How to pack for a long weekend in Las Vegas…✨
For many of us easing back into travel this year, a shorter road trip is a great starting point. Le Monsieur and I will be heading to Las Vegas for a few days. This is our long-postponed 25th Anniversary celebration, which was originally scheduled for March 2020, just as everything was locking down. 😬
I’ll be completely honest: Las Vegas isn’t among my top travel destinations, but LM loves it, we have friends there, and there are some pretty great restaurants. We’ve booked a sunset tour at the Neon Museum (which is really cool) and just getting out of town for a few days will be a treat. (And later this summer, we have another road trip planned: a week of driving up California coast, much more my thing!)
A comfortable & fun travel wardrobe for Las Vegas
While packing for a road trip doesn’t have the same constraints on bag size and weight as air travel, I think it still makes good sense to plan ahead and pack smart. For this travel wardrobe, I didn’t give myself an item limit, but still wanted to include items that could be worn in as many combinations as possible. I had to make some last-minute shifts, as the weather forecast had changed substantially. It will be much cooler than I’d originally anticipated, which is fine with me. (And I’m always freezing indoors, where we’ll probably spend most of our time.)
I want to be comfortable, but also want to dress in a way that feels fun and celebratory. To help keep it cohesive, I went with neutral pants and mostly neutral tops, and let the jackets/toppers add the color and splash. Most of the pants go with most or all of the tops, and each of the tops can be worn with at least 2 of the jackets/toppers. I included mostly metallic footwear, which goes with everything.
So let’s dive in…
Shoes
I’ve learned the hard way to avoid any shoes that aren’t comfortable for walking long distances. In Las Vegas, even going to dinner in your hotel can involve a good bit of walking. And we usually do a LOT more walking than that.
- I’m taking 2 pairs of sneakers…the platform sneakers I featured on Monday, and this older pair of Paul Greens (similar) as a backup walking shoe.
- No more heels for me…these metallic accented Clergerie oxfords are comfortable enough to walk for miles, and good looking enough for Smart Casual outfits. Here are a few similar styles 👇
- And my favorite walking sandals, in a gold foil finish. ✨
Pants
- The navy knit pants are from a California designer, Sarah Liller. They have pockets and an interesting wrap detail in the front. (My size: Small)
- Jeans, bien sûr. I’m going with a mid-wash, slim-straight leg style which I find most versatile. (My size: 28) And a pair of lightweight “barrel leg” jeans in natural/off white. (My size: Petite 6)
- And these tencel-linen blend pants, which can dress up or down, and will be a great option should the weather be warmer than expected. (My size: Petite S)
Tops & jackets
- A linen layering sweater. Just in case. (My size: XXS)
- Bracelet sleeve striped tee in slub silk. Looks good on its own or under a jacket. (My size: XS)
- Silk shell in Bone (similar). This top goes with everything… (My size: Petite S)
- Elbow sleeve striped tee. (Similar style, Plus) (My size: Small)
- Graphic tee. (My size: XS)
- Lightweight print blouse (Plus) (My size: Petite XS)
And the toppers…
- Sequined duster. Instantly turns any outfit into a party! 🎉 I got a lot of questions about this piece when I previewed this travel wardrobe on Instagram. I figured Vegas is the perfect venue for it… Mine is the Coral color, size Petite XS.
- Reversible kimono (similar) (My size: XS)
- Classic denim jacket (similar)
- Novelty jacket (similar) (My size: Small)
- Fringed bouclé jacket (My size: 36)
I’ll pack my bathing suit and pool shoes, of course. I’m still choosing jewelry and other accessories, but will post some outfit photos from the trip and include details there. I did get my first salon pedicure in about 15 months, and decided to stick with the theme…✨ 🤩
Polish is Olive & June “OJBH.”
Do you have any road trips planned in the near future? Do you have a favorite road trip destination?
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Wonderful choices! I have no doubt you will be the classiest dresser in Vegas! Quick question…What size in Lands End bathing suit? You and I are almost the same size. I have a hard time finding suits due to larger bust.
Very fun choices! I wouldn’t have guessed you would choose the sequined duster but it should be perfect in Vegas. We did a month long road trip to Florida, followed by a one week trip to Pennsylvania to see family a few weeks later. Interestingly I packed pretty much the same things for both trips… striped or print tees, cotton cardigans, a denim jacket and a variety of styles of blue and white jeans. Btw, loved the color and style video last week! Found out I’m a huntswoman. Have a great time and happy belated anniversary!
Hi Jill, thanks! The suit I bought last year was a 10 DDD. It’s probably a little big for me now, but should be fine for lounging and gentle swimming.
When I returned to my salon for my first pedicure in over a year it was one of the most indulgent experiences. The pandemic has taught me to not take for granted the little luxuries in our lives. Enjoy LV.
I love that Kimono, I’ve favorited it ❤️ LV isn’t my destination hot spot either, but on a girls trip there 3 years back, we toured the Neon Museum and it was wonderful. Between that and taking a guided horseback ride in the dessert that ended by a fire, eating a meal cooked by our hosts and learning to lasso – it was the best girls trip ever. Have fun!
We’re meeting my college roommate and her husband next week to tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. We’ll also visit a horse farm where the Queen has some of her thoroughbreds. Should be great fun although temps are starting to spike after weeks of balmy spring. I’ll be going super casual with comfy shoes of course. Thanks for your timely post. I’m definitely rusty on my packing. Bon voyage and happy 25+.
Susan, we visited couple of the National Parks near Las Vegas a few years ago, Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire. They were spectacular and got us some breathing room from the casino scene. Have a great trip!
I camped out once at Valley of Fire…it was spectacular!! Thanks!
We’re heading to LV this weekend too! But not as much fun as you will be having…anyway, when you come up the coast, give a holler and maybe can meet for a meal or a drink. Have a safe and enjoyable trip.
I’d love that! I’ll send you a DM once we know for sure when we’ll be in your neck of the woods.
We just returned from a road trip to Vegas the first week of May. Just wore shorts and tees the whole week. You dont have to dress up in Vegas unless you are doing to a fancy restaurant. No ones else cares how you dress. Vegas just wants you to spend money. And I just preferred to be comfortable.
Great wardrobe for your trip! Since you like the neon museum, I’d like to recommend the Liberace museum – it’s a great collection of his costumes and other items.
I hope you will share your Vegas trip. Planning a girls trip in October there and would love some ideas!!
Las Vegas resident here! Our temps here are already pushing mid-90’s, so you might want to rethink the jackets. Lightweight pants/shorts/skirts & short sleeve tops/dresses are the ticket here, especially for walking around the strip. The heat is unrelenting and seems to intensify downtown, maybe due to all the concrete and lack of shade. The aircon can be a bit much but a lightweight shawl I can stuff in my bag is usually enough for me inside. Definitely bring a hat to protect your head and face from the sun. Neon Museum is great fun. Wear comfy shoes. Have a great trip!
Hi Gwoman, yes 90’s was what I’d originally anticipated, but as of yesterday the weather app (which I find is usually accurate) showed a drop in temps over the weekend, with highs in 70’s and low 80’s. But I’m prepared in case it will be warmer than that.
Welcome to Las Vegas! I live here and grew up here. Locals don’t dress like tourist who tend to be more causal. I dress up when I go to dinner at a restaurant in a hotel. I long for the days when everyone dressed up to go to a show. Enough with the jeans everywhere. Our town is just beginning to open to capacity. The new Resorts World hotel opens June 26th and one new one already opened downtown. At Encore/Wynn over 85% of all employees vaccinated. We welcome back guests to our city.
I love Las Vegas! If you get a chance, check out the Laundry Room, a tiny elegant speakeasy bar in the old El Cortez hotel downtown. Fabulous craft cocktails that your bartender makes up on the spot for you.
Oh, that sounds like fun!
I am curious…when you travel from home and will be walking amongst large groups of people do you plan to mask? I have read other American bloggers who, even though vaccinated, still plan to continue wearing a mask and social distancing when possible in crowded situations. It is unknown yet what the efficacy is of all vaccinations when it comes to the variants and some areas in the continental US still battling Covid but folks are travelling all over. Our borders remain closed to American travel and even though our vaccination rate is closing in on the % of Americans jabbed many of us are still awaiting #2 but that won’t be until July to October. Since vaccination does not guarantee one won’t get the disease ( it WILL make it much less onerous to deal with) nor does it guarantee that one won’t be a symptomatic with the ability to carry the virus I am wondering how your travelling readers feel about masking or not . I know your president has said that those fully vaccinated can take off the mask but how would I know they have really been fully vaccinated? You wear a Vsquared sign?This pandemic has been fraught with unknowns and It will be interesting from an epidemiological POV how this all pans out.
Anyway enjoy your trip, sounds fun! Happy Anniversary too, we are 45 this year. No plans, hopefully emerging from lockdown by then.
We’re planning to have masks with us, and play it by ear. We are fully vaccinated, and according to everything I’ve read, the current vaccines are effective at stopping the spread of all known variants. But we’ll see what we’re comfortable with when we get there depending on crowds, the environment, etc.
I love that polish. We have two trips planned; a quick trip to Boston for my nephew’s much postponed wedding, then a cruise to Greek islands in Sept (fingers crossed it happens). The cruise has been postponed twice and I planned my wardrobe for it in January, 2020. But as I lost 12 lbs during the lockdown, I will need to rethink what I take.
Hi Cathy! I found your lost 12 lbs during the lock down. Would be happy to return them. But seriously, a Greek island cruise sounds absolutely wonderful. I hope your plans for that work out.
Great outfits and very versatile. I can’t wait to see how you wear them. Thanks to you, I am wearing sneakers again, My feet thank you, Out of tight pants, out of stiff shoes, and I believe women will keep calling for more comfortable clothes from now on. Clothes should be comfortable so you can get about enjoying life. All these look like you took that into consideration.
I swear I would watch an entire video in which you made as many different outfits as possible out of this suitcase:).
Great travel wardrobe! I think it is perfect for Vegas. While it can be so hot outside, the casinos and hotels are kept very cold so layers are critical. I lived in Vegas for five years and loved it. I will likely retire there because I like the ease of living there.
I would recommend the Mob Museum downtown as the exhibits are very interesting – plan for about 90 minutes to 2 hours. They have a speakeasy in the basement and is a great place for food and a cocktail. I would highly recommend Esther’s Kitchen in the Las Vegas Arts District, for brunch or lunch or dinner. Great food and cocktails. They are located on Casino Center Blvd.
There are some options off-Strip. Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire are amazing. Springs Preserve is a nice visit – the gardens are very cool, and the restaurant (Divine Cafe) has great views and food is good, particularly brunch (you do have to make a reservation and get tickets in advance). The Nevada State Museum is located at Springs Preserve. Hoover Dam is also great for a side trip. The Ethel M. Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden in Henderson is lovely.
Happy anniversary – I hope you both have fun celebrating your anniversary!
Hello Susan, Thanks for an inspiring peek at your travel style! If you have a moment, would you please help me make sense of the Vince sizing? Their chart has only numeric sizing (eight groups, with some sizes by themselves, eg 8) but this Tee is available in six options of letter sizing. Is XXS a 00,0,2 and XS is a 4-6? Thank you.
Hi Estie, they don’t specifically say what sizes correspond to the XS, S, etc. What I can tell you is that I’m usually a size 4-6 in tops. In Vince tees, I often take a Small. In this particular style, I found the XS to be the best fit…not snug, but not oversized.
Thank you for your answer on the sizing—very helpful.
OMG, I have been resisting that sequin duster since before Christmas (because I am a stay at home mom and not a glam rock star, or so I have to keep reminding myself) but my birthday is in a few weeks and I might just have to pull the trigger. And then wear it to karaoke again…someday. Do you find you actually wear it? (That’s probably a dumb question to ask given this last year.)
Hi Renee, I haven’t had an opportunity to wear it yet, but hope to this weekend!
..those twinkle toes are pretty cute!
A road trip musical suggestion: from the Putumayo series, Blues Around The World has seen me across our Canadian Rockies, prairies to the coast and back, many happy times.
I have bought several things that you have showcased over the years and the sequin duster is one of them. I couldn’t decide what color and I went with the black since it will work with most of my wardrobe better than the silver. I make almost all of my clothing but I really didn’t want to deal with finding sequined fabric then sewing it. I bought those sneakers from Sole Bliss and love them. My foot is wide so these were a great find for me. Have a wonderful trip and I do love your choices.
I have a terrible fear of packing for trips.
I went to London years ago and took all the wrong clothes. I was wearing the complete wrong outfit everyday. I was very self conscious and it’s basically all I can remember about that trip – 30 years ago.
Ever since then, I have got very stressed about packing a suitcase. Even though I know that I can always buy new things if I need them, when I get to our destination. I wish I could shake it 🙂