How Olivia Ivey and Rebecca Rittenhouse Styled St. Barths

Rip & Tan: What’s your general approach to vacation style? Do you take the opportunity to experiment with new looks? Adopt a specific style personality?

Rebecca Rittenhouse: No new friends! I don’t bring things that are outside of my style on vacation. If you don’t wear it at home, why would you start now? 

Olivia Ivey: I love to dress for the location and get inspired by the culture, weather, and mood of the trip. I always bring basics for building my looks around. 

Rip & Tan: Can you walk us through your packing process?

Rebecca Rittenhouse: I try to pack by color scheme and to make sure things aren’t only going to be used once.  I definitely overpack jewelry because it’s small. I tried packing cubes but I don’t find it that helpful.  I like to pack for the personality of the destination.  For example, Cabo and St Barths do not get the same treatment–even though they’re both beachy the vibes are so different!

Olivia Ivey: In all honesty, I am a chronic overpacker. When I am organized, I note how many meals and events we have scheduled and plan looks for those. I also use packing cubes, which I discovered last year, and it makes organizing and unpacking even easier.

Rip & Tan: In a few words, how would you define your St. Barths capsule wardrobe? 

Rebecca Rittenhouse: St. Barths is a French island, so keep it simple and chic. Jenni Kayne is perfect for that vibe, especially the whites and neutrals. Jewelry is a great way to add panache to simple outfits–you can’t go wrong with a chunky gold chain. 

Olivia Ivey: Grab the basics, toss in bikinis, and add accessories to express your personal style.

Rip & Tan: When you’re headed somewhere beachy, what are a few of your must-pack items? 

Rebecca Rittenhouse: Sunhat, sunscreen, white linen shirt, slides, and a Pareo. Things that can be worn day and night!

Olivia Ivey: I always pack a sunhat, a linen shirt that can double as a beach cover-up over a bikini or worn with jean shorts. I like to pack and wear multi-purpose things.

Rip & Tan: What’s one thing you packed that you’ll leave behind next time? 

Rebecca Rittenhouse: I brought too many handbags! I had a lot to do the day I left and by the time I got to the bags, I panicked. 

Olivia Ivey: Probably my hair dryer. More time relaxing, less time caring about perfecting the hair.

Rip & Tan: Which pieces were you most excited to style this trip?

Rebecca Rittenhouse: I love my Linen Logan Shirt and Rove Ankle Dress.  Both are so easy and can be worn for multiple occasions. 

Olivia Ivey: I am so in love with the Callan Dress. I wore it with my black sun hat and sandals going to lunch in town. We stayed in a villa so it was great for running errands and food shopping, while also sneaking into a few boutiques! 

Rip & Tan: Any tips for making the most of a minimalist travel wardrobe?

Rebecca Rittenhouse: Definitely accessories, the smaller the better. I like silk scarves, chunky chains, and fun earrings, for this reason.  They make a simple wardrobe pop. Do I sound like I’m 80? Lol good. 

Olivia Ivey: As a maximalist individual who dreams of being a minimalist packer, it’s about repurposing items throughout the trip. Especially Jenni Kayne’s linen pieces that can easily be worn to the beach and to a lovely lunch! Accessories are also key in changing the vibe or mood of an outfit, so I always pack an array of accessories.

Rip & Tan: Let’s talk accessories—which pieces were you wearing on repeat? Any special vacation pieces you pulled out for the occasion? 

Rebecca Rittenhouse: The Eve Sandals were so easy to wear and go with everything.  I also loved the Cove Dress, though its not an accessory, it was so easy to accessorize!  I wore it for a casual dinner and then a couple days later as a beach cover-up.  It’s also the perfect “breakfast dress”. I always pack an easy chic dress like this to wear to the hotel breakfast as a nondecision before I am caffeinated and decide on my beach look for the day. 

Olivia Ivey: I loved the Crochet Raffia Sun Hat, and it was SO easy to pack in a suitcase. The Dani Slides were my go-to shoes. Easily tossed in my beach bag and no fuss at all to slide on my feet. 

Rip & Tan: Are there any pieces from this trip you’re looking forward to continuing to style in your day-to-day this season? 

Rebecca Rittenhouse: LOVE the Linen Kyle Trouser. So versatile, especially for living in LA. Jenni Kayne also has the best cashmere and my Flynn Cashmere Sweater is truly all season. I also don’t travel without my Cooper Cardigan. 

Olivia Ivey: Rebecca and I both showed up to St Barth’s in the Linen Kyle Trouser. They were exceptionally comfortable travel pants. The shape is super flattering and can be dressed up with a fun crop top and accessories, or casually worn to the office with a button-up blouse.