I am currently in Arizona with the lovely Sherry from Petite Over 40 for a fab blogger meet-up and visit. I prepared this post about what evening wear I packed for a seven day all inclusive resort in Cuba prior to my departure.
Daytime vacation wear to me means dressing down, casual and comfortable.
Vacation evening wear though I like to put in a little effort to feel sexy. I like to make the most of my holiday if you know what I mean, hint-hint, nudge-nudge, wink-wink.
Vacation Evening Wear
I need to amend my list to seven dresses. I must have snuck another one in without realizing it. Haha! Oops.
My tips for choosing the right vacation evening wear is to choose something with lots of stretch that makes you feel good about yourself and your body.
Stretch dresses are perfect for travel. You can bunch them up in a small ball and pull them out of your suitcase looking pristine. Not to mention the comfort factor. If you’ve ever been to an all inclusive resort with limitless buffets you’ll know that having some extra room for more dessert isn’t a bad thing.
I have a style of dress that I know flatters my body shape and when I come across this style while thrifting I often buy it.
I don’t care that it is almost the same cut as my other dresses as long as the colours are different. When you find something that works no need to try to go out and reinvent the wheel. Use what you know.
These first three dresses are made out of the same material and almost have the same cut ideal for an hour glass shape, body conscious with a deep v-neckline with a waist/hip defining ruching.
The dress below has a similar shape but with a wider more open neckline. This was the one dress I didn’t wear.
I wore the same sandals with each dress. A neutral wedge sandal that is comfortable by Clarks.
This wild asymmetrical animal print body con dress was a big thrifting score.
I took one long velvet duster cover-up that was perfect for the evening it rained. It worked over all of the dresses.
You may remember this gorgeous floral maxi dress from my trip to Holland. I bought it while shopping with Anja.
This dress below may have been my favourite. I felt like a princess in it. It is one of the very rare pieces I was given in exchange for partnering with a brand.
It’s a shame I don’t have photos of this blowing in the wind. It is so full and dramatic.
I was wearing makeup in the photos but when I was on vacation the only makeup I packed was lipstick.
It was divine! This is wear having dyed brows and last extensions really pays off.
That was my suitcase. A bunch of easy-to-wear dresses that made me feel good about my body.
I’ll be back soon with tales from the blogger meet-up.
What do you pack for evenings while at an all inclusive resort?
Linking up with Visible Monday, I Will Wear What I Like, Shoe and Tell, Turning Heads Tuesdays, Hat Attack
I was so interested to see this post Suzanne, I really do like to see what other people wear! That third dress down, the blue one, is particularly stunning, as is the big floaty one that I’ve seen you in before. I think you packed really well, and yes having roomy dresses for nice dinners is always essential for holidays, you just want to feel relaxed don’t you? xx
You impressed me with your packing as well. You have a brilliant way of combining classic pieces with contemporary pieces and making them work so well together, especially when you are on vacation. I think it is the combination of your fantastic locations that create such a wonderful storyline with your outfits.
Some lovely dresses. The last one is spectacularly beautiful.
Gail
http://www.isthismutton.com
It is my “drama Queen” dress ; )
🙂 Wow, what a beautiful selection of dresses, dear Suzanne!
I like the style and I agree that some dresses pack better than others.
I have 3 dresses that I pack for holidays, but I’ve worn them so much, I need replacements. But can’t find them. Boo-hoo-hoo…
Looking forward to your write-up about your blogger meet.
While there have tons of fun!
xxx from Vienna 🙂
I hate it when cherished pieces wear out.
The meet-up was GREAT! Will have a post about it soon with loads of photos.
Oh that last dress though! YES!
ohhh, your dresses are absolutely fabulous for any ocassion, even better to go for an evening walk in Cuba!, I love those prints, the thrifted floral dress is amazing, and the last one, wowww!!.
I totally agree on picking some dresses which always worked well in the past, I prefer don’t do my experiments when travelling. And I love your versatile neutral sandals and long cover-up!, perfect pieces!
And I understand that you don’t wear make up when on holiday, I don’t either. Only lipstick and sunníes which hide any sin!, and a big smile!!
besos
Ahhh…sunglasses. They can hide a multitude of sins. Thus why I can’t wait till it gets warmer here and I can start taking photos outside again.
I loved the dresses you took with you, dear Suzanne, cause for me vacations also mean comfort! And you look amazing, particularly with the maxi dress, my favorite and the one you got as a collaboration – also maxi, and yes, in the wind it must be so amazing and dramatic! Loved the Clarks sandals, too, neutral is good for a trip! So good that you are on a bloggers meeting now, and I hope you have a very beautiful week! Bisous!
DenisesPlanet.com
Hey Suzanne. Been so busy lately trying to downsize my biz that I’ve gotten behind checking my fav blogger posts!. Those are some really beautiful and comfy looking dresses you chose for your evening vaca wear. Perfect for a tropical locale. Am looking forward to seeing what you gals get up to in Phoenix. I so wished I could have joined you. Have a blast!
It is a shame you weren’t able to come to the meet-up. It was awesome!
Glad to hear you downsizing is progressing and you’re able to devote more time to yourself.
You look stunning in all of your choices!
I bought a couple of cotton jersey maxis to travel with this time, ideal for scrunching up and throwing in a bag and wearing on long distance train journeys.
I’ve never been on an all-inclusive holiday and the question of evening wear never really arises on my kind of trip. I think the last time I dressed up at night was on a wild girls’ 18 – 30 trip to Faliraki in Rhodes circa 1989!
I wear the same clothes day and night, the only change being that I’ll wear my hair down in the evening and line my eyes with kohl. xxx
All inclusive resorts were not my thing up until about 15 years ago. They I gave into the ease of simply not having to worry about a thing and simply relaxing. I still enjoy more active vacations like what you do and don’t pack the same way for them at all. You always seem to manage so very well with your packing.
I must admit that I’ve never been to an all inclusive resort, and my holiday packing is limited to daytime wear and one or two comfortable but go-anywhere dresses. Last September, I took stretch dresses – in about the same style as your three first ones – and boy was I glad I did. They will now be coming with me on all my holidays. That maxi dress from Holland is utterly gorgeous, by the way. xxx
All inclusive resorts do make packing much easier.
I’m a sucker for stretch dresses.
Looks like a beautifully packed suitcase to me. That long black duster cover up is fantastic! The second to last dress is one of my favorites. I could look at that print all day!
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
That dress is one of my favourites because it is like wearing PJs.
Your dresses are always so stunning – even on vacation! I have to admit I didn’t do very well in Paris with my evening wear – I guess I just need to go back!
I do find it much easier to pack for evening wear when I stay at an all inclusive resort. I know I’ll be able to easily walk to dinner and also that I don’t need to take too many different kinds of jackets or coats for changing weather.
Seeing these dresses makes me happy because they are So You. The last one, as you said, is especially dramatic and you just beam wearing it. It makes so much sense to find a cut/style that fits well and then purchase dresses in that cut/style in different colors and patterns. Every single one feels and looks great. No fuss, no worry about how it looks. That allows you to enjoy yourself on vacation. What a great post for figuring out how to pack effectively for a trip!
– Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
Having never gone to an all inclusive resort, I have no idea what I would pack for evenings. Those body conscious wrap-style dresses really do flatter your figure, and would be so easy to pack. I can’t wear that style as it just emphasizes my larger waist/no hips. I would wear the asymetrical animal print one though. The dress at the end is glorious – you look like a brilliant tropical garden.
Knowing that you wear a particular style well is hitting a sort of jackpot. I also think this style creates the illusion of height because it gives a lovely column of color for the eye to follow.
The show of brilliant colors is perfect for Cuba. I’m sure you were admired and complimented by many.
Those dresses are all fantastic. Gosh, these styles really suit you. You are right about that. I wish I could do that. Most of the times I don’t bring dresses as I always want to wear high heels with them. And vacation and high heels.. hmm not really. So I am more of a 3/4 trouser with shirt kinda girl. You just looks glamourous AND comfortable. Job well done.
Greetje
That floral maxi dress is gorgeous and elegant and perfect for wearing on vacation!
-Nicole
The Artyologist
All of those dresses are so lovely and you look great in each of them. Dresses make for an easy choice when getting dolled up for the evening … one and done! Too often I have several mix and match pieces that can create several different looks but if you get bored with one of the items, then the options go away. I need to remember your example next time I’m packing for a trip.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com