Help!!!!What do I pack?
 

I have been reviewing travel lists for advice on what to pack for my week long Caribbean vacation and the amount of clothing they suggest I take seems too little for me. I already have 5 pairs of shoes, two dressy sandals in two different colours,one pair of sneakers, one casual sandals and a pair of beach flip flops. Also, I am packing 3 swimsuits and matching wraps in addition to a different outfit for dinner each night and outfits for special trips such as sightseeing etc.<BR><BR>I am looking for advice on if my list is practical or will I be overpacking? What do women wear to the beach, in terms of swimsuits,coverups etc. and what do men think about beach coverups on the whole? Are the see through coverups too tacky, what about bright colours and tropical prints?<BR><BR>This is my first trip to the Caribbean and the thought of packing a plain black swimsuit is too boring, I like bright colours and I think it's suited to the Caribbean. Any advice? I am especially interested in hearing what you guys pack!!

It really depends on what island your going to however it does sound to me like you may be overpacking. <BR>Chances are you'll wear about half what you're bringing. I have a very hard time packing because I really like to have choices.<BR>Definitely bring bright colors, wear what makes you feel happy and relaxed. <BR>One thing in your list really jumps out at me though. 5 pairs of shoes? If you've got sneakers, sandals and flip flops you're bringing plenty for most destinations. <BR>Leave some room to bring back some fun stuff you're sure to find while you're in our beloved Caribbean.

defentitly go for the bright tropical loioking bathing suits.. it you done you will regret it when you are there... do the flowery clover ups and sandals/flip flops with flowers and so on-- go all out! <BR><BR>bring as much as can fit ito yor suit case... it gives you a choice each day and you will always want to wear what you ended up leaving at home. (thats my philosophy) ofg course... my husband totally DISAGREES WITH ME. but then again he is the that has to roll the suitcase at the airport,<BR>

Your list is fine. It's your holiday and you should have fun. Can you fit all of this into one suitcase? Just wondering. Make sure to pack 1 bathing suit/coverup plus any other necessities into a carry-on. You don't want to be sweltering in case your bags get delayed. Perhaps wear pants or whatever on the plane and pack a cute top in the carry on you could wear with the pants for dinner too. My personal fave is slim black pants that I wear on the plane with a t-shirt, but I can dress up with sandals and a colourful shirt for dinner.<BR>Having lots of bathing suits and wraps sounds good to me, I hate putting on damp suits! A see thru cover up is perfect, I see them all the time at the resorts in the Caribbean. They're perfect for tying onto your waist when going to the bar or to/from your room. DON'T wear them shopping as I've seen some tourists do, that is really not well accepted by islanders. Not saying you would, but quite a few people make this mistake!<BR>Do you really need a different outfit each night? If you're going to be eating in different places then you might want to consider 3 outfits. Stuff that can mix and match is always good.<BR>A lot of what you pack depends on what island and what hotel/resort you're going to. Generally the more upscale the resort, the more you might need. <BR>Unless you're working out or going on walks you probably won't need the sneakers. Too hot and heavy.

Your list is fine. It's your holiday and you should have fun. Can you fit all of this into one suitcase? Just wondering. Make sure to pack 1 bathing suit/coverup plus any other necessities into a carry-on. You don't want to be sweltering in case your bags get delayed. Perhaps wear pants or whatever on the plane and pack a cute top in the carry on you could wear with the pants for dinner too. My personal fave is slim black pants that I wear on the plane with a t-shirt, but I can dress up with sandals and a colourful shirt for dinner.<BR>Having lots of bathing suits and wraps sounds good to me, I hate putting on damp suits! A see thru cover up is perfect, I see them all the time at the resorts in the Caribbean. They're perfect for tying onto your waist when going to the bar or to/from your room. DON'T wear them shopping as I've seen some tourists do, that is really not well accepted by islanders. Not saying you would, but quite a few people make this mistake!<BR>Do you really need a different outfit each night? If you're going to be eating in different places then you might want to consider 3 outfits. Stuff that can mix and match is always good.<BR>A lot of what you pack depends on what island and what hotel/resort you're going to. Generally the more upscale the resort, the more you might need. <BR>Unless you're working out or going on walks you probably won't need the sneakers. Too hot and heavy. <BR>Have fun!<BR>By the way, being nosy...where are you going?

Sorry, didn't mean to post twice.

Hello,<BR>thanks to all who responded so far. To answerlady, yes I need 5 pairs of shoes, though I am considering elemenating the sneakers upon advice from suitcase. To suitcase, I am staying at an all inclusive resort so I will be having dinner at the hotel everynight.<BR><BR>And for all who were wondering, I am going to Antigua and I understand that there are alot of European tourists that dress very nicely for dinner.My fiance and I will be staying at Galley Bay, and it' s my first trip to the Caribbean.

I tend to overpack too. But one thing I never skimp on are bathing suits. I sometimes wear more than 1 each day. I am going to Antigua soon too...Sandals. What kinds of outfits for dinner do we need? I am going for 2 weeks and it is my first trip to a sandals.

We have been to Sandals Antigua several times--it's very casual--dress up would be a sundress.

Wow! I pack two pairs of shorts, five tshirts, a couple of bathing suits, and 2 beachcoverups. Flip flops, sneakers, and boat/decks shoes. It all goes into a carry on bag. I always buy a couple of tshirts, and I rinse things out. But we go to islands without glitzy resorts and where dressing up would make you stand out and look wierd.

Hi FD,<BR>Your list is fine. The only thing I would add is that you should make sure as much as possible of what you are taking is in lightweight cotton or silk. There is nothing less romantic than spending $150 for dinner and sweating through it in a chic but stifling nylon outfit. <BR>We travel to the Caribbean extensively, and the more we go, the less I take. We have also found out the hard way, that if you have large, heavy suitcases, and you are going to one of the small islands, one of 2 things can happen:<BR>Yours is/are the first suitcase(s) to get left at the mainland airport because the flight is overweight.<BR>You get charged anywhere from $30 to $60 extra for overweight luggage - both ways. <BR>I agree with one of the other posters that you can never have too many swimsuits! Have fun!<BR>

Thanks Nancy,<BR>I did research on fabrics too, so I am taking lightweight cotton and jersey fabrics that don't need too much or no ironing.Actually, all my stuff is going to fit into one suitcase on wheels, a large tote that I am using as one of my carry-on pieces and an overnight/makeup kit.<BR><BR>I even plan on weighing my luggae before hand on the bathroom scale to make sure I am not overweight.<BR><BR>Thanks for all the advice, I feel more comfortable now and not weird that I am the only one who packs so many shoes :-)

You're not weird. I actually had one bag just for shoes and wore them all, more than once. You'd be surprised how much room shoes and sandals takes up. I also like to bring a small CD player (not personal) and CD's (of course) so we can have music in our room. Some hotels provide CD players, just none we've ever been in. I thought I overpacked in general but I wore just about everything. It's amazing how many clothes you can go through from breakfast, to beach, to sightseeing, to dinner every day you're there.

To fashion diva,<BR>Bring the sneakers if they have a fitness center you intend to use or if you need them for jogging.<BR>But 3 bathing suits are not enough!!! <BR>I wished I had more shoe choices last winter in Aruba. So bring them all!!! And have fun.<BR>What I wore the least were the sightseeing outfits. We hate to leave the beach so we do not do too much sightseeing. I wore the same pair of shorts 3 times with a couple of different tops.

This has got to be the most ridiculous thread on the board ever!

To "As If";<BR>Obviously it is not that ridiculous a question as I did get genuine responses from very helpful people.Maybe you would prefer we resort to name calling and arguing over which island/hotel/beach is the best?<BR><BR>Sorry, but there are people who need advice on other areas...as a matter of fact, Fodors has a whole board dedicated to packing and accessories:<BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/index.cfm<BR><BR>In addition, there are books and other websites that give dvice on what to pack so I guess this is important to alot of people. Thanks so much for your input( I am sute you also posted under "as if anyone cares" on the board at wheretostay.com)

To Fashion Diva, I note you are going to Antigua. Have you tried Geographia.com/newsgroups, it has an excellent forum on Antigua-Barbuda and the people there will give you expert advice on what to wear at all the hotels there. You will love Antigua.

To fashion diva<BR>re:your comment to "as if"<BR>Hurray, I am glad there is someone else out there who notes the rediculous comments on other threads about which hotel is best.<BR>Your question was legit and others including myself were interested and it is a question everyone always asks someone at one time or another.

I loved this post! I always pack alot when I go on vacation and I do wear everything. I like to have variety, and even though those bright tropical dresses may seem like a good idea when you buy them on the Island, when you get back home you ask yourself "what was I thinking?" I much prefer to shop for batik prints to hang on my wall.<BR><BR>That said, I have to agree, pack more bathing suits,the shoes are fine, and remember to make a list and check it twice so ou won't forget anything, especially sunscreen.

I agree with the last poster. I always wear everything I bring with the excrption of shorts. One pair always seems more than sufficient unless they were white ones and got dirty. I live in bathing suits from breakfast til dinner with coverups worn to the restaurants. At night it's a sundress or other outfit. I don't go on too many sightseeing ventures and even then the bathing suit might be worn.<BR>But one thing I suggest is enough film. I was annoyed at having to spend $26 for a disposeable camera when they are about $6 or less here because we forgot the camera. Sunscreen and aloe vera gel and chap stick are also outrageous.I guess they know when you're stuck.<BR>I too enjoyed checking this post. <BR>Have fun fashion diva.

I loved reading this thread also. I love to shop and I LOVE to pack for vacations, and I always buy dresses that fold small, don't wrinkle and look great. I always buy a few bright floral dresses and save them for vacation along with the usual black and white . I pack at least 3 pairs kakhi shorts and many t shirts and tops,( I love the halter tops and spaghetti strap tops with built in bras!!) 3 pairs cropped pants with shirts, a straw beach bag. I also pack at least 7 bathing suits with matching sarongs and 2 pairs beach shoes 1 neutral pair high heeled mules, slip on sneakers, black dress mules and neutral sandals and white sandals and regular sneakers(for working out). I also pack a broad spectrum of sunscreens spf6-30, a hat a great book and lots of lip balm and hair spf so my hair does not turn to straw. My husband thinks I am nuts - but I buy and pack the same way for him. He gets mad until we are away and he needs something and we have it!!!<BR>P.S. It also helps to have great luggage to fit all this crap into - TravelPro is the best IMO

Wow,it's great to see that so many other people share my guilty pleasure, shopping for a vacaction. I actually plan ahead and make a list of the clothes I would need for the days that I am there using an itinery. I usually do alot of research on what kind of tours I would like to do when I get there. I like to do a land tour and an ocean tour of some kind snorkeling etc.<BR>I shop for itmes that are missing in my travel wardrobe, but what I have found is that when you stick to classic pieces you just need a few things that are in fashion that season. Capris, T-Shirts, Polo Jerseys, Slip On Sneakers,flip flops and Straw Bags never go out of style. I update my wardrobe with a new blouse, skirt or dress.<BR><BR>Good swimsuits also last, I suggest you take a bikini for that all over tan,a sexy swimsuit for when you feel and look great, a whole piece or tankini for going out on those snorkeling tours and an old suit for the hot tub.<BR><BR>Getting there is always half the fun!

You are so right, getting there is half the fun. Now I don't feel crazy - I'm not the only one. I love wearing new clothes on vacation, dressing up and looking as good as I can. If you buy the right things you can bring whatever you want and still not have a bulging suitcase. So when I see great clothes, look great pack into a small square and don't wrinkle much, I buy it..........<BR>SO MUCH FUN!!!<BR>Don't get me started on cosmetics because that is my other packing passion! The perfect lip gloss, Hair products, de frizzer, perfume<BR><BR>Its a big shopping world out there!!

Fashion D.:<BR><BR>Although I have only dressed for Florida the climates are alike.<BR><BR>I'd suggest finding a color theme. Nothing wrong w/black, you can mix with corals and turquoise (coral cover with black swimsuit). I take a lot of swimsuits as I like being near the pool/beach. The secret to packing for me is to bring pants and tops that you can mix and match. If you take 5 pr. slacks and about 7 tops you should be fine. I'd take alot of panties (7) and maybe 4 bras. Regarding shoes, I'd take some sandals (Clarks preferably), some white loafers (open or closed heel) and maybe sneakers that are not bulky (Keds), they look better IMO. I don't think you need 5 pr. of shoes unless you want to dress up at night, then I'd say take some black sandals which go with everything.<BR><BR>