At this stage of winter, the charm of snow has melted, and you may be starting to eye that pamphlet for a tropical resort, cruise, or beachside hotel. If you want your wardrobe to match the setting, we have the spring vacation outfit inspo for you. Today, we’re talking about the right clothes to bring to nail your tropical vacation look, travel-friendly fabrics, and how to mix and match to maximize suitcase space. So, let’s talk men’s vacation outfit ideas.
1. Lightweight Shirts: The Foundation of Your Vacation Wardrobe
Men’s vacation outfits should start with versatile, lightweight shirts that keep you cool and communicate a relaxed yet sophisticated vibe.
- Linen Shirts – The ultimate warm-weather staple, linen is breathable, moisture-wicking, and effortlessly stylish. The great thing about linen is that it’s okay to wrinkle. And there will definitely be wrinkles between humidity and movement. But these imperfections give off a carefree attitude. To maximize space, we recommend a versatile color like white. Learn more about white shirts and their versatility with this guide to white shirts.
- Cotton-Linen Blends – Cotton-linen blends are a great option if you prefer a little more shape. It combines the breathability of linen with the structure of cotton.
- Short-Sleeve Camp Collar Shirts – This is a style of shirt with a relaxed, flat-lying collar, typically featuring a notch where it meets the shirt, making it one of the best casual vacation looks for men. These give off the feeling of being on vacation in Hawaii circa 1955. Because of their warm-weather association, these are usually made in lighter, more breathable fabrics. Get the full scoop on the camp collar and its history.
- Wrinkle-Resistant Dress Shirts – You might want something more polished if you have a dressier event or dinner at an upscale restaurant. Wrinkle-resistant shirts are easy to throw in the suitcase without worrying about wrinkles.
2. Lightweight Pants & Shorts: Breathability Meets Style
Vacation pants shouldn’t be an afterthought. Yes, people look at your shirt first, but like an infamous rug once did for a certain Mr. Lebowski’s room, pants tie the outfit together.
- Linen Pants – Linen chinos are incredibly dynamic because they can look casual with an untucked shirt or polished when styled with a jacket or dressier shirt. Some come with stretch-fit material that gives a little bend, adding to the comfort.
- Tropical Wool Trousers – Wool is often met with skepticism outside of winter settings, but the material is incredibly breathable. Tropical wool, if the name hasn’t given it away already, is a lighter version often woven in an open or plain weave, adding to the breathability. It resists wrinkles more than linen, so it’s great to pack if you like a more pressed look.
- Drawstring Trousers – A relaxed, modern take on vacation wear, drawstring pants are great for throwing over shorts or bathing suits and even more active pursuits like a tropical hike or beachside stroll.
3. Outerwear: Lightweight Layers for Breezy Evenings
If you skip the outer layer, you may spend most of a boat day tucked below deck and out of the wind. If that doesn’t convince you, your outer layer is also the best way to dress up a vacation outfit.
- Unlined Sport Coat – A breathable linen or cotton jacket is excellent for an evening out. An unlined jacket keeps you looking polished without overheating.
- Luxury Vest – Core warmth in a smart casual look — what’s not to love? The vest is key to men’s vacation outfits because it provides warmth and an elevated look without committing to a light jacket. It’s more laidback than a sport coat or jacket if you want to keep it casual. We recommend avoiding puffy options to save space in the suitcase.
4. Travel-Friendly Clothing: Wrinkle-Resistant & Easy to Pack
Packing efficiently is as important as choosing the right outfits. Look for wrinkle-free travel fabrics and maximize versatility.
How to Pack Light: Mix-and-Match Vacation Outfits for Maximum Versatility
Consider neutral colors and pieces; you can style them differently when mixing and matching. Give thought to the colors you plan on packing and how they might go together. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can grab everything you’re considering and lay it out, matching tops and bottoms to see how they go together. If you’re short on room but also worried about wearing the same thing a few times, avoid packing too many loud or recognizable patterns. Our Resort Capsule took nine pieces to make 24 outfit combinations. That’s likely more than you’ll pack, but it represents just how much mileage you can get out of your wardrobe when you combine thoughtfulness and versatility. For the best packable vacation clothes, avoid bulky items. Thinner fabrics are a win because they fit the warm-weather setting and take up less space. That said, they wrinkle the easiest, so if your priority is looking crisp, you should consider stretch materials, wrinkle-resistant clothes, and non-iron fabrics.
Additional Men’s Vacation Outfit Ideas
If you’re searching for additional men’s vacation outfit ideas, we encourage you to check out the previously mentioned Resort Capsule or our trending for spring category. For video, Proper Cloth shot a video in Tulum a few years back. While many of those pieces are no longer in stock, the footage serves as great inspiration for warm-weather vacation outfit ideas. Sometimes, it helps to bounce ideas off a real person. If you want to talk to someone about fit, sizing, or spring vacation recommendations, contact customer service for advice.
Confused by any terminology? Brush up on your menswear vernacular through our glossary.