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Miami’s Transformation
Miami has transformed from a Spring Break capital into an “it city” like New York or Los Angeles — a city people not only want to visit but that people want to move to. As a South Florida native who got my start as a travel and food writer in Miami some 12 years ago, the city I knew then is hardly recognizable now.
Restaurants like New York transplants COTE and Carbone have upped Miami’s culinary game and put it on par with the country’s top dining scenes. (Not to mention the city now has its first-ever Michelin-starred restaurants.) The Design District, studded with boutiques like Zimmermann, Maison Margiela, and every haute name you’d imagine (Harry Winston, Dior, Céline), has given Miami a serious fashion edge. A former sea of skintight, neon attire has been replaced with boho sundresses, colorful coverups, and sleek comfortable sandals.
Must-Have Packing List for Miami
On a recent trip back for South Beach Wine & Food Festival in late-February, I was packing for a mix of events, yacht parties, beach days, and dinners — and I needed it all to fit in my carry-on. Since my days often slip into night, and I’m running from one meal or event to the next, I packed a mix of versatile pieces that could easily shift for the occasion — and not leave me drenched in sweat since the direct sunlight can be brutal.
Stylish Beach Looks
From vintage-style sunnies that are only $13 and a tropical Farm Rio cover-up to comfortable-but-stylish Birkenstock sandals, I’ve pulled together a list of the 15 must-have beach looks I packed for a recent weekend getaway to Miami. Warning: you’ll want to wear them on repeat all year.
Flattering Swimsuit
When it comes to swimwear, I often gravitate toward tops like a bandeau or halter that I can wear from the pool to a beach bar or restaurant with a skirt or jean shorts. This corset bikini from Lisa Marie Fernandez has been my go-to for the Caribbean and cities like Miami. The boned halterneck offers enough support, so no need to worry about it shifting if you dive off the dock into the bay, and with a pair of linen pants or sarong-like skirt, you can wear it to lunch or for cocktails.
Amazon’s best-selling Cupshe High-waisted Bikini Set is a much more affordable version of this look and still offers the same type of support.
