2022 Spring Break Looks that Won’t Break the Bank

Whether you’re poolside in Puerto Vallarta, hitting the strip in Vegas or sinking your toes in some Cancun sand, don’t let your wardrobe be a last minute decision.

We get it, it’s easy to think you’ll just grab random shorts and tees and put it all together once you get there. But why sabotage your good time with – literally – a suitcase full of stress?  We’ve got 10 full-on fits that will pull your look together so the only tough decision you have to deal with is “salt or no salt on that marg?”.

First day out, you’re getting the lay of the land. Depending on what clime you’re coming from, that also means you’ll want to walk around and get used to the sun and the heat. This is a great fit for that, starting with a bucket hat from adidas and some killer Knockaround shades. We’ve recommended Knockaround quite a few times with good reason –  they’re stylish, excellent quality sunglasses and won’t take a chunk out of your wallet. Our choice here is the new Dusk on the Water from their super popular Pacific Palisades line. Moving on from the neck down, you’re gonna love these ripstop shorts from Vuori. Made for hiking, they’re super breathable but wear like iron. They’re also stain resistant…cuz, JIC. All that’s left is to show off a cool graphic tee by Stoic and slip into some cushy Havaianas and you are ready to roll.

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When the party vibe says ‘go drip or go home’ this is the fit you should roll out in. Matching sets are big trenders this season but this print from Tipsy Elves takes things to baller level. How? Tacosaurus, my friend. Nuff said. Slip on some classic accessories such as these blue-framed Ray-Bans and new season Adilette slides from adidas. Top things off with a mesh-back trucker hat from Marmot and let the world bow to your swag.

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Whether it’s TidalBall, Volleyball, Cornhole or Beach Beer Pong, if you’re spending serious time at the beach, you gotta get serious about staying cool. Legend’s Luka shorts are ultra-lightweight, quick-dry, anti-microbial material and breathable. They’re literally made to handle heavy exertion. A quality tank, like this one from Nike, that can be easily taken on or off is a smart move to avoid potential sunburn (that’s in addition to sunscreen, bro, not in lieu of, got it?). Other must haves – a trusty pair of polarized sports glasses and beach-friendly shoes. For the shades, we’ve got a great one from Knockaround: the Torrey Pines Sport. UV400 protection, ergonomic rubber nose pads that keep your frames on your face and just in case you do drop ’em, they have impact resistant lenses. For your feet, Reef’s Phantom II sandals are comfy, water proof and made for moving on sand. Our last recommendation? How about some unexpected bling like this multi-wrap bracelet made from real Lava beads? It can double as a necklace if that’s more your style.

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Stepping out means stepping up your look. So after living the whole day in board shorts you may balk at the notion of putting on some pants – in a word: Don’t. Ladies can read the room. The guy who takes the time to look good is a guy they’ll want to get to know. So put in the effort with a slim fit pant and give the bottom a nice cuff. Next, get yourself a proper aloha shirt, i.e. something in a traditional pattern that’s still fun – like this sweet one we found by Roark (for an even sweeter price, YW). Underneath, a solid, quality tee, like this Naked & Famous one we found. A substantial, but not overly chunky, silver necklace lends a little bling. And when it comes to a timeless pair of quality sneaks that will go with everything you own, you cannot go wrong with Stan Smiths. Yeah, they’re not the cheapest thing on this list but once you own a pair, you will seriously wonder how you got around without them.

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You and your squad looking to get your angler on? Good eye protection and a hat are a priority. Blenders makes a great pair of polarized sunglasses with anti-saltwater coating and (big bonus!) they float so you can easily locate and retrieve. Hat choices are wide open, so we give a nod to Key West with the iconic MaddaFella swordfish hat. Will it bring you luck in the catch? Maybe. It’ll definitely keep you looking good in the attempt. Another critical piece – proper boat shoes. Flip flops on slippery decks = not a good time. Columbia makes a great pair, which we found on sale. Now for apparel. Fast drying cargo shorts from The North Face come with plenty of pockets for quick-needed items, and the Tradewind Tank from Vuori is performance tech, so no sweat patches on you! Extra credit here – most captains will tell you it’s a good idea to bring a windbreaker. It’ll protect you from unexpected downpours and help keep you warm against early morning sea spray as you head out. This one from the Puma + CB collab collection does the job, and it’s made from recycled materials.

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Here’s another great fit for those days you’re exploring the lowkey local spots. Sperry’s walking sneaks will keep your feet happy as you stroll around. A Bathing Ape’s tee and some tie dye fleece shorts from Aeropostale read both comfy and casual. And what’s a walkabout without some fun bling, like Eye Candy Los Angeles’ cheeky knife pendant. Of course you’re gonna want somewhere to stash your stuff as you engage in your explorations so toss a carrier bag over your shoulder, like this one from Carhartt WIP which is just the perfect size for your necessities and a few items you may pick up along the way.

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Speaking of exploring – are there some local waterfalls in your future? Maybe some natural hot springs that can only be reached via a series of mild to moderate hiking? If you and your crew have been planning to make off-the-beaten path part of your spring break plan, here is a great fit that will work for you. Starting with a pair of long chinos from Carhartt that will hold up well to outdoor activities. Because you may not be aware of the terrain, it’s a smart guy who opts for a proper hiking shoe. Teva’s low hiking shoe is lightweight like a sneaker but with all the bells and whistles of a good boot. Wearing an inexpensive tee is also a good ‘just in case’ and this one we found has a cool tie dye color combo and it’s under eight bucks! Also, check out these Spectrum sunglasses for under forty bucks. They’re polarized and the frame is made to look like cherry wood. As for the best way to stash your stuff – this sling-style Patagonia backpack can fit your water bottle, sunscreen, towel, etc, and has a self-contained zip area for your phone and wallet.

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Warmer climes beg for a bonfire night on the beach. This fit is made to keep you chilling, not chilly. When it comes to jeans, there’s a lot of flashier brands out there but, nothing beats a solid pair of Levi’s. Classic – straight leg in a dark wash that’ll only get better with age. Next, you’ll want a hoodie. We’re sure you’ve got around…what?…a hundred or so? But ask yourself this – do you have a Rick and Morty? Well, now you do. Top your crown with an adjustable hat from Aeropostale in case thing get way windy. Now for something truly fun – the Stash Slide from Reef. Each slide comes with small pockets that can carry small belongings, like a hotel room key and/or any other items you may want to bring to the beach (ahem). Last, we recommend a good watch, like this Timex that looks good but isn’t so expensive you’d kick yourself if you lost it. Why a watch? Because this light up version will save you from being that guy, who’s buried in his phone when he should be focusing on the fun around him.

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Channeling some serious 90s vibes, this look is fit for a Prince (of Bel-air that is). We start with Levi’s reboot of their 501 shorts called ’93 (natch) and a black graffiti print tee that gels so well these items were made for each other. Top it off with a Runtz cap and Puma’s iconic suede kicks.

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Our last look is a perfect look for that night you and your friends decide to hit up some live music. A graphic tee of the one and only Jimmy Cliff is a fantastic IYKYK. Pair it with an equally awesome Wu-Tang Clan hoodie. Of course some cool, grunge shredded jeans will hit the right note. As for accessories, we’re loving this Vans crossbody bag. Small enough to toss on your back, but big enough to keep all your valuables. Also from Aeropostale, we scored the perfect pair of throw-away shades for under eight bucks! At that price if you misplace them – who cares? As for footwear, it’s tempting to rock the flops but best to go with some foot protection. These gray fellows from adidas are minimal, cool and at a great price.

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