Everything I Packed for Cabo … What I Wore & What I Didn’t

Today I’m sharing everything I packed for 4-nights in Cabo – what I wore and what I didn’t – including some pretty summer dresses that travel (pack) well and look tres chic whatever your destination. And if you make it to the end I’ve included everything Jim wore too.

We recently returned from a blissful four nights in Cabo and I can’t wait to share all the cute pieces I packed in my carry-on that are perfect for summer vacations no matter your destination.

Did you notice that I said carry-on? I know! Who am I? A terrible packer, that’s who. Jim insisted we not check bags and I accepted the challenge. More on that later.

We stayed at the new Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol. It opened in May 2024 and it’s fabulous. Kyle and Melody joined us and we had a wonderful, relaxing getaway. I’ll share more about our experience at the hotel and around Cabo in a separate dispatch.

Today it’s all about what I packed, what I wore, and what I didn’t.

All products and links included in this post are selected by me and some may be affiliate links.

Up Up and Away … En Route

On the flight to and from Cabo I wore a cotton gauze set from Gap. It’s not actually sold as a set … you can find the shirt here and pants here. It’s very popular and has sold out and been restocked a couple of times. In fact I just received an email that the pants are restocked. Yay. These are great travel pieces to mix or match for casual outings and around the resort.

Planes are cold so I brought this cashmere zip-front hoodie and favorite plane socks. These compression socks are also great for longer flights.

Gauze Shirt | Gauze Pants | Arizona Sandals | Similar Sunnies

Traipsing to, From, and Around the Pool

Our agenda for this trip was relaxation and most of our days were spent lounging around the pool. We ventured into town at night.

I packed three swimsuits (this one, this one, and this one) and two shirt-style cover ups (white and striped).

Tulum Suit | Amalfi Suit | Clovelly Suit

Linen Cotten Blend Beach Shirt

At the last minute I threw in two pair of casual linen shorts (black and white) and two tank tops. Turned out to be a good call because that’s what I wore over my swimsuit to and from the pool. It was hot and humid in Cabo and even though my beach shirt coverups are lightweight, the longer sleeves weren’t ideal for those temperatures. We ate lunch poolside each day, or I might have put on the beach shirt to go into a restaurant. Shorts and a tank are fine for that too.

Out and About … Pretty Summer Dresses

Did I mention it was hot in Mexico? For that reason I put my foot down and said I’m not going anywhere … besides the pool … during the day. When the sun went down I was ready to don presentable clothing and venture out. I packed four all-star summer dresses. Dresses that I absolutely adore and that pack and travel well.

Night One ~

On our first night we ate at the hotel’s Cayao restaurant. There was a nice, gentle breeze on the patio and the food and drinks were delish. It was lovely. I wore this poplin smocked dress that caught my eye in early spring and then immediately sold out. I looked at similar options like this one and this one, but ultimately my procrastination paid off and the original object of my affection was restocked. It’s a truly versatile dress … works for day, casual nights and it packs well.

Poplin Smocked Dress

My trusty Jack Rogers neutral sandals go with just about everything. I could have saved room on the shoe side of my suitcase by packing only them. I’ll remember that for next time.

Jack Rogers Sandals

My many years old J.Crew raffia clutch, current version here, is a summer essential. As are my Tuckernuck white raffia lantern earrings … on final sale ($19!!!). I’ve had my set of stackable bracelets forever.

Raffia Clutch | Earrings | Bracelets, similar pieces here and here

This hand-knotted straw clutch with paillettes is another fun option.

Night Two ~

On our second night we went to Flora Farms which has been on my must-go list for a lonnnnng time. It did not disappoint and it’s probably my favorite thing we did on the trip. But back to the point … what did I wear? This black and white cutwork floral dress seemed to fit the bill for our destination. It’s also a recent purchase that’s going to be in heavy rotation for years to come.

Floral Cutwork Dress

My Maria Luca toe ring sandals (similar here and here, and if you like a little heel these are fabulous) were purchased on our trip to Puglia last summer and are perfect with this dress.

Did I tell you I misplaced my good necklaces during our move? It’s too awful to contemplate and I’m sure they’ll turn up. I bought this chain necklace to get by in the meantime. Oh and my pearl and raffia earrings are on final sale ($29!!!).

Similar Sandals | Necklace | Earrings (on sale $29!)

I tied an ivory and black bandana around the handle of my new straw mini tote. The tote is hard-sided and has an interior drawstring pouch to keep the contents from spilling out.

Mini Tote | Bandana

Night Three ~

On our third night we went to The Office on the Beach. Don’t judge. I know you won’t because everybody loves The Office and did you really visit Cabo if you didn’t make the pilgrimage? Anyway, one goes for the atmosphere, not the food. Although I find the food perfectly fine and always order the Coconut Shrimp. Anyway, I wore what has turned out to be my favorite – and most versatile –  travel and vacation dress of all time, this black maxi.

Maxi Dress

Necklace | Earrings

Again with the toe ring sandals (similar here and here) and straw mini tote + scarf.

This cute linen swing dress was a last minute toss-in panic piece. I considered a last minute switcheroo to wear it to The Office – it would have been perfect for the feet-in-the-sand dining situation. It’s also a great around-the-resort or casual outing dress – would make a good cover-up too – and I’m not sorry I brought it along.

 

Night Four ~

On our last night – don’t you hate last nights – we went to another long anticipated destination, the restaurant at the Acre Resort. Acre is very much a vibe and we loved it. I wore this chambray tiered dress. The A-line is flattering, but not too voluminous, and ideal for concealing the aftermath of the amazing Michelin Green Star meal I was about to consume. A meal that finished with a cricket course. Don’t ask.

Chambray Tiered Dress

Even though my neutral sandals would have been fine, I brought my monogramed navy and white pair. You can check out all Jack Roger’s monogram options here.

I wore my raffia pearl drop earrings with this new harbor necklace.

Necklace | Raffia Clutch

 

What I Threw in My Bag at the Last Minute … What I Wore, What I Didn’t

I came so close to a perfect packing scenario but ruined it with my last minute toss-in-just-in-case panic pieces. A few of the pieces were good decision, but most were overkill. That said, every single one was perfect for Cabo – or any warm weather destination – if we’d been away a few more days.

Linen shorts, I brought a white pair and a black pair. And two ribbed tanks, also white and black.

Linen Short | Ribbed Tank

I packed two pair of these drawstring, cropped linen pants … white and striped. I have a beige pair too that I wear all the time … they’re great summer pieces. At this point I’d thrown caution to the wind so I threw in a striped linen shirt (similar here and here) and the softest beige tank (love this tank and have several colors).

Similar Shirt | Linen Pant | Tank

This linen swing dress is new and I could have worn it to lunch at one of the hotel restaurants if we weren’t so lazy ordering lunch by the pool. It would also have been a great option for daytime outings – again, our laziness prevailed. And it’s also an easy piece to toss on over a swimsuit and it could double as a pool coverup.

This white tiered poplin pull-on skirt is a favorite piece and perfect for vacation. I brought a navy tank (similar here and here) to go with it.

Navy print scarf (similar) that I thought I’d tie to the handle of my tote to wear with my chambray dress … or white skirt and blue tank.

Linen Dress | Tiered Skirt | Similar Scarf

That’s 13 last minute panic packing pieces, but who’s counting. I wore four of them during the trip and the rest were excess baggage.

Accessories & Miscellany

Okay, let’s talk about accessories and other things that found their way into my suitcase.

Two hats … this very packable straw bucket hat and my favorite Scala hat. One would have sufficed. I stuffed the bucket hat with bathing suits and Jim tucked my Scala hat inside his hat which it went into his luggage, so I sort of cheated there.

Same could be said for bags … I brought two (mini tote and clutch) when one would have done. Do you see a pattern developing?

Three pair of sunglasses … my ancient but always right Kate Spades (on sale!), these Celine’s that I bought on sale last summer, and these Polo Ralph Lauren. Three pair is excessive under any circumstance and I wore the Kate Spades the entire trip.

I packed my jewelry in this small case. Small is the operative word and I should probably buy a bigger case like this one or this one for future travel.

I brought a curling iron, but not a hair dryer. I’ve reluctantly learned to deal with whatever dryer the hotel provides and in this case it was very good.

This hanging toiletry bag.

This cord organizer.

I also packed our white noise machine in its travel case but it doesn’t count toward my luggage because it went into Jim’s carry-all.

SPF – Supergoop! Glow Screen, Bright-Eyed for the face, Play for the body, and Saltyface tanning water, all contained in a ziplock bag.

Any regrets? Yes. I wish I packed a pair of flip flops like these or these.

 

Luggage

In order to become a successful carry-on traveler I needed a larger carry-on suitcase. I’ve been eyeing this expandable carry-on and ordered it – in dark green – just before our trip. It worked beautifully. I also bought luggage tags, a passport holder, and packing cube set in the same pretty dark green.

All my clothing pieces fit into the largest packing cube which nested perfectly into one side of the suitcase.

On the opposite side went sandals, curling iron, toiletries, jewelry, bags and bucket hat. Unmentionables were stuffed into my cute straw mini tote, and bathing suits tucked into my bucket hat.

I’m pleased to report that closing and zipping the suitcase was a breeze. Success!

I also brought my Tumi carry-all and stuffed it with all the things I’d need on the plane including wool ‘plane’ socks and a cashmere hoodie. Also, my iPad, a stack of magazines I bought at the airport, cosmetic bag, etc.

My trusty, collapsable rolling rack is in storage. Utilizing a rolling rack makes packing for a trip so much easier and boy did I miss it.

Carry-On Suitcase | Luggage Tags | Carry-All

If you’re an accomplished carry-on traveler, kudos to you. I’m learning and our short trip to a warm climate was a great way to tip toe into this acquired skill.

 

What Jim Wore

A brief mention of what Jim wore because someone always asks. He’s a pro-packer and rarely tosses in extra pieces. His travel philosophy is ‘if you didn’t pack it, buy it.’ Okay!

Left – Shirt | Shorts | Sandals || Right – Shirt | Linen Pants | Sandals

Left – Shirt | Shorts | Sandals (Tommy Bahama)

Right – Shirt | Shorts | Sandals (Tommy Bahama)

He loves Linksoul’s Boardwalker shorts and he has them in every conceivable color. He also loves Quince’s European Linen pants and bought them in a couple of colors.

He packed two bathing suits, this one from Viori, and this one from Lulu, and a couple of t-shirts. For golf he packed a Straight Down polo and these shorts.

 

So there you have it, everything I packed for Cabo including what I wore and what I didn’t. I hope this gives you some inspiration for your summer travels.

As always, I appreciate you for taking the time to read my latest dispatch. If you’re new here, welcome! Sign up here to receive new posts hot-off-the press delivered direct to your inbox. Each Saturday morning I post a weekly round up of inspirations and goings-on, with one to two additional posts – like this one – each month related to love of home, style and travel. If you’d like to follow me on Instagram at @makemineaspritzer I’d love that too!