Living in southwest Florida, I am always searching for fun resort wear  that won’t kill my budget.  Summer sales, especially around holidays like July 4th, are a great way to stock up on beachy dresses, tops, and accessories while getting the most from your hard-earned money. Mid-summer sales also seem to carry the prettiest variety of clothing styles, colors, and sizes, as they aren’t simply trying to get rid of stock to make room for new merchandise. Here’s to summer fashion on a budget and to a few of my favorite things from my go-to online stores.

J Crew Factory  – I am obsessed with the quality, fit, and and pricing of this high end brand at bargain basement prices.  I purchased the items below and they fit perfectly. For Father’s Day brunch I paired the blue dress with a stretchy gold belt to dress it up a little.  When you want a classic look, this site can’t be beat for the price.

Red Tiered Tank Top – $24.95                           

 Striped Faux-Wrap Dress – $39.50 + extra 15% off with code SUPERSTAR

Red Floral Faux-Wrap Mini Dress – $59.50

Red Dress  –  this Atlanta-based women’s clothing store appeared on Season 6 of Shark Tank, where it received a $1.2 million investment. I purchased the white two piece set below and I’m in love with it; casual, comfy, yet easily dressed up.

Let Me Know White Two Piece Set – $90

Can’t Get Enough of Summer Turquoise Tropical Print Romper – $58

Long Way Home Coral Tropical Print Dress – $46

Stick Around Blue Maxi Dress – $44

Lulu’s – known as “the style destination for trendsetters worldwide”, this site features clothing from its own label as well as both emerging and well-known designers. My friend purchased several dresses from Lulu’s at very affordable prices for our recent trip to Long Island, Bahamas and I fell in love with her vibrant blue maxi dress below. I may just have to grab one for myself.

Flying Watercolors Print Maxi Dress – $70

Girl Like You Yellow Polka Dot Two-Piece Maxi Dress – $80

Tropic Of Discussion Green Tropical Print Maxi Dress – $74

Yacht Rock Blue And White Striped Off-The-Shoulder Midi Dress – $66

Beyond Proper – formerly called Boston Proper from a mailing list the company bought 30 years ago and transformed into my all-time favorite bohemian glam brand, Boston Proper decided they weren’t so proper after all; so they changed their name. Not to worry, the fashion is still confidently sexy and one-of-a-kind. Beyond Proper clothing has a higher price point than the other sites listed here because of the clothing’s unique embellishments, but they have fantastic and frequent sales.

Pom And Stone Clutch – $69

Ombre Hi-Low Maxi Dress – $98

Red Floral Maxi Dress – $165

Miscellaneous Mermaid Finds – I couldn’t resist adding the mermaid earrings from Baublebar, a great site for fun and affordable jewelry that makes a statement.  The tote is by Shiraleah, a brand dedicated to “awakening people’s wanderer spirit” by creating products inspired by different cultures around the world. It is sold by Express.  Last but not least, the seaglass earrings are from Cottage and Bungalow, where I purchased a hand-crafted mermaid plaque when I moved to FL. The brand features classic coastal-style furniture, decor, and accessories.

Baublebar Ariel Drop Earring – $48

Express Shiraleah Rose All Day Tote – $64

Cottage And Bungalow Sea Glass Earrings – $99

Packing for a tropical vacation can be fun or a downright chore, depending on how much research you do on the location you’re going to, the resort’s dress code and general vibe, and how much you want to lug around with you through airports. With airlines charging hefty fees for checked bags and charter airlines limiting the size of your luggage, it’s always best to pack lighter and prepare ahead of time, rather than cramming your 10 favorite dresses, 14 swimsuits, and a cosmetic case fit for a makeup artist into a suitcase bigger than you are…been there done that.

In my former life,  I was a flight attendant and if there is one thing I learned from that brief experience it was the art of rolling clothes to fit as much as possible into a carry-on bag. It really works and it prevents the items from wrinkling, so it’s a win-win.  I also recommend saving your really expensive or special clothing items and jewelry for summer festivities at home, as travel and sand can wreak havoc on them and there is always the possibility of theft.  Finally, be sure to bring regulation size toiletries only and leave the rest at home or purchase suntan lotion and other sundries at the resort gift shop or local grocery store.  Pack all liquids, even if sealed, in plastic bags; and bring extra plastic bags in different sizes for jewelry, camera gear, and wet swimsuits (you know you’re going to take one last dip before heading to the airport when you return). Now on to the fun part… what to bring!

Lisa’s Packing List

2 swimsuits – a bikini and a one-piece (tip: if I want a more expensive bikini I will buy only the top if  it is priced separately and pair it with a solid bottom I already own in a coordinating color, like white or black)

2 beach cover-ups in different colors (tip: buy inexpensive as they will take a beating from sand and suntan lotion.  They can also double as a dress and spruce up a tank top and shorts)

3 dresses – a sporty one for travel days and 2 others – I love casual maxi dresses because they are breathable as well as chic without looking overdone.

1 strapless pantsuit

1 pair of denim cut-offs

1 nautical tank shirt

1 pair of flip flops

1 pair of flat sandals

1 workout outfit – tank and running shorts

1 pair of athletic shoes

1 straw hat

1 beachy purse or clutch

2 pairs of sunglasses in case one breaks or gets misplaced

A fun pair of earrings, statement necklace, and/or cuff

Travel size coconut oil to soothe my sun-scorched skin at the end of the day

My Picks

Swim

All from Everything But Water – Dolce Vita California Dreaming One Piece Plunge $125,  LSpace Batik So Chic Bandeau Top $110, LSpace Reversible Racerback Top $80

Coverups

Everything from Lulu’s – Sweet Nothings White Sheer Lace Kimono, $49,  Sand and Deliver Coral Pink Swim Cover-up, $38, Sun Daze Grey Print Cover-Up, $56.

Dresses

First 3 all from Mura Boutique –  Marina Cruise Dress, $85, Brianna Dress $65, Barcelona Holiday Set $69.95, (last 2 from Show Me Your Mumu) Millie Maxi Dress $184 and Meghan Wrap Dress $172 – little more expensive but so cute I had to include them.

Accessories

Round Rattan Bag $69, from Boho Bags, Beachcomber Cuff $68 from Lilly Pulitzer,  Alana Beaded Clutch $48 from Show Me Your Mumu, Turquoise Bib Necklace (my own and free on credit from Poshmark).  Le Specs sunglasses $59 from Everything But Water, Puravida Palm Clutch $30.

Daytime Casual or “Let’s just sit at the bar and eat conch fritters” Outfits

Madewell Whisper Cotton V Neck Pocket Tank $25, American Eagle Next Level Midi Short $39.99.  Athleta Santorini High Neck Dress $89 and Mosaic by Seychelles Sandals $70.

And last but not least….

Above:  Amazon Giant Inflatable Mermaid Tail Pool Float $23.99.   (Not practical but you can roll it up teeny tiny in your carry-on bag!)