Sandhya Garg — Resort Edit
What to Pack for a Beach & Resort Vacation:
A Designer's Packing List for 2026–2027
By Sandhya Garg · Project Runway Designer · XS–3XL Collections · Updated October 2026
One great dress, a pair of sandals and a sea view: resort packing starts here.
Quick Answer
For a one-week beach or resort vacation, pack one swimsuit for every two days, two cover-ups or kaftans, two or three day dresses, one evening dress for every two or three nights, three pairs of shoes (flat sandals, sneakers, one dressier pair), a light layer, a sun hat and sunglasses. Choose breathable fabrics like cotton, linen and poplin in one colour story, so everything mixes and you can pack light.
You've booked the resort — yay! Long walks on the beach, a chilled drink by the pool, sand between your toes. Then comes the part nobody daydreams about: packing. What to take, what to leave, and how to fit everything in a suitcase while still looking like you stepped out of a resort campaign.
As a Project Runway designer who has spent years designing resort wear and vacation dresses in sizes XS through 3XL, I've refined my own packing list trip by trip. This is it: the capsule formula, the 2026 resort trends worth packing, ten packing tricks, a printable checklist, and twelve dresses from our designer dress collection that earn their suitcase space.
Packing for a particular climate? Pair this list with our guide to vacation dresses sorted by climate. And if you're new to the term, start with what resort wear actually is.
In This Guide
The Resort Capsule: How Many of Everything
This is the formula I use for a one-week resort trip. Adjust the numbers up or down with the length of your stay.
Swim
1 swimsuit per 2 days
Four days, two swimsuits: each one has time to dry before you wear it again. Pack a reusable bag for wet swimwear.
Pool to lunch
2 cover-ups or kaftans
Light, quick-drying dresses you can wear over a swimsuit straight to lunch without changing. Shop cover-ups.
Daytime
2–3 day dresses
Easy cotton, linen or poplin dresses for sightseeing, shopping and long lunches — plus a pair of shorts or trousers and two tops.
Evenings
1 evening dress per 2–3 nights
Re-wear with different jewelry. A printed maxi or embellished midi covers dinners, dancing and that one dressy night. Shop resort evening wear.
Resort Wear Trends Worth Packing in 2026
🌴 The Printed Kaftan
Reported by Bahrain Confidential
Bahrain Confidential names the printed kaftan, the wide-leg linen set and the crochet co-ord as the resort trends 2026 actually needs — together replacing six or seven single-use outfits.
🧳 The Vacation Edit
Reported by Who What Wear
Who What Wear's 2026 vacation coverage has rounded up the most important trends to pack this year — and even the coolest luggage trends spotted on frequent flyers.
🌿 Natural Fabrics, Worn Again
Reported by FashionCapital
FashionCapital notes that holidaymakers are investing in well-made resort pieces designed to be restyled and worn across seasons, rather than disposable fast fashion.
🌅 Day-to-Night Pieces
Reported by FashionCapital
The modern holiday wardrobe is about smart, high-impact pieces that move from day to night (FashionCapital). One printed maxi plus a change of shoes and jewelry is two outfits.
The essentials, then the suitcase: pack outfits, not items.
10 Packing Tricks From a Designer
01
Choose one colour story
Pick two or three colours plus one print family. Everything mixes, and you need fewer shoes and bags.
02
Pack outfits, not items
Lay out each day's look before it goes in the case. If a piece only works once, leave it behind.
03
Use packing cubes
Cubes or compression bags keep the suitcase organised and stop you unpacking everything to find one thing.
04
Roll soft, fold structured
Roll cotton, jersey and kaftans; fold poplin and anything with a collar or embellishment.
05
Make dresses work twice
A day dress with sandals becomes a dinner dress with heels and gold earrings.
06
Wear the bulkiest piece on the plane
Your jacket or heaviest shoes travel on you, not in the bag — and keep you warm on the flight.
07
Carry liquids the TSA way
For carry-on, liquids go in containers of 3.4 oz or less in one quart-size bag. Decant sunscreen and toiletries before you go.
08
Pack a wet bag
A reusable waterproof bag for swimwear means no damp suitcase on the way home.
09
Bring a tiny repair kit
A stain pen, safety pins and a mini sewing kit rescue a dress in minutes.
10
Leave room to come home
Leave a quarter of the case empty, or pack a foldable tote for what you buy while you're away.
The Printable Resort Packing Checklist
Screenshot this, or print the page. It's the list I use before every resort trip.
👗 Clothing
Swimsuits (1 per 2 days) · 2 cover-ups or kaftans · 2–3 day dresses · 1 evening dress per 2–3 nights · shorts or trousers + 2 tops · a light jacket, wrap or kimono · sleepwear · underwear (1 per day + extras)
👡 Shoes & Bags
Flat sandals or flip-flops · comfortable sneakers · one dressier sandal or heel · a small crossbody · a large beach tote · a wet bag for swimwear
☀️ Sun & Beach
Sunscreen SPF 30+ · lip balm with SPF · sun hat · sunglasses · a large scarf or sarong · after-sun · insect repellent · a beach towel if the resort doesn't provide one
🧴 Toiletries & Health
Travel-size toiletries in a quart bag · makeup and remover · prescriptions in original packaging · a small first-aid kit · hand sanitiser · stain pen and mini sewing kit
🔌 Tech & Documents
Passport and ID · travel insurance details · phone, charger and power bank · plug adapters · a waterproof phone pouch · headphones
💎 The Finishing Touches
Jewelry organised by outfit · a statement earring for evenings · a light scarf for chilly restaurants. Browse accessories.
Designer Dresses · Original Prints · Up to 3XL
Twelve Dresses That Earn Their Suitcase Space
From our designer dress collection: four for pool-to-lunch, four for sightseeing, four for resort evenings. Pick one from each row and you're packed.
Pool to Lunch: Kaftans, Linen & Easy Tunics
Sightseeing, Markets & Day Trips
Resort Evenings & the One Dressy Night
Sizes vary by style, from XS to 3XL · Check each product for availability · Size chart
Linen that moves and patchwork you can't buy anywhere else: the Sahara and the Palm Tree dress.
Where to Go
What to Pack by Trip Length
🌙 Long Weekend (3 nights)
2 swimsuits · 1 kaftan · 1 day dress · 1 evening dress · 2 pairs of shoes. Carry-on only.
☀️ One Week
4 swimsuits · 2 cover-ups · 3 day dresses · 2–3 evening dresses · 3 pairs of shoes · 1 layer.
🌍 Two Weeks
Pack for one week and plan one laundry day. Choose fabrics that wash and dry quickly, and re-wear evening dresses with new accessories.
🚢 A Cruise
Add one or two formal-night dresses and a layer for the ship's air conditioning. See what to wear on a cruise.
Plus-Size Resort Packing
Kaftans, linen maxis and wrap or tie-waist dresses are the easiest plus-size resort pieces: breathable in the heat and flattering from pool to dinner. Sahara, Bagh, Palm Tree, Jaali and Mehtab are in stock up to 3XL. Shop plus-size resort wear or read our guide to chic plus-size style.
Resort-ready in plus sizes: a halter midi for dinner, a shirt dress for sightseeing.
Shop Resort & Vacation Collections
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I pack for a 7-day beach vacation?
Four swimsuits, two cover-ups or kaftans, two or three day dresses, two or three evening dresses, shorts or trousers with two tops, a light layer, three pairs of shoes (flat sandals, sneakers and one dressier pair), a sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
How many dresses should I pack for a resort vacation?
For a week, two or three day dresses and one evening dress for every two or three nights is plenty. Choose dresses that work day-to-night so you can re-wear them with different shoes and jewelry.
What do you wear in the evening at a resort?
Resort evenings usually call for resort casual or smart attire: a printed maxi, an embroidered midi or a dressy kaftan, with sandals or low heels and statement jewelry. Some resort restaurants have dress codes, so check before you go.
What fabrics are best for a beach vacation?
Linen, cotton, cotton poplin and lightweight viscose breathe in the heat and dry quickly. Avoid heavy synthetics and anything that wrinkles badly unless you're happy to steam it.
Can I pack for a resort vacation in a carry-on?
Yes, for a long weekend or a light-packer's week. Choose one colour story, roll soft pieces, use packing cubes, wear your bulkiest items on the plane and keep liquids in 3.4 oz containers in one quart-size bag.
What should I not pack for a beach vacation?
Single-use outfits, heavy denim, too many shoes, full-size toiletries and anything that needs dry cleaning. If a piece only works with one outfit, leave it at home.
About the Designer
Sandhya Garg studied women's fashion at London College of Fashion and has worked at Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Liberty London and Alice Temperley. On Project Runway Season 13 she won two challenges and showed her collection at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. Her label of limited-edition resort wear, vacation dresses and special-occasion pieces has been featured in Marie Claire, Elle, Cosmopolitan and Vogue online. Read her story.
Sources & Further Reading
- Bahrain Confidential: Resort wear worth buying in 2026
- Who What Wear: Vacation coverage 2026
- FashionCapital: Summer 2026 holiday fashion trends
Join the List · Project Runway Designer · Made in Small Batches
Take 15% Off Your First Order
Sign up for the Sandhya Garg list and get 15% off your first order — your vacation suitcase included — plus early access to new resort prints.
You Might Also Love
- Resort Wear for Women: What It Is
- Resort Casual Meaning
- Resort Casual Attire for Women
- Best Resort Wear Dresses for Women
- Vacation Dresses, Sorted by Climate
- What to Pack for a Vacation in Florida
- What to Wear on a Cruise
- What to Wear in Cabo San Lucas
Leave a comment