So you’re camping this Summer – that’s no excuse to not be totally chic!

Planning a  holiday camping trip, whether you’re roughing it in tents, turning gypsy in a caravan, or enjoying all the luxuries of home while glamping in some well-appointed cabins? Stay chic, Shop-Me-Chic-ers!

I know I’m not the girliest girl, but I do like to make an effort to feel great about myself every day. When I pack for camping trips (which is at least six times a year, as my hubby BB loves it), I find that a little preparation goes a long way into keeping a camping holiday as relaxed as possible, with a stylish twist, of course! I’ll be heading to Fraser Island for a lovely long break this Summer, and am happy to share my top camping-in-style tips!

As luggage space is usually a factor on camping trips, multitasking is the way to go. If you pack for the things you’ll be doing rather than the outfits you’re wearing, then you’ll cover all your bases and save some room in your backpack for souvenirs and mementos of your time away from it all.

Summer camping trips can be the easiest to pack for – as long as you remember a few key items which work together, you’re in business! (And if the gorgeous Sonia and Melinda will have me back, I might put together a blog post or two specifically focussed on looking chic while camping at other times of the year!)

For this trip, I am thinking of sticking to a white, coral and teal palette. Keeping to just a few colours with a neutral makes it so much easier to just wake up and throw something on, and not having to worry about your green t-shirt matching or looking downright hideous with your mustard shorts!

Right, first things first… What will you be doing while you’re camping? If you’re anything like us, a camping break involves quite a lot of lounging on the beach in the sun, interspersed with a little relaxing in the shade, and a spot of eating and drinking!

Beachwear is usually PERFECT for Summer camping, light and breezy fabrics that dry easily and don’t take up much room in your bag – I love light sundresses and singlets, and quick-drying boardshorts from Aussie brands like Roxy. Shorts are great for a quick cover-up when walking from the campsite to the water, or if you’re popping into town for more supplies.
You’ll need some bathers too, ones that will stay covering the lady-bits when you’re dumped by a wave in the surf. Check out Bikini Island, an Australian company specialising in bikinis and swimwear suitable for our lifestyle (and you’re pretty much guaranteed the perfect cup fit with their helpful size chart). I always pack more than one (ok BB, I’ll tell the truth. I always pack more than six…) pairs of bathers, because there’s nothing more uncomfortable than putting on damp swimwear… ugh! You also need to consider what you’ll be doing in said bathers. I like a good sporty, thick-strapped hold-the girls-in pair for snorkelling and splashing around (no wardrobe malfunction on the beach is a good wardrobe malfunction), and another with some removable straps and a little more cleavage showing for when I’m lounging on a towel reading a great book. Tan lines are not welcome here!

1. Roxy Kiama Dress ($79.99) // 2. Roxy Endless Waves Shirt ($29.99) // 3. Roxy Sun Over Sea Tank ($35.99) // 4. Roxy Nomad Board Short ($49.99) // 5. Havaianas (from $24.95) // 6. Roxy Tavarua Board Short ($49.99)

For day trips and exploring the wilderness (hubby and I love a day trip to Lake McKenzie when we’re on Fraser Island), you’ll need a decent pair of walking shoes, and while many backpackers/regular campers swear by Crocs, this will not be happening on my watch. I’d much prefer a cute water-friendly sneaker (Keds and similar canvas styles are available from Myer, David Jones, Target and Kmart) for hiking and bushwalking, and for general around-the-campsite shoes, you can’t beat a bright pair of Havianas! You can even design your own, so nobody else on the beach will have the same as you!

Accessories DO have a place on camping trips, I promise. Maybe not your special chandelier earrings, but you can certainly throw on a stack of timber beaded bracelets and feel just that little bit more ‘dressed’. A cute straw hat not only adds personality, but also protects your face from the sun, and even more importantly, hides your messy birds-nest hair! On-trend aviator and Wayfarer style sunglasses look great and suit most face shapes, but they also provide much needed eye protection. Splurge and buy a polarized pair if you’ll be near or on the water, you’ll be glad you did when you notice everyone else squinting uncomfortably!

Add a great printed beach bag to carry around your sunscreen, a bottle of water or a thermos and a beach towel and you’ll be the cutest camper around!

1. Albertus Flask from The Glam Camping Co // 2. Seagrass Straw Crochet Tote from Target ($21.00) // 3. Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunscreen ($11.49) // 4. Esprit San Jose Beach Towel from David Jones

 A few extras that you should throw into your bag –

Lip balm, lots of lip balm! (Make sure it has a high SPF, otherwise there’ll be no Summer lovin’ for you. Blistered lips are a big NO!)

Books and magazines, and an iPod full of cruisy tunes

Face wipes (I love Johnson’s Daily Essentials Refreshing Cleansing Wipes – they’re cheap and available at any supermarket, and they remove every trace of sunscreen before bed. Perfect for when you don’t have a sink and a great cleanser to wash your face thoroughly.)

Pencils and paper (nothing beats a huddling over a great game of Hangman if there’s some inclement weather.)

Snorkel and face mask – you don’t want to miss the underwater views!

And lastly, a great camera! Make sure you share the fun with all your friends by snapping pics of your holiday and uploading them to Facebook or Instagram once you’re back in civilised internet service!

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Written by: shopmechic on January 9, 2013.