20 Easy & Dapper Summer Vacation Must-Haves

2. The Casual (Short Sleeve) Sport Shirt. Just because we’re suggesting pieces that can easily mix-and-match, doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate some color. The small diamond print on James Campbell’s short sleeve shirt breaks up the red ground, and the enzyme finish gives it a muted tone that looks great with jeans – both the denim ones in this list and the grey twill from Clothes & Conversation - for a night out. It pops nicely under a navy blazer, too. For a day of sightseeing, you can just as easily wear it with basic, tan shorts. The modern fit is the ideal middle ground between gentleman (relaxed) and contemporary (trim), so it works on most every gent.

3. The Perfect Polo. The polo style knit shirt was originally created by a tennis player and some of the best ones continue to come out of the world of tennis. Fred Perry was a star English tennis player in the 1930’s, and this polo from that line is made of high-quality pique cotton that has sporty tipping for timeless character. The contemporary, slimmer fit is very comfortable but gives a more refined look to your shorts, jeans and khakis. It comes in many colors through the ‘shop it’ button, and we’re picking this sky blue for it’s neutrality and summery feel.

4. The Linen Shirt. A white linen shirt is a summer classic and great for travel, assuming your destination isn’t cold. Whether you roll up the sleeves with your shorts or give it a dressier feel under your blazer, the casually cool look of this fine quality Irish linen will deliver. J.Crew went to one of Ireland’s best linen resources, Baird McNutt, to create this modern-fitting shirt, and it won’t disappoint. Linen looks best with a little wrinkle to it, so this is a great option to pack since ironing is not required. Tip: hang it in the bathroom while showering to let the steam relax any hard creases.

5. The 2-in-1 Reversible Shorts. What can be better than a pair of reversible shorts for vacation? You get two shorts and only need to pack one. So, if you were glancing through this list and wondering where the basic shorts are…they’re here. The other side of these modern fitting Tailor Vintage shorts is a simple, solid stone. Click through the ‘shop it’ button to see the alternate images. Wear the plaid size with any white, blue, or orange top…and then wear the other side with everything else. The 10½” inseam hits at the knee for a modern Bermuda length, so it’s appropriate in many settings.

6. The All Purpose Sport Shirt. Keeping your shirt patterns classic and easy is key to easy vacation packing. Peter Millar’s relaxed, modern fit and timeless gingham check works with all the neutrally colored bottoms and denim in this week’s lists, and looks dapper under the blue sport coat you pack. For a similar contemporary fitting option, J.Crew has a great alternative that fills all the same needs.

7. The Unstructured Blazer. We are big believers in having a blazer with you on vacation – you can even wear it on your travel day, since those extra pockets for tickets and passports always come in handy. (And let’s face it, it’s not unheard of to find that gate and flight attendants tend to be nicer to gents that are well dressed.) This cotton blend softly, constructed sport coat from Robert Talbott has a relaxed, modern fit and look that is vacation-right. The rich blue is just the right shade to work with any color bottoms, and dark wash jeans. The patterned button up and white linen shirts in this list look great under it for a nice evening out.

8. The Essential T-shirt. We talked about the merits of a quality t-shirt in this week’s Clothes and Conversation, and our other favorite is from James Perse. This one has a somewhat trimmer, contemporary fit and the amazing quality of the textured cotton is visible, so you’ll have a polished look with your shorts, pants and jeans. After all, no one wants to look like a crass tourist, while tooling around a new town, right? James Perse is known for using the finest materials and paying attention to the details, so this shirt will hold up to endless wears. We are picking the bluestone pigment color shown here for it’s versatility for everything in today’s list, but there are many great colors to choose from through the ‘shop it’ button.

9. The Pop of Color. We’ve been picking a lot of neutral blues, stones, and greys to make mix-and-matching a breeze. But that also means a couple of color pops will incorporate into your vacation look with ease. And what might feel a bit bold for the golf course at home, looks great on vacation. Vineyard Vines preppy aesthetic is ideal for these Sunrise orange soft cotton twill shorts. It’s a color that pairs with any of the blue t-shirts and polos we’ve picked in this list, and of course works with any neutral – like the white linen shirt, beige hooded sweater, or a simple grey t-shirt. The timeless fit and 9” inseam hits that hits slightly above the knee is perfect for short and tall gents, alike.

10. The Go-to Jeans. Besides the obvious appeal of a great pair of jeans to wear on a travel day, dark wash denim will get you through a lot vacation activities – from sightseeing to dinner. These Joe’s jeans have a deep hue, but with a touch of light fading and whiskering for that effortless finish, ideal for vacation. They have a classically modern fit and timeless straight leg, with a touch of tencel and stretch for added comfort. For a trimmer, contemporary fit these Joe’s are a winning alternative.

11. The Relaxed Pants. We know a lot of gents love the comfort of track style pants for travel. So, let’s keep them current and stylish with this pair from Michael Kors. The elasticized drawstring waist and modern, relaxed fit make them seriously comfortable, while the slightly tapered leg with ankle cuffs give them the right amount of athletic sophistication, so you can wear them while you’re doing sightseeing or traveling.

12. The “Be Prepared” Jacket. It’s not an ideal way to spend a vacation, but this jacket will keep any rainy or super windy day from being a complete wash out. This showerpass jacket is completely waterproof and wind resistant. It’s designed for biking, but that just means it’s going to seriously protect you from the weather with its adjustable cuffs, and cinchable hem and hood. Aside from the technical bells and whistles, it’s just good-looking – especially in the featured rust orange. It is easy to pack and a piece you will surely appreciate if you are caught in the rain.

13. Yes, The Workout Gear. Whether you’re a runner exploring the streets of a new city or taking advantage of the hotel’s gym, these Brooks shorts will get the job done. Following our mantra of mixing-and-matching and packing items with multiple uses, these shorts have both fashion and function. They are highly rated by running magazines, with 4-way stretch and wicking properties to fit well and help keep you dry. And they also have functional pockets, an appropriate 10” length, and good-looking woven fabric to also make them a stylish and functional option for a casual vacation day.

14. The Functional Tote. In Clothes & Conversation, we picked a roomy tote if you’ll have a lot of stuff to carry with you throughout your trip. Oftentimes, though, a smaller bag is really all you’ll need. And if that’s more you, this sling back bag is just awesome. It’s easier to deal with than a backpack and still allows your hands to be free – great for a day of sightseeing or traveling, and still big enough for a tablet or smaller computer on the plane. And let’s face it, it’s just plain great-looking. It’s made by Master-Piece, a Japanese company that has been making innovative, high-quality bags like this one since 1994. The quality really is top notch, with a durable and lightweight nylon fabric that is trimmed with leather, and well thought out usability. The interior has organizer pockets and a secured zipper closer. There is also an exterior zip pocket for your phone and other items you want to get to quickly. The strap is adjustable, so it will fit on any gent seamlessly.

15. The Hat. It may seem obvious, but it’s an easy accessory to overlook – especially if you’re thinking about exploring a new town over hanging out on a beach every day. But it’s a must-have in both setting, since you’ll need to keep the sun off your face and off the top of your head. Bucket hats have returned to the men’s fashion scene and since they are so practical, we are on board. They provide more overall shade and coverage and are easy to pack or stuff in a pocket. Katin’s version had a good-sized brim and a cool washed blue color that reverse to and equally neutral sage, so you can wear it with everything.

16. The Practical Shoes. If your vacation involves lots of walking, the most important item in your suitcase is going to be your walking shoes. Sore, achy feet ruin a vacation, so this is not the place to be cheap. Designed for running, these Asics are consistently rated as one of the best walking shoes, too. All of the iconic technology used in designing these sneakers work to absorb impact and provide maximum support, and the open mesh upper is breathable to keep your feet comfortable all day. While they are available in a lot of sporty color combinations, we’re suggesting this grey combination. It is neutral and subtle, so they will look perfectly appropriate with all of your shorts, khakis and jeans. And hey, if you’ll be getting in some workouts, you now have one less pair of shoes to pack.

17. The Other Shoes. As much as we want to minimize the amount of shoes we pack (unlike some of our female travel partners), the reality, gents, is that you need to have an alternative to sneakers or flip flops on vacation – especially if you’re hitting a city. So make it a really versatile pair, like these Milkshake tan nubuck oxfords. They’re a great neutral that work with denim, stone, white and pops of color, too. The combination of Cole Haan’s comfortable fits and Todd Snyder’s snappy design will have you going out to dinner – and then walking around your chosen destination – in style and ease.

18. The Sunglasses. A critical vacation item, your sunglasses need to protect your eyes from both UV and UA rays, be comfortable, look good and be easy to store away. And all that means one thing – you need the Foldable Wayfarers from Ray-Ban. This style not only a truly classic, but it’s also a current fashion staple. Since they’re from Ray-Ban, you know all your optic protection needs are covered. And the foldable style makes it so easy to always have your sunglasses with you. They fold up small enough to even just put in your pocket. We’re directing you to Ray-Ban website, where they offer free shipping and free returns to make your life easy and your decision making a breeze.

19. The Tech Savior. If you find yourself traveling between countries or between continents, make sure you can always charge your devices with this grounded electrical adaptor from Tumi. It has four different plug configurations that work in 150 different countries. It even comes with its own nylon case to protect it in your bag. We’re directing you to Tumi’s website, where they offer free shipping and returns, so you can buy with confidence.

20. The PJ’s. When you’re lounging around your room, or answering the door for room service, make sure you don’t forget a comfortable pair of pajama bottoms. J.Crew always does these well, with some really soft materials. These are cotton in a timeless stripe that you’ll love for years. They always have nice attention to detail too, like a comfortable elastic and drawstring waist, and pocket details. The fit is typical J.Crew – modern and “everyman”. Feel free to size up if you want a truly relaxed fit.