What I Wore in Puerto Rico

Finally getting around to sharing all my Puerto Rico outfits in one place! You’ve likely already seen most or all of these looks if you follow my Weekly Recaps closely, but I wanted to put together a more comprehensive post of all my tropical vacation outfits. Packing for a getaway is always so difficult because you want to look cute for all the photo-ops but also feel comfortable for the hours of exploring… Hopefully this post serves as a little inspiration!

My goal while packing for PR was to shop my closet—for months before the trip, I was brainstorming fun vacay looks with the pieces I already owned. I’ve only ever been on one tropical vacation before (the last time I went to Puerto Rico when I was 12), so I really looked forward to embracing the tropical style. I was surprised to find that a lot of pieces I already owned made for perfect island attire! Of course, I ended up packing way more looks than I could wear, as evidenced in this Instagram Reel.

This blue denim romper was hands-down my favorite outfit of the trip. I have to admit, I did not shop my closet for this outfit, as I purchased the romper a few weekends before my vacation at a fashion show with my aunt… But it made for such a cute and comfy piece for our first day of exploring Old San Juan! Even though the fabric is thick denim, I didn’t sweat too much and was glad to have my shoulders protected from the sun. I paired it with yellow statement earrings, my new wicker purse (gifted for a collaboration), and my ultra-comfy UIN sneakers. My feet were happy without sacrificing style.

I opted for something a little more casual for our second day exploring the capital—this floral printed tank and denim shorts. The colors in the top went surprisingly well with my sneakers, and the wicker purse added the perfect tropical flair to an otherwise generic summer outfit.

We dressed up for dinner one night and tried to find salsa dancing at the swanky hotels along the water (no luck). It was still fun to get dolled up, though! I wore this matching set—it’s not a dress—that was a hand-me-down from my mom’s cousin. While I love the tropical vibes and was so excited to wear it, it definitely wasn’t the right vibe for Puerto Rico. I think it would be better suited for Hawaii instead (I do look alarmingly like a hula girl—but isn’t the airport mojito flower in my hair so cute??).

Next time, I would break these pieces up—style the top with shorts or jeans, like I did here, or pair the skirt with a cropped tank top. Both pieces are a little too much together, though.

Pro tip: Don’t waste your time curling or crimping your hair in a humid environment like Puerto Rico. Wear your hair in braids during the day and then unleash beachy waves for dinner—a quick and effortless day-to-night transition!

I don’t know if you would consider a swimsuit an outfit, but I had to share this photo with our Airbnb’s iconic courtyard bathtub. This old Target swimsuit is my go-to for when I plan to be active in the water. The high waisted bottoms are extremely flattering, and the top is a no-fuss, secure piece perfect for swimming and other water sports. I wore this suit with a rash guard during our boat tour to Vieques, an island off the east coast of Puerto Rico.

This thrifted navy gingham maxi dress has become one of my go-to pieces in the summer. It’s so easy to throw on with my white espadrilles and is extremely comfortable for whatever the day might bring. I wore this during our car ride from Old San Juan to Humacao on the east side of the island. The airport cocktail flower (still going strong) made for a cute tropical accessory.

For our day hiking around El Yunque National Forest, I opted to wear this tropical one-piece bathing suit as a top under my denim shorts. I love the bright colors of the print and cute cutouts on the sides. It made for an easy transition when I decided to hop into a lagoon and wander behind a waterfall.

I thrifted this floral romper as a rushed decision before one of my thrifty six collaborations, but I’m SO glad I did—I wear it all the time in the summer. It’s so cute for date night or drinks with the girls, and it made for the perfect dinner ‘fit along the water. The triangle cutout on my torso is such a fun detail.

I’m obsessed with this outfit. My friend got me these navy gaucho pants during her trip to India and this was their maiden voyage. They paired so well with the white crop top and orange accessories for a little complementary color action. So summery! I wore this out to dinner with the fam and can’t wait to wear it again in Denver this summer.

 
Which of these tropical outfits is your favorite? Do you have a go-to place to buy “resortwear”? Originally I thought it would be fun to do a little shopping spree for this trip, but after doing lots of online browsing, nothing caught my eye enough to ignore the gems already in my closet.

I hope you have a great weekend!

Miles of smiles,

Grace