Destinations, North Carolina, Packing Lists, Style, Travel, USA

Traveling Light: Packing List for Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Alyssa wears a Wilmington Tee
I'm back with another real-life packing list today! This post is all about what I brought for a recent trip to Wilmington, North Carolina.

North Carolina beaches are indeed different than, say, the beaches of Florida or the Northeastern United States – and as a result, your packing list for each destination might look a little different, too. After I return from each trip, I like to crack open my suitcase and give you a peek inside. If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering what to pack for a weekend on the North Carolina coast.

Well, today I’m sharing everything I packed for a weekend in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach – but first, I find it helpful to chat through my itinerary and my packing processes.


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Michael and I spent three days and two nights in the historic North Carolina city with a jam-packed schedule that included a day at the beach, several nice meals out, a ghost walk, strolling some beautiful gardens, two boat tours, and more.

With such a diverse list of activities, I decided to keep things simple by primarily relying on one-and-done garments. Jumpsuits and dresses don’t always lend themselves to mixing and matching for a plethora of outfits (for my long haul trips I tend to rely more on separates – see here for a favorite packing list), but they are an easy way to look put-together with little effort.


Looking for more packing lists? Discover what's in my suitcase each season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter

The warm spring weather has me reaching for more light-colored garments, and I’m even embracing a fair amount of color. But no matter the colors you choose, fabric is always an important consideration. The vast majority of the garments shown here are cotton, linen, wool (or some combination), and I’m happy to say I felt cool and comfortable the whole time. With all of that out of the way, let’s get to the fun part:


PACKING LIST FOR WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

Collage of all items in the packing list for Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach
Ruffled Dress* | Puff Sleeve Dress* | Tank Jumpsuit* | Linen Jumpsuit* | Eyelet Puff Sleeve Top℅ | Linen Shorts* | One-Piece SwimsuitCities Tee* | Wool Legging℅ | Light Jacket* | Palm Hat | Beach Sandals* | Leather Sandals℅ | Pointed Flats℅ (use code WAYWARD for $10 off your purchase!) | Sunglasses | Face Masks | Sunscreen Set | Satchel*

WILMINGTON OUTFITS

Collage of Alyssa's outfits for Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach


FINAL THOUGHTS ON PACKING FOR WILMINGTON

A long car ride to and from the coast called for an easy, comfy outfit. My jumpsuits were as cozy as pajamas, but far more appropriate for dining or visiting a museum. I found having access to a car helped immensely when it came to needing to change midday at the beach – I was able to swap my swimsuit for a dinner dress at one of the Wrightsville Beach public access facilities without needing to return to our hotel.

All in all, I wore everything I packed, felt appropriately dressed for the weather, and felt confident that each outfit matched the atmosphere of our activities. I’d say that this was a successful pack!

*this item is no longer available, and I've linked a similar product

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