It’s vacation time and you are going away to somewhere tropical. Your plus-size vacation wardrobe does not have to consist only of Hawaiian print shirts and cover-ups. With a few key pieces and a streamlined strategy, you can look and feel chic, comfy and appropriate.

• Be comfortable. Your wardrobe should include some great soft, stretchable and lightweight materials, such as cotton knits, lycra, nylon and spandex. Not only are they comfortable and cool, they also pack well and are wrinkle-free.
• Colors should be basic; separates should mix and match. Black, white, khaki and denim are ideal, but don’t be afraid of punchy colors like red or orange for summer.
• Plus-Size layers. Make sure to pack shorts and tops, tanks and skirts that match and extra lightweight tops like tanks that can be worn alone or layered underneath other clothing.
• Dresses for night, either long or short, make looking pulled together a snap. A great black dress will take you anywhere.
• Take along one or two cardigans of a light knit material. These can be thrown over the shoulders casually or worn with slacks or skirt out to dinner.
• Leave expensive jewelry home. No sense in risking it while you travel. Wear casual baubles or buy locally. In Hawaii? Buy some local pearls or a coral necklace.
• Don’t take too many pairs of shoes along. Something fancy for evenings out, a pair of sandals and beach shoes. And one good pair of walking shoes.
• Dress like yourself. Vacations might seem ideal for trying a new look (it’s not like you’re ever going to see those people again) but don’t be tempted to vary too far from your style. Not only will you feel uncomfortable, you’ll waste lots of space and time with clothes you won’t like wearing.
• Wear a hat. Not only for summer sun safety, but it’s kind of cool to wear a big straw hat on vacation, especially lounging on the beach reading a book.