The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Ask BB: What to Pack for A Summer Cruise

I am going on a cruise this summer with some family and friends to celebrate my husband's big birthday. What should I pack and wear? I want to look adorable and fun, but when I travel I often end up looking plain and practical. I'm 5' 4" and I love Cameron Diaz's style but I don't have her height. My body type is more like Hayden Panettiere but I'm brunette and not as thin. Other celebrity styles I admire are Victoria Beckham and Blake Lively. —Katie

The celebs you've named may have very different red carpet styles, but they have a lot in common when it comes to their casual, summer styles. You'll see them in breezy dresses, comfortable flat sandals and cool accessories that give them a pulled-together yet effortless look.

The inspiration:

  • Pack a colorful scarf and little white dress like Blake Lively for the perfect day-to-night cruise look.

  • Take a cue from sexy girl-next-door Cameron Diaz and pick up the perfect denim jacket, fab fedora and wear-with-everything shorts.

  • Pack at least one maxi dress - Victoria Beckham's sleek style lends itself to a black maxi dress - it's so sophisticated yet casual and easy to dress up or down with a few pieces of jewelry or metallic sandals.

  • Think boho tunics and vibrant bikinis for lounging poolside or walks on the beach, like Hayden Panettiere. Your tunic can double as a top with shorts or a cotton skirt.


Now that you've got your inspiration, here's a practical list of 15 essentials to pack for your summer cruise. Best part, everything's under $60! Inject your own personality by picking the colors, prints and silhouettes that speak to you.

What to pack for a summer cruise: 15 Mix and Match Essentials


1. Neutral tank top
2. Denim jacket
3. Flat sandals
4. Twill shorts
5. Striped shirt
6. Chambray shirt
7. Straw hat
8. Cotton skirt
9. Maxi dress
10. Linen pants
11. Sunglasses
12. Wedge sandals
13. Scarf
14. Print bikini
15. Crossbody bag

What advice would you give Katie? Let her know in the comments!
Comments
This list is so helpful! I'll definitely be using it for Memorial Day!
#1 Maureen @sheismoments (Homepage) on 2013-05-16 10:19 (Reply)
I love your picks! The "mix and match" concept is priceless b/c then you don't have to pack a gazillion things! On vacay, I love easy dresses. One piece and done!
#2 lisacng @ expandng.com (Homepage) on 2013-05-16 14:14 (Reply)
Leave a comment
E-Mail addresses will not be displayed.
Enclosing asterisks marks text as bold (*word*), underscore are made via _word_.
Standard emoticons like :-) and ;-) are converted to images.
E-Mail addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for E-Mail notifications.