With warmer days ahead, I am starting to put together my lists of the essentials that I’ll be packing with me this summer. We have a few sunny destinations for this year that I am really excited about, from Indonesia to Croatia. 
When I start to plan out the outfits that I’d like to wear, I always poke around on Pinterest (even have a board just for summer outfits) to get some ideas going. I love blending into my surroundings and always like to get a new dress or two for a trip. This is what I’ll be taking with me this year.
The Essentials That I’ll Be Packing With Me This Summer
The French Farmers bag and anything woven.
I’ve been a bag lover for years, and after being in Bali and picking up one of those cute basket bags, I’ve become a bit of an addict. My latest addition to the collection is this fun and easily packable French farmer’s bag that is made of crochet. The other bags I have my eye on are this adorable Clare V. circle bag, this woven tote, and a woven beach bag.
The slip-on shoe, mules, and more.
Shoes! It’s the first thing I think of for summer. I ALWAYS have two pairs of Soludos with me like this one and this woven sneaker. The other pair of shoes I pack is a good leather sandal, in black or tan. My final pair I’ve added for this summer’s adventures is an easy mule — this woven one and this leather one are adorable. And you can never go wrong with a pair of wedge espadrilles.
The wide-brim hat.
I tend to skip on the hat but last year I was finally convinced to grab one for summer and I haven’t looked back since! Cuyana’s hats are always my favorite, Hat Attack is more affordable, and you can’t go wrong with Janessa Leone’s dreamy hats.
Classic sunglasses.
I’m incredibly minimal with sunglasses as I tend to loose or break them. I travel with two pairs, two classic Raybans — the Aviator and the Clubmaster.
The flowy-piece in romper or dress form.
For the hot and humid destinations, I always toss in a few dresses and rompers. I lean towards Faithfull the Brand for their rompers (1, 2, and 3), and I love Raga for their dresses (1, 2, and 3).
A solid pair of denim shorts.
I travel with one pair of denim shorts — these high-rise by AG and I love how soft the denim is.
The one-piece swimsuit.
Since I take a few photos in swim, I tend to lean towards a more modest one-piece. I scooped this one up by For Love & Lemon, I adore the Tavik designs and how comfortable they are, and you can’t go wrong with Solid & Striped.
SPF and other beauty products.
I never leave the house without SPF as I’ve learned you can’t rely other countries to have one that’s strong or affordable. I use Coola, La Mer, and the balm by Avene. The other product I swear by is this oil by Nuxe (plus it smells incredible!).
If you’re looking for more packing guides, be sure to check out the “In My Suitcase” page!
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
