Outfits

Fall Beach Getaway Outfits: A Weekend on St. Simons

By Margot Vale · Oct 27, 2026 · 6 min read

Standing in front of my open suitcase last weekend, I asked myself the question I always ask before a coastal trip: what do I actually need, versus what do I think I need? The answer, as always, was less than I expected. A fall beach getaway asks for exactly four things that work together. Everything else is decoration.

Here’s the short version: linen pants and a relaxed shirt for warm afternoons, a light sweater for cool mornings and evenings, a slightly dressier pair of jeans for dinner, and a swimsuit with a shirt and shorts you can throw over it. That’s the whole list. Four pieces that mix into a dozen looks, and not a single one of them needs an ocean view to justify its place in your closet.

I spent a weekend on St. Simons Island, Georgia, and got to test that list in the low 70s — the kind of fall weather you’d order up if you could. The weather was generous. The packing list was not. Let me show you how it actually worked.

The packing list, in practice

Fall on the coast can feel like summer by lunchtime and ask for a layer by dinner. The trick isn’t packing more; it’s packing things that play nicely together. A linen pant and a relaxed shirt do the heavy lifting for warm afternoons. A soft sweater covers the gap between morning and noon. One pair of jeans that’s a step above your everyday pair handles dinner without needing a whole second outfit.

I stayed at The King and Prince, a grand old hotel that sits right on the beach. She could use a refresh, but when you can step out the front door and walk straight onto the sand, you’re willing to overlook a lot. I started every morning with a walk on the water — and on a weekend like this, I wasn’t about to miss a single one.

The brand I don’t wear nearly enough

Every time I’m near the ocean, the same brand pops into my head: Tommy Bahama. I’ve been guilty of saving it strictly for vacations — the “resort closet” category, if you will. Which is a little silly, because a good pair of linen pants doesn’t need a beach to earn its keep. It’s just as useful on any warm day at home.

I’ve always liked the quality. It’s easy to wear, the pieces are well-made, and because the brand is carried at department stores, you can try things on before you buy — always a plus in my book. It’s the kind of brand that quietly does its job, season after season, without asking for attention.

Here’s my honest confession: I’ve been a Ralph Lauren girl for as long as I can remember. Talbots, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Quince, Lands’ End — these are the brands I reach for without thinking. There’s comfort in knowing what works. But every so often it pays to widen the list, and a weekend at the beach is a good reminder that other well-made labels deserve a spot in my rotation. Tommy Bahama is one of them.

The pieces I’d pack

For cool mornings:

Tommy Bahama Wave V-Neck Sweater
Tommy Bahama Cord Classic Shirt

For warm afternoons:

Tommy Bahama Easy Linen Pants
Tommy Bahama Relaxed Shirt

For dinner:

Tommy Bahama Jacquard Flare Jeans

For beach or pool days, I’d also add a few pieces from Vitamin A — a brand I’ve come to know for swimwear and the easy layers you pull on over it. It’s in good company, and it’s one of those brands that earns its spot through quiet, repeated use rather than hype.

Vitamin A Bandeau Swimsuit
Vitamin A Playa Vida Shirt
Vitamin A Getaway Short

How I actually wore it

Morning walk: the V-neck sweater over the linen pants, rolled at the ankle. Simple, warm, no effort.

Afternoon: the relaxed shirt with the linen pants and flat sandals. This is the look that does the most work on the trip.

Beach or pool: the bandeau swimsuit with the Playa Vida shirt worn open and the Getaway Short over it. Three pieces, done.

Dinner: the cord shirt with the jacquard flare jeans and a string of pearls. One loud piece is enough.

One more thing I picked up

While I was on the island, I also grabbed a few things for my guest room. A faux olive tree to soften the window, a pair of nightstands flanking the bed, and a small marble accent table so guests have a proper spot to set down their drinks instead of balancing them on the windowsill. My guests rate the room five stars — and I owe a little of that to a good night’s sleep on a Helix mattress. If you’ve been waiting on a home refresh, Wayfair Days runs up to 80% off with free shipping through the end of the event. It’s not a fashion decision, but it’s the kind of quiet upgrade that makes a trip feel like a trip.

FAQ

What should I pack for a fall beach getaway?

Linen pants and a relaxed shirt for warm afternoons, a light sweater for cool mornings and evenings, a dressier pair of jeans for dinner, and a swimsuit with a shirt and shorts to throw over it. Pick pieces that mix so you can pack less.

Is late October a good time for the Georgia coast?

It was for me — my weekend was in the low 70s, perfect for morning walks on the beach. Fall weather on the coast can vary, so check the forecast before you go and pack a layer.

Is Tommy Bahama worth adding to my rotation?

In my experience, yes. The quality is good, the pieces are easy to wear, and because the brand is carried at department stores, it’s easy to try things on before you buy. It’s one of those brands that works all year, not just at the beach.

The Edit

Four pieces. A dozen looks. No decision fatigue. That’s the whole argument for packing light on a fall beach trip — and it’s the same logic I use when I edit a closet. Fewer, better-mixed pieces beat a full suitcase every time.

a note from Margot — I came home with a full heart and a small note to myself: stop saving the good linen pants for the beach. They’re just as good on a Tuesday in the city. I spent ten years editing magazine racks. Now I edit your closet — and I promise, you already own half of this trip.

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