Men's Health July 27, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock the Ultimate Summer Trip Packing Secrets That Style Editors Don’t Want You to Know—Boost Your Travel Game Now!

Ever found yourself unpacking a suitcase only to realize you brought a dozen T-shirts but forgot your underwear? Trust me, after hopping on at least one flight a month this summer—from the Caribbean shores to family visits down South and gearing up for a friend’s birthday bash in Saint Maarten—I’ve learned that packing smart is the real game changer. It’s not just about stuffing your bag with clothes; it’s about tailoring your wardrobe to your trip’s actual itinerary. Overpacking? Forget it. Underpacking? Nope, not on my watch. I’ve nailed a system that lets me craft endless outfits from just a handful of essentials, so I’m never caught halfway through a holiday scrambling for fresh threads. Ready to pack like a pro and elevate your vacation style without the baggage drama? Dive in.

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I’VE TRAVELED QUITE a bit this summer: hitting the Caribbean, visiting family down South, reviewing out properties for our Travel Awards, and getting ready for my best friend’s birthday trip to Saint Maarten next month. As fun as those trips have been, they’ve reminded me that a great vacation starts before you even leave home—with smart packing. I never want to arrive and realize I didn’t bring enough outfits, forgot a key essential, or wasted half my suitcase on clothes I never end up wearing. Every summer trip comes with a different itinerary, so think about what you’ll actually be doing before you throw anything in a suitcase. After boarding at least one flight a month this year, I’ve settled into a packing system that makes it easy to build outfits from a handful of pieces, so I never feel like I’ve overpacked or run out of options halfway through the trip.

Start with the Basics

I always wear underwear, socks, and a T-shirt more than anything else on my trips. I say pack double the amount so there’s enough and you’re not forced to do laundry halfway through your vacation. Moisture-wicking underwear and socks are especially useful in hot, humid climates because they dry faster and stay more comfortable throughout the day. Don’t skimp here.

Most Comfy Boxers

Calvin Klein Cotton Classics Multipack Knit Boxers

Best Boxer Brief

Skims Mens 3″ Boxer Brief

Best Tank Top

Uniqlo DRY Color Ribbed Tank Top

Credit: Courtesy of Retailer

Softest Tee

Beyond Yoga SoftKnit Cotton Tee

Choose the Right Fabrics

Summer travel means sweating, walking, and spending long hours outside. I believe linen is unmatched for airflow, cotton is comfortable for everyday wear, seersucker naturally sits off the skin to promote airflow, and performance fabrics dry quickly after sweating or getting caught in the rain. These materials have kept me cooler and are less likely to feel heavy or sticky by the end of the day.

Build Around a Neutral Color Palette

Stick to a cohesive color palette. Neutrals like white, navy, black, olive, khaki, and light blue make it easy to mix and match. If every shirt matches every pair of shorts or pants, you’ll create twice as many outfits with half as many clothes. Save louder prints or bright colors for one or two statement pieces instead of building your entire suitcase around them.

Most Breathable Shirt

Charles Tyrwhitt Pure Linen Shirt

Now 71% Off

Best Cooling Shorts

Vineyard Vines Performance 7 Inch On-The-Go Shorts

Credit: Courtesy of Retailer

Cos Contrast-Tipped Silk-Cotton Polo Shirt

Credit: Courtesy of Retailer

A man in a white shirt and navy shorts standing on a boat by the water, holding a phone and looking down.

Daniel Ebersole

Choose Versatile Pieces

A linen button-down can be worn open over a tank top at the beach, buttoned up for dinner, or with chinos for a nicer occasion. The fewer one-trick ponies, the better. Even if the forecast is all sunshine, you’ll likely want pants at least once. They’re useful for flights, cooler evenings, upscale restaurants with dress codes, or simply taking a break from shorts. Linen pants, lightweight chinos, or travel pants strike the right balance between comfort and polish.

Best Wrinkle-Free Shirt

Quince 100% European Linen Relaxed Long Sleeve Shirt

Best Camp Shirt

Banana Republic Cotton-Linen Jacquard Resort Shirt

Best Linen Pants

Coofandy Cotton Linen Drawstring Pants

Credit: Courtesy of Retailer

Best Travel Pant

lululemon ABC Classic-Fit 5 Pocket Pants

Trunks That Pull Double-Duty

If you’re heading to a hot destination, it’s likely that you’ll go swimming in a pool or take a dip in the ocean which calls for you to pack a solid pair of swim trunks. Make sure it’s one that can be worn with clothes like a camp collar or tank top when beach days turn to oceanside lunches or sightseeing tours.

Most Versatile Trunk to Style

Bather Solid Pine Swim Trunk

Most Comfortable Trunk

Fair Harbor Anchor Trunk

Credit: JOE LINGEMAN

Best Resort Trunk

Orlebar Brown Bulldog Seersucker

A person standing on a yacht deck beside the ocean under a clear blue sky.

Courtesy of Retailer

Shoes

Limit the amount of shoes when packing because they can be too bulky and take up space. Three pairs is usually plenty. When I go on a trip, I always pack a pair of comfortable sneakers or wear them on the plane. They always come in handy for walking tours and workouts. Sandals or slides will look great with all your vacation fits. And if your trip’s itinerary calls for a dressier option for a resort dinner, a pair of loafers will do.

Best Slides

Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed – Oiled Leather

Best Sandals

Mango Leather Strap Sandals

Credit: Courtesy of Retailer

Best Shoes for Walking

Morjas Deck Suede Sneakers

Credit: Courtesy of Retailer

Accessorize

Accessorize instead of overpacking. A summer hat, sunglasses, belt, and watch can make the same outfit feel different and not take up too much room.

Best Shades

Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer

Gap Leather Belt

Now 51% Off

Credit: Courtesy of Retailer

Banana Republic Classic Leather Chino Belt

Now 40% Off

Best Cap for Staying Out the Sun

Lacoste Croc Logo Cap

Now 40% Off

Credit: Courtesy of Retailer

More of Our Favorite Summer Men’s Clothes

As the Style and Reviews Editor for Men’s Health, Joseph covers all-things fashion and grooming. Previously, Cheatham was a commerce editor for Spy, and he has written for Travel + Leisure.

Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men’s Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.