What to Pack on Spring Break 2022
by Corinne Dottori
Spring break is the time to kick back and relax after a hectic Mardi Gras and midterm season. However, there is nothing worse than forgetting the essentials during this restful period. Below I have compiled a list of the essentials depending on where you’re going for Spring Break 2022.
Beach
One of the most highly sought-after destinations for spring break is the beach, so if this sounds like your travel plans, lucky you! Once you have booked your flights and found a place to stay, the real work comes in - what to bring! Below are three essentials when traveling to the beach for Spring Break 2022.
Swimsuits
For those looking for a traditional feminine swimsuit, I suggest a crochet strappy bikini or one-piece. The upcoming Summer 2022 trend for swimwear seems to be crochet all day! In addition, bathing suits adorned with many straps / key-hole cut-outs seem to be on the rise. If this seems like something you might be interested in, check out the Eliza Crochet Halter Bikini Top from Frankies Bikinis. Best part… it’s on MAJOR sale!
For those of you looking for swim trunks, the Summer 2022 trend seems to be color blocking and shorter inseams. If this doesn’t sound like something you’d be a fan of, don’t fret because another upcoming trend seems to be the exact opposite. That being, camouflage print with a typical 6-7 inch inseam. Depending on your preference, here are two options that’ll keep your most fashionable foot forward without breaking the bank. The Aquatic Libations 4" Stretch (Zipper Back Pocket) from Chubbies and Camo Swim Short from Banana Republic.
Beach Towel
Bringing a beach towel seems pretty obvious, however, I find myself forgetting to bring one 99% of the time, leading to some pretty uncomfortable sand situations. If you already have a beach towel, great! But if you’re on the hunt we suggest Brooklinen’s Beach Towel. Not only is it a funky and fun pattern, but it comes in different four colors. This towel is $65, which might seem a tad pricey. However, Brooklinen is a sustainable brand that aims to reduce carbon emissions and textile waste through its direct-to-consumer business model. Can you really put a price on saving the environment?
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must-have when going on a beach vacation. Recently, there have been lawsuits filed against sunscreen brands such as Aveeno and Neutrogena due to high levels of a carcinogen (benzene). Unfortunately, we found ourselves using these sunscreen products, but have since transitioned to Elta MD. Elta MD is a 100% mineral sunscreen with no fragrance or parabens which help to combat irritation some individuals face when applying sunscreen. Another great clean sunscreen option is from Public Goods. This sunscreen is composed of natural ingredients and is a great option for an affordable sunscreen.
Mountains
Whether you going camping or glamping, taking a trip to the mountains should be a relaxing experience. Keep calm with our packing list:
Shoes!
Hiking Boots: When going to the mountains, there is a good chance you will spend time hiking some beautiful trails. Although beautiful, many of these trails can be treacherous and require a solid pair of hiking boots. In order to be both fashionable and functional, I suggest bringing a pair of Timberland Hiking Boots. Our favorite women’s boots are the Euro Hiker Mixed-Media Waterproof Boots while the highly-rated MT. Maddsen Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots are a great option for men. Both boots come in a variety of colors and provide water protection for the times you might find yourself ankle-deep in a creek.
Shower Shoes: When camping, there are sometimes stops along the trail (or in the vicinity of your campsite) where you can find a shower. If you are lucky enough to find a shower, you’d kick yourself if you failed to bring shower shoes. I suggest buying the Classic Crocs Slide. I know keeping up with the trends might be your last shower thought, but believe it or not, Crocs are coming back into style. Even better, these slides are 50% off!
2. Backpack
When going to the mountains, one of the most important things to bring is a reliable backpack. Cotopaxi’s Del Dia backpack is 20 x 11 x 7 inches, has a multitude of visible (and hidden) pockets, and its lightweight mesh shoulder straps are ideal so that your shoulders won’t hurt during those long walks. What I love about Cotopaxi is their use of recycled nylon. Not only does this mean that Cotopaxi practices sustainability, but I love their uniqueness, as “no two bags are exactly alike” due to the way they source their nylon (aka - the apparent colors of each bag).
3. Water bottle
On trips where you’re being active, hydration is an absolute must. When time gets away from you because of all the fun you’re having, it can be hard to keep up with your daily water intake. This water bottle from HydroMate makes staying on top of your hydration easy as it has marks indicating how much water you should have drank at a specific time in the day. Another great thing about this BPA-free water bottle is that it fits a gallon of water, thus limiting the amount of time you have to refill your water bottle to just once a day.
Home
The beach and the mountains are both great options, but Dorothy was right when she said, “there’s no place like home.” Some of our best spring breaks have involved going home to relax with my family, friends, and of course, pets! However, just because you’re going home doesn’t mean you don’t have anything to bring! Below are a few items I would bring home this spring break.
Mardi Gras Throws
During the Mardi Gras parades, I know we all can’t wait to get the adrenaline rush of catching a throw, but once we get home, they oftentimes end up at the very back of our closets (well, mine do, at least). So, in order to save your precious mementos and limit clutter, take your Zulu Coconuts and Muses High Heels home for the whole family to enjoy!
2. A New Book
If you’re a hopeless romantic like myself, I suggest bringing home the book Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover. If this genre appeals to you, you will get absolutely lost in the pages during your bus, plane, or train ride home. Now, if this isn’t your cup of tea, I recommend reading The Defining Decade by Meg Jay. Most of us are either in our twenties or quickly approaching; this book will help make sense of some of the obstacles you might be facing and is just an overall insightful read.
3. Post Cards
We might not think about it a whole lot, but we go to school in such an eclectic, culturally rich, and just plain cool city! When going home, I think it’s thoughtful to bring back some New Orleans postcards to give out to friends and family. One of my favorite card stores is Lionheart Prints on Magazine Street; my favorite purchase I have made here is their Mystery Bag. 5 cards come in a paper bag where you don’t know exactly what kind of cards you’re getting, but let me tell you, I’ve never been disappointed! If you want to bring a piece of your new home back home, I suggest a classic New Orleans post-card to do just that.