Spring Break Style 2018

Spring has almost sprung and that means it's time to swap out your winter wear for spring fashions. With spring break just around the corner, you're about to be sprung from school for about a week, and the question on everyone's mind is "what am I going to wear?” and "how will I fit it all into my suitcase?" Don't worry, we've got you covered on all fronts with a 2018 spring style guide plus packing tips on how to pack the perfect vacation suitcase and beach bag!

Don't forget to pack photo-op-worthy outfits!Courtesy of Quiksilver

2018 Spring Styles

2018 is the year of color when it comes to fashion. Bright, cheerful prints, stripes, and solids are taking over, replacing the beige earth-tones of winter and fall. Along with colorful clothes comes exciting embellishments: fringes, sequins, patches, and embroidery are here for the season, and they're showing up on everything from jeans and jackets to accessories and even shoes.

While 2017 was the year of 90s retro styles, 2018 is saying hello to the 70s and 80s with big, bold colors, ruffles, flared pants, and lots of denim.

Also going out of style this year are 2017 trends like 90s retro styles, chokers, male rompers, unicorn stuff, and cut-outs in jeans, bathing suits and t-shirts. The new “in” trends are a welcome change for spring breakers going somewhere warm and sunny, since they focus on So-Cal surfer style and beaches in the South of France, with well-crafted fabrics that promote long-term use and recycling. Today’s trends will also be a welcome change if you’re looking to save money, since a lot of the looks are more basic and timeless, with only the accents like accessories carrying the trend forward.

Surfer style is the hottest trend of spring 2018Courtesy of Polyvore

Resort Wear

If you’re headed to warm weather this spring break, you’ll want to pack what’s called “resort wear”, meaning what you’d wear to a resort. This year’s swimwear is très Français, bringing to mind the French Riviera. What that translates to is simple, elegant, and classically styled swim suits in one-piece and bikinis. This year’s styles feature mostly stripes, a single dark color, and ruffles, replacing last year’s suits that had lots of peek-a-boo cut-outs, dipping necklines, metallic accents, and laces.

We’re also finding the classic gingham print — tiny squares of white and another accent color like black, dark pink, or navy blue — showing up in bathing suits that offer cover, comfort, and, thanks to the new surfer trend, allow you to actually swim in them, which is not always the case in high fashion “swim-wear”.

A tie-front gingham bikini from Target is fashionable and wallet-friendlyCourtesy of Target

Cover-ups this year also have more of a surfer vibe, with natural fabrics and flexible styling. You’ll find wraps, surf-blankets and ponchos that can be tied, wrapped, and even worn as dresses.

A kimono-style shawl can keep you cozy when evening beach breezes start to blowCourtesy of Macy's

Day Wear

Whether you’re heading out for a day of shopping and sightseeing, or hanging out near home on a staycation, this year’s spring break style will keep you comfortable and help you stay within your budget. Most of this year’s fashions are fairly classic looks that won’t go out of style so quickly (unlike 2017’s quick but obsessive fascination with everything unicorn or the short-lived man-romper phase.)

Tops are cropped. Waistlines are high, even when you’re wearing shorts. Stripes and florals are in -- but not worn together -- according to Forever21's spring break clothing line. We’re also seeing lots of ruffles, and continuing to love the jumpsuit as both shortie day romper and long, one-piece formalwear.

The denim-over-floral trend is perfect for day-tripping or a casual evening out on spring breakCourtesy of Roxy

Evening Wear

One of the nice things about vacation is heading in after a long day in the sun for a refreshing shower and a wardrobe change before heading out for the evening. Of course, a change of clothes every evening means twice as much to pack, but today’s flowing, natural fabrics are thinner, easier to pack and often don’t wrinkle too easily.

If you’re dressing up, a hi-low dress that’s shorter in the front than in the back is a nice flowy look. The biggest trend in Juniors dress-wear right now is bigger, repeating floral prints. Today’s flower prints are different from years past because they usually feature one single flower repeated throughout the print instead of lots of tiny flowers or complicated designs. An alternate take on the flowers this year features cacti and pineapples, which are perfect for spring break resort styling.

For a less-dressy evening, wear a floral print just on top. A floral top pairs well with a high-waisted denim straight or a-line skirt in a complementary color that falls just above the knee.

Evenings in spring, even at a resort, can be chilly. If you’re down with the beachy trend, try a light sweater poncho or shawl instead of a traditional jacket or sweater. If you’re looking for something more traditional and want to shop your closet instead, we have good news for you — denim is back and you can even mix and match this year, wearing different colored denim on top, bottom, and even in layers. Even better, if you have an old denim jacket that needs some new love and you’re feeling crafty, embellish it with rhinestones, sparkles, patches, or lace.

This flowy floral hi-low dress is perfect for an evening outCourtesy of Macy's

Packing Tips

Here is a handy packing list of things you should be sure to bring on vacation:

What’s in Your Beach Bag?

• Sunscreen
• Phone charger
• Headphones
• Waterproof phone case
• Lip balm
• Gum
• Aloe vera or sunburn soother
• Beachy reads like a non-school-assigned book or magazine
• Waterproof flip flops
• Fabulous sun hat
• Wallet

Toiletries

• Face wash
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
• Face moisturizer with sunscreen
• Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
• Hairbrush
• Hair ties and bobby pins
• Hair gel or sea spray for a beachy, vacation-y look
• Makeup
• Razor
• Fun and funky jewelry that coordinates with your outfits

Clothes

• Swimsuits
• Swim cover-ups
• Pajamas
• Tank tops
• T-shirts
• Shorts
• At least 1 pair of jeans or sweats in case it gets chilly
• Workout clothes
• Sightseeing outfits that look great in vacation photos
• Baseball cap
• Outfits for going out at night
• Underwear and socks (at least three more than one pair for every day)
• Sneakers / gym shoes
• Evening shoes or low boots
• Waterproof flip flops
• Comfortable sightseeing or hiking shoes

Pack the perfect suitcase for spring breakCourtesy of The Odyssey Online

Have Your Say

What do you think of these spring styles? Are you heading out for spring break or having a staycation this year? Share your story below!