How to Prep for Spring Break 2024

Written by Katherine Rubinstein

College spring break will undoubtedly include much of the following: bad sunburns, random high school reunions, and a lot of cheap and tight clothing. Midterms on campus are stressful, and taking time to go on vacation with friends is a fun way to celebrate their completion. Granted the camaraderie of it all, your trip will be a messy bonhomie, which by the end of the week will not have you looking (or feeling) your best. If you can’t control the disorder of the exciting adventures that are yet to happen, at least you are in control of how you dress. Here, I have amassed a list of things you should consider to prepare for spring break in order to maintain your radiance throughout the week!

1. Pick out your outfits ahead of time

It will make your life easier if you have an idea of what you’ll be wearing. Search Pinterest for inspiration. Treat yourself to a statement piece that you can build an outfit around and be excited about! Get an idea of what your days will look like and plan accordingly. Try to bring a few extra things if you have the space. Give yourself a few options – we change our minds! That’s a beautiful thing; Don’t stress, just honor it.

2. Get your nails done

If you can’t go get them done, make time to give yourself a manicure AND a pedicure. Justify it as self care if you must. Having groomed nails makes everything feel cleaner and more put together. I often opt for something more neutral, like a light pink, so that they will look good with every outfit I wear. Even if it’s something short and simple, having your nails done for break is a must.

3. Tackle the jewelry dilemma

This one’s hard. You don’t want to lose your expensive, meaningful jewelry, and you don’t want your skin to turn green. I think I lean more towards getting an anti-tarnish spray from Target and acquiring some budget-friendly ring and necklace options. Ultimately, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

4. Bring comfortable sweats

For those moments in between all the chaos, you’re going to want to take advantage of comfortable, loose clothes. Bring a sweatshirt and sweatpants in case you get one of those sunburns that make you cold. Bring a big t-shirt, too. Clothes that you can throw on quickly are a must when traveling.

5. Try matching sets

The thing that I love about matching sets is that you know you’re gonna look a pretty thorough degree of “put-together,” but you don’t have to work so hard. They’re so cute and come in so many forms. Especially at the end of your trip, you’re going to really appreciate the convenience.

6. Wear sunglasses

Accessories are fun and can certainly elevate a look. Sometimes the anonymity can make you feel more confident, too, which is always good. Hopefully the weather is nice during your stay and they’ll help protect your eyes, too.

7. Avoid making a Shein order

The attraction is obvious: you just spent so much on this trip and the clothes are so cheap. As tempting as it is, avoid shopping there. According to CNBC, Shein is under fire for inflicting “forced labor in its supply chain, violat[ing] labor laws, harm[ing] the environment and steal[ing] designs from independent artists.” Not to mention, the clothes look cheap, too. It’s the classic tragedy of the commons situation where everyone thinks that their individual contributions are insignificant. Fast fashion is hard to avoid, but Shein is definitely where you should start.

8. Bring sunscreen and makeup with SPF

Uneven sunburns are really unfortunate. Sunburns in general are unfortunate. Protect yourself and your skin by making sure you apply SPF throughout the day. Your clothes will be uncomfortable with a sunburn – the more burned you get, the more you have to cover up. The consequences of frying your skin are not worth it. You can still get a tan with sunscreen on!

9. Tan

More often than not, you will feel more confident when you have a nice tan. Everything about your outfit will feel a little better. Find a self tanner that works or get a spray tan. Make sure to wash it off before you travel to your destination!!

All in all, I find that taking initiative and doing things to prepare yourself for the future can be a really good form of self care. Spring break is about having fun and spending time with friends. The most important thing, beyond feeling fashionably confident and prepared, is to be safe and to have fun with your friends. Happy Spring break!

Edited by: Hana Razvi, Sam Teisch, Maggie Bond, and Lauren Veum