In " Pack With Me ," influencers and editors give us a rundown of their travel must haves and a few travel hacks to go along with them. For this installment, PS associate director of Shopping Sarah Wasilak shares what essentials are necessary for a getaway to East Hampton and Montauk in Long Island, New York. I've lived in New Jersey my whole life, and despite the Hamptons not being too many miles away and plenty of my friends venturing out east as we grew up, I'd never made the trip.
When Naturepedic invited me to join an intimate group of editors in East Hampton, NY for two nights, I knew my time had come. I'd heard endless stories of mouth-watering lobster rolls and late-night bar hopping, and I was eager to see what all the fuss was about. While I can now confirm that there's a lovely air of sophistication that seems to be lacking at the Jersey Shore by comparison, and the food is a culinary delight, no one harps on the long-drawn-out car ride and hours of traffic that stand between the preceding workweek and loads of fun you're about to have.
For that reason, some of my travel product recommendations include calming accessories and must haves for the journey (think: a supportive travel pillow and book to read), whereas there are also style essentials on this list that speak to the overall vibe of the destination. Ahead, read some advice for planning your trip to the Hamptons, then shop directly (albeit virtually) from the exact commuter backpack I brought with me. What are the best outfits to wear in the Hamptons? The Hamptons will make you feel fabulous and lavish, whether you're chilling in a picturesque backyard near the pool or going out to dinner among affluent vacationers and celebrities.
If you're curious about what to wear in the Hamptons , think elevated cottagecore and pack one to two fancier dresses, jumpsuits, or suits for dining at a swanky restaurant. Swimsuits are a necessity if you're visiting in the summer, and because a lot of the locals are active, you'll want to bring your cutest matching workout set for a game of tennis or a group fitness class, from SLT to Barry's. What to do in Montauk for a weekend A perfect day trip to Montauk should absolutely involve a lobster roll (the one you see here on a croissant is from 668 The Gig Shack ), a beach trip to the Montauk Point Lighthouse (the first in New York State!) or a morning trail hike , and walking and shopping along the streets.
There are often art fairs and some seriously great coffee spots — I enjoyed an oat milk latte from Left Hand — and Montauk Brewing Company is famous for its beer that you'll find all over New York. There are plenty of places to stay overnight, from Ruschmeyer's and Gurney's to The Surf Club and Breakers , and many of these motels have bars and restaurants that have become favorites among locals and travelers. I stayed in the Hamptons for a total of three nights, and my best meal was hands down at Duryea's , where the famous Lobster Cobb Salad comes in a huge wooden bowl that's seemingly enough to feed just one after you take your first bite.
A Complete Packing Guide For St. Barts — Courtesy of a Shopping Editor Face Cream With SPF e.l.
f. Holy Hydration! Face Cream SPF 30 ($13) This face cream is super lightweight and my go-to beauty essential to pack when I'm going to be in the sun in the middle of summer. It's great for oily and combination skin — but especially dry skin that could use a little extra moisture.
If you're headed all the way out to Montauk, it does get windier at the tip — or "The End," as many locals call it — so sun protection is more important than ever, even if you're not going to be at the beach. Glow Oil With SPF Supergoop! Glow Oil Body Oil SPF 50 Sunscreen ($18-$40) Supergoop!'s Glow Oil is honestly the best travel product I've discovered all summer. I consider it both a skin care staple and a beauty product , lathering up whether I'm hitting the beach during the day or going for a glowy, sunkissed look at night.
It's super lightweight and doesn't leave your skin feeling overly oily once it dries, and it has SPF 50, which is my personal sweet spot if I want to safely invite a tan without burning. Of course, reapplying often is essential. Reading Material I Fear My Pain Interests You ($14, originally $20) If you're planning to sit on the beach for a while (and why wouldn't you?) you should absolutely bring along the book you're reading or download a podcast.
The water can be rough in the Hamptons, so you may be glad you thought of other activities besides swimming. I'm currently reading Stephanie LaCava's latest novel, which happens to be about a New Yorker. I always recommend bringing paperbacks for trips where the goal is to pack light.
Bottle of Rosé Hampton Water Rosé 2023 ($20) What better bottle of rosé can you imagine bringing to the Hamptons? Hampton Water is a line launched in 2017 by Jon Bon Jovi, Jesse Bongiovi, and Gérard Bertrand as an ode to the South of France and the Hamptons combined. The wine itself is fresh and lively and has soft notes of strawberry and citrus. It's been aged in French Oak barrels.
Sophisticated Earrings Oomiay Basket Earrings ($55) The Hamptons carry a certain air of sophistication, so I packed my favorite gold jewelry to complement my flowy looks. These versatile studs are 18mm, so they won't take much away from your outfit and can be teamed with outfits that are both casual and fancy. Oomiay, founded in LA, was started to help people express bold femininity and its' devoted to a heavy gold dipped process and 5A grade crystals.
Whimsical Swimsuit Blackbough Palmo Top in Angel Cake ($55) and Blackbough Bloomer Shorts in Angel Cake ($35) This swimsuit screams the Hamptons to me. I'm sure it's something about the juxtaposition of soft pastel flowers and a delicate bow with sporty boy shorts, but I knew I had to have it for my trip. If you're into the ethereal pattern, but not about shorts, Blackbough also offers a cheeky, ruffle-clad bottom ($55) and high-waisted silhouette ($50) if that's more your speed.
Travel Pillow Naturepedic Organic Travel Pillow ($59) Depending on where you're traveling from, you're likely in for a long car ride to reach the Hamptons, as Montauk Highway is the only direct line and the longest state route on Long Island. Even if you go by train via Long Island Rail Road, this certified organic travel pillow will still come in handy. The design is compact and the cotton finish is breathable and easy on the skin.
It comes with an optional waterproof pillowcase that's impenetrable to dust mites, bed bugs, and other allergens. The Sonos Ace Headphones Block Out Everything, and They're $50 Off Right Now Personalized Travel Bag Lily & Bean Leather Travel Shell Style Bag ($77) Many weekend trips to the Hamptons involve a larger crew, where the game plan is to rent an Airbnb with a pool and family-style setup. On trips like these, I prefer to bring my travel bag that's embossed with my initials so there are no mixups.
But of course, the highlight of this Lily & Bean vanity case is the organized jewelry stasher at the bottom. It has just the right amount of space for a weekend full of makeup products and a few favorite rings, bracelets, necklaces, and anklets that will complement your looks. Going-Out Look Meshki Gigi Long Sleeve Knit Top in Misty Rose ($85) and Meshki Gigi Knit Midi Skirt in Misty Rose ($85) The Hamptons definitely provide quite the nightlife to visitors and locals, but you can choose whether you want to sip wine and dine over a delicious lobster salad or hit the bars.
Either way, a lightweight outfit like this one fits the bill. Coordinates happen to be my favorite to pack for a weekend getaway, because you can always mix and match the pieces with your denim cutoffs or other packable separates later. Team this Meshki set with a pair of kitten heel mules and sunglasses, and you're good to go.
Portable Speaker Sonos Roam 2 Portable Speaker ($143, originally $179) Everyone needs a high-quality portable speaker that's also lightweight and won't weigh their luggage down. I've found my perfect match in the Sonos Roam 2, which I especially appreciate for the Sunset colorway. The waterproof and dustproof device has a 10-hour battery life and an extremely clear sound.
You can easily connect it to WiFi or Bluetooth it to your phone in a pinch as soon as you hit the beach. Weekender Backpack Caraa Commuter Pack ($188, originally $288) I know I may be alone in this, but I much prefer this commuter pack to a weekender duffel that weighs down one shoulder. There are a total of six compartments in this oversize, ergonomic pouch that's made of 100 percent natural undyed cotton canvas.
I call it my Mary Poppins bag because every time I use it, I discover another zipper pocket I didn't know existed on my last weekend getaway. For those who know math, the capacity of this bag is 3,588 cubic inches and it measures 23 inches high before you stuff it all the way up and cinch the top with satisfaction. Running Sneakers New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 ($250) There are some incredible running routes to check out in the Hamptons.
My commuter pack has the perfect slot to fit my go-to pair: New Balance's FuelCell SuperComp Elite, which continues to be perfected more and more with every iteration. The running shoe is extremely light (6.6 ounces) and has the thinnest carbon fiber plate yet, which promises superior energy return.
Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.
Travel and expenses for the author were provided by Naturepedic and organized by SolComms for the purpose of writing this story..
