Pack for the beach, the boat, sunset drinks and the late-night pivot without hauling three outfits or becoming the group's coat check.
The best party bag is the one you are not annoyed to carry six hours later. Newport makes it easy for a beach stop to become a boat invite, sunset drinks and a much later finish, so pack for the pivot instead of every imaginary emergency.
Wear the swim shorts instead of packing them
Start in beach shorts you are comfortable swimming, walking, eating and sitting around in afterward. That removes one bulky change of clothes and keeps you ready when the next plan starts before the first one ends.
Bring one dry top and one light layer
A clean tee handles most of the day. A lightweight layer covers the temperature drop once the sun goes down or the breeze picks up.
The small stuff matters more
Sunscreen, sunglasses, water, a towel, phone protection, and a secure place for keys and cards solve more problems than bringing three outfits.
A hat earns its space
A Krunkie hat handles sun, post-water hair and the transition into the rest of the day. Choose one you would actually want in the photos when the group is still out after dark.
Pack light enough that saying yes to the next plan is easy.