14 Best Resort Wear Travel Essentials Under $50

As a travel writer, I’m always looking for an excuse to explore new hotels, even in not-new-to-me destinations. While I’ve been to the South Florida city of Boca Raton countless times, I had never been to The Boca Raton, the swanky, eponymously named resort and club beloved by celebrities, including Serena Williams and Bethenny Frankel.

Across the posh property, guests of all ages were dressed to the nines in high-end clothes and accessories, many of which were way out of my budget. However, in anticipation of my next trip to Boca Raton this spring, I went on a mission to find lookalikes of these luxe, vacation-ready styles and travel essentials for a fraction of the price.

From comfy wide-leg pants to stylish matching sets and flowy caftans, these are a few of the resortwear staples I’m stocking up on this spring. Shop these under-$50 picks from Amazon, Nordstrom, Quince, and more for your next warm-weather getaway.

Sampeel Matching Set

When it comes to looking polished and put-together while on the go, I swear by monochromatic matching sets like this one. For my next trip to Florida, I’m excited to grab this featherweight set, which offers four-way stretch and a drapey design that feels silky smooth against the skin. In warm-weather destinations like Boca Raton, I’d wear the tank top solo, but if it were to get balmy at night, which is common when staying by the water, I’d likely throw on a denim jacket or cardigan to complete the look.

Old Navy High-waisted Crinkle Gauze Wide-leg Pants 

These high-waisted gauze pants are available in seven stunning colors and patterns, from nautical-inspired blue stripes to vibrant coral. Plus, they come in a range of sizes in straight, tall, and petite fits. The airy, wide-leg silhouette is perfect for sun-soaked days, while the pull-on waistband ensures maximum comfort. Wear them with a swimsuit or tank top for casual outings, or elevate the look with a blouse and chunky jewelry for happy hours or laid-back dinners.

Zoye Chen Button-down V-neck Shirt

A breezy button-down is a warm-weather wardrobe staple for its versatility, making it perfect for everything from beach days to casual evenings out. This one from Zoye Chan has racked up over 3,200 five-star ratings at Amazon and offers an oversized fit and lightweight, linen-like construction. Although it’s technically a swimsuit cover-up, you can pair it with your favorite pair of shorts, wide-leg linen pants, or jeans for a beachy-chic look. While you can’t go wrong with a classic crisp white, it also comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including navy, orange, and even leopard print.

Eddoyee Loose Caftan Dress

Few pieces are as effortlessly chic as a caftan, and I spotted many around the resort, though most were way beyond my budget. Fortunately, this $30 option from Amazon checks all the boxes at a fraction of the price. Its roomy fit and breathable fabric keep you cool, and with 20 colors and prints available, there’s something for everyone. Wear it poolside, for a beachside lunch, or while strolling in the sun.

Coconuts by Matisse Del Mar Platform Slide Sandal 

Designer slides and sandals were always in sight at The Boca Raton, which put my five-year-old flip-flops to shame. Ahead of spring break, I’m snagging these chic platform slides featuring woven raffia for a fun, beachy-chic look. The padded footbed will offer optimal comfort whether I’m out to dinner or walking around the beach or pool, while the half-inch platform will add a subtle boost of height to my petite frame. Although I’m partial to lighter hues like white or camel, the sandals also come in onyx or burnt red, among several other neutral shades.

Summer Mae One-shoulder One-piece Swimsuit 

For me, feeling comfortable at the beach or pool is incredibly important, so years ago, I would spare (almost) no expense on flattering swimsuits. Fortunately, more affordable options have emerged since then. Enter this stylish one-piece featuring a functional one-shoulder silhouette, complete with an adjustable, detachable strap for customizable support or a strapless look. The scalloped edges and cutout back add a playful, fashion-forward touch. While I’ve got my heart set on the brown hue, you can’t go wrong with any of the five color options.

Jollque Straw Tote Bag

A straw clutch is a beloved beach vacation staple for its style and versatility. Despite its compactness, this one has a surprisingly roomy construction with enough space to hold daily essentials and tried-and-true beach essentials. It also has a convertible design: Carry it by the top handle or use the strap to wear crossbody or over the shoulder.

Eicolorte Tasseled Sarong

I’m never without a sarong wrapped around my swimsuit at the pool or beach, and this one is my absolute favorite—I even keep an extra in my beach bag so I’m always prepared. The tassels add a fun flair, and the length hits around the knee. Prefer a shorter length? Simply fold the sarong in half before tying, which also makes it more opaque. Don’t just take my word for it—this sarong has over 14,400 five-star ratings at Amazon.

Anthropologie Patterned Hair Scarves

These ultra-soft hair scarves may resemble real silk, but they’re actually crafted from a blend of polyester and spandex, though you’d never know it. Wrap your hair with the scarf to shield it from the sun, wind, and sand at the beach or pool, or tie it around your favorite handbag for accessorizing. The scarves come in sets of two, and shoppers can choose from four stylish colors and pattern combinations.

Quince Jackie Polarized Acetate Sunglasses

Since I’m prone to losing sunglasses, I promised myself not to spend more than $50 on a pair, and this one fits the bill perfectly without compromising on style or quality. Stay on trend while protecting your eyes with these retro-inspired shades from Quince. The cat-eye frame exudes an effortlessly cool vibe, while the scratch-resistant, polarized lenses shield your eyes from harmful UVs. Crafted from acetate, these sunglasses are more resilient than traditional plastic frames. Choose from three stylish colorways, including a timeless tortoiseshell option.

Kitsch Large Marbled Claw Clip

My hair is prone to frizzing in hot, humid weather, and as a new mom of twins, I rarely have time to style it. As a result, I often reach for this jumbo claw clip from Kitsch to quickly twist or throw my hair into a messy bun in no more than 15 seconds. The marbled acrylic design is incredibly stylish, and despite being dropped, kicked, and tossed around, the teeth have yet to break.

Alexcraft Small Huggie Hoop Earrings

While at the resort, I couldn’t help but ogle at other guests’ gorgeous jewelry, which they casually wore with swimsuits and caftans while sipping cocktails poolside. I usually don’t travel with any other earrings besides the ones in my ear, but I wouldn’t feel guilty—and neither would my wallet—if I accidentally misplaced one of these gold-plated huggie hoops, which clock in at $10 for a pack of three.

Revlon Kiss Tinted SPF 20 Lip Balm 

For a flush of color and a hint of glamour, I love swiping on a tinted lip balm, especially when I’m dressed casually or have almost zero time to get ready. Plus, when spending lots of time in the sun, I love incorporating SPF-infused products into my beauty and skincare routine since I have sensitive skin. Enter this tinted lip balm from Revlon, which is spiked with SPF 20 and hydrating fruit oils to protect and moisturize for up to eight hours. The slightly shimmery finish is a bonus, as are the fun flavors and colors like Berry Burst, Fresh Strawberry, Juicy Peach, and Tropical Coconut.

Voilipex Packable Straw Sun Hat  

Functional and fashionable, bucket hats offer excellent sun protection for your face, ears, and neck with wide brims, making them a fantastic pool or beach accessory. Their compact, packable design also makes them perfect for travel. This one is crafted from 100 percent natural paper straw, making it sturdy enough to avoid being flimsy yet light enough to keep you cool. Plus, the interior drawstring ensures a secure, adjustable fit.

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