At the beginning of January, I fulfilled my dreams of traveling to Hawaii and it was amazing, to say the least. We swam in the bluest waters and hiked next to the greenest greens. While it seemed crazy packing twenty outfits + a dozen swimsuits for our ten-day trip, to my surprise, I ended up wearingallbut three items in my suitcase!
That being said, today I’m recapping everything I wore while sharing direct links for you to shop the items. Throughout this trip, I quickly learned which items were practical/not and racked up quite the list of must-haves/things to leave at home.
For reference, I visited Hawaii in January and it was eighty degrees and sunny every day. The winter is also known as their “rainy season” so almost every afternoon it would rain for about thirty minutes leaving things muggy and wet. Temperatures drop to the sixties in the evening so a few light layers are definitely needed. And, becuase there is so much more to do in Hawaii besides just lay on the beach, you’ll want to pack a wide variety of items.
As per usual, I’m giving you the full scoop throughout this post! Enjoy.
(click pink text for links to clothingitems and/or photo locations)
TRAVEL DAY
There’s nothing I love more than a matching set for a day of travel. We had a long flight from Los Angeles to Hawaii so something comfy was a must. I loved that this set came with a cami-style top. I popped a hoodie over for the flight and shed the layer as soon as we stepped off the plane. Plus, this color was perfect! You can find me wearing these high top sneakers almost every travel day.
As for this fanny pack, it’s Lululemon and was life-changing on this trip. Adds a cute touch toe very outfit + is so convenient having all of your essentials within easy access.
set // sneakers // fanny pack
photo location✈ 441 Lewers Street
OFF TO THE BEACH
Spending our first day in Hawaii at the beach. We quickly learned that people here wear swimsuits just about anywhere, even to grab their morning coffee. So I slipped into a cute kini and then popped over a white linen two-piece set. I ended up mixing and matching these pieces quite a bit throughout our trip. You def need a pair of flowy shorts and a light long sleeve layer like this button-up for the evening as temperatures do drop quite a bit.
photo location✈ Honolulu Coffee
Downtown Days
Trucker hats are back and better than ever this season. I figured this trip was the perfect time to pull out this smiley face one. It matched this pink top + white shorts combo perfectly. Of course, I had to slip into my white high tops and added a simple baguette bag to match!
top // shorts // sneakers // hat // purse
photo location✈ 441 Lewers Street
Keeping It Simple
I didn’t get a great photo in this fit but it was perfect for outdoor dining that I felt the need to include it in this outfit guide! As I said, it does get a little chillier at night here so definitely bring a pair of jeans. I just got this straight-leg pair from Express and have been wearing them a ton, especially throughout this trip. Keep em cuffed for a chill vibe. This tank is a sweater-like material with a fun open back.
As for shoes I have on a pair of baby block-heeled mules from Steve Madden. I have these in two colors and they were the only “nicer” shoe I ended up wearing on this trip.Leave your heels at home;I promise you won’t need/wear them. However, something short like these, that are easily walkable, can come with!
tank // jeans // shoes // purse
photo location✈ Waikiki Food Hall
Streetside Sass
Before dinner one evening, Sam and I set out to grab some streetside photos. I got these adorable matching sets from Zaful and they were so fun to photograph. Definitely a little dressy for your typical Hawaiian night out, but still a fun photo op. Plus, these pants are so flattering along your tush.
photo location✈ 441 Lewers Street Crossroad
Rainforest Hike
Off to the rainforest for a morning, hike to see the waterfall! For this event, I wore my favorite Spanx pieces together. I swear by their longline sports bras as they are long enough to be worn on their own as a cropped tank. I also love their Get Moving Skorts. Have them in every color but black is definitely my most worn. They have built-in shorts + pockets which are both pluses.
Definitely do not wear white sneakers like I did and make sure to have a fanny pack and bug spray on hand!
sports bra // skirt // sneakers // fanny pack
photo location✈ Manoa Falls Trail
Coffee Date
Popped on this cute tee shirt dress for coffee and donuts. Something casual yet bright and happy like this piece is exactly what you’ll see tourists wearing around the area! Sneakers kept this fit casual and a matching claw clip was just what my humidity-ridden hair needed to keep it tamed.
dress // sneakers // claw clip // purse
photo location✈ Holey Grail Food Truck
Just Another Beach Day
Another day at the beach calls for a bright, happy bikini. This one is from Shop Aurelle and runs true to size. Rather than a cover-up, I’m slipping a pair of denim shorts over my bikini bottoms and calling it a day. These are from Princess Polly and I like them more than any other pair of denim shorts I’ve ever had. Amust.As for my straw bag, she’s new from Banana Republic and I carried her around for most of the week. Can be worn on the crook of your arm or as a crossbody which is a plus!
bikini // shorts // bag // sunglasses
photo location✈ Waikiki Beach Access
Balcony Beach Fit
I know, I know tons of photos along our balcony. Our Airbnb had the best view so I made sure to take multiple photos along it. This suit is another Aurelle find. It runs a little small so I would definitely recommend sizing up. Added tons of gold jewels and a cute straw visor to complete this beach fit.
photo location✈ 441 Lewers Street
Palm Tree Laying
I loved this suit the second I laid eyes on it. I knew this blue and orange tropical print would be perfect for Hawaii and that it was. It has a tiny triangle top and cheeky bottoms to match. Lug a floppy hat 4,000 miles across the country. I promise it’s worth it for the photos.
photo location✈ Kulaoa Ranch
Surfs Up
If you’re doing any sort of surfing, paddleboarding, or water activity, I highly recommend this suit. It’s a long-sleeve one-piece and acts almost like a wetsuit, keeping you protected from the sun. I love the zipper front detail—you can leave it all the way up or even down to give it a plunging effect. I promise you’ll get lots of use out of a suit like this in Hawaii!
photo location✈ Kulaoa Ranch
Orange You Glad
Having myself the perfect beach day in this smocked suit. For starters, this bright orange is everything + makes you look so incredibly tan. I’ve got dozens of suits but this is by far one of my favorites, the triangle style top is incredibly flattering + gives you a basic tan line. As for these bottoms, they sit high up on your hips to slim the waist and elongate your legs.
photo location✈ Kulaoa Ranch
Exploring Pearl Harbor
This is another outfit that I *sadly* didn’t get that great of a photo in (sorry!). However, it was perfect for a day at Pearl Harbor so I’m including it regardless. You def want a tank top and shorts for this, no matter what time of year it is! It gets hot being outside all day and the sun is beating on the boats. I loved these light linen shorts—not too fancy but not too casual.
I got these color-blocked sneakers specifically for this trip and they matched beautifully. They have several different colors in them so they match a ton of outfits and were very comfortable for a day of walking around. Don’t forget sunglasses!
top // shorts // sneakers // fanny pack
photo location✈ Pearl Harbor USS Missouri
Beach Babe
Sam and I wandered off to Lanaki Beach for the afternoon and I wore this adorable suit from SheIn. I’m obsessed with the mix of bright colors and these triangle tops this season! These bottoms are ruched so they are super minimal in coverage. For that reason, I popped on these white knit beach pants to cover up a bit! They are (obviously) super breathable and make this more of an “outfit”.
bikini // pants // shoes // sunglasses // bag
photo location✈ Lanikai Beach
Up In The Sky
I wore this bikini for a day at the Ko Olina Lagoons and it was perfect. I love this tropical print and the bright blue! Everything about these triangle tops is ideal. Not only are they crazy flattering but they give you a very basic tanline without moving around too much. These bottoms have a straight across fit that can be pulled a little higher up on the hips. They run a little big so I recommend sizing down.
photo location✈ Ko Olina Lagoons
Peachy Keen
I’ve never gotten as many questions about a bikini as this one! It’s from SheIn and is adorable yet so tiny. These bandeau-style tops are adorable but definitely don’t work if you have a larger chest. As for the bottoms, the coverage along the back is next to nothing. Just a heads up!
photo location✈ Ko Olina Lagoons
Coffee Date
Morning coffee along our balcony in a cute two-piece set. I brought so much green on this trip and honestly loved it. I felt so happy wearing so much color. This two-piece was complete with a halter tank and a mini skirt. Both pieces look adorable together and yet can be worn separately to get three outfits for the price of one. I always recommend sets on vacation as they help maximize your space + outfit choices. Those slip-on Steve Madden shoes were perfect with this. They are a great neutral that pairs well with everything.
photo location✈ Residence Inn Kapolei
Another Fav Kini
One last bikini for ya! As you can tell, I did my fair share of swimsuit wearing on this trip. Honestly, it felt so good to be in a bikini laying under the sun. My body needed the Vitamin D badly! This bikini is another fav however, similar to the pink floral one, it’s super tiny in coverage all around. Bandeau tops are ideal though for no tan lines!
photo location✈ Residence Inn Kapolei
On The Move
We switched locations a few times throughout our trip and on the morning we checked into a new hotel, I was wearing this fun color-blocked dress from Princess Polly. It’s a light, sweater-like material so it was ideal for the morning time before temperatures rose too much. It’s got a crazy flattering neckline and although a bodycon, it felt casual thanks to the color. I wore the pink version of those baby mules to give me a little lift. This transitioned into a downtown stroll + lunch fit beautifully!
photo location✈ Residence Inn Kapolei
Poolside
Sitting poolside in the cutest swimmie you’ve ever seen! This olive green one-piece is among the most flattering in my collection with a high-leg cut and a plunging neckline. Don’t get me wrong it’s definitely not the most practical for swimming or tanning but it sure makes for a cute photo
photo location✈ Residence Inn Kapolei
Sky Watch
Mini white linen dresses are absolutely the vibe here in Hawaii. People were wearing theme everywhere with simple sandals or even flip-flops. You can’t go wrong + they are so easy to toss over a swimsuit after a long beach day. Size up in this one as it did shrink up a bit in the wash!
photo location✈ Hyatt Centric Waikiki
Off To Dinner
Keeping things simple for dinner out. This olive green tank has the cutest ruched cups and a lace-up detail along the back that’s so fun. it comes in a few colors and is one of my fav tanks from Zaful! As I said, it does cool down at night so jeans were a must. I wore these Express ones several times since they were the perfect wash + casual enough.
I cuffed them and slipped into straw heels. I bring these on every tropical vacation ever. They pair with everything—honestly the only reason I didn’t wear them more was that flat shoes were more ideal for walking around.
photo location✈ Residence Inn Kapolei
Luau Love
One of my favorite things that we were able to do throughout our trip was to attend a luau. Everyone who is coming to Hawaii for the first time needs to go to one… I was nervous as to what to wear but decided I couldn’t go wrong with something colorful + flowy. This two-piece set ended up being perfect. Not too casual + not too fancy.
It’s definitely a dress type of function but something to cover your legs is a must. I ended up wearing pink mules to match and popped a white button-up over top to keep my arms covered too!
photo location✈ Sea Life
A Day of Exploring
On our last day, we did a little bit of exploring around the North Shore, stopping at tons of different food spots to enjoy the good eats. This white two-piece set was a fan favorite. I love that the bottoms look like a skirt but are actually shorts—ideal for a photo op and still being able to move around.
I kept things simple with just a pair of white flip-flops and added a pop of color with this cute tote. Tote bags are another must for this trip. They fold up super easily but are ideal for packing a change of clothes/throwing them on the ground. We used this one a ton
photo location✈ Halone Blowhole
Something Casual
This tank top waswornlet me tell you! I didn’t bring another casual tank so I ended up wearing this numerous times whether it be hanging around the hotel with leggings or with a pair of denim shorts for strolling around. Love this color combo and highly recommend bringing a few casual pieces like it.
tank top // shorts // sunglasses
photo location✈ Dole Plantation
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Having never been to Hawaii and doing no prior research on what to bring with me, I felt as though I did aprettygood job on packing for this trip. Don’t get me wrong, I obviously wore more than the average person throughout this trip for the sake of getting content + photos taken, however, even if I were there “normally” I found as though two outfits a day were still necessary as every activity is so different from the last.
Don’t forget to pack flip-flops, sunscreen, and a few extra tee shirts. You’ll have an absolute blast, I promise. Stay tuned for my Hawaii travel guide, chock full of restaurant, hotel, and activity recommendations next!
With love, McKenz
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