I built my dream tropical vacation wardrobe at Amazon—and everything came out under $200

Don’t sleep on these affordable finds, starting at just $10.

The Ultimate Tropical Vacation Wardrobe

• Most versatile: Aoudery Button-down Oxford Shirt, $18 (originally $20)
• For chilly evenings: Styleword Casual Cardigan, $20
• Perfect for spring: Anrabess Striped Gingham Palazzo Pants, $20 (originally $30)
• From the streets to the beach: Hatisan Crochet Bag, $10 (originally $22)
• Dress up or down: Dokotoo Two-piece Set, $38

This winter was a rough one, with snowstorms, blizzards (yes, they’re different!), and below-freezing temperatures rocking New York and most of the country with seemingly no end in sight. However, for the better part of February, my mind was miles away, as I looked forward to a sun-soaked trip to the Dominican Republic—a brief reprieve from the dismal winter chill. The vacation was just the break I needed to power through to spring, but it also opened my eyes to some major holes in my packing list that I don’t exactly have the budget to fix.

After returning from my trip, I scoured Amazon with a strict spending cap of $200 to find the warm-weather travel pieces my closet was missing, and uncovered eight items I’ll be packing for my two upcoming beach vacations in the next month. Since versatility is key, each piece can be styled multiple ways—and every individual item sits under $40, including two-piece sets, beach bags, and more.

Related: 12 Rookie Packing Mistakes I Made on My First Cruise—and the Genius Items I Wish I Brought Instead, From $5

Zoye Chen Swimsuit Cover Up

$24 at Amazon

Packing for my trip to the Dominican Republic made it painfully obvious that one of the largest holes in my closet was beachwear—specifically cover-ups. I was missing a layer I could wear to the pool and the beach that was also suitable to pop into a casual restaurant if I wanted to enjoy a midday meal. Instead of my rigid denim shorts, I’d have been much better off packing this $24 button-down cover-up that’s lightweight and casual, not to mention easy to dress up if needed. It’s made from a silky viscose fabric that’ll keep me cool and protect my skin from the sun, and luckily, I’ll have another chance to wear it during a trip to Florida next month.

Anrabess Striped Gingham Palazzo Pants

Save 33%

$30 (33% Off) $20 at Amazon

I haven’t been able to get the gingham trend out of my mind since last summer, so I’m snagging the Anrabess Striped Gingham Palazzo Pants ahead of my next sunny trip. They’re designed with a stretchy elastic waistband, so they’re comfy enough to wear from the airport to the pool, plus the wide-leg design can be styled numerous ways, adding to the versatility of my packing list. These gingham pants would have been perfect for a night out at the Casa de Campo resort as the temperatures grew cooler, so they’ll no doubt make a valuable addition to your own tropical vacation packing list. 

Aoudery Button-down Oxford Shirt

$20 (10% Off) $18 at Amazon

I’ve always said that a plain white button-down is one of the most versatile wardrobe items to pack for trips to any destination, and this 100 percent cotton option is no exception. Seeing as I just tossed my old white button down, this has been a hole in my closet I was waiting to fill, and with more warm-weather trips on the horizon, now is the time to shop. I love that it can be worn as a beach cover-up, a layer to insulate me from the  ocean breeze, or even an elevated basic paired with some nice linen pants, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that it comes in a broad size range from XS to 5XL.

Dokotoo Two-piece Set

$38 at Amazon

When I’m on vacation, I like to look cute and put-together with as little effort as possible, and this Dokotoo Two-piece Set with a peplum tank would have been the perfect addition to my packing list. The flowy, wide-leg pants are exactly the style I like to stock up on for my travels, and both pieces are simple enough to be worn together or separately. This outfit would be easy to dress up for a nice dinner at the resort or even throw on for a day at the pool, and at $38 it’ll hardly make a dent in my travel budget.

Camptrace Sun Visor

Save 18%

$22 (18% Off) $18 at Amazon

This year, I’m aiming to be better about protecting my skin from the sun, and not relying only on the sunscreen I slather on like clockwork throughout the day. While I was able to avoid getting burnt during my trip to the DR, I do wish I had this flouncy sun visor in my personal item bag to wear by the beach and to the pool. It would shield my skin from the sun and level-up even my simplest poolside outfits—after all, it’s a best-seller at Amazon. Best of all, it rolls up tightly when it’s not being worn, so I won’t have to worry about it taking up extra space or getting crushed in my suitcase. 

Dokotoo Spaghetti Strap Maxi Dress

Save 16%

$36 (16% Off) $30 at Amazon

Maxi dresses are the cornerstone of my vacation wardrobe, and although I already have a closet overflowing with options, I couldn’t resist eyeing this Dokotoo Spaghetti Strap Maxi Dress with a gorgeous pattern that feels reminiscent of Lilly Pulitzer, but with a $30 price tag. The loose-fitting sheath dress looks just as nice with a pair of heels and a woven purse as it does thrown over a bathing suit with some sandals for a day at the pool, and the straps are adjustable, so I can find the ideal length that doesn’t drag along the ground as a petite traveler. 

Styleword Casual Cardigan

$20 at Amazon

I believe an oversized cardigan should have a spot on my packing list year-round, but on my last trip to the DR, it was the one thing I truly forgot to pack in my suitcase. If I had a second chance at my vacation, I would include this loose cardigan with pockets, so I could wear it during cooler mornings and evenings, as well as during my flight. It’s breathable without feeling gauzy, and the waffle design is unlike anything else I have in my closet right now. 

Hatisan Crochet Bag

Save 54%

$22 (54% Off) $10 at Amazon

A warm-weather vacation naturally calls for a purse to match the occasion, and after seeing the Hatisan Crochet Bag on sale for 54 percent off at Amazon, I know it would have been exactly what I needed on my packing list. This woven purse is large enough to fit a book, towel, and water bottle for the beach, but it’s also lightweight and sleek enough to bring to dinner or a night out. The real highlight, however, is that it folds down into itself when it’s not being used, so it won’t add any unnecessary heft to my suitcase during travel days.

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