Beach Day Checklist
Before heading to the beach this summer, review our checklist to ensure you have everything you need. Keep reading to find our picks for the best beach-day essentials for women:
The Right Swimsuit
The first item on our beach day checklist is the most important—your swimsuit. When we say the right swimsuit, we mean the right one for you. One classic option that comes in sizes to fit every body is the one-piece Tugless Tank. It’s designed to stay in place so you stay comfortable, without adjusting your bathing suit even after swimming. A tankini is an option if you want plenty of style options, as tankini tops and bottoms can be mixed and matched to create many beach looks.
The Right Cover-Up
A beach cover-up protects your skin against UV rays after swimming. You’ll find rash guards for women in many styles, including cover-up dresses. Rash guard hoodies, shorts, and other garments for the whole family deliver UPF 50+ for covered areas. The fabric dries quickly and is light and breathable enough for wearing on the beach. Rash guard cover-ups are made from polyester; some pieces may have a touch of spandex for a gentle stretch. They’re also machine washable for convenient cleaning and withstand plenty of wear and washing.
Water Shoes
Even if you love the feel of sand between your toes, pack your beach bag with a pair of water shoes. This footwear is for wet conditions, such as beach locker room showers and the shoreline. They dry quickly and are resistant to mildew, so you can wear them in the pool or ocean water and place them in the sun to dry afterward. These shoes come in multiple styles and colors, so you may find a pair to complement your swimsuit.
Beach Towels
You’ll also want to pack beach towels for the day trip. Although you may only need one towel per person, pack two just in case. One can be used for lounging on the sand, while another can be used to dry off after swimming. Beach towels come in many colors and prints, woven from thick, absorbent fabrics such as Turkish cotton. This type of cotton has a long-staple fiber, much like USA-grown Supima cotton, for excellent durability. It’s highly absorbent and fast-drying—two features you want in any bath or beach towel.
Sunscreen
.Lands' End offers a variety of chlorine-resistant swimsuits. Added sun protection is always a good idea, so consider wearing swimwear and swim coverup dresses with this feature. Rash guards are a great clothing item that can protect your skin in and out of the sun. Linen shirts and other clothing items with sleeves can offer protection from the suns harmful rays and multitask to after beach activities. While using coverup clothing offers you additional protection, sunscreen is always a good idea to cover otherwise unprotected areas such as your face. Suncreen is offered in a variety of formulas from sprays to lotions, so choose the one that works best with your skin type.
Toiletry and Tech Cases
Even though you likely already have a beach bag or canvas tote to bring along, extra pouches and cases are a must. Choose zippered, water-resistant storage pieces for your tech items, such as your charger, earbuds, and smartphone. Toiletries can be kept in a zippered pouch to prevent leakage onto the other items in your bag. If you have makeup that may melt, keep your waterproof cosmetics bag in a cooler with snacks and drinks to keep your products intact.
A Change of Clothing
If you plan to attend a beach party or visit the hottest new restaurant after your beach day, it might be inconvenient to go home and change. If so, bring along a change of clothes in your tote. Cotton dresses are appropriate for most after-swim occasions. One of these summer fashion staples can be rolled up into a cylindrical shape and tucked in your bag to save space, along with a lightweight cardigan and pair of comfortable women's sandals.
A Cooler with Refreshments
Even if you plan to visit a beachfront café or food truck, you might want to bring a small cooler with snacks and drinks. As mentioned, your travel toiletry case can be kept in a cooler to prevent makeup meltdown. Small coolers accommodate one or two people, so you don’t have to tote a large cooler if you’re hitting the beach solo or it’s just you and a friend spending the day together.
These are just some items you may want to bring along for your day at the beach. Use our checklist as inspiration for your own beach day essentials list. While it’s always convenient to pack light, double-check your items before heading out to ensure you have everything you might need.