What to pack for a 5-day beach trip

Five days at the beach is the perfect length for a carry-on-only trip. You skip baggage fees, you skip the baggage carousel and you're on the sand faster. The catch is that everything you pack has to work hard. This list is built for a typical warm-weather trip — Mexico, the Caribbean, Florida, or a beach week closer to home — with days at the beach or pool and dinners out at night.

The rule we follow: every clothing item should work in at least two outfits, and every outfit should use at least one item from another outfit.

Pack three swim looks. One you'll wear while the other dries, plus one spare for the day a bikini is still damp from a late swim.

1. A workhorse solid. The Solid Tie Bikini Set goes with every cover-up and adjusts easily at the sides.
2. A print. Prints hide sand and sunscreen. The Palm Print Triangle Bikini is made for holiday photos.
3. A statement piece. The Print Mesh Three-Piece Swimsuit gives you more coverage options and doubles as a beach club look.

Swimwear is final sale for hygiene reasons, so sort your sizing at home before you go. Our bikini body-type guide walks through it.

You need things to throw on for lunch, walks into town and trips to the beach bar.

• One cover-up dress. The Off-Shoulder Beach Dress slips over a wet bikini and looks like a real outfit at a beach café.
• One skirt. The Button Slit Denim Skirt goes over swim bottoms by day and with a top at night.
• One pair of shorts. Bike shorts like the Everyday Bike Short are underrated holiday pieces: wear them for a morning run, under dresses to stop chafing on long walks, and on the flight.
• Two tops. A fitted tank or bodysuit and a loose shirt you can also use as a cover-up.

For five nights of dinners, pack two or three dresses. Most beach destinations are relaxed in the evening, and nobody will remember that you wore the same dress on Tuesday and Friday.

A slip maxi is the perfect beach-dinner dress: it packs small, barely creases and works with flat sandals or heels. The Leopard Slip Maxi Dress is our pick — the print hides creases from the suitcase. Add a second dress in a solid colour and a third if you have a special dinner planned.

On the other nights, wear the denim skirt with your nicest top.

• Slides or flip-flops for the beach and pool.
• Walking sandals or trainers for exploring and travel days. Wear these on the plane.
• One dressier sandal for dinners. Flat or a low block heel survives cobblestones and sandy paths.

Shoes are the heaviest thing you'll pack, so be ruthless. If you're not sure you'll wear it, leave it.

Here's the whole thing in one place:

• 3 bikinis or swimsuits
• 1 cover-up dress
• 2–3 evening dresses
• 1 skirt
• 1 pair of bike shorts
• 2 tops
• 1 light layer (a shirt, a light knit or a blazer for air-conditioned restaurants)
• Sleepwear
• Underwear and a strapless bra
• 3 pairs of shoes (one worn)
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• A foldable tote for the beach

• Reef-safe sunscreen. Some destinations require it. Buy it at home where it's cheaper.
• A small dry bag for your phone at the beach.
• After-sun or aloe.
• A plastic bag or wet bag for damp swimwear on the way home.
• Hair ties and a claw clip. Humidity happens.
• A travel adapter if you're leaving North America.

Roll, don't fold. Rolled clothes take less space and crease less. Put swimwear inside your shoes to fill dead space. Wear your bulkiest outfit on the plane — joggers, trainers and a light jacket. And pack an outfit and a bikini in your personal item, so if your carry-on gets gate-checked, you can still hit the beach the moment you arrive.

How many bikinis do I need for five days? Three: one to wear, one drying and one spare or statement piece.

How many outfits for a five-day trip? Plan five day looks and five evening looks, but build them from about twelve clothing items that mix together.

Should I bring a jacket to a beach destination? Yes, a light layer. Restaurants and planes are often heavily air-conditioned, and evenings by the water can be breezy.

Can I fit everything in a carry-on? Yes, if you roll your clothes, limit yourself to three pairs of shoes and wear your bulkiest items on the plane.

What's the most forgotten item? A wet bag for damp swimwear on the way home. A zip-top bag works in a pinch.

What should I wear on the plane? Your bulkiest pieces: joggers or bike shorts, trainers and a light jacket. It saves space and keeps you comfortable on a cold flight, and you can change in the airport bathroom when you land.

If you're shopping for your trip, order at least a week or two before you fly. Orders are processed in one to three business days, and your delivery estimate is shown at checkout. Dresses and skirts can be returned within 30 days if unworn with tags. Browse the full vacation and resort wear edit or our bikinis under $60.