What to Pack for Spring Break According to Fashion Blogger Kellie Brown

My name is Kellie, and I’m a blogger and YouTuber. I love fashion — all things style, really. I want this column to be more than just shopping ideas. I want to share the awesome contexts in which we wear clothes, get dressed, and live our best lives. Waiting to be thinner or more “valuable” doesn’t cut it. No matter our size, we deserve every good thing — to wear awesome clothes, travel, and radiate self-love, every day.

I recently moved from New York City to Los Angeles. I’d been in New York my entire adult life, arriving just after college. Bright-eyed and ready to jump into the magic that is the City, I would go on to spend more than a decade thriving in the hustle and bustle. Leaving New York has been bittersweet, because there are so many people I love there, but I’m so ready for this new chapter! One of the things I’m most looking forward to this summer is taking loads of trips to further explore the West Coast. After only a week in L.A., I decided to take my first road trip. I headed to Palm Springs with 12 friends to celebrate the birthday of one of my good friends, British blogger Callie Thorpe.

Our friend group had been excited about this trip for months. We’ve known one another for years by way of blogging and Instagram, but we hadn’t all been together since last summer, when we celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Gabi Gregg's style blog, GabiFresh, in Miami. Last year’s trip was 13 fat babes in bikinis in a Miami mansion (Gabi planned one heck of an experience). We did brunch and dinners, and had a pool party and a day on a mind-blowing yacht. Since then, we’ve all kept in close contact and are seemingly making a tradition of meeting up for glorious trips to celebrate the special moments in our lives. So, off we went on our first trip to Palm Springs together.

@itsmekellieb
JULIANNY CASADO
@itsmekellieb
JULIANNY CASADO

Everyone talks about L.A. traffic, but there is nothing quite like the highway mania that is a trek to Palm Springs on a Friday afternoon. No matter how long the ride, though, a pit stop at the stunning sea of windmills is a must, to take in the view and snap photos, of course. I hopped in the car with Nicolette Mason, Jessica Torres, and photographer Julianny Casado, whom we affectionately call JuJu. The hours-long road trip made an Ariana Grande fan out of me, and I also discovered my new favorite song. It’s called “Bassically,” by Tei Shi. Nicolette’s Spotify playlists are so good I can’t help but share — you’re welcome!

Once we arrived, we stayed at the Marley, a fully renovated vintage motel–turned–Airbnb with nine rooms and 13 beds. The pink-and-green midcentury gem was the perfect backdrop to our many outfit changes, which were accompanied by many impromptu photoshoots. We shot loads of swimwear by the pool, and one of my favorites was Jazzmyne in a leopard number, styled with scrunched socks and Air Force Ones. There was also an endless parade of colorful caftans and sunset-colored dresses.

@Nataliemeansnice and @thisisJessicaTorres
@jazzmynejay
JULIANNY CASADO
@itsmekellieb and @gabifresh
@kellyaugustineb
@misslaexlarosa, @nicolettemason, @jazzmynejay, @garnerstyle, @gabifresh, @thisisJessicaTorres, @alexmichaelmay, and @calliethorpe.

The incredible thing about traveling with this group of women is just how supportive and affirming we are of one another. There are no shortages of “YAAAS QUEEN” or literal cheering as you enter a space in a new outfit. In a world where fat bodies are constantly put down, being in a safe space to explore style choices — like a new bikini you are building the confidence to wear — is monumental. One of the things I pushed myself to wear on this trip was a dress from Melissa Masse. The dress is sleeveless (still scary for me at times), has an all-over print, and is oversize. All things I don’t mind, but, overall, I found myself having to push past silly notions about proportions on my body type. It’s these little moments that change us, when you decide that you’re good enough and you hold on to the positive, rather than letting negativity creep in.

@itsmekellieb
JULIANNY CASADO
@itsmekellieb
JULIANNY CASADO
@garnerstyle, @shmanishmasia, @missalexlarosa, @nicolettemason, @alexmichaelmay, and @gabifresh.

After a weekend of relaxing, laughing with friends, and endless photos — because we cute — I’m so ready for my next West Coast adventure!

Though I do know that prepping for a trip like this, or any trip for that matter, can be stressful. So often in the past I’d get frustrated and lament about how limited swim and resort options can be in plus sizes. But today there are many stylish options for fat babes. So don’t worry, I have you covered. Shop my plus-size spring break picks here:

Shop Now: Premme Cara Knot Top, $49. premmeus.com.
Shop Now: Premme Cara Knot Top, $49. premmeus.com.
Premme
Shop Now: Premme Cara Skirt, $79. premmeus.com.
Shop Now: Premme Cara Skirt, $79. premmeus.com.
Premme
Shop Now: Simply Be Square Neck Chiffon Mini Dress, $46. asos.com.
Shop Now: Eloquii Colorblock One Piece Swimsuit, $99.95. eloquii.com.
Shop Now: Universal Standard Geneva V-Neck Dress, $120. universalstandard.com.
Shop Now: GabiFreshX Swimsuits For All Tempest Mesh High Waist Bikini, $84. swimsuitsforall.com.
Shop Now: Anthropologie Tied-Sleeve Poplin Blouse, $88. anthropologie.com.
Shop Now: Madewell Huston Pull-On Crop Pants, $79.50. madewell.com.
Shop Now: ASOS DESIGN Curve basic legging shorts, $9.50. asos.com.
Shop Now: Alpine Butterfly Overalls, $87.50. alpinebutterflyswim.com.