Design the Perfect Vacation Wardrobe with Celebrity Fashion Designer Timeekah Murphy

It’s no secret that your wardrobe can set the tone for the entire vibe of your trip. Whether you’re headed to a Jamaican beach or a weekend in Aspen, take some time to seriously consider how you want to feel when getting dressed for a day out on the town

“Clothes define your attitude so if I know I want to be breezy or cool, I’d think about that first like what emotion do you want to feel after getting dressed,” Murphy said.

Makes sure you take into account how you want to feel when packing your travel wardrobe. If you’re going to comfort be sure to pack clothing that matches that energy. If you’re going for a more upscale or luxury vibe, pack accordingly.

The worst thing in the world is not having the proper clothing for in-climate weather while you’re on vacation. Murphy says it’s important to pack your vacation wardrobe for the appropriate weather in the region you’re visiting.

“You don’t want to bring a hoodie or sweatsuit to Jamaica so make sure you pay attention to that,” Murphy said.

Weather.com projects the forecast internationally up to 10 days out so it may be worth it to take a look at the weather in the destination you’re traveling to. Once you check out the weather you can properly plan your perfect vacation wardrobe for your trip.

The shoes you choose to wear on vacation are just as important as the clothing pieces you select. Nothing ruins a good outfit like a dusty pair of shoes. So if you’re going for a fly look, make sure you’re on point from head to toe.

“Going from a crispy Nike to a dingy Nike makes a big difference in your wardrobe,” Murphy said.

It’s also a good idea to coordinate which shoes go with each other before heading out of town.

Murphy says accessories are another wardrobe addition that can make or break any outfit, especially when going on vacation. When you’re packing your suitcases, grab a small bag and use it to store your accessories. This can include everything from jewelry, sunglasses, scarves, belts, and more. It may even be worth the extra time matching which accessories go with which outfit too to save some time and space in your luggage. 

If you’re headed out of town for a destination wedding or major event and will be traveling with a custom garment, Murphy highly suggests bringing the garment as a carry-on instead of putting it in your checked bag. 

“Do not put that thing under the plane in the luggage bag,” she said. “Take it with you because it definitely needs to be cared for. The last thing you want to do is bring a custom piece and when it’s delivered to you, that expensive garment is ruined.”

Whereas most people preach to travel as efficiently and minimalistic as possible, Murphy encourages travelers to always overpack if they’re trying to put together the perfect vacation wardrobe. Murphy says it’s better to have more clothing options than not enough so there’s no harm in packing double to ensure you have everything you need. 

Depending on what outfits you’ll be wearing, make sure you have the proper undergarments to match the clothing. You may want to take time to try on your outfits before packing them so you can determine what undergarments you may need. It would suck to have to go to the mall in the middle of your trip to grab Spanx or a half bra because you didn’t think to pack them when you had the chance.  

Still, inconveniences do arise when traveling especially with wardrobe. So Murphy suggests having a garment budget set aside specifically for these matters. You never know when a wardrobe malfunction may occur or those seemingly disastrous moments where a garment doesn’t fit might happen, so it’s important to have some extra garment money available in case you do need to run to a mall before heading out on the town.

Murphy says above everything else, travelers should prioritize and manage their time when designing the perfect wardrobe for their trip. She says travelers should pack first and then worry about the other aspects of their trip and everything will fall into place afterward.

“People should do their wardrobe and then worry about everything else because once you get the wardrobe out of the way, everything else comes easy,” she said.