Summer's calling, and whether you're dreaming of exotic escapes or soaking up the sun in your own backyard, preparation is key! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to purchase to make the most of your summer! From essential travel gear to home decor that screams summer vibes, and lifestyle upgrades for ultimate enjoyment, we've got you covered. Get ready to create your ultimate summer shopping list!

Why You Need a Summer Prep & Shopping List:

Getting ready for any new season is exciting, but can be overwhelming, but summer is one of those times you want to spend as much time as possible outdoors enjoying life, instead of at home stressed out and trying to organize.

I always SWEAR by having a summer prep checklist to:

Stress-Free Adventures: Knowing you have everything you need for your travels minimizes pre-trip anxiety and ensures smooth sailing.
Efficient Packing & Spending: Planning your purchases in advance helps you buy only what's necessary, saving you time and money.
Home Oasis Ready: Equipping your home for summer entertaining and relaxation maximizes your enjoyment of the season.
Enhanced Summer Lifestyle: Investing in the right gear for your favorite activities makes them more enjoyable and convenient.

Let's dive into the ultimate summer shopping list!

25 Expert Tips to Make This Summer Your Best:

The Ultimate Summer Prep Checklist!

Part 1: Vacation Prep - Your Ticket to Seamless Travel ✈️🌴

No summer is complete without at least one vacation! I am working on plans for a few, and even though I always prefer to spend more of my money on the trip than on the prep, I do need to refresh a few items before heading out on my next adventure. If it’s been a while since you treated yourself to a vacation, and some new vacation ready outfits and accessories, here is what I recommend you add to cart:

Lightweight Dresses: Breathable and stylish, lightweight dresses are perfect for staying cool in warm climates and transitioning effortlessly from day to evening.
Classic Linen Separates: This is the fabric of summer and is perfect for running around your city or exploring a new country on vacation. I love having a rotation of linen tops, tanks, pants and dresses to keep me covered for every trip.
Swimwear You Feel Good In: Packing at least two swimsuits ensures you always have a dry one, essential for beach and pool days. And don’t worry about the skimpy cuts or trendy looks, go for what makes you feel good! And don’t forget your sarong or kimono. It can double as a cover up or elevate even a simple sundress or shorts and tank combo. Throw in a travel friendly beach bag that will hold all your essentials, and you are good to go! This one from Simple Modern is perfect for carrying everything you need and is a breeze to clean up.
Shoe Wardrobe Refresh: Comfortable footwear is a must for summer! Think about picking up a pair of versatile sneakers that are perfect for active adventures, travel days, and casual sightseeing. Casual walking sandals are also a must, so invest in some quality walking sandals to be able to explore all day while preventing blisters and foot fatigue.
Stylish Sun Protection: Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays while adding a touch of style to your look. You can also opt for a stylish sun hat to provide crucial sun protection for your face and scalp and just look pretty cute in your pics!
Compact Travel Tripod: As someone who travels solo often, this is an essential! You can easily capture stable, high-quality photos and videos, like the ones I shot of myself in this post! I love this one that comes with two ring lights and can extend fully up and down to capture the perfect overhead shots.
Durable Packing Cubes: I look like I pack light, but my bag is usually stuffed to the brim! Packing cubes have been a game changer for helping me organize my luggage, compress clothes to save space, and make it easier to find what you need.

Miami Carry On Set of 6 Neon Packing Cubes, Traveler's Luggage Organizer.png

Selfie Stick Tripod with Fill Light, Phone Selfie Stick ，Durable Stainless Steel Design, Bluetooth Remote Control, and Stable Three-Legged Support for Live Broadcasts, Video Shooting (Pink).png

J Crew Maxine button-back dress in linen.png

Ray Ban Women's Emma Sunglasses, RB4167.png

Part 2: Home Decor & Summer Entertaining - Creating Your Summer Sanctuary ☀️🍹

Entertaining at home in the summer is always a blast! Whether it’s for BBQs, cocktail parties, or movie nights, this is how you can transform your home into a summer haven and host events with a level of chic that will rival even the impeccable Megan Sussex!

New Outdoor Decor: Refresh your outdoor space if you have one – you’ll be using it a lot more this season! Even if it’s a small space, some fresh cushions, outdoor rug and string lights can change the ambiance and create a more inviting and comfortable outdoor living space.

Entertainment essentials: invest in some colorful melamine plates and bowls and shatterproof drinkware. They are durable, lightweight, and perfect for outdoor dining without the risk of breakage. And while you’re at it, add a new pitcher to cart! Its perfect for serving refreshing summer drinks like iced tea, lemonade, or infused water in style. And don’t forget the citronella candles or torches keep pesky insects away, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space in peace.

Beach and Pool Vibes: is it really even summer without some beach or pool parties planned? Upgrade your towels to some fluffy fresh ones in fun pop color designs and grab a cute inflatable floatie for even more fun!

Elama Rebeca 12 Piece Melamine Dinnerware Set, Service for 4.png

Certified International Blossom Pitcher.png

Calheta Cotton Oversized Cabana Stripe Beach Towels.png

GoFloats Inflatable Pool and Hot Tub Drink Holders (3 Pack) (Choose - Unicorn, Flamingo, Palm Tree and More) 2.png

Citronella Mosquito Repellent Candles 30-Hour Outdoor Bug Defense w Essential Oils, Eco-Friendly and Beeswax.png

Part 3: Summer Lifestyle & Activities Shopping List - Embrace the Season! 🚴‍♀️🍉

Whatever your fave summer activities are, it’s time to get ready for all of the fun in the sun!

Essential Fitness Upgrades: It’s time to grab some lightweight workout gear, new hiking boots, and a fresh pair of kicks for all the hot girl walks you’ll be going on! And don’t forget a water bottle to encourage hydration and reduce single-use plastic waste.

Fun Beach Games & Active Entertainment: Enhance your beach or backyard fun with engaging activities that will keep you and your friends active.

A new Journal or Coloring Book: I love the idea of having a dedicated space for capturing your summer memories, thoughts, and inspirations. And coloring is a perfect way to relax and unwind, and definitely beats the nightly doom scroll!

Multipacks Beach Balls, Large Rainbow Inflatable Beach Ball Beach Water Games, Pool Toys for Kids Adults Summer Fun, Beach Party Supply.png

Bala Bangles Wrist and Ankle Weights for Women & Men.png

floral checkerboard spiral bound notebook.png

alo yoga airlift suit up bra spruce green.png

Part 4: Beauty Upgrades for New Season

My skin has gotten weirdly sensitive as I’ve gotten older, so I’m being extra careful about the ingredients and products I introduce into my routine. Summer weather can cause extra irritation, but the increase heat and humidity can also make it impossible to keep your makeup on and looking good.

Gentle Cleansers: Keep this part of your routine simple to ensure you are not overloading on active ingredients. I love Cetaphil cleansers and moisturizer to keep my skin balanced and not compete with other ingredients and stress out my skin.

Sunscreen: Don’t leave home without it! You really should be wearing it all year round, but especially in summer when you are getting a lot more sun exposure.

Longwear Primer & Setting Spray: Humid temps are terrible for keeping your makeup looking fresh! I swear by priming and setting my skin properly to keep my face on all day. And if your skin is extra oily, you can consider adjusting your usual foundation to a powder formula.

Moisturizing Foot Masks: You’ll be showing your feet off a lot more this season, so keep those little piggies soft and moisturized with frequent exfoliation and moisturization.