorts flatter any figure. These shorts could be dressed up with a blazer or flowy shirt.

Pierrot blouse ($90, superdry.com). Dress up those shorts (or anything else) with this light, airy top.

Line and Dot tiered polka dot dress ($63, thelineanddot.com). Perfect for cocktails at night or shopping by day.

Lattice top printed romper ($19.99, charlotterusse.com). We love the versatility of rompers! You can use them as a beach cover ups, for lounging about or enjoying the sun.

Luxe Courgette bikini Luxe by Lisa Vogel ($81 for the top, $63 for the bottom, swimspot.com). This is one sexy ‘kini.

Wine bow strapless bandeau bikini ($37.00, amiclubwear.com). No strap tan lines!

Baby Conch studs ($24, baublebar.com). Studs go with anything.

AEO layered disc necklace ($15.50, ae.com). Delicate and versatile.

Plum Pretty Sugar jewelry bloom ($24, plumprettysugar.com). Store all your jewels in this pretty printed drawstring bag.

Phebe Q-strap wedge ($49.95, solesociety.com). We like these nude wedges because they can be worn during the day or at night.

Nile feather sandal ($135, corsocomoshoes.com). The neutral shade makes them easy to match any outfit, and the details like the feather make it on-trend for summer.

Chase Prep frame clutch ($49.95, sendthetrend.com). A clutch bag doesn’t take a lot of room in your suitcase.

Atsuyo Et Akiko Winne the Pooh bag ($28, atsuyoetakiko.com). The great thing about totes like these is that they pack completely flat. Use it for carrying your stuff to the beach, at the farmer’s market or flea market. It can do double duty to hold your laundry on the trip back.

PJ Gach is Senior Editor: Style + Beauty at BettyConfidential.