Turks&Caicos trip

shiny

The hubby has booked us an early February trip to Turks&Caicos for a week. I am figuring out what to pack, and have taken the occasion to audit my summer clothes and update/refresh. Lots of resort wear out right now. I've always found that this time (pre-Spring and then Spring) tends to be the best time to refresh my summer clothes, while the pickings aren't too slim.

I take a petite though these days I'm veering into a petite medium in some brands. Some regular smalls work but very often, not vertically, as I'm only 5'0." So I've been on the order online/ return jag. Got a lot of things coming and going right now.

My question is what would you pack for such a trip? Have you been there? When we were in Hawaii this past year I didn't need as much as I packed, though I wished I had more cover-ups (they get gross easily from sunscreen) and better hats (my scalp burns easily) and a good rashguard + shorts option for boat /snorkeling. We were barely at the resort every night because we were driving around from place to place every day, so I wore like one dress for a dinner at the resort. I don't know what to expect with T&C and if we might be eating at the resort most nights (it's an all inclusive but hubby says we will probably eat out some nights).

I don't mind ordering more than I need as surely I will wear it this summer (my summer capsule needs refreshing). But what to pack, and how much, is the question.

I guess my biggest struggles right now are:

1. How much to pack of each category (beach, boating, nighttime resort wear)
2. Cover-ups that fit petite figures that aren't slim but aren't tent-like or overwhelming on a short person (i.e., I need an XS or even XXS regular for vertical proportions... but horizontally I need more like a medium... so petite cover-ups it is.... and they are virtually nonexistent!)
3. Rash guards with same requirements as above. That don't cling to the midsection. And have a zip.
4. Hats, or a hat. Crushable, packable would be ideal but I'm not picky as long as it fits my small dang head AND protects my scalp from the sun. And works when you're tipping back on a lounge chair. And doesn't fly off in the wind! I have some cute hats but I usually wind up slapping on the same old "gear" baseball cap because it fits all the above requirements. It's getting grody now so I need a replacement.

5 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from Runcarla

rachylou

Veteran

Gosh, I guess it really depends on what you like to do and what sort of resort. I really can’t imagine needing much. I’ve never been, but I’d guess it’s pretty much like the rest of the Carribean. This time of year, I’d probably like some sweaters and jackets... be more covered up.

5 years ago

Mainelady

Veteran

Fun trip! I have been to T and C. DD and I went and stayed at a resort that offered all we wanted and more. We never left the resort. I over packed. What I needed most were bathing suits and cover ups. Most of our days were spent at different pools or at the beach. There were a variety of restaurants and suits with appropriate cover ups were more than acceptable. Other wise shorts and tops. We did dress for dinner and evening entertainment, so I packed a range of dresses from casual sundresses to a bit more dressy. A nice shawl in case the evening breeze was cool was a good choice, too. Foot wear was minimal and easy: a pair of flip flops for pool and beach, sturdier sandals for lots of walking, a pair of dressier sandals for evening and a pair of sneakers.
For coverups I found two from Ralph Lauren that offered a bit of arm coverage and came to mid thigh. I also took a long maxi dress coverup. I am a fan of long sarongs and big hats for time on the beach.
Overall, 4 swimsuits, 5 cover ups, 4 dresses and one pair of shorts and a couple of tops, 2 fitness bottoms and 3 fitness tops would have been plenty for my needs.
Have fun planning and enjoy your time in T and C. It is a beautiful place!

5 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

DH and I LOVE T&C! It is generally a very quiet and super safe place to vacation! Very easy to get around on a bicycle (most resorts have them). Not really a swinging hot spot, but the BEST beaches in the world. We did not stay at an all inclusive, and had a place that had a condo set up so kitchen and washer dryer, etc. We did a mix of eating out and eating in. The grocery was amazing and the place we stayed had the most amazing outdoor BBQ-kitchen set up.

Bring at least 2 bathing suits
Flip flops or low sandals
Hat
Sun glasses
Lots of sunscreen*
A beach cover up

I found clothes didn't really get worn much due to the living in a bathing suit lifestyle of the vacation so 1 or 2 pair of shorts and a handful of tops and 1 dress was enough.

*you will need a lot and it can be expensive buying on the island. I packed it in DH's check through golf bag wrapped in plastic bags to protect from leaks.

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5 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’ve never been to t&c but I find any beach vacation requires less than I automatically am inclined to pack. A couple of simple dresses that go into town or to dinner. Sandals, flip flops, a pair of sneakers. A couple of tees and a pair of shorts. A couple of good coverups that you enjoy wearing. I found a new one I liked last year via the Macy’s website, which brought me to three coverups that I like, and in a week-long trip I end up using all three (I also take 2-3 swimsuits).

The JCrew packable straw hat came in handy, but I also took another broader-brimmed hat for a bit more glamour poolside. A roomy straw tote was my carry-on for the plane trip and also my beach bag.

I’m about to go to Puerto Vallarta in a few weeks with friends, and I’ll probably pack a slight variation on this capsule — it all fits in a carry-on and makes for enough options for a week-long trip.

Have fun!

Anthropologie

Bordeaux | Anthropologie Gatineau Knotted Tank Top

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Zappos

La Blanca Island Fare V-Neck Tunic Cover-Up

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Macy's

Dotti Free Spirit Kimono Cover-Up

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J.Crew

Wide-brim packable straw hat

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Nordstrom

Two-Tone Floppy Straw Hat

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Zappos

Gabor Gabor 83.700

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Nordstrom

Packable Raffia Crochet Tote

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Nordstrom

Tommy Bahama Innercoastal Ikat Sleeveless Dress

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Anthropologie

Gola | Anthropologie Harley V-Neck Tee

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5 years ago

Helena

Veteran

I love T&C! Id say focus on your swimwear, with one of two cover-ups that are passable as dresses should you want to pop into a casual restaurant for lunch. Active wear if you are planning to be doing activities like hiking or biking. I usually get by with an LBD that I can dress up or down for dinners. I bring some big hoop or dangly earrings to accessorize with. A jean jacket or scarf/wrap for cool evening breezes. Re hats, I've ruined every straw hat I've ever bought when travelling to hot destinations because I tend to hop in and out of the water and I always get them wet. My solution going forward is going to be a simple gear hat that I can swim in, and a smarter straw hat for actual outings where it will not get wet. If you're going to Beaches by chance, let me know if the "why not" barman is still there Have an AMAZING time!!!

5 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

In your search for petite cover ups, take a look at petite summer dresses too. Many of them could work as a cover up and there is probably a bigger selection. Or try larger girl's sizes...maybe.

5 years ago

kkards

Veteran

i've not been to T&C, but for the past 3 or 4 years i've come to rely on athtleta for my swimsuits, rash guards and beach cover up...i love this beach cover up...find #1 is my orginal, find #2 seems to be this years style ... its lightweight, light enough actually to wear in the sun without over heating, it has UPF 50 protection built in. in the verison i bought last year there was a zippered pocket that was large enought to hold a phone....and since i'm shorter than the model, as are you, it hits longer on the leg.

Athleta

Gap Wick-It Wader Coverup

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Athleta

Gap Sun Up Coverup

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5 years ago

Molly Mac

Veteran

My family was in the carribean over the holidays. It was wonderful. We stayed at an all inclusive but left the property 3/7 days for various excursions. I never check luggage but this time we did check one bag full of sunscreen and other liquids. I brought 2 bathing suits; 1 was a lie around on the beach suit and the other was a two piece with swim shorts for snorkeling and more active pursuits. I brought 2 swim cover ups, one long sleeved, one sleeveless. Otherwise, I just threw a dress over my suit. I brought six dresses, 4 casual and 2 a little dressier. I wore them all at least once. I don't wear shorts but brought 2 athletic skirts and two tshirts for exercising and hiking. Footwear was 1 pair of flip flops, one pair of gold sandals that went with all the dresses, and I wore sneakers for the flight. I brought a light cardigan and wore it most nights as there was a cool breeze. For hats, I brought a baseball cap and a packable straw hat. Have a great time!

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5 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Humidity is high, but not killer. However, say goodbye to straight hair! Just run some leave in conditioner through it and let it do its natural thing.

If you are going to eat off the resort, all you have to do is walk down the beach and check out the restaurant menus at each of the hotels. If you see something you like,make a reservation. Every hotel/resort seems to have a special banquet night. We liked the stand alone restaurant called Opus.

I assume you are staying on Provo and not Grand Turk? We stay at Ocean Club across from the golf club and next to Club Med (NOT the main Ocean Club West resort). It is smallish, with more grown-ups. The units are condos let by their owners when vacant. If you are down that end of the beach, drop by the small beachside bar at OC and have Mario make you a 'Brown Lady'!

FWIW, there are spots along the beach where you can snorkel in fairly shallow water and see the colourful fish. You can't do this at many Caribean Islands. Of course there are boat trips that will take you to bigger sites. DH and I were happy to pack a picnic and set out on the resort bikes to explore the beaches. We would bring our snorkels. You don't even need flippers. Just float on the surface looking down!

5 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Wow you are all so helpful! This is great!

Mainelady - I usually just take 2 swim suits and 2 cover ups, but you have me recalling that in Hawaii I'd wished I'd had more, as suits didn't dry too fast in the humidity.

Runcarla - I wound up wearing swim/gear stuff mostly in Hawaii. Only got dressed for dinner once or twice. But that was different I think in that it wasn't an all-inclusive resort, so to save $ we got take-out many nights and ate in the hotel room while watching the sunset (we had a lovely private balcony).

Janet - love your beach capsule! I ordered that same La Blanca cover up. It arrived and it's too big so I just re-ordered the XS to compare. I could get away with the extra width but it was just too long from shoulder to bra band. As for straw bag, I have a nice one from Jcrew which I've had forever. It packs up nicely in my carry on. So I'm set there.

TG - my head is so small most of these big straw hats just look ridiculous on me! And like you, I wind up wearing a gear baseball cap because it stays on better in the water (and on a boat ride too).

Chris - you and are of like mind! I have scoured the internet for petite sundresses. So far, I found two I really like, one is a VC striped tank midi, the other is a short sleeve maxi dress (Style & Co). But both seem much too nice to wear as cover ups, I fear! (Both are definitely coming on the trip).

kkards - I had that exact same (no longer available) Athleta tunic! It was my favorite! I replaced it year after year, as it starts to yellow/gets stained. So sad it's no longer available. The newer version is on back order until March, unfortunately. It looks promising as it now comes in petites! The older model didn't, and the sizing was a total crapshoot.

Molly - thank you for your detailed list! For evenings, I am bringing my jean jacket and also this cute Anthro poncho I got last summer which works well paired with denim shorts.

Runcarla - I plan to have my hairdresser cut my hair shorter than usual as I find it curls a lot better in the humidity when it's shorter. Yes Provo. I forget the name of the resort at the moment (DH booked it). He is ALL about the snorkeling! Has his own equipment and everything. Hence why T&C appeals. But we also like to boat so we're hoping to get on a boat ride or two while we are there, which is why I want a rashguard as without one, I tend to burn super easily when out on a boat excursion all day. As for biking, DH is ALL about that too, whereas I have not been on a bike in decades. The reason is that it terrifies me to bike in an urban area with cars and traffic. But I think it'd be nice to get back on a bike while we are there.

All - for cover-ups, I have a couple already but would like to add one more. One is a midi-length white linen-like long sleeve shirt. The other is like a short dress -- looks like this, in black: https://www.venus.com/viewprod.....ayID=50204

In my ideal world I'd add one more, and it would be quick drying, possibly synthetic, something floaty, like a short kaftan or poncho style, which won't wrinkle if bunched up in a beach bag. Something that would dry fast in humidity. I have ordered some like this but the OS fits all is just NOT working so far! Also something in color, since my other cover-ups are white and black. And ideally not too sheer.

I tried this one - it is GORGEOUS! Ticks all my boxes but it is just gigantic and makes me look like a tank with legs.....
https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod.....8&psc

I've got another one from same brand on order, which based on the charts seems to be smaller, cross fingers. If it doesn't work I might have to concede this is just not the style for me and I need something a bit more tailored.

5 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Shiny, source out a boat trip early (a day or two after your arrival) and book in advance as they fill up. There are different themes and some only go out once a week, while others repeat. The half day ones are plenty long. DH and I did a trip that involved snorkelling and visiting a conservation area (island). At the very start we went to a bay and one of the crew dove for conch. During the trip he prepared the conch into a seviche that we ate at during a stopover on a gorgeous beach. I'm so sorry I can't recall the name of the tour company. Your resort can help there.

The main drag is lined with sidewalks. I mostly rode my resort bike (fat tire city bike with a basket on the front) on the sidewalks since there wasn't a lot of foot traffic. (Most tourists walk up and down the beaches, the locals drive or take shuttle buses.). No helmets. If DH is hardcore about cycling, check out Caicos Cyclery! My favourite cycling jersey is from there and I brought a cotton T shirt home for DS#1 who wore it to threads. 'Cruising around and around Paradise'.

PS: your resort may have their own trips as part of your package. We saw catamarans with resort logo's going out every day.

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5 years ago

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