15 Outfit Ideas To Wear In Hawaii 2023

Not sure what to wear during your week-long trip to the Hawaiian islands? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with fifteen outfit ideas to wear on your next tropical vacation. I kickstarted my year with seven days in Oahu, Hawaii. It was the perfect mix of adventure + relaxation, full of long beach days, hiking, eating, swimming, and playing tourist. We did everything from island tours to boat rides, to luaus!

Luckily, I traveled to Hawaii this time last year so packing for this trip was a breeze! You’ll need a bit more than your average beach vacay. While swimsuits are a must, so are casual outfits and workout wear. For reference, I visited in January and it was eighty degrees and sunny every day; certainly warm enough to go in the water but still brisk enough in the evenings to bring an extra layer!

Today I’m rounding up all fifteen outfits I wore throughout my trip complete with links for you to purchase and destinations to recreate these photo ops. Enjoy!

(click pink text for links to clothing items and/or photo locations)

TRAVEL DAY

Wanted to arrive in Hawaii in style! My go-to travel outfit includes starting off with an all-black base layer—you can’t go wrong with a black seamless tank top and a pair of black leggings. I’m then throwing on an oversized hoodie. No matter the time of year I’m traveling I always make sure to have one on hand because you never know how hot or cold the plane will be. I love the adorable graphic on this one—Whitefox Boutique tends to have some of my favorite loungewear ever!

Tossing on a pair of white high-top Converse and a cute trucker hat to cover up that horrible plane hair. I knew it would be hot once I arrived in Hawaii so I packed a pair of biker shorts in my purse so that I could change once I got off the plane.

hoodie || top || shorts || hat || sneakers || suitcase || purse (bought handmade in Venice, Italy) 

photo location ✈ HNL Airport

DINNER DATE 

This was my second time in Waikiki Beach, Hawaii so packing and planning outfits was 100x easier this go around. I knew a casual sundress and sandals would be the perfect “going to dinner” outfit. I just love this little puff-sleeve dress—it’s got the cutest open-back bow detail too!

This is absolutely not the trip to bring your heels on! People are so casual here—flip flops will work just fine or if you’re feeling fancy you can throw on a gold lace-up gladiator sandal. I got mine handmade in Capri, Italy while I was studying abroad along with this crochet tote in Venice, Italy. I love this duo so much!

dress || sandals || purse (bought handmade in Venice, Italy) 

photo location ✈ Kuhio Beach Park

BEEP BEEP

I saw this Pepper Mayo two-piece set and the mix of vintage cars and palm trees instantly gave me tacky Hawaiian shirt vibes. of course, I had to get it! I left the shirt unbuttoned and layered a solid white tank underneath of it to break up the pattern. The skirt runs super snug so I highly recommend sizing up.

I tossed on a pair of casual sandals. These Franco Sarto’s are my go-to—they are real leather and incredibly comfortable. I wore them practically every day when I lived in Europe so they are walking-approved! You know me… no outfit is complete without a few straw accessories. This is the best tote and my cowboy hat matches perfectly. I bought it from H&M while on this trip and ended up wearing it like, every single day lol.

If you’re strolling around the city of Hawaii this is the perfect outfit—cute but still casual and so the vibe. I wore this for an afternoon of shopping and then to a casual restaurant for dinner.

top || tank || skirt || sandals || purse  || hat 

photo location ✈ Waikiki Beach Walk

POOLSIDE PRINCESS

When I saw this gigantic floppy hat I just knew I had to have it! I had a similar one in orange that I brought on my trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and scored a gazillion compliments on it. This time around I went for a sandy neutral. Don’t get me wrong this is such a huge hat that it’s not very practical but it makes an incredible prop if you’re wanting to take a killer Instagram photo!

As for my bikini, this white strapless suit is one of my favorites it’s got a bandeau top and high-cut bottoms with a tortoise ring detail along the hips. This sits in such a flattering spot that it’s hard not to love. I’m obsessed with how flattering this suit is!

suit || hat

photo location ✈ Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach

HOT GIRL HAWAII WALKS

There’s nothing I love more than a matching set. While I certainly love my Lululemon pieces, I am a sucker for a good “dupe” too. I have tons of pieces from the Glowmode collection and their fabric is buttery soft. This tank is the best dupe for the Align tank and their leggings don’t pill which is a must for me! I thought this bright green would be the perfect happy color for Hawaii.

You can’t go to Hawaii without bringing a fanny pack—there are so many outdoorsy activities to do here that you’ll end up using it more than you think. I have the original one from Lululemon and love it so much. I brought both my black and white ones with me on this trip and even my Dad ended up borrowing them, haha. Don’t forget a pair of athletic sneakers in your suitcase. You’ll need them for long walks and hikes here!

top || leggings || sneakers || fanny pack

photo location ✈ Halone Blowhole

SURFS UP

One of my favorite parts about traveling to Hawaii is that in all honesty, you need more swimsuits than you need real outfits—and that my friends, is the best type of vacation! I brought tons with me, mostly sticking with the same style that way I wouldn’t end up with a million different tan lines at the end of the week. I love a triangle top and these classic hipster bottoms.

This style is incredibly practical if you’re looking to be active in the water—I paddle-boarded, kayaked, and canoed in this suit without having it move around a ton. Plus, you get a super basic tan line with this. This suit was a part of a three-piece set, coming with the cutest little beach skirt too! With my straw cowboy hat, this was perfect for a full beach day at Kualoa Ranch.

suit || hat 

photo location ✈ Kulaoa Ranch

RAINFOREST HIKE

Another early morning hike but this time at Manoa Falls! This hike is offered at three different points during the day—we went at 7:30 and while it was definitely a little brisk in the morning, I ended up being so grateful that I was in this little workout romper by the end of it. This is an amazing dupe for the $100+ Artizia romper. I absolutely love this style; it’s so flattering and it stays in place all workout long, regardless of what you’re doing. I have it in a handful of colors and it’s always my go-to.

I also recommend wearing dark-colored clothing and shoes during this hike as it does get pretty muddy. This way you can easily throw everything into the wash if needed. I added a cute smiley trucker hat to make this outfit a little more fun.

romper || sneakers || fanny pack || hat

photo location ✈ Manoa Falls Trail

MELLOW YELLOW

Another simple bathing suit option! This pale yellow floral suit ended up being one of my favorites of the trip. It had the cutest little sarong that came with it which was perfect to throw over top as I walked to and from our hotel to the beach. As I said, this is a super basic style that’s perfect for both swimming and laying out! Can’t get enough of that straw hat with it—covered up my crazy beach hair so effortlessly.

suit || hat 

photo location ✈ Twin Fin Beach Access

BOAT DAYS

If you’re headed to Oahu, I highly recommend doing a sunset boat cruise one of the evenings. This is such a fun activity and a great way to “pregame” your night as it does include an unlimited, open bar. They have the yummiest mai tais and the best vibes! Becuase you’re on the water as the sun goes down, it does get a little brisk. You are also sitting on a catamaran boat so I recommend skipping out on any type of dress or skirt this night–save yourself the Marilyn Monroe moment, haha.

I went for white double-lined beach pants from Petal and Pup and threw on a basic bodysuit that seamlessly tucked in. I wore these straw sandals almost all week long. They match everything so effortlessly and are definitely my most comfortable pair! I brought my hand-crocheted tote to match, of course!

bodysuit || pants || sandals || purse (bought handmade in Venice, Italy) 

photo location ✈ Makani Sail

BEACH BABE

Not sure if you can count “bikini” as an outfit idea but I figured I’d share these looks anyways. If anything, maybe they will give you some bathing suit picture inspo, haha. This suit is one of my favorite styles—a string triangle top and basic bottoms that are cheeky in the back and high-cut in the front. Practical for swimming and being active in the water + give you a super basic tan line aka the perfect duo!

suit 

photo location ✈ Steak Shack Beach Access

EXPLORING THE STATE

We did a full-day isalnd tour, making stops all around the coastline of Hawaii—a shrimp shack for lunch, a blowhole to whale watch, a macadamia farm to buy snacks, and the beach to snorkel! My go-to for a day where I need to look “cute” but will also be swimming later is an easy cotton dress like this one. I love the open-back detail so much!

Dresses make slipping in and out of your bathing suit bottoms so convenient and string-style tops are so easy to tie on while still wearing your dress! I kept my suit in my favorite tote and *surprise surprise* am wearing those straw sandals for a day of exploring.

dress || sandals || purse (bought handmade in Venice, Italy)

photo location ✈ Halone Blowhole

HAWAIIAN HULA GIRL

I love this suit so much that I have it in two colors— both blue and pink! I actually brought both with me on this trip and wore them both on separate days! It’s the same style suit I’ve been sharing with you, however, this one comes with a sarong that is also a swimsuit material meaning you don’t have to take it off if you want to go in the water!

This style is so flattering on every body shape and gave me all the confidence. Pulling out one of my favorite floppy hats from years ago—it’s originally from TJ Maxx however I’ve linked a similar one for you to shop!

suit || hat 

photo location ✈ Steak Shack Beach Access

LUAU LOVE

Like I said, the overall vibe of Hawaii is super chill. You could spend every day in shorts and a basic tee and be just fine. However, if you are planning on going to a luau I recommend bringing something a little dressier for the occasion. Guys will be just fine in a polo and khaki shorts, most girls will be wearing a flowy maxi or cute skirt!

I had this adorable pink maxi from Petal & Pup sitting in my closet new with tags, just waiting to be worn! I figured this was the perfect time to pull it out. The self-ties along the chest and shoulders were so flattering. Sandals will work just fine as you’ll be in the grass! Throw a shawl, denim jacket, or lightweight button-up in your bag—it gets a little brisk once the sun goes down (at least in January it does!).

dress || sandals || purse 

photo location ✈ Ka Moana Luau

 

BEACH COWGIRL

Kualoa Ranch is one of my favorite places on the isalnd! You can zip line, ATV, horseback ride, movie tour, and more here. I came for a beach day but of course, had to explore the rest of their offerings. If I’m transitioning from “real activity” to beach day, instead of a crochet cover-up or mini sarong, I’ll reach for a white linen button-up and denim shorts to cover my tush!

I have this linen button-up in a million colors but the white is my go-to for a beach day. I wore this all summer long when I lived in California and it really is the best. It’s 100% cotton so it is breathable and the best type of “lightweight”!

top || shorts || hat  || sandals || purse 

photo location ✈ Kulaoa Ranch

CHEERS MY DEAR

One last bikini look for ya! I actually didn’t wear this white crochet suit to the beach, just took photos in it. However, I wore this crochet cover up several days and got so many questions about it that I figured I had to include this “outfit”. A cover-up like this and a pair of shorts work perfectly for your walk to the beach. Almost everyone around you will be wearing something simple. Don’t forget a beach bag, sunglasses, and a pair of comfy flip-flops!

suit || cover up || hat 

photo location ✈ Twin Finn Hotel 

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I think I’ve mastered the packing for a week-long trip to Hawaii! I hope this post was helpful, giving you some outfit and photo inspiration for your next trip. Regardless of what you’re wearing, you’re sure to have a blast; Hawaii truly is the most beautiful state. Wishing you safe travels and a whole lot of fun on your upcoming trip. Stay tuned for my Hawaii travel guide, chock full of restaurant, hotel, and activity recommendations next. Mahalo! 

With love, McKenz

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