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How to perfectly pack for summer trips

Summer officially begins next week, which means it’s that time of year to gear up for vacations and weekends away. Having to decide what to pack for you and your family can be overwhelming. But beauty, fashion & lifestyle expert Jamie Krell has some tips and ideas on what to bring for stress-free, easy travel.Essential wardrobe musts:Maxi dress: This is the most versatile, easy piece of clothi

Summer officially begins next week, which means it’s that time of year to gear up for vacations and weekends away. Having to decide what to pack for you and your family can be overwhelming. But beauty, fashion & lifestyle expert Jamie Krell has some tips and ideas on what to bring for stress-free, easy travel.

Essential wardrobe musts:

Maxi dress: This is the most versatile, easy piece of clothing to bring for a vacation. You can wear this over a bathing suit, for lunch, to walk around town or out at night. Look for a fabric like cotton jersey, that will neverwrinkle!

Jennifer Lopez Island Paradise Dress, $70, Kohl’s  

Reversible bikini: This type of bathing suit can be worn 3 different ways! And you can mix and match your top and bottom sizes for a custom, perfect fit.

Lucky Dream Island Suit Top, $64, Bottoms, $56, everythingbutwater.com

Zippered wet bag: This bag is on-the-go storage for swimwear, wet clothes, beach gear, gym clothes, lingerie and more. It has thick waterproof lining, sealed seams, is completely machine washable and easily folds for storage.

Wet Happened? Zippered Bag, $12.99, The Container Store 

Shoes:

Flip-flops: These are the most comfortable (and stylish) flip-flops — light-weight, easy to pack, padding for added comfort and will never make your feet blister! Buy in a neutral or metallic color, so one pair will go with anything and everything you pack!

Yosi Samra, $55, shopbop.com

The boat shoe: These are great for both men and women and they are the hottest shoe trend of the whole season! They are a versatile, comfortable loafer and they’re water-resistant (you can even throw in washing machine in cold water)! Made of  breathable nylon, anti-slip rubber and non-marking sole, it also features a ventilation system with breathable slits (so feet can breath when it’s hot outside!) You can wear without socks!

SWIMS, $119, Neiman Marcus

The wedge: A (not-too-high) wedge shoe in a neutral and metallic is all you need if you want to dress up a bit more for day or wear these out to dinner or to an event/get-together at night. Ultra comfortable and will go with anything you pack!

Zentry Level Wedge, $79, Aerosoles

Accessories:  

Double-duty purses: A large tote that can be your purse and double as your beach/pool bag! A cross body bag that you can wear for day and then hide the strap and carry as a clutch at night. Both in neutral, on-trend styles that will go with anything you pack, night and day!

Z&L Straw Beach Bag, Hat Attack Raffia Clutch, $45 Lesters.com

Jewelry: No need to bring pricey jewelry on your summer trip. Stick to fun, stand-out jewelry in bright colors and on-trend gold. A few stand-out, go with anything pieces is all you need.

Costume Jewelry, $50 and under, T.J. Maxx

Case: Prevent all your jewelry from becoming a tangled mess! A Kipling accessory case has an area to string necklaces and separate compartment for rings and bracelets!

Kipling Case, $44, Kipling.com

Hats: No more hats coming out of your suitcase all crumpled! They will come out of your suitcase looking brand new, everytime! These hats also have large brims for maximum shade, made of a lightweight fabric that will block 98% of the suns UVA and UVB rays and styles for the whole family – men, women, kids, teens and toddlers.

Coolibar Hats, $20-$50, Coolibar.com  

Scarves: The ideal, light-weight,big enough scarf that you can wear (depending on weather) during the day, at night and can even use it as a blanket on the plane, around your shoulders as a shrug and a sarong by the pool/beach!

Beckley by Melissa, $60, beckleyboutique.com

Beauty: 

An entire (ultra clever!) website devoted to products that are travel size — everything is 3 fluid ounces or less! They have a huge variety of products for the whole family and even pre-made kits like the Urban Traveler and The Jet Set Girls Weekender Kit. Or choose a la carte in their amazing $10 or less section. Products include: Sunscreen wipes, lips balms with SPF, hair products, hydrating masks, travel candles, anti-bacterial wipes and more.

Urban Traveler Kit, $38, Jet Set Girls Kit, $67.50, 3floz.com 

Hair:

A portable mini ceramic styler and ionic hair dryer set is small but powerful —  the styler heats up and is ready to use in 10 seconds. You can use the styler to wave, curl or straighten your hair! The set includes: A mini ceramic styler, mini ionic hairdryer and even comes with mini diffuser and nozzle too!

Amika Silver Go-Go Set, $80, hsn.com

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