What To Wear on Vacation with Your Conservative Parents
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Last month, we flew our parents to Puerto Rico to celebrate our dad’s 70th birthday. With its blue waters, warm people, good food and music, the beautiful island has become a favorite vacation spot, so we wanted our parents to experience it. We landed on a Friday afternoon in San Juan, skin glistening with sunscreen, ready to have too many glasses of Don Q-infused piña colada.
The packing part should’ve been easy; tropical getaways call for bathing suits, crochet cover-ups and minidresses—the kind of stuff that takes up very little space. But what do you bring on vacation with your conservative parents who will comment on every look? Not your skimpy bikinis or Miami club skirts. We had to dig deep to find “family-friendly” clothes that still felt fun and playful. The result? B minus, if you ask our dad.
Shelcy’s Nia Thomas crochet skirt or dress just didn’t cut it (“this is something you should wear only around your husband,” dad said) while Christy’s Jacquemus miniskirt felt “dangerously short.” For the most part, our outfits passed the minimum decency test, but our dad would have preferred to see less skin overall.
Scroll on to see the looks in question, and add them to your cart if you want to shock your parents too.
For a Beach Day
Photo Courtesy of @nycxclothes
For a calm beach day at Playa Chiquita, I opted for this feminine rosette one-piece by LA-based swimwear label SAME. The Jacquemus mini skirt played up the neutral theme while adding an element of texture. I loved the playfulness of the rosettes with the fringed hem.
Shop the Look: Same Rose One Piece ($325); Jacquemus Fringe Ruched Canvas Skirt ($407)
For Island Hopping
Photo Courtesy of @nycxclothes
Easy breezy crochet girl! This is how I feel in this Ink Loo set, which stands out against any backdrop. It’s handmade by a Black designer with a good eye for playful silhouettes. As you can probably see by now, I have a thing for fringe in unexpected places, and this two-piece set also delivers one more surprise: the cutouts on the side. It’s as good for the beach as for a birthday dinner; you will be the main character anywhere.
Shop the Look: Inkloo Birthday Suit ($100); Faithful The Brand Aquarius Bikini Bottoms ($89) ; Faithful The Brand Sol Bikini Top ($95)
For Exploring Old San Jaun
Photo Courtesy of @nycxclothes
Reconnecting with my Haitian heritage through fashion has meant wearing artisanal pieces that recall the techniques of the sewers I grew up around. Fanm Mòn pays homage to this beautiful legacy by making vibrant pieces that are in dialogue with nature. This sky-blue two-piece set perfectly captures that vision. It’s not only beautiful to look at, but it’s also well-made. It’s perfect for those in-between dress codes. Needless to say, my dad totally approves!
Shop the Look: Fanm Mòn Arina Skirt Set ($409); Alohas Elio Brown Leather Sandals ($90)
For a Beach Adventure
Photo Courtesy of @nycxclothes
“Crochet is the ultimate summer fabric, and there is nothing more appropriate for a beach day. Matching with Chris, I wore the white version of the rosette one-piece with a Nia Thomas crochet miniskirt for a fun textured look. I used the scarf to add an exotic element; something about the colorful print exudes all the vacation vibes.” - Shelcy
Shop the Look: Same Rose One Piece ($325); Nia Thomas Mrida Skirt ($395)
Photo Courtesy of @nycxclothes
“If you’re bold, you might wear this dress on its own, but I played it safe by wearing it over my green Shona Joy bikini. While that wasn’t good enough for my dad, I think we can all agree it makes a stunning beach look. The only caveat is that if you’re 5’5 and under, you will have to lift it so you can walk or run comfortably.” - Shelcy
Left to Right: Nia Thomas Venus Dress ($625)
For a Day in the City
Photo Courtesy of @nycxclothes
“I don’t normally gravitate towards this muted gray, but there is something about the color palette here that feels like a clean slate. It’s almost like I wanted to blend in, yet stand out through subtle elements like the halter and the ruching on the skirt. I wore this look for a day out in Old San Juan, and it works well for a moment but is also pretty practical.” - Shelcy
Left to Right: Sir The Label D’Orsay Top ($260); Sir The Label D’orsay Skirt ($360)