Help! What do I wear on vacation? - YouLookFab Forum

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Help! What do I wear on vacation?

Roxanna

Veteran

Fabbers, I need your help!

We just booked a family vacation for Florida for the end of March. We will be doing lots of activities - baseball game, Kennedy space centre, Disney (God help me), beach, and lots of driving in between.

I am stumped as to what to wear/buy. For the past 5 years we have done resort vacations, so I bring mostly swimsuits and cover ups.

With my weight gain, I don't think any of my summer wardrobe will fit yet. I need things that are comfortable (top priority!), Versatile, polished, work well with layers and not too constrictingg (especially waistbands - I have a sensitive tummy.)

Temp will be mid twenties (C). I wore fitted dresses and short shorts in my casual life most of last summer but I don't think those will work now with the weight gain.

Leggings will be too warm I think. Longer shorts look mumsy to me and are too constricting. Jeans are too hot and constricting.

Last year my unform for work was a silk shell and a flowy midi skirt wth a cashmere cardigan on top. Can I translate this into casual somehow? Casual midi skirts or dresses that I can layer over? Any other ideas? I need to start shopping stat!

Shopping

23 replies

Latest reply was from Jane

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Skorts!
They have become my go-to when I want to be comfortable, fuss free, and look decent. Check out Eddie Bauer, and (believe it or not) Costco.
Pair with tees, comfortable fashion sneakers, and a cardigan in your bag, and you'll be good to go, at least for the things you have listed as day activities.

Thistle

Veteran

I would think dresses. Not mumsy, skim over tummies, and can be very comfy.

Swimsuits are a must.

Also consider arctic AC. It can be brutal, especially after the heat, so pack lightweight cardis.

Helena

Veteran

Casual midi skirts or dresses would be great ... Add some cool and comfy sneakers, and maybe a jean jacket topper for cooler times of day?

Runcarla

Veteran

Get thee to Uniqlo for a cotton chino skirt and fun T (they are doing some Disney images) and a loose cotton shirt dress. Wear with comfy fashion sneakers.

Inge

(website)

How fun, Roxanna! And great ideas already.

I'm also thinking relaxed fit dresses (cotton, linen...) with a denim jacket (if that's not too hot) or something like the Halogen maxi cardigan (I wore mine over dresses a lot last Summer, and loved it). Fun and comfy fashion sneakers or comfortable sandals.

The Halogen cardigan also looks great paired with a (sleeveless) untucked top and a tube skirt like the one pictured below (they are stretchy and easy to wear, and work well when you have to get on and off of rides - I know from experience;-)

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Halogen Long Linen Blend Cardigan

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Inge

(website)

ETA: a lightweight kimono-style jacket or bomber jacket could also work as a fun topper.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh man. Frigid A/C and the pain of being on your feet all day at Disney. This is where I’d give up and just buy some Skechers...

lisaflex

Veteran

goingto FLA too end of march early april to the beach....i too have gained weight.....my uniform is dresses dresses and more dresses...lol. casual lightweight....jean jacket or lighweight topper for cooler temps. slip on tennis shoes and flip flops for me! you will need some supportive sandals/shoes for disney...doen disney numerous times in the past (thankful our disney days are over...not a fan..lol)

i have maxis, midis and knee length casual dresses.

what about some lighter weight crop jeans?
enjoy your trip.

lisaflex

Veteran

also - i got some super cute summer dresses at nordstrom rack! i got a madewell dress for $19....have a look if you have one close to you. this was just a few weeks ago.

i just ordered a new swimsuit from lands end - i wear a skirted bottom (i know some say makes you look grannyish or heavier, but its what i feel comfortable in) i got the blue skirt and a patterned top.

check out j jill - the wearever skirts are like the tube skirts but not as fitted and look cute with the eliptical tee and sandals

Roxanna

Veteran

Thank you so much for all the advice and replies ladies! These are great suggestions. I don't know why I didn't think to look for casual midi dresses. Gap and ON had a bunch on sale so I have ordered a ton to try on and see.

RunCarla - I love the chino skirt on you! Unfortunately only one Uniqlo in Canada and though it's just downtown, I'll likely never get there in time.

@Inge - you are like my shopping guardian angel ❤️ I had *just* thought of maybe using my Jersey pencil skirts - and I have a couple of long cardis on top that would be great. Thank you for inspiring me - I will shop my closet and see what comes up.

@lisaflex - I am with you on the dresses! Unfortunately those stores aren't in Canada but I can look for something similar.

So so far I am thinking casual dress + Jean jacket + fashion sneakers (Birks for Disney) + lightweight cashmere scarf. And sub in pencil skirt + sleeveless top for the dress some days.

Stay tuned for a massive vacation outfit lab

Sal

Veteran

It will be a fun holiday!!

Disney - you will see all sorts of dress - comfortable shoes is the most important.

I think casual dresses are a great option - with a denim jacket or long cardigan. Tube skirts with a comfy tee. The right shorts are great too - I am very fussy with shorts but now have a couple of pairs I am happy with.

On our last Gold Coast holiday I wore floaty shorts to the theme parks with Merrel sandals (they are okay looking but not my absolute best). Travelling was soft joggers, a tank and an olive jacket. A couple of nicer evening options for meals out - but most people are really casual (and I suspect even more so in Florida).

I would also wear sports gear for these occasions - you would not be alone in doing so:)

Mainelady

Veteran

I can’t wait to see you vacation outfit lab! You have been given great ideas! I second the ideas of easy dresses and pull on skirts. You will want a jacket of some kind. I always pack a large scarf that can be tucked into my bag, worn as a scarf and also as a shawl over my arms if I encounter AC that is too cold. Another must take piece for me is a long sleeved chambray shirt....wear it open as a jacket, closed and knotted at the waist or as a cover up at the pool.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Skirts and dresses for sure. Do you have a denim jacket? If you're up for it, graphic tees with the girlie skirts. Bring a pair of sandals, too.

My summer wardrobe is super casual for the most part and here are some items in it.

Topshop Polka Dot Asymmetrical Midi Dress

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Vince Camuto Midi Tube Skirt (2 for $69)

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Vince Camuto Midi Tube Skirt (Regular & Petite)

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Accordion Pleat T-shirt Details

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Double Stripe Faded T-shirt

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Linen boatneck T-shirt

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Linen boatneck tee

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Side-zip stripe tee

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Banana Republic

Easy Care Print Pleated-Neck Tank

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1 STATE Printed Peplum Blouse

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Kensie Printed Twofer Tank Top

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5

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Women's White Denim Jackets

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Talula fawkner blouse

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Halogen Long Open Front Cardigan

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Banana Republic

Rectangle Jacquard Scarf

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BP Crinkled Check Print Scarf

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LORD & TAYLOR Postmark Semi-Sheer Scarf

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

People will be dressed every which way at the tourist attractions and I don't think there anything wrong with a skirt and silk shell. In my experience in southern Florida, casual is super casual but there are so many people from everywhere you should feel free to define your style as you like. My grandmother, who retired there, wore pantsuits no matter what.

anne

Veteran

I'm very in favour of loose sack or shift dresses for casual summer.

LoriFLA

I live in Central Florida. Temps have been in the 70s and 80 degree Fahrenheit. I've been wearing jeans (cropped and full length) in blue and white, dresses, cropped and regular pants, striped and solid t-shirts in short or 3/4 sleeves, cardigans, linen shirts, pullover blouses, and dresses.

I think your skirt, shell, cardigan combination will be fine.

I can't figure out how to put the YLF Button on my toolbar from finds so I'll add some pics of some of the things I've been wearing for the last couple of weeks. Have a great vacation!

This post has 4 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

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Gap Prima Capri

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KUT from the Kloth Catherine Slim Boyfriend in Impertinent

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viva

Veteran

I think the most important things Roxanne are (1) comfortable shoes, not only for walking but for waiting in line, (2) your scarf/wrap/cardi, for moving indoors to A/C, (3) general comfort in your outfit. As several people have said, in Florida, and especially at the places where you are going, casual is CASUAL, so anything goes. This would be a great time for athleisure type pants. I took a quick look at Athleta, and they have a lot of bottoms in a variety of sizes that could be worth looking at, and would be really cute with fun flirty tops.

Gap Bali Linen Trouser

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Gap Tribeca Crop Pant

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Gap Commuter Pant

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tulle

Veteran

Body-skimming shifts & A-line cotton dresses (beware of spandex added to the cotton--very hot in my experience) with thin cotton, silk or linen cardigans (J Crew is usually a good source) hold up well in Florida's humid climate. For waiting in lines (expect lots of that!) and going on Disney rides, try loose, cropped wide-leg pants and tees in airy natural fabrics, plus sun hat and sneakers or supportive walking sandals. If you can find a pair of lightweight jeans in a light-to-medium wash or white denim that fit comfortably (try the Gap or Old Navy for well-priced and varied denim) and a couple of loose, pretty boho-ish blouses, I think you will be well set. La Blanca swimsuits often have ruching that disguises those extra pounds in a pretty way. Have fun!

Roxanna

Veteran

Ladies - you are just awesome. Thank you for sorting me.

As many of you have mentioned, I will take a denim jacket (I have hated these for years but found the perfect one last year!) as well as a lightweight scarf.

@Suz - Graphic tee idea is BRILLIANT to dial up the casualness and edge of my stretchy pencil skirts. Will definitely pack those. Also - I also go a little more casual in summer and your pieces have inspired me!

@LoriFLA, @shevia - good point. I will not dress up too much. Thank you for the perspective ont he temps Lori!

@viva - that is brilliant - both from a comfort perspective and on the plane. I have a pair of cotton Helmut Lang joggers that I adore - I will for sure pack those. I'll also look at the Athleta options - I think these could be perfect for our spring.

Thanks @tulle for all the tip - esp love the idea of the cropped, wide legged pants!

Zibbets

Veteran

Roxanna, your trip sounds like so much fun!
I just got back from a trip to the Bahamas. Temperatures were about what you're describing and we walked for miles. The item I was most glad I packed was a J. McLaughlin halter dress very similar to this one: https://www.nordstromrack.com/.....ITRON-BLUE
This one is sold out but they have some short sleeved and sleeveless dresses of the same fabric on their website.
It was the only thing I wore more than once. It's 91% nylon and 9% spandex, like drapey swimsuit material. It was cool and comfortable and packed like a dream. I wore wedge sandals with it and topped it with a denim jacket for a cooler evening.

Suzanimal

Have fun!

You already have lots of great advice (capri's are perfect for this time of year) but make sure you pack a few toppers/cardi's. You're going to want them in the a/c and at night it can get windy. Also, keep an umbrella or a rain poncho handy. I think it rains in FL everyday around 5:00 pm, lol.

Bijou

Veteran

I live in a warm climate and find playsuits very useful to wear as a more dressy alternative to shorts. In finds are two that I seem to have lived in this summer, as well as two summer dresses, great for balmy nights and going out to restaurants. If I needed a topper with these, I would wear a light weight jacket or denim jacket.

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Jane

Veteran

It sounds like it will be fun. How about Boden shorts? I got the 9" chino ones last year, and they were fab. I wouldn't wear them 'properly out' but for a holiday and casual trips like to Disney, I would wear them with white trainers. I also got the shirt below, which gave good coverage away from the sun, again from Boden. They have some similar tops and shorts currently. Enjoy the planning.

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