What I Wore on Vacation: Punta Cana & Montego Bay Jamaica - A Style Guide
Wah gwan, beautiful people!
If you're anything like me, vacation is the perfect excuse to elevate your style game. I don't know about you, but when I'm on vacation, I don't want to look how I look at home—we are feeding looks, honey! I recently took trips to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Montego Bay, Jamaica, and I'm here to break down every single outfit I wore so you can get inspired for your next tropical getaway.
Punta Cana: Affordable Tropical Vibes
For Punta Cana, I went for affordability without sacrificing style. When you want colorful, fun pieces that won't break the bank, there's no shame in going high and low with your vacation wardrobe.
Look 1: The Two-Piece Illusion Dress
This gorgeous dress from SHEIN completely fooled everyone—it looks like a two-piece set but it's actually one dress! I got it in a medium, and while it's slightly see-through, pairing it with black underwear solved that issue completely. The color was exactly as advertised, and the breathability made it perfect for those hot tropical days.
At 5'3", the length was generous even in heels, so my tall girls will absolutely love this one. The tie-back design is genius because you can adjust it based on your bust size. The gapping in the front is flattering, and honestly, this dress just fits.
Accessories:
I paired it with statement earrings and bangles from SHEIN, plus my signature chunky gold bangles from my website, House of Chev B. I'm all about those chunky earrings, bracelets, and rings—they're statement pieces that elevate any vacation look. I finished with a double cross necklace and gold heels.
Look 2: Orange Cover-Up with Yellow Bikini
This orange cover-up from Pretty Little Thing (back when PLT was actually good—RIP to the old PLT) is thick, beautiful, and absolutely stunning. The material quality is everything. Since the website has completely changed, this exact piece isn't available anymore, but similar styles exist.
I paired it with a bright yellow bathing suit because what goes better with orange than yellow? The combo was vibrant and tropical perfection. I accessorized with my signature gold bangles from House of Chev B and statement hoops.
Look 3: The Pink Two-Piece Set
Y'all, this SHEIN set has been in my favorites FOREVER, and when it finally arrived, I was shook. The quality and weight of the material exceeded all expectations. The pants are heavy, well-made, and incredibly long—perfect for my tall girls!
I'm not usually a pink person, but I shocked myself by choosing this color over green and nude options. For Punta Cana, I wanted COLOR, and this pink looked absolutely gorgeous against my skin. The top can be tied multiple ways—I went with a crisscross halter back instead of the tube top style shown on the website.
Styling tip: I paired it with bold flower earrings (statement earrings are THE thing for summer!), my Paradise Bangles from my jewelry line, a cream bangle from SHEIN, and a cream Zara-style bag. The pants were so long I barely remember what shoes I wore—probably my trusty gold Zara sandals that have survived multiple vacations.
Look 4: Yacht Day Perfection
For our boo cruise day, I wore a black cutout swimsuit from SHEIN that was chef's kiss. I was worried about the cutout looking weird with my boobs, but it fit perfectly—sexy without feeling like everything was falling out. Even with love handles, this suit was flattering.
Here's where it gets good: I accidentally created this outfit by mixing two separate sets I brought. The red fringe bag from Pretty Little Thing (again, old PLT), red sunglasses from Amazon, and SHEIN sandals completed the look. Those red Amazon shades have been with me for over a year on multiple vacations and are still in perfect condition!
Vacation shoe philosophy: I don't wear designer sandals on certain vacations because it depends on the terrain and activities. I've ruined expensive sandals before (shoutout to that ruined Christian pair), so now I stick with affordable SHEIN or Zara sandals that still look amazing and hold up.
Look 5: Pink Undertone Dress
This SHEIN dress was cut so beautifully and stayed true to my style without being too much. I paired it with pink heels from Fashion Nova that I've had forever (not sure if they're still available) to play into the pink undertones of the dress.
Simple SHEIN earrings kept things light, and I wore my Beyond Empress ring from my jewelry collection. My trusty Zara bag from a couple years ago completed the look.
Look 6: Blue and Green Resort Set
This simple, cute short set in blue and greenish tones from SHEIN was perfect for resort days or simple beach outings. The color was vibrant and pretty, and I got it in a size large. I paired it with a blue Walmart bathing suit and just enough jewelry to look put-together.
Vacation philosophy: Even on a simple resort day, we're getting it together! I don't want to look on vacation how I look at home. It doesn't have to be expensive—just put it together! There's something special about walking around on vacation feeling confident in your outfit, even if you'll never see those people again.
Look 7: The White Drape Dress
When I posted this Zara dress, y'all went CRAZY! Unfortunately, I bought it last summer, so finding the exact one might be tough. But Zara and other retailers have similar drape dresses right now—they're trending!
This dress fit like a glove, which is rare for me with draped styles. Usually, if the bottom fits right, the top is swimming and I look flat-chested. The draping also does magic for the tummy area—you really can't see it in photos.
I paired it with my gold Zara purse, a cross necklace, and chunky bracelets from my website. White outfits are always 10/10 for me!
Montego Bay, Jamaica: Elevated Island Style
I went to Jamaica with Shea Moisture, and the vibes were immaculate. For this trip, I invested in quality pieces from Jamaican designer Ria Imani.
Look 8: The Green Set That Changed My Life
This green ruffle pant set from Ria Imani is THE STAR OF THE SHOW. I'm obsessed! The color against my skin is gorgeous, and my hips and butt looked incredible. The quality linen material (no stretch) is thick without being heavy.
The top ties beautifully, though getting the crisscross back right when you're alone takes about 5-10 minutes. But trust me, it's worth it. This outfit absolutely eats—I wore it multiple times and will continue to wear it again and again.
Why I love Ria Imani: She's a Jamaican designer who creates original, high-quality pieces that are perfect for vacation. Her designs get me every single time!
I paired this with big gold statement earrings from SHEIN, gold chains, my Versace bag, and those faithful gold Zara sandals (which honestly need replacing soon—they've served me for YEARS).
Look 9: Orange Bralette & Thick Skirt Set
Another Ria Imani masterpiece! I'd been waiting since last summer to wear this orange bralette and thick skirt set. The skirt has two additional linings underneath, but surprisingly, I wasn't hot or sweating.
The skirt is LONG and thick—if you're petite like me, you'll need to get it tailored. The orange and the skirt color are so different but work perfectly together. She now has this set available in yellow and white, and I definitely need the yellow version!
The waist beads with this outfit gave tropical island goddess vibes—it was everything! I wore statement earrings, my SHEIN double gold cross chain, an arm cuff from Brazil (Amazon has similar ones), green bangles from SHEIN that matched the tropical vibe perfectly, and Chanel sandals (though I was running late and just grabbed the first thing I saw).
Look 10: The Lemon Green Dress
This final look is a light lemon green (not neon!) dress from Melanie the Label. I got it in a medium but could have sized down because of all the tying. Some reviews mentioned difficulty figuring out where arms go, but if you look at the website photo, it's straightforward.
As a 36C, there's definitely enough material, though my boobs got a bit lost in there. I didn't want to go too small though, because I didn't want any shifting that might show my butt cheeks!
Final Thoughts: The Art of Vacation Packing
Here's my vacation style philosophy:
- Mix and match everything - I brought swimsuits from one vacation to the next. Rinse and repeat, baby!
- Don't over-consume - Get versatile pieces you'll actually wear again
- Balance high and low - Affordable SHEIN and Zara mixed with investment pieces from designers like Ria Imani
- Accessorize strategically - Statement jewelry elevates even the simplest outfits
- Put it together - Even on simple resort days, make an effort. There's power in feeling confident on vacation!
- Document everything - You worked hard for that vacation—capture those looks!
Whether you're hitting Punta Cana, Jamaica, or anywhere tropical, remember: on vacation, we are FEEDING LOOKS. It's not about being extra—it's about feeling like your best self in a new place.