When my family and I were invited to a destination wedding in Kona this summer, we jumped at the chance to explore a new island in Hawaii. I’m in my mid-twenties, and this was only my second wedding. I was actually excited about both the long trip to the middle of the Pacific and the challenge of fitting everything into one carry-on. (I’m afraid of losing my luggage, and with all the connecting flights I expected, there was no way I’d risk checking a bag.) First thing on my list? Finding a dress that fit the “Aloha Formal” dress code.
Next, I picked a few easy basics to wear while exploring the island and its beaches. My choices were almost sporty, built around breathable cotton pieces like shorts, tanks, and tees that could be mixed and matched. I wasn’t sure what the evenings would involve—or where they’d take me—so I packed some simple evening options that could be dressed up with the right accessories or dressed down with my trusty Havaianas.
What to Pack for Hawaii, According to Vogue:
The Breathable Slip
J.Crew Gwyneth slip dress
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$148 J.CREW
The Versatile Flip Flops
Havaianas Brazil logo sandals
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$32 SHOPBOP
The Fun Bikini
Tropic of C Equator bikini
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$190 TROPIC OF C
The Beach Bag
Hat Attack Lissa day bag
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$170 BANANA REPUBLIC
The Airplane Hoodie
Charlie Beads Chuck hoodie
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$128 CHARLIE BEADS
The Mineral SPF
Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Body Spray
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$20 $19 (5% off) AMAZON
The Sporty Shorts
Amelia Designs Oscar shorts
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$79 AMELIA DESIGNS
In the end, I barely wore any of the fancier outfits I’d planned. (Lesson one for packing for Hawaii: lean casual, even if you’re planning dinners out.) Instead, bring lots of swimwear and versatile cover-ups, since that’s what you’ll wear most of the time in a tropical climate. And of course, don’t forget sun protection.
The Long-Haul Plane Outfit
I wish I were one of those people who makes an effort to look presentable at the airport, but honestly, comfort and sleep on long flights are my priorities. The flight from New York to Hawaii is about 10 hours. My trip went smoothly thanks to my tried-and-true travel uniform: yoga pants, a sweater for the chilly cabin, and a blackout silk eye mask. That last one has been a game-changer for falling asleep—and staying asleep—on flights.
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Charlie Beads
Chuck hoodie
$128 CHARLIE BEADS
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Vuori
AllTheFeels slim flare pants
$118 VUORI
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Baggu
Cloud carry-on
$86 BAGGU
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Havaianas
Brazil logo sandals
$32 SHOPBOP
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silk sleep mask
$28 AMAZON
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Medicube
Jelly Gel Mask
$21 $19 (10% off) AMAZON
The Swimsuits and Cover-Ups
If you’re going to Hawaii to enjoy its turquoise waters and long stretches of shoreline, you’ll probably spend most of the trip in swimwear. I’ve loved Spanish brand Gimaguas for years, but for bolder options (including animal-print bikinis), Tropic of C is also a good bet. Since we often drove anywhere from 25 minutes to over an hour to check out different beaches (yes, you’ll want to rent a car) and stopped for food along the way, there were few chances to change, so be sure to bring a few easy cover-ups to throw on for lunch.
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Gimaguas
Carolina bikini
$155 GIMAGUAS
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Matteau
silk sarong
$360 MATTEAU
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Tropic of C
Equator bikini
$190 TROPIC OF C
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Imnotamorningperson
long sleeve mini dress
$86 IMNOTAMORNINGPERSON
The Easy Daytime Outfits
When I wasn’t in swimwear, I stuck to a selection of cotton basics to mix and match. Hawaii is known as much for its spectacular hiking trails as for its beaches, so I packed pieces that worked for both; for exampleThese sporty shorts from Amelia Designs and breathable tanks from Cou Cou Intimates stretch easily over a bikini. (And of course, don’t forget to bring a roomy bag for all your seaside essentials.)
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Amelia Designs
Ice Creamery tee
$82
AMELIA DESIGNS
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Amelia Designs
Oscar shorts
$79
AMELIA DESIGNS
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Cou Cou
The scoop tank
$56
COU COU
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Charlie Beads
The 90’s Bias skirt
$118
CHARLIE BEADS
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Havaianas
Brazil logo flip-flops
$32
SHOPBOP
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Hat Attack
Lissa day bag
$170
BANANA REPUBLIC
The Lightweight Eveningwear
Hawaii is a popular wedding destination for a reason—but the heat does require some practicality. Choose lightweight dresses over anything too bulky. I picked a slinky slip dress from J.Crew in an aqua hue to match the landscape, which turned out to be perfect for the air conditioning-less church where the ceremony took place. We were told to avoid shoes that wouldn’t do well in the grass, so I used the opportunity to buy these Maryam Nassir Zadeh sandals I’d been coveting for months—I stood, walked, and danced in them for hours.
For the less momentous evenings, I again gravitated toward cotton basics, channeling Zoë Kravitz’s laid-back summer style in a black Cou Cou Intimates set.
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J.Crew
Gwyneth slip dress
$148
J.CREW
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Maryam Nassir Zadeh
70 Opera wedges
$580
NET-A-PORTER
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Zara
woven clutch bag
$60
ZARA
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Chan Luu
scallop drop earrings
$290
CHAN LUU
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Cou Cou Intimates
The Muse tank
$52
COU COU INTIMATES
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Cou Cou Intimates
The Slip skirt
$74
COU COU INTIMATES
The Sun-Safe Essentials
One thing I discovered upon landing in Kona is that certain chemical sunscreens are banned in Hawaii—so the first thing I picked up from the hotel gift shop was a bottle of mineral sunblock. And while there are some sandy beaches on the island, most of the ones my family and I visited were quite rocky, so I’d definitely recommend bringing water shoes.
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Bonnie Clyde
Princessa sunglasses
$228
BONNIE CLYDE
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Cou Cou
The Voile scarf
$14
COU COU
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Sun Bum
Mineral Sunscreen Body Spray
$20
$19 (5% off)
AMAZON
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Dolce Vita
Jam flats
$65
DOLCE VITA
The Small Stuff
I never really got over my jet lag, so I spent the week waking up around 5 a.m. and journaling in my Moleskine notebook while watching the sun rise over the lush Hawaiian plants. I also brought my film camera, so a few extra rolls of film to capture friends, family, and the beautiful scenery were essential—as were headphones for long car rides and AirTags in case I had to gate-check my suitcase.
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Apple
EarPods
$19
AMAZON
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Apple
AirTag
$29
$24 (17% off)
AMAZON
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Kodak
Portra 400 35mm film
$110
AMAZON
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Moleskine
Classic notebook
$25
NORDSTROM
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs What to Pack for Hawaii According to a Vogue Staffer
1 Whats the single most important thing to pack for Hawaii
Swimwear and lots of it A Vogue staffer recommends packing at least three or four swimsuits so you always have a dry one since youll likely be in the water daily
2 How many outfits should I pack for a week in Hawaii
Aim for a carryonsized capsule 34 swimsuits 2 coverups 23 breezy dresses or linen sets 1 pair of jeans or trousers 1 light jacket or cardigan and 2 pairs of sandals Mixandmatch pieces go furthest
3 What fabrics work best in Hawaiis humidity
Breathable naturals like linen cotton and silk They keep you cool and dry quickly Avoid heavy synthetics that trap sweat
4 Do I really need a coverup
Yes Youll wear it constantly from the beach to lunch to the hotel lobby A stylish one doubles as a casual dress
5 What shoes should I bring
One pair of comfortable walking sandals one dressier sandal for dinners and water shoes or sneakers if you plan to hike or explore lava rocks
6 Should I pack jeans for Hawaii
One pair is fine for cooler evenings or a nice dinner but you wont need more Linen pants or dresses are more useful overall
7 What should I pack for a nice dinner or a luau
A flowy midi or maxi dress for women and a linen buttondown with chinos for men Resort casual is the norm no need for formal wear
8 Whats a common packing mistake people make for Hawaii
Overpacking People bring too many just in case outfits and never wear them Stick to lightweight versatile pieces you can rewear
9 Do I need warm clothes in Hawaii
Yes at least one layer Evenings can get cool and its colder at higher elevations where temperatures can drop into the 40s50sF
10 What sun protection should I pack
Reefsafe sunscreen required in