It’s officially the cold season here in the Midwest and some days I can’t help but dream of the warmth of Hawaii. ☀️ I’ve never been one for summer as I’m usually pretty hot and sweaty all the time but this year I was so excited to celebrate summer by buying new swimsuits and outfits for our trip to Hawaii. 🌴 If some of you don’t know, Andrew and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary this year and because our honeymoon was crappy, we decided to celebrate this milestone properly. 🎉
The months before we flew off to the big island were filled with planning and preparations for our trip. ✈️ I honestly think that planning out what we wanted to do and all the outfits I wanted to wear was one of my favorite parts of the experience. 😂 This summer my favorite places to shop were, hands down, American Eagle and Nasty Gal. Their section for plus sizes is always so awesome and ordering online is a breeze with their true to size outfits and easy-breezy return policy. 👌
When planning out my outfits for Hawaii, I knew that we were going to be hit with a myriad of weather. 🌺 The big island is known for having eight different climates across the entire island and Andrew and I had planned a tour around the big island to check out all the tourist attractions, so we wanted to make sure we were prepared for whatever weather we ended up being in. 💧 Because of Hawaii’s versatility, I thought it would be fun to share with you guys all the things I packed and my favorite outfits from our week-long trip! 😁
What I Packed
what was in my suitcase
Andrew and I had one checked bag and my AWAY Bigger Carry-on and together we were able to easily pack in a week’s worth of outfits for every single occasion and weather possibility. Down below is the basic list that I wrote out for myself when packing my bags and planning my outfits to take.
- 3 Graphic Tees
- 5 Blouses
- 2 Bodysuits
- 2 Shorts (midi and bermuda)
- 2 Swim Covers
- 3 Bathing Suits
- 3 Pairs of Shoes (hiking, sandal, sneaker)
- Rain Jacket
- Jewelry (necklaces and earrings)
- 3 Sets of Pajamas
What I Wore
my outfits on the big island
For the most part, all my outfits during our trip were t-shirts, shorts, and sandals. We did a lot of walking in Kona so dressings cool and easy was a necessity. But there were a few special occasions where I got to “dress up” with the adorable clothes that I bought specifically for our trip. Check out my favorite outfits below!
Geo Pattern Tank | Universal Threads Midi Shorts | Slide Sandals | Layering Necklace | Leopard Crop Tank (similar) | Distressed Shorts | Adidas Hiking Shoes | Raffia Earrings (similar) | Straw Fedora (similar)
Aloha Cropped Shirt | Distressed High Waisted Denim | Slide Sandals | Layering Necklace | Salutation Stash Pocket Tight | Colorblock Hoodie | Hello Confetti Graphic Tee | Adidas Racer Slipon
How to Dress
tips for dressing on the big island
- Try to stay away from darker colors, especially if you’re visiting during the summer months. Hawaii is incredibly humid and you’ll want loose-fitting and light-colored clothing items. Think flowy tops and shorts!
- If you want to wear pants, aim for wearing them at the early hours of the morning. The longer the day goes on, the hotter it gets. I would occasionally wear my distressed denim jeans to breakfast and for a quick coffee run but by the time we got back to our hotel afterward, my legs were sweating.
- Make sure to bring good walking shoes, especially if you plan on staying in Kona. There are so many great places to see and you’ll spend a good portion of your time walking from location to location. Sweat-wicking socks aren’t a bad idea either!
- Hawaii is pretty casual when it comes to clothing. I spent the majority of my time wearing shorts, graphic tees, and sneakers! And it’s not totally out of the norm if you want to walk around with your bathing suit underneath your clothing.
- That Hawaiian sun is no joke! If you plan on spending time at the beach for long periods of time, make sure you are applying a good quality and reef-friendly sunscreen every hour! Andrew and I made that mistake the first day we were on the island and we left the beach with some crispy skin.
- If you plan on wearing makeup, bring a good quality setting spray! You’re going to be hot in all that humidity so a setting spray will ensure your face stays hydrated and smear-free the whole day. I love Urban Decay’s All Nighter Spray.
Overall, Hawaii is the perfect opportunity to try out some easy and maybe even adventurous outfits! 🙌 If you’re planning on visiting anytime in the near future, make sure to pack for every occasion and give yourself permission to try wearing something new. 💕 Hawaii has such a fun, laidback, and accepting vibe no matter where you go!
Do you plan on traveling to any of the Hawaiian islands or have you visited in the past? Share your favorite outfits or clothing preparations in the comments below! 👇
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