Most often, I wore jean shorts (dark wash here to flatter a curvy girl) and a variation of a vneck t-shirt. However, the shirts I had all packed (and purchased online during the winter in California) had been the hottest material on the planet for the weather in Jamaica during the Summer months I had visited (February-April). Not only that but the length of the sleeves went to my elbow… way to hot.
- First things first, when packing look for casual shirts in light materials and shorter sleeves. A simple v-neck like this is perfect to mix and match into outfits. AE has them cheap, and in a lot of different colors. Buy up at least five, you wont regret it!
Looking at this plaid shirt makes me hot just thinking about it, but this type of over shirt is great for the cooler nights. This outfit would be perfect just getting off work and having a quick Redstripe with the other volunteers at a local bar. If your like me though, I’d get to know the locals living in my town and lime with them. Ah, the art of doing nothing…
- Look for light weight over shirts that are versatile and can be used in a few different ways. Buttoned and worn with jeans, tucked into a high waisted skirt, or worn over a dress and belted at the waist. When packing for a long trip it is always important to pack pieces that can be worn many different times and ways… not only that but it being an over shirt gives you an excuse to skip a wash or two. You’ll be glad to have it when your out of water or money to do a load!
These shoes are probably not the most practical, walking wise. I walked absolutely everywhere. Need a taxi? Walk to the nearest street corner (where yes, no visible taxi stand is to be found only the understanding of the locals in the area) and wait for a taxi marked with a red license plate. If your lucky, it will be right around your house, but in most cases, well that just isnt the case. And besides walking from your a house to your taxi, you could be walking to another taxi area to find yet another taxi to take you to work. When dropped off on the side of the road, you walk another five to ten minutes to reach your destination and then back again. And then besides that, you have to buy food and go to meetings and walk to bars and meet up with friends… the list goes on and on. So yes, you will be doing a lot of walking. So its important to have good sandals. You will get blisters, you will be bruised, you will be scarred, but your feet are not sweaty… and your foot wear is cute. No pain no gain.
- Band-aids are a girls best friend.
And finally, lipstick! Now, I haven’t always been a lipstick person. I couldnt stand the feeling on my lips, that oh to noticeable sticky or matte feeling. Yuck. I normally stuck to lip stain, which besides giving me a bit of color, I realise sucked. It had dried out my lips so bad they ended up looking like raisins. Real cute. I tried Clinque’s buttershine lipstick in fresh watermelon and converted. It has a soft, semi glossy look to it without being to heavy. Another thing I hated more then lipstick was lip gloss. But this, is the perfect balance. I love the color I have, but for some reason everything I try on looks red on, so I am on a hunt for a pretty day pink color.
Not convinced yet? Here’s why you need some color on your lips. Its fucking hot. You melt. Your face ends up being so friggin shiny, and your eye makeup starts to run like you just jumped into a pool. If your not into wearing that much eye makeup during hot summer days for this very reason, then a little color on your lips is going to do wonders. Its almost like some one flips on the light on your face, making you looked relaxed and refreshed.
- So, the moral of the story is… do yourself a favor and look alive. You melted face you.
Relaxxx, your in Jamaica. by FattieJA featuring denim shorts
American Eagle Outfitters button front dress, $40
American Eagle Outfitters embroidery t shirt, $9.99
American Eagle Outfitters denim shorts, $30
American Eagle Outfitters t bar shoes, $7.99
Also, buy on clearance! Dont waste your money now. All the summer clothes will be on sale soon enough, and when they are they will be just in time for you to take ‘em for your up coming trip! When in doubt, always wait a few months.
