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>