WIW...resort report and SYC - YouLookFab Forum

SYC...or in my case, Shop Your (Suit) Case! 12 days in and I have forgotten what winter is, as well as what I actually have in my closet at home! With 2 days of vacation left, I have worn EVERYTHING I packed with the exception of what I’m wearing for the flight home. Not counting 3 days of specific adventure, most days involved something that would get me to breakfast, a bathing suit, and something that would get me to dinner.

I had read that Curaçao was arid, but the reality is high humidity. I will need TONS or conditioner to rehab my hair when I get home. Clothes feel damp and limp no matter what. Everything smells like sun lotion (DH and I have gone through 3 containers of 250 ml sunscreen). However, I feel great! Lots of sleep, exercise, and vit D.

Resort style breaks down simply. There are those who love basic black - sleeveless tunics of all lengths over Capri leggings or sleeveless midi or maxi dresses - especially at night (about 1/3 resort goers.) Then there are the (crazy bright) tropical print sleeveless dresses (another 1/3). Lastly, chambray or blue and white striped linen shifts or shirt dresses. Shorts and t’s or gauzy blouses for off resort activities. Not a lot of ‘bling’. Flip flops and sandals. No height to footwear. Too warm for terry cover-ups. Canvas bags with rope handles as beach totes. Not a lot of straw in evidebce. Two piece bathing suits much more than one piece. Hair piled on top of head in a top knot. The vacationing population at this particular spot is European (Dutch, German, Russian, Spanish with a smattering of North Americans.) Perfectly imperfect beautiful bodies in all shapes and sizes. Not a lot of artifice and augmentation, that I could discern. Some tats on ‘younger’ folks (30 yo?)

#1 black tank top and Lululemon OTF pants (easy pm outfit)
#2 Boden multi stripe T and navy shorts (nature hike-end of day pic)
#3 Only Co. boho top and navy shorts (open Jeep tour and hike national park-end of day pic)
#4 Rebekah Virtue bikini - 10 yo and veteran of 6 Caribbean vacations. 30+ wears.

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4 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look sensational, Carla! What a great capsule and how amazing that you still have a suit that works.

Envying you that vitamin D and sunshine!!

slim cat

You look great - smart vacation capsule! Everything works and looks adorable on you. Wow to the bathing suit and the body that wears it so well!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

YOU LOOK KILLER SENSATIONAL IN THAT BIKINI!!!

MsMaven

woohoo! You look great! I agree with Angie--and thank you for showing us you looking killer sensational. You look sensational in all your outfits. Thanks for sharing.

CocoLion

I enjoyed the resort wear report. Interesting that you saw few straw bags. I have one that I love. It is not rigid, nor is it gaudy, as I find straw totes can be. Your outfit #2 is my favorite followed closely by the bikini. Your workout shows!

kellygirl

What a fab set out of outfits and whoa, you are awesome in your bikini! I'm so ready for a beach vacation!

Bonnie

What a perfect trip you have had. It was interesting reading about resort style. You look great in every outfit including your bikini.

Style Fan

You look amazing in all your outfits, Carla. Great capsule.

Lesley

How cute are you! Well done!

Glory

Love this post! Your photos are amazing and I am craving a bit of that sunshine and warm weather!

JAileen

You look sensational in every outfit, but especially the bikini. Wow!

nemosmom

What a great report, Carla! Thank you! You look great in your photos (wow, the bikini!!) and I am jealous of the sun and Vitamin D! It sounds like your capsule is working perfectly for you.

Do you anticipate adding anything post-trip, based on your observations? I know you said you were thinking about a high summer weather capsule, so I am curious to know if your trip will influence those additions.

Back with another question: Which sunscreen(s) have you used and liked? I read that you had gone through a lot of it, and my favorite from last year is no longer available (cries).

Bijou

Smoking hot in that bikini - definitely good for lots more holidays.

Joy

You look amazing. Some family members are on a Curaçao vacation right now. Facebook pictures show my niece in those bright tropical maxidresses.

Runcarla

Helen Mirren looking fierce in her red bikini at 63 in 2008 provided inspiration just when I was wondering if my bikini wearing days were in the past! As Angie says: “why not!”

@nemosmom-thoughts on additions for summer are still percolating, but shorts for sure. 2 pair are not enough, and this will be their 3rd (and probably last) summer. A breezy throw on dress. NO knit t-shirts. They are too warm for high summer. This is a mistake I keep making - thinking short sleeves mean cool - but the cotton knit is NOT. Not sure where that leaves me for tops.

When my favourite sunscreen disappeared off the shelves I turned to Consumer Reports. A budget product called Exact (Walmart-sigh) came in 2nd place and it doesn’t have a revolting smell. 4-6 hours in the sun and no burn (SPF 60 and 30). No repeat application after water, either. The SPF 30 is ‘Sport’. I use an Aveno mineral product intended for babies on my face, neck, and chest area. Today we are trialing what we could get in a local shop - Ocean Potion SPF 50 - the least fragrant of what was available. It is so dense, I mixed it with a bit of Banana Boat Sunscreen Spray Oil SPF 15 so I could spread it. The OP says it is safe for the environment (reefs) so another product concern.

@cocolion - I wonder if the straw bags are hard to pack? I’m seeing collapsible fabric bags with rope handles, and lightweight drawstring bags. I’m using a Lepliage.

nuancedream

Carla, you look off the charts amazing in all of your outfits. I really love that Boden striped top and may have to seek it out for myself. Oh wait, I'm not supposed to be shopping. LOL! Your bikini wearing days are far from over and Dame Helen could use you as inspiration!

rachylou

Oh, fascinating to hear what people like to wear for resort life.

Also: Darn if you don’t wear a bikini well!

Cardiff girl

You look pretty damn good in that bikini,must be all that gym work at home paying off!

Sal

You look great and the holiday sounds perfect for you. Love the bikini!!

Jaime

You look fabulous and sound like you had a fabulous vacation. Can't get better than that!

@nuancedream-the Boden striped T is my FAVOURITE top for it’s unusual colours, but since I’m trying to work my way through all 25 of the tops in my closet, I had been ‘saving’ it. It is a little warm for 30degC, but ‘just’ light enough for a nature hike and the long sleeves provided sun protection.

notsaf

Sounds like a wonderful vacation and like you fit in pretty well to group #3! Do you feel like your Pliage is worse for the wear with the sun screen and sand, or did it hold up well? I remember using an old tote when we were in Mexico last year, but it would have been nice to have had something that zipped.

Cee

Continue to enjoy your break, RC

@notsaf - the Lepliage (6 yo) stood up just fine. I did carry it over my shoulder so the leather handle, etc. was in contact with sunscreen that was on my body. Last night (we leave today ) I turned it inside out, wiped out the inside with a facecloth and water, then turned it right side out and wiped down the outside and handles. Looks good as new - and will likely be going with me on my next trip to the UK in 3 months! It is my #1 travel tote.

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Looks good as new!

Helena

Fab Carla, I was going to compliment the perfect jumpsuit on #1 until I saw it was separate pieces ... Great styling!

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