The Best Sustainable Resort Essentials For A Tropical Escape

Try as you might, that sweats-and-tees WFH capsule probably isn’t going to cut it on your tropical summer escape. Instead, try adding some versatile, sustainable beach-resort-ready essentials in vibrant colors to feel like your best vacation-self. These easy-to-pack silks, lace-up espadrilles and carbon-neutral separates that are basically begging to be paired with a mai tai and bare feet.

Aday Cool Down Crop and Cool Cat Pant

Ridiculously versatile, Aday’s sustainable-silk set is a lightweight, breezy set for cooling off in the tropics. It’s also the perfect airplane-duo to keep you comfy on a long-haul flight while never wrinkling. The elevated separates are made from Aday’s proprietary Cool Weave fabric (woven from recycled nylon and spandex), made to “literally cool you down as your day heats up,” according to the brand. The Cool Down Crop is designed to be worn open, closed, or wrapped with the snap function.

Reformation Alessa Lace-up Espadrilles

The Reformation shoe collection 2.0 launched in late spring, 2021, made up of 90’s-inspired styles including strappy heels, platform flip-flops and these ballet-esque espadrilles made from sustainable materials. The Alessa lace-up espadrille is the perfect just-tall-enough heel to pair with wispy separates or a colorful maxi for sunset drinks or dinner. All shoes within Reformation’s shoe collection are recyclable and designed to cut virgin plastic use by 75%. 

Feroce Heather Sunglasses

Feroce makes frames in vibrant colors with chic frames that protect the visages of chic celebs such as Olivia Munn, Emrata and Celine Dion. All frames are made from acetate and are part of a refurbishing program designed to recycle each pair. All styles can be returned to the brand, and then get refurbished and resold at a lower price point. Those who return well-loved frames receive a discount on a future purchase.

La Gotta Swim

La Gotta’s one and two-piece swimwear are mostly neutral in color, with floral details that work just as well for a beach swim or paired with separates for dinner. High-cut bikini bottoms, one-shouldered tops and sophisticated-sexy silhouettes make up La Gotta’s line of fashion-girl-friendly suits. Each bikini is made using recycled threads and non-toxic dye, while 100% of water used is treated and 60% is recycled.

Poppy + Sage Straw Sun Visor

Poppy + Sage’s one-size-fits-all sun visors are made from handwoven water hyacinth straw and sustainably sourced from female artisans in Bali. For those new to the beauty of visors, this straw visor take up half the room as a standard sun hat and, when worn, can allow for updos and let you rest your head on a beach lounger.

Etica Devon High Rise Wide Leg Crop

Made from 64% Cotton and 36% Tencel (a cellulose fiber made from a renewable wood source), these high-waisted and wide-leg white jeans are a natural choice for nearly any leisurely beach activity. Sunset sail with a silk top and light sweater? Perfect. Island-style fine dining with a tropical top? Easy. Etica’s tercel-infused fabrication is soft enough to be worn while flying to save even more room in your luggage.

Michael Stars Cecily Shirtdress

If a 100% double-gauze cotton shirtdress that can act as a beach-day coverup just as easily as a poolside dinner dress isn’t top of your list for tropical, space-saving essentials, it should be. Made from USA-produced cotton in the Michael Star’s hometown of Los Angeles to reduce carbon footprint of production, its versatility is only matched by the variety of vibrant colors from saffron to magenta.

Revtown Saturday Short

Using denim made from BCI-certified cotton, a certification requiring that water is used efficiently, soil-health maintenance is top priority and makers are compensated fairly; the Saturday short feels like performance denim with lots of stretch but with a raw hem and contemporary wash looks casual-luxe enough for tossing on over a bathing suit for a walk down to the beach.