Get Ready for Vacation Season

It’s vacation season now that schools out, graduation season is completed, and it’s the perfect beach weather. The most common vacation-related stress, besides footing the bill for your lodging and transportation, is packing for your vacation. Most of us worry about having enough to wear but still packing light, being comfortable but also stylish, and most importantly, having the perfect pair of shoes for days on the beach, nights out on the town, sightseeing, hiking and exploring new locales.

As we say at Soft Shoe, “good shoes take you to great places”, because we prioritize not just style but comfort. We also apply that principle to our new and growing apparel line, so we’ve chosen light cotton & organic fabrics that are soft to touch, breathe well, and keep you cool and dry even when you’re exercising, running or just relaxing with friends.

Vacation Packing Tips

Regardless of how organized you are, it’s inevitable you’re going to forget to pack something … or you may lean to the other extreme by packing so much that you don’t even touch more than half you have hauled with you.  So here are some tips to take the stress out of packing for vacation:

I. Plan ahead and Pack First on Paper

Start by writing a list. In the days leading up to your trip, rather than fretting over the packing that you need to do, start a list. Every time an item you know you need on vacation pops in your head, write it down so you don’t stress about forgetting later. Start by writing out the basics that are common sense items (toothbrush, phone charger, medications, ID, passport, cosmetics, etc.); and then write down options you’ll need for day and evening activities in various categories:  clothing, shoes, accessories, undergarments, swimwear, cosmetics and other essentials.

II. Overpackers Anonymous – Plan out your outfits.

If you’re a chronic overpacker, it take a bit more planning to only pack what you need so you don’t break your back hauling half your wardrobe on vacation. It might be a good idea to have your vacation itinerary in front of you when you pack so you can plan out what you’ll be wearing each day for each activity.  For each day away, lay out the outfits (top, bottoms, shoes and accessories), pack only those items and discard anything ‘extra’.

III. Simplify Packing with a Summer Capsule Wardrobe

Pack versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched with various tops, bottoms, dressy and casual. Choosing neutral colors can make this process easier with less concern that your items with clash with each other. Having versatile pieces that will coordinate with each other will exponentially expand your outfit options. Repurpose items that can be used in multiple ways: for example, use your carry on bag as your beach bag, use a short dress as your swim cover-up, wear a one piece swim suit as a tank with shorts or a skirt and choose pieces that can easily be dressed up or down.

IV. Choose shoes that will take you to great places.

Vacation time is definitely not the time for uncomfortable shoes-blues. So choose shoes that will not only look cute but that support the 26 bones, 33 joints and more than a hundred muscles, tendons, and ligaments in  your feet. Sore feet can ruin your vacation mood, cause back pain and premature exhaustion, so choose high quality shoes that won’t inhibit your wanderlust spirit. Let Soft Shoe outfit your feet for your vacation! We have a wide selection of Chaco, Birkenstock, Teva, Aetrex, Clarks, Dansko, Keen, Merrell, Naturalizer, Pikolinos, Tamaris, Naot, L’Artiste Spring Step, Toms, Vionic, Brooks, Hoka One One, Nike and more. See gallery below for some great Summer Vacation footwear!

V. Accessorize with pops of color.

To bring some life into your neutral colors, accessorize with colorful earrings, stylish handbag,  metallic belt, bright scarf or an assortment of coordinated bangles. Choose items that are lightweight, pack easily and you can replace if lost or stolen. Soft Shoe has a huge selection of jewelry and accessories at very affordable prices.

VI. Pack those Little but Mighty Essentials to make your Journey more Enjoyable.

Don’t forget essentials for any vacation mishaps, especially when traveling with little ones: first aid kit (bandaids, bandages, Neosporin, bugspray, Qtips, etc), sunscreen and aloe vera, medicines (aspirin, ibuprophen, allergy pills, antacids), and lots of water. Don’t forget items that will make your journey to and fro more enjoyable:  a good book for you, snacks for the journey, headphones or earbuds for your electronic devices, sunglasses and change of clothes (in case your luggage is lost).

To avoid the endless quest for the answer to “Are we there yet?”, keep those young travelers comfortable with waterproof and durable shoes (Sun San, See Kai Run, Stride Rite, Merrell, Keds, New Balance & more), and provide lots of activities for the road (sticker books, new toys, portable board games, Wikki Stix, Mad Libs, Scavenger Hunt, etc.).

VII. Visit Soft Shoe before your Trip!

We are becoming a one-stop shop for comfort and quality from head to toe! Stop in for men, women and children high-quality and affordable shoe brands, but our inventory of men and women’s apparel is growing …. Stop in Today! (The inventory is changing quickly, as new items are coming in as quickly as the current items are selling out.)

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