I have wanted to write a post about packing for Cape Cod for awhile as I feel like there is a lot of bad information out there. I see a lot of people visiting Cape Cod; packing really dressy outfits, high heels, and so on and so forth. OR at the other end of the spectrum, people get so preppy (when in fact, people who live on the Cape aren’t very preppy at all! You might see a little Lilly, a little VV, but overall, Cape Cod style is pretty laid back and not very preppy.)
I get it – if you are a blogger/influencer and visiting Cape Cod to create content, do your thing! Have fun, make it editorial, etc etc. But for the rest of us: Cape Cod is actually SUPER casual. For the everyday person visiting Cape Cod (aka me visiting my parents), you don’t need much. No one is really wearing seersucker or bows, it’s more of a t-shirt and cut-offs kind of place. It’s stylish, but in a casual and laid back sort of way. When I go home to Cape Cod, I leave all my designer stuff at home, I live in denim + tees + cotton coverups, and sometimes I don’t even pack makeup as I know I’m just going to be hanging out… beach during the day, BBQing at night… the best part about visiting (or going home to) Cape Cod is how low key it is!
Without further ado, here’s what you should pack if you are visiting Cape Cod.
Something warm.
I find that this is the thing people are most often to forget. Your hot in the city and you can’t even think about wearing a sweater! But it cools off at night in a big way and you’ll be so happy you packed something warm. Honestly you could get away with a simple sweatshirt or hoodie, but a nice sweater will also work.
I personally live in my Barefoot Dreams Cardigan – it’s so so soft and cozy! As an added bonus, it doesn’t wrinkle in your suitcase which is of course an advantage. My other favorite is any of Vince’s cardigans. They’re all so soft (especially the cashmere) and the longer ones feel like a luxe bathrobe which is how I aspire to live.
A classic striped tee
(Preferably a size or two too big so that it’s nice and slouchy.) There’s nothing better than a big cozy breton stripe tee. I have this classic tee from Saint James in a large (I’m usually a small or medium) and love it in a larger size. It’s super comfy and classic but since it’s bigger it’s relaxed and casual. So cute tucked into cutoffs or white jeans.
White Jeans
These are always classic and great as it cools down at night!!! My favs are from 7 for all mankind!
A panama hat
Okay please don’t be that blogger that shows up decked to the nines with 100 hats on the Cape. The locals will look at you like an alien. But if you must bring a hat, a classic panama hat is perfection and helpful in preventing sun damage.
Lots of t-shirts
Cape Cod is land of jeans and tees. Keep it classic, keep it simple. My fav are these from Madewell and these from x Karla.
Cotton Coverups and Caftans
A dramatic (long) caftan will be totally out of place here. But a cute short caftan or coverup will do you well, taking you from the beach to lunch back to the beach and then to drinks afterwards. It’s all about easy, effortless style. I personally love ANYTHING from Mirth Caftans, something like this from J.Crew, or a long beachy shirt like this (which is equally cute knotted with shorts).
Birkenstocks
You want a pair of casual sandals that are great for walking, but are still cute. For that reason, I’m obsessed with my gold birks. I take them everywhere but they’re particularly at home on Cape Cod! I also just got a pair of the plastic birks and I love them. I went with mango – a vibrant orange that feels a little bit Hermes!
Rubber Flip Flops
My mom pointed this out – and this is a fail on both my sister + my part: we only packed our birks! If you go to the beach and go swimming, your shoes are going to get wet – you need flip flops! No need to complicate this; we like Havaianas.
Pretty Slides
For going out at night, when you don’t want to wear your birks, reach for fun slides. Obviously the Hermes Oran Sandal is the gold standard here but I refuse to spend that much money on slides I’ll beat up! These Steve Madden slides are perfection.
A great pair of cutoffs.
Cutoffs are essential. Honestly, cut-offs and a tee could be your only outfit for all occasions (except maybe a fancy dinner) and you’d be fine. I live in my Rag & Bone boy shorts but also love this pair from GRLFRND (a new fav for denim!!)
A good pair of (inexpensive) sunglasses
If you do Cape Cod right you will be at beaches and dive bars and on boats and in the ocean. Don’t bring the Celine or the Gucci. I personally am a big fan of these Amazon sunglasses. They look like Celine but are way less expensive; so if they get salty or sandy you will be just fine. They’ve become my go-to but I make sure I always pack them when I travel; you just don’t want to bring the fancy shades out when you have any chance of losing or ruining them.
A great beach bag
My favs are from Pamela Munson or Poolside!
Lots of lots of sunscreen
A given. This is my current favorite sunscreen. It’s easy to apply and doesn’t irritate my skin. And you know I love my Glowscreen!
Leave in Conditioner
This is another thing my mom and I were talking about. The Cape is (sorry) generally conducive to frizz and bad hair. Leave in conditioner is a must. We love this one from Fekkai. It sprays on – just comb it through after your shower and you will feel so much better – soft, frizz free hair.
Lip Balm with SPF
I always forget my lips when I put on sunscreen… ack. I love Supergoop’s lip gloss with SPF 50!
A Natural Looking Mascara
You really don’t need much makeup on the Cape but I still always wear mascara, at least at night. Glossier Lash Slick is my fave (read my review of it here) because it doesn’t flake off and it’s really natural looking.
I wish I lived close by so I could escape to Cape Cod too! A casual, stress-free weekend is something I really need right about now!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Aw, hope you can relax a little this weekend, Charmaine! x
Loved this post Grace! I grew up going to the cape every summer (from connecticut) and we loved it just because of how laid back it really is. We would always choose the Cape over the Hamptons (don’t get me wrong, love it there too) because of how chill it is! xo elle
SO chill! Like you really don’t need much, which I love!
Love this post — and also that pic of you above!
Since you’ve been traveling so much this summer, how do you take your skincare with you? I have some longer trips coming up, and I’d love to know your travel essentials!
Hi Melissa, For shorter trips/when I am not checking I actually use it as an opportunity to try all those little samples I get sent in gift with purchases, etc. I save them in a (rather large haha) box and bring a few new ones every trip. It’s fun and something I really look forward to!
For longer trips I bring the whole shebang (like with Asia, here! https://thestripe.com/2018/07/how-i-packed-for-asia/)
This was so great! I agree that a lot of people overdress for “preppy” locations–just be yourself, relax, and have fun! Also, your parents’ dog is adorable! 🙂
aw muddy says thanks!
I love, love, love that you did a realistic packing list. Although I sometimes have the tendency to be a little extra, Cape Cod definitely seems like the type of place where I’d strictly wear slouchy tees and sweaters with cut-offs. Love that chill vibe!
briana | youngsophisticate.com
yes! i love being extra but when i’m home on the cape it’s as casual as possible!
Love this post! Your list is almost exactly what I throw in a duffle to visit my parents on the Cape. I always find casual layers are key with the fickle ocean weather.
yes!! it’s all about comfy, casual layers.
This is actually a really great post! When I go out to the Hamptons, I typically only pack one “nice” outfit, and everything else is super casual. When I’m out there, I’m really just looking to relax!
The Champagne Edit
yes agreed!!!! have a great weekend dana!
Hi, we are going to Cape Cod for the first time in October to visit family that recently moved there. Any must sees or packing tips for this season?
same as this post – lots of layers! easy jeans, long cardigans and tees!
I posted a Cape Cod packing list a while ago, and I 100% agree! It’s so much more relaxed than super preppy outfits and heels and all that… mine is here 🙂 http://www.feathersandstripes.com/packing-list-week-cape/
thanks alyssa! xo
Love this post! My grandparents live in E Harwich and I’ve spent so many summers (and off-season weekends) there it’s a second home. I don’t like to judge but I almost feel bad for the throngs of girls on Main St in Chatham dressed to the nines in Lilly and their Jacks. I want to pull them aside and implore to them – you’re trying too hard! This isn’t necessary!
omg hahahaa so much yes!!
Cape Cod sounds like a dream! I love this packing guide! All for the slouchy comfies!
I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.com
thanks michael!!
Such a great post, Grace! Stripes and white jeans are musts!
xoxo, Jenna
Bostonchicparty.com
Thanks so much, Jenna!
Heading to this area for the first time in October. Wondering if I should still take white jeans in October?? Thanks for this list – so helpful!
I think that’s up to you! I would but I know some people are more traditional and like to follow the old rules!
Love that this is so much more realistic! It’ll work for other coastal areas of New England also, like Maine! Cutoffs, shades, a cute suit, and a sweatshirt is all you need!
I’m so glad! xo
Love this post. I’d love to know your travel essentials!
Great info- what about mid-October visit to the Cape? What to wear? What to pack?
Thanks!
Ri
Heading on a 7 day bus trip to Cape Cod. I’m the tour guide on the bus so your info was very helpful. I don’t want to over pack. You really simplified the list of do’s and don’t s.
I’m also bringing light weight rain coat. I wasn’t sure how windy is would be on our whale watching trip. Again thanks for the info.
Regards
M Agius
Have a great trip!