Sandhya Garg — Resort Edit
Weekend Resort Getaways in the US:
7 Trips & What to Wear on Each
By Sandhya Garg · Project Runway Designer · XS–3XL Collections · Updated October 2026
One plane ride — sometimes just a car ride — from a resort weekend.
Quick Answer
Some of the best weekend resort getaways in the US are Maui or Kauai for couples, Miami Beach for a girls' trip, San Francisco or Seattle for a city break, Los Angeles and San Diego for a beach-city weekend, Las Vegas for nightlife, and San Diego or Nantucket for any occasion. For a weekend, pack carry-on light: two swimsuits, one cover-up or kaftan, one day dress, one evening dress, a light jacket and two pairs of shoes.
Having lived on both the East and West Coasts, I've packed for more weekend getaways than I can count — by road and by plane, for romance, birthdays, work retreats and pure laziness. The US has some of the most beautiful beaches and weekend resorts in the world, and wherever you live, there's one within a plane ride (sometimes just a car ride).
As a Project Runway designer specialising in resort wear and vacation dresses in sizes XS through 3XL, I've organised this guide by kind of weekend: seven getaways, where to go for each, what the weather asks of you, and exactly what to wear — from our newest collection.
Need the full packing checklist? See our beach & resort packing list. Looking for destinations rather than trip types? Browse the best beach resort destinations in the USA.
In This Guide
- 1. Romantic weekend resorts for couples: Maui & Kauai
- 2. Girls' trip: Miami Beach
- 3. Urban city weekend: San Francisco & Seattle
- 4. Corporate retreat outfits
- 5. Beach city weekend: Los Angeles & San Diego
- 6. Nightlife weekend: Las Vegas
- 7. All-occasion resorts: San Diego & Nantucket
- The weekend resort capsule
- Shop: 12 weekend getaway pieces
- FAQ: weekend getaways answered
1. Romantic Weekend Resorts for Couples: Maui & Kauai
Of all fifty states, Hawaii is the most romantic weekend for two. On Maui, the resorts lining Kāʻanapali Beach let you walk straight from your room into the ocean, with snorkel gear and beach chairs to rent by the day. Kauai, the Garden Isle, is quieter: lush, full of waterfalls and serene beaches, and ideal for honeymooners.
If you choose West Maui, travel with care. The Kāʻanapali resort area is open, while Lāhainā is still rebuilding after the 2023 wildfires. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has asked for respectful, compassionate, responsible travel, and a 2026 visitor guide from Hawaii.com encourages supporting local businesses and staying within areas open to the public.
What to pack for Hawaii
Hawaii is tropical year-round, and it's the humidity that gets you. Less is more: swimwear, two light cover-ups that go from beach to boat to lunch, sandals plus sneakers for hiking, and one or two flowing maxi dresses for luaus and dinner.
From the Sandhya Garg lookbook: romantic resort weekend looks.
2. Girls' Trip: Miami Beach
For a weekend with your best friends, nowhere beats Miami: steamy days, Art Deco architecture and nightlife that runs until sunrise. Fontainebleau on Collins Avenue remains one of the city's most famous beach resorts — suites for sharing, cabanas, fine dining and nightlife under one roof — and spa resorts nearby are perfect for birthdays and bachelorettes.
Pack lightweight kaftans that go from spa to pool to lunch, a beach hat, neutral sandals, and a dress or two for dinner and dancing. For a full seven-outfit plan, see what to wear in Miami.
Girls' trip ready: day-to-night pieces from the lookbook.
3. Urban City Weekend: San Francisco & Seattle
A city weekend calls for versatile classics and comfortable shoes. San Francisco and Seattle are cool, often foggy or drizzly, and very walkable. Keep a neutral base and bring the personality with one printed piece, a scarf or a statement jacket.
4. Corporate Retreat Outfits
A weekend work retreat at a resort needs polish and comfort: easy tops with wide-leg trousers for sessions, a cover-up for downtime by the pool, and one elevated dress for the team dinner. In hot destinations, stick to light, breathable fabrics; everywhere, bring a layer for air-conditioned meeting rooms.
City and corporate weekends: polished, printed, comfortable.
5. Beach City Weekend: Los Angeles & San Diego
Beach cities like Los Angeles and San Diego run on laid-back luxe. Think glamorous maxi dresses, airy blouses, good denim and a lightweight sweater, finished with a wide-brim hat, slides and oversized sunglasses. Always pack a layer: coastal breezes turn chilly the moment the sun goes down.
6. Nightlife Weekend: Las Vegas
For a party weekend in Las Vegas, keep everything lightweight but bold: a killer accessory game, plenty of colour, and looks that work for both daytime and a big night out. Days are for pools and shopping in a breezy dress, sunglasses and comfortable sandals under the desert sun; nights are for a statement dress, metallic heels and a glittery clutch.
Beach city by day, nightlife by night.
7. All-Occasion Resorts: San Diego & Nantucket
San Diego works for couples, families and friends alike: endless beaches, surfing, history and global food. Beachfront stays like the Bahia Resort Hotel in Mission Beach or the Hotel del Coronado put the sand right outside, with biking, paddleboarding and loungers on hand.
On the other coast, Nantucket is a classic summer or holiday-weekend island: historic downtown, fresh seafood and cottages at The Nantucket Hotel & Resort, with a heated pool and beach shuttles. Both get cooler at night than Hawaii or Miami, so pack long dresses and a layer.
The Weekend Resort Capsule
Swim & pool
2 swimsuits + 1 cover-up
A kaftan or cover-up that works for lunch too, so you never need to change between the pool and the restaurant.
Daytime
1 day dress + 1 top & trousers
A printed day dress for exploring, and a top with trousers or denim for travel days.
Evening
1 statement dress
Change the earrings and shoes and it covers both nights.
Extras
1 layer, 2 pairs of shoes
A jacket or kimono for cool evenings and air conditioning; flat sandals plus one dressier pair.
Trends worth packing this year: the printed kaftan tops the list of resort pieces that replace several single-use outfits (Bahrain Confidential), and FashionCapital notes the modern holiday wardrobe is built on high-impact pieces that go from day to night. For more, see Who What Wear's 2026 vacation coverage.
New Collection · Limited Edition · XS to 3XL
Seven Getaways. Twelve Pieces. Pack the Edit.
Every piece comes from our newest collection, and every card tells you which getaway it's packed for.
Romantic Weekends & Girls' Trips
City Breaks & Corporate Retreats
Beach Cities, Nightlife & Island Weekends
Dresses in XS · S · M · L · XL · XXL · XXXL · Jackets in limited sizes · Size chart
Plus-Size Weekend Getaway Outfits
Kaftans, wrap midis and flowing maxis are the most comfortable and flattering resort pieces at every size, and they pack beautifully. Our dresses are graded to 3XL. Shop plus-size resort wear or read our guide to chic plus-size style.
Louis and Marie, styled in plus sizes.
Shop Resort & Getaway Collections
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best weekend resort getaways in the US?
Maui and Kauai for couples, Miami Beach for a girls' trip, San Francisco and Seattle for a city break, Los Angeles and San Diego for a beach-city weekend, Las Vegas for nightlife, and San Diego or Nantucket for almost any occasion.
What should I pack for a weekend resort getaway?
Two swimsuits, one cover-up or kaftan, one day dress, a top and trousers for travel, one statement evening dress, a light jacket, flat sandals and one dressier pair of shoes. It all fits in a carry-on.
What do you wear at a resort in the evening?
Usually resort casual or resort elegant: a flowing maxi, an embroidered midi or a dressy kaftan with sandals or low heels. Some resort restaurants have dress codes, so check ahead.
Is it okay to visit Maui now?
Yes. Most of Maui, including the Kāʻanapali resort area, is open to visitors. Lāhainā is still rebuilding after the 2023 wildfires, so visitors are asked to travel respectfully, support local businesses and stay within areas open to the public.
What should I wear for a girls' weekend in Miami?
Kaftans and cover-ups for the pool and spa, a beach hat, neutral sandals, and one or two statement dresses for dinner and nightlife. Breathable fabrics are essential in Miami's heat and humidity.
What's a good weekend getaway outfit for a city trip?
A neutral base with one printed or statement piece, comfortable sneakers or flats, and a jacket for changing weather. A shirt dress over trousers with a statement jacket goes from sightseeing to dinner.
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 limited-edition resort wear, vacation dresses and special-occasion pieces have been featured in Marie Claire, Elle, Cosmopolitan and Vogue online. Read her story.
Sources & Further Reading
- AFAR: Maui residents to visitors — come, but with care and respect
- Hawaii.com: Returning to Lāhainā — a 2026 visitor's guide
- Bahrain Confidential: Resort wear worth buying in 2026
- FashionCapital: Summer 2026 holiday fashion trends
- Who What Wear: Vacation coverage 2026
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