Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Eve Dawes
Fashionable vacation outfit ideas & resort chic attire for day and night on and off the beach
The best resort wear for women for includes resort chic attire, dresses and options that work wherever you’re going, depending on the culture, resort and weather. Which means that packing resort wear isn’t always the same! I wish it was to make life easy, but it’s also fun finding new cute ladies resort wear outfits that’ll work in each environment. Mexico, the Caribbean and the Far East are not like packing for Italy or Australia. It’s like packing for a shower because of the humidity. So think lightweight, flowing breathable fabrics and sleek hair when it comes to resort wear for anywhere humid. Whether you’re looking for classic resort chic attire or vacation clothes for women trending now, these are my resort wear packing essentials, resort wear dresses, outfit ideas, shoes and accessories.
This best womens resort wear 2024 post contains affiliate links.
What’s the best resort wear dresses, coverups, outfits & accessories to pack | Resort chic attire
I feel like the women’s resort wear and vacation clothes are getting more stylish and fashion forward than ever and I’ve been loving the designers recent Cruise and Resort collections. Which have included some beach packing essentials like halterneck and shorts matching sets for the day and glam sparkling mini dresses for the night as seen at Chanel. Pleated white maxi dresses and button down belted dresses as seen at Acler and lots of polka dots and butterflies as seen at Versace La Vacanza.
I’ve been shopping a lot for resort wear and vacation clothes this year as I always plan way ahead and we’re off to Bali so I want some cute new things. Some of the women’s resort wear essentials I’m packing this Summer are super cute kimonos, chic cover ups like long, crisp, white shirt dresses, breezy maxi and mini dresses, sexy cut out dresses, classic slip dresses, crochet dresses, on trend beach bags, wedges and trending accessories to complete the resort wear outfit.
I find this sexy, cut out midi dress runs true to size but you might want to use double sided fashion tape if you don’t want underboob. It’s not appropriate for every resort but if you’re going somewhere young and sexy like Ibiza it’s ideal.
I’m also on the hunt for polka-dots after being inspired by Versace’s latest drop for Summer.
Let’s start with fashion forward beach and swim cover-ups.
Women’s resort wear | The best beach and swim cover-ups
Obviously the women’s resort wear edit includes swimwear and these are the best beach and swim cover-ups out this season. Including everything from large colorful prints to monochromatic black, elegant kimonos for a chic resort wear look to stylish matching sets that pack like a dream.
Pro Tip: If you go for linen consider taking a hand held steamer and adaptor. I find it was easier than pulling out the hotel ironing board and dealing with that.
Stylish women’s resort wear | The best dresses and rompers
Revolve has some of the best resort wear dresses at all price points. I also love Reformations super feminine, floaty styles and you can never go wrong with a romper. While they might be the most chic resort wear, they’re definitely practical and easy to throw on and go.
Some womens resort wear trends include crochet dresses and sheer dresses which work well for both beach coverups and sexy evening outfits. As well a matching shorts and shirts sets worn open over swimwear with a pair of chic slides and a large beach tote.
Here are some of the prettiest resort wear dresses and rompers for women from cut out maxis, to slinky satin slip dresses and more casual day dresses and flowy kimonos.
What to pack for your beach vacation | Resort wear for women
When we went to the Caribbean last July it was 88% humidity! I’m used to the heat, but dry heat even my husband was surprised I was sweating! That was even with my womens resort wear being loose and flowy.
When we went to Croatia and Ibiza last Summer and gave my resort wear a good update. Including new rompers, maxi dresses, trending crochet dresses, sun hats, coverups, slide sandals and Chanel Deauville tote bag. Other resort wear must haves include:
- Womens resort wear dresses: sundresses, maxi dresses, or rompers that don’t need ironing or steaming for walking around and dinners. I’m personally not a fan of linen as it creases too easily.
- Cute cover-ups and swim wear for the day.
- Gym wear and sneakers if you’re planning on working out or exploring.
- A sun hat that offers good coverage and tighter fitting sun hat like a baseball cap or sun visor for windy days. As well as a headband to keep fly-aways and stray hairs in place in the wind.
- Water shoes for water sports, clambering over rocks on the beach, etc.
- A SPF top or SPF rash guard for watersports to avoid getting too much sun.
- Statement jewelry for accessorizing and creating the vibe you want.
- A few different pairs of sunglasses especially ones you don’t care if they get scratched on the beach.
- A beach bag that doubles up as a carryon bag.
- Travel dresses with pockets for hands free walking on the beach & keeping possessions safe.
The best beach bags to complete your resort chic attire
I love an oversized beach tote that I can also use as my personal bag for the plane as well as at the resort.
These are the most fashion forward beach totes for classic straw to Versace’s latest colorful summer tote. As well as some Amazon finds for under $50.
What shoes to pack | Resort chic attire shoes
If you’re going to a beach resort there’s not much reason to pack heels unless you want to break an ankle. Especially after day drinking in the sun or too many margaritas.
We spend most of our time barefoot on the beach or in flip flops or slides so we don’t burn our feet or show up to lunch barefoot. The switch it up to wedges, dressier slides or espadrilles in the evening or loafers for sightseeing.
Shop your vacation shoes
Wedges or espadrilles, flip flops, slides or smart flat sandals, sneakers and water shoes/aqua socks are pretty much all you need to pack. Unless you’re going to a dressier resort and want to pack a cute pair of heeled mules or strappy sandals.
Water shoes are a must if you’re planning on going to any of the water parks like Xplor or Xcaret. As well as for in the ocean if it’s jelly fish season or there’s sea urchins. Use code SARAHFLINT-BAEVE for $60 off the Sarah Flint sandals.
Resort chic attire for women : Outfit ideas and inspiration
I’ve always found when I’ve packed for beach vacations I end up not wearing half of the casual day outfits I’d packed like jean shorts and bodysuits. I find it much easier to throw on a mini dress or romper.
You really don’t need many casual day outfits to laze around the resort, unless you’re planning on going out exploring on day trips. So my ladies resort wear packing items are a lot more streamlined with a lot of womens resort wear dresses and cover ups.
What I’ve found that I wear the most are long sleeve coverups to avoid getting too much sun, cute summer dresses I can wear to breakfast, floaty maxi dresses and rompers for dinners, swimwear and my SPF rashguard as I like to kayak and paddleboard.
I used to travel with so many pairs of shoes, now it’s just flip flops, flats, sneakers, water shoes and espadrilles.
For the plane I layer. It’s normally something like a comfy loungewear co-ord set with a bodysuit underneath for when it’s hot when I arrive or a jumpsuit. Then I’ll throw a blazer and pashmina over it that I can wear to dinners on vacation when the AC’s cranked.
Packing Tip: roll don’t fold your clothes, you’ll get more in your case and they don’t crease as much. I also tend to avoid linen as it’s just too much work to keep crease free and as soon as you sit or get in the car it just wrinkles again.
Where to find fashion inspiration for the womens resort wear for where you’re visiting
The easiest way to get an idea of what other women are wearing where you’re going and more specifically at your resort, especially if you’re doing an all inclusive, is to search using the relevant hashtag. E.g. for the area or resort your staying #playadelcarmenstyle #mexicoallinclusive #eldoradomaroma.
Some resorts are more casual and others dressier and have certain dress codes that require resort chic attire not denim for dinner. That way you know you’re going to fit in, unless of course you want to stand out which is totally fine too.
Things to consider when shopping for your ladies resort wear wardrobe
When packing women’s resort wear and for vacation I’m always thinking about their culture, colors, what we’re going to be doing, and comfort. For resort wear dresses it also includes hiding my food belly which means loose fabrics or fabrics with stretch.
Along with fabrics and styles that won’t show if I’m sweating or make me sweaty like layers and nothing too tight on the chest or armpits. It’s hard to look chic when you’re a puddle! As well as being wind proof on island vacations so there’s no Marilyn Monroe moments as the Mexican and Caribbean winds can be no joke.
My husband and I love dressing up for the evening, it’s part of the vacation and makes it feel more special.
Even if you’re more casual in the day, the evening is a great opportunity to wear your resort chic attire. All of my resort wear dresses, especially for dinner tend to be stretchy or flowy.
Check the local weather!
If you have thunderstorms forecast, pack a lightweight waterproof jacket. Most hotels will provide umbrellas so don’t worry about packing those and leave anything suede or that rain could ruin at home.
Working with Hair in Humid Climates
My hair and humidity don’t go well together so I don’t even bother packing my straightening irons. I did try curling my hair a couple of times with my curling irons this Summer in the Caribbean but it lasted about an hour in the humidity and wind before being tied up. For me it’s sleek buns and braids all the way!
I always pack my Dyson hairdryer because it’s so fast and hotel hairdryers are normally pretty powerless or I end up with my hair caught in the back of it. Along with lots of hairbands, grips, headbands and hairspray.
Feeling some Bo Derek vibes in this white crotchet dress and braids.
This year my latest find for holiday hair is Supergoop Poof Part Powder which is an SPF 35 and dry shampoo in one. Since I tend to wear a center part and it was too windy most of the time to walk in my sun hat I used this on my parting.
Other Packing Essentials | Resort Wear For Women
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Mosquito repellant. I always get bitten alive, whether it’s mosquitoes in Mexico or sand flies in the West Indies. When shopping for bug repellent look for a spray thats at least 40% Deet otherwise the sand flies will still get you.
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Anti frizz serum. Great for the humidity. You can also use Olaplex 5 to slick hair back which will strengthen and condition at the same time.
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Tinted Body Bronzer. I don’t really go in the sun but shade bath and cheat with self-tanner (Tan Luxe dark) and a tinted body bronzer. This way even if you are a sun worshipper you can get an even color and golden glow for the evening. My go to is Fake Bake Tinted Body Glow (cruelty-free). It also means I can wear any color women’s resort wear without being washed out.
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Statement Earrings. I love statement earrings for adding some personality and pulling together a resort chic attire outfit. The bigger the better! I really like the gold hoop earrings and layered gold necklaces from Ettika. Use code LTKeve15 for 15% off.
More Outfit Ideas and Womens Resort Wear Inspiration
If you’re traveling you may also like Loungewear sets for traveling and everyday which are comfy for flying then you can just throw on heels to make it dinner or work appropriate.
If you’re heading to Europe, check out Venice Luxury Guide as European fashion tends to be completely different.
Pinterest also has some great women’s resort wear fashion inspiration:
Resort wear for women: Mexico Vacation Outfits by Eliza or from my Pinterest. I have lots of boards there covering literally everything (recipes, workouts, beauty, fitness, fashion, pageants). Because it makes it easy to find everything if I keep all of my inspiration and recipes I’m planning on trying, etc in 1 place.
Shop vacation swimwear
If you’re more of a swimsuit than a bikini person, check out these stunning one piece swimsuits for your vacation. I’ve been getting more and more into flattering one pieces than bikinis as I feel less self conscious in them.
More ladies resort wear style and fitness articles for you
*I’ve called it womens and ladies resort chic attire as that’s what people are searching for but it doesn’t mean it’s just for that gender.
