Spring break is right around the corner, and for many college students that means a week away from schoolwork, spent laying in the sun at an undisclosed tropical location somewhere in Mexico that begins with “P” (Puerto Vallarta, Playa Del Carmen…). It’s also just a gross time of year, so I’m sure even those of you out of college are just itching to “get away from it all” by “escaping to a tropical resort.” Whatever your vaca reason, (as if you NEED one) I’ve got you covered.
If you’re anything like me, you can’t wait to feel the sand in your toes and the endless margaritas in-hand, but first you’ve got to pack. Ugh. I always dread this task before taking off on any vacation.
For the flight/drive there, you should layer a few items that will keep you warm in the colder weather you are (most likely) coming from but that can be shed quickly to make you warm-weather ready. Here is your travel outfit, which has pieces that can easily be incorporated into your getaway wardrobe.
This may come off as a no-brainer, but you wouldn’t believe how many guys I see wearing mesh shorts to go swimming…WHY DO YOU DO THAT?!
Swim shorts are made with one purpose…to go swimming. Don’t wear your land shorts in the water, get a pair of shorts made for the water. They dry faster, and they have a million different patterns and styles so you really can’t say you can’t find a single pair you like. And if it’s the mesh undies inside that are bothering you, they make some swimsuits without them, or you could even cut it out!
Need some options? Check out this Pinterest board.
No time is better than pre-spring-break to invest in a pair of nice sunglasses that will last you a lifetime or at least more than one season. I invested in my first pair of Ray-Bans my freshman year of college, and I still love them as much as I did the day I bought them.
I know you’re thinking “my flip-flops with the beer opener are the #1 solution to everything,” but please reconsider.
Last I heard, feet weren’t most people’s erotic body part of choice, so covering them up a little might make them more mysteriously attractive, kind of like that girl who sits in the back of class and occasionally answers a question with a poetic answer.
So my point is, cover your feet up with one of these shoes because they still feel beach-ready without being obnoxious about it. Bonus points because these minimal styles could work day and night.
Hoodies are typically known as sloppy college apparel that you wear to your 8AM lectures and hide under while you try to sleep, but that’s not always the case.
Prove the naysayers wrong by picking a more refined hoodie, then bring it everywhere. Throw it on with your swim trunk on a windy beach morning, or even over a collared shirt a la David Beckham if you’re going out and feeling daring.
Look for a hoodie that, at first glance, could be mistaken for a sweater. To do this, go for drapey, soft fabric without any graphic designs or zippers. Stripes are a bonus, because they give it a nautical touch, which is – by definition – related to the ocean and therefore perfect for spring break by the sea.
You’re going to want to bring more than one of these shirts, probably one for each day of the week – at least enough for 2/3 of the week. Opt for lighter fabric and brighter colors. Nothing bothers me more than people who wear black shirts to the beach (with the angry message like this); they give me secondhand sweat.
Keep riding the “ways to look good tan” train by wearing a soft pastel shirt for going out at night. Button ups in this color palette feel less “business casual” and more “I’m enjoying my first Cuban (cigar).”
I know in girl-world there is nothing worse than wearing the same thing as someone else. And I know this isn’t the same for guys, but if you and all your friends roll up to the club all wearing plaids, you guys come off looking like you just came from a lumberjack convention, but if you all wear your pastel shirts, you look like you are the Care Bears.
So agree to disagree and create variety amongst your buddies. Let Mark wear his soft plum shirt, Dan will wear gingham, Mike will wear plaid, and you will wear shirt number 3 because you are the daredevil. Then you guys can rotate for the next night.
You’re going to a tropical location, so I understand it’s hot. I don’t expect you to wear pants at night if it’s 90 degrees, so feel free to pair your shirt with some chino shorts. Dress the look down with your beach shoes, or dress it up with saddle shoes.
Calves were THE body part men liked to show off in the middle ages, so why you wouldn’t want to nowadays? Same goes for thighs. See that thigh muscle bulge on model 2? Hot. Just be sure to stay away from jorts.
Polo shirts are that great in-between dressiness when you don’t want to look over-dressed in a button down but you don’t want to look under-dressed in a tee. Dress ‘em up or dress ‘em down, polos have a put-together with out trying to hard look about them. They go with literally everything.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m not into dark colors in tropical locations. If there is anywhere NOT to wear black, it’s somewhere sunny, warm and close to the equator. So continue the trend of bright shirts into your pants, because if nothing else at least all the girls will see you, and probably think “this guy has really nice pants that I actually noticed.”
1: AG Jeans, $138
2: Gap, $45
3:Uniqlo, $45
Welcome to my men’s style blog. I’m Megan Collins.
I love helping guys look great; that’s why I’m here to give you the female perspective on men’s style.
Got a question? Ask away.
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