How to Pack Stylish for Waikiki Beach

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Photography: Copyright Valerie Hansen

Waikiki Beach here we come! Your ticket is bought and you are ready to jet off to paradise! Buying the ticket is the easy part, but the packing list- maybe not so much.

Let's go travel virtually to the island of Oahu, since none of us can actually jet away right now.  I thought I'd share a packing list of essentials and stylish outfits. This should be helpful when you are able to make the trip to Hawaii.  Choosing the right wardrobe pieces for comfort will help with dealing with the intense heat.

Waikiki Stylish Packing List 

A Straw Hat

A straw hat you can fold up in your bag is a must for your Hawaii Trip. Last time I was there, I did not wear a hat much. Protection from the sun is a must, everywhere you go.  Find yourself a stylish hat to lounge on the beach, you will be glad you did!

Bandeaus & Shorts

Tops and bandeaus made out of light breathable fabric; are perfect to pair with a kimono. I wore kimonos with bandeaus often for shopping and walking on the beach .  If you are not used to a tropical climate, you may be miserable wearing the wrong clothing.  A good selection of shorts, comfy tops and bandeaus will have you set.

Sunglasses

There are many types of sunglasses you could buy, to pack stylish for Waikiki Beach. My favorite style are cat eye sunglasses. If you are going to be out in the intense sun for a prolonged period, you may want to invest in a polarized pair.  I'd suggest bringing several pairs. If you loose any pairs, it will be quite expensive to replace them in Hawaii.

Swimsuit & Cover Up

Waikiki of course, has tons of boutiques to find a chic swimsuit. However, as soon as you arrive I promise you will want to hit the beach asap.  Hawaii local time is 2-3 hours behind PST (depending which time of year you go) With that in mind, you will want to reserve a flight that arrives before noon.  My arrival time is usually around 11 a,m.  I check in, grab a bite and then it's beach time for the rest of the day.

A stylish cover up should be easy to find before leaving home.  Retail chains like Ross, TJ Maxx and Marshalls is where to find super cute ones on a budget. Ideally you wan't a long flowing cover up, that takes you from pool to beach and down the street.

Comfy Tees

The vibe at Waikiki Beach, is totally laid back.  Cotton tees are perfect casual wear for your trip. I suggest packing ones with lots of stretch and room. Sometimes the air can be humid. A thick , tight fitting t-shirt is the last thing you want to wear in Hawaii.  

Airy Summer Dresses

When compiling your stylish packing list for Waikiki Beach; don't forget cute dresses for shopping and nightlife. Hawaiian prints are always popular for dresses. Light airy frocks and maxis are perfect too.  As mentioned several times, the dress code in Waikiki Beach is mostly casual. If you want to dress to the nines, I'm sure that's fine at certain venues.  If you are wondering the exact dress code for certain beaches or places on the island; search on Instagram by city hashtags.

Flip Flops

Last but not least on the list, a girl's best friend...her shoes. Most ladies usually pick style over comfort. You will do lots of walking up and down the Waikiki strip. Comfy shoes are going to be your best friend. Flip flops are part the Hawaiian uniform, make sure your pair is up for the trek! Choose better than I did, ha these flops were not great for walking!

Aloha and now you are packed stylish for a trip to one of the best beaches in the world. 

*More stylish travel clothes available in my Poshmark Shop.

Have you been to Waikiki yet? If so, what did you wear?

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