My Vermont Vacation Was So Chill—But My Packing List Featured 18 Pieces of Pure Maximalism

I’ve always been a city girl at heart, but in my opinion, the best way to stay in love with New York City is to leave it periodically. Something about a sharp change of pace for a few days resets me and leaves me ready to return to the hustle and bustle by the end of the trip. So I was more than ready to escape the 100+ degree heatwave in NYC and head to the top of Vermont for a week at a little lakeside cabin.

We visit my family in Vermont every summer, but this was our longest trip yet (a full week!). We were bringing our dog and all her accoutrements, so I had to be thoughtful about space for my packing strategy. I created an efficient list for a summer nature retreat full of swimming and relaxation. Read on for what I packed and how I mixed and matched the pieces during a beautiful week in the Northeast Kingdom.

At Least Three Swimsuits

Swimwear comes first during a week on the lake. My rule of thumb is to pack at least one swimsuit for every two days, so I never have to put a damp bikini back on. I love a good two-piece, but for this trip I ended up going with three fun yet unfussy one-pieces, all ideal for floating in the cool mountaintop lake until my fingers were wrinkled prunes.

The first suit I packed was this shockingly soft, striped one-piece from Adore Me (which also comes in classic black). The built-in cups keep everything in place while splashing around, and it is a breeze to get on and off. My beloved magenta swimsuit by City Chic is another cute and comfortable option, and the bust detail gives the classic silhouette some visual interest.

To mitigate the risk of wild tan lines, I saved my crochet cut-out suit from Adore Me for morning and evening swims. Rotating between these three, I had enough for a week of frequent swimming without ever having to wrangle a wet bathing suit back on my body.

Three Pairs of Shorts

The heatwave that hit the entire East Coast even affected Northern Vermont, so I knew I needed lots of lightweight options with me. For maximum efficiency, I brought shorts in three different styles.

I consider cut-off shorts the perfect thing to throw on top of a swimsuit for a quick outfit change. I went with these Abercrombie & Fitch’s low-rise cut-offs, which also elevated casual daytime looks. The brand’s Curve Love denim is excellent for anyone with a hard-to-shop-for waist-to-hip difference, and they come in a variety of cuts and rises (I’m currently eyeing these high-rise dad shorts).

I also packed my current favorite pair: these jorts from JCPenney’s Ashley Graham Collection. I’ve tried a bunch of long-line jean shorts in this trending silhouette, and none of them come close to fitting plus-size bodies as well as these do. I wore these a few times throughout the week, including on a trip to a brewery.

I rounded out my shorts collection with a lightweight linen pair from Lane Bryant (mostly sold out, but here’s a similar style). I love how breathable linen is. These also pack down to a very small size, so they’re a great way to add some variety to a duffel-sized luggage allotment.

Two Pairs of Relaxed Jeans

Vermont nights can get chilly, and the lakeside mosquitos are no joke, so I knew I wanted some pants in the mix, too. I ended up with two wide-leg pairs with stretchy elements for maximum comfort.

My first pair was these baggy cargo jeans with a scrunchy elastic tie waist—non-negotiable for long drives. I wore them during many board game nights with my niece and nephew on the porch, and again on the trip back to NYC, which included a pit stop at Dog Mountain, a gorgeous park and tribute to our furry friends created by the late Vermont-based artist Stephen Huneck. (If you are a dog lover and are ever nearby, it is a must-visit, but be warned you will cry in the Dog Chapel!)

If you want more versatility, I’d suggest straight-leg jeans for your second pair. I, however, was fully committed to comfort and chose wide-leg denim with lots of stretch. This particular pair is from Ulla Popken and, unfortunately, sold out in most sizes, but other ultra-wide-leg styles with elastane in the fabric will offer the same feel. (Might I suggest a substitute from Spanx?)

I wore these on a morning trip to the adorable Sunday farmers market in Littleton, New Hampshire, where we picked up fresh flowers, locally grown produce, and a giant chocolate-chunk sourdough loaf—heaven!

Two Cotton Tees

I’ve become a big fan of Old Navy’s basics lately, and this crew neck tee is a perfect example of why. The cut is classic and relaxed, and the price point is so reasonable that I didn’t worry when I spilled my iced latte 10 minutes into the market. After a stain-removing session, I also wore this shirt on the drive home. It was comfy and breathable even when we were stuck in endless Connecticut traffic as we neared New York.

I also brought a cropped tee from Tamara Malas in one of her signature unique prints (this one is a delightful, hand-drawn thumbprint doodle motif!). The shirt was just the thing for a trip to a local diner and an afternoon at a scenic brewery with the whole family.

Two Ribbed Tanks

I also brought a few of my go-to high-neck tanks from Madewell, along with another Old Navy basic that has become a summer staple: the brand’s scoop-neck ribbed tank. It’s great for wearing alone or as a base layer, and doesn't take up much luggage space.

One Oversized Linen Button-Down

Linen button-downs have become a summer hero item for me. They provide sun coverage when needed, look chic open or closed, and are the perfect addition to a basic look that could use a little extra something. For the latter, I wore this whimsical summer print for a day “in town,” as we refer to trips to St. Johnsbury's charming Main Street.

Three Comfortable Sandals

Going into this trip, I knew I wasn’t going to do any real hiking, so I stuck with a variety of sandals. These three styles were all I needed for the week:

Birkenstock Arizonas may be the subject of ongoing fashion debates, but there’s no question that they’re the best shoe for a week in Vermont. These sandals are particularly good on summer road trips, as the soft, comfortable footbed features arch support that I so need for long drives (a lesson I learned the hard way after attempting a long drive in flip-flops years ago!). I wore these more than any other shoe I packed.

I wasn’t kidding when I said these Beek Gallito slides are incredibly comfortable—they have been in regular rotation all summer, as they can accessorize outfits from casual to fancy-adjacent. I also packed these aptly named platform flip-flops from Crocs for walking down to the water to swim and taking our almost 14-year-old puppy out for her morning walks.

Two Handbags

As someone who switches purses on pretty much a daily basis, narrowing my bags down to two was no easy feat. I decided to go for one sporty crescent sling (the Jansport Unphased Crossbody), and one neutral crochet market tote.

Between the two, I had a bag that worked with every vacation outfit throughout the week. While the crescent became my everyday bag for quick jaunts, the crochet carry-all not only fulfilled its purpose at the farmers market but was big enough to hold my laptop on days when we worked at the (good Wi-Fi) cafe in town.