All the Beach Essentials You Need to Elevate Your Style Game
Sure, you may only really need a swimsuit and towel for an upcoming day at the beach. But who wants to head out for a day in the sun and sand without some stylish additions? With just a few additional items, you can have yourself the most stylish day in the sun ever (and many of these items not only elevate your style game but also protect you front the sun’s rays). You can show off your style by adding some extras to your swimsuit style. Here’s how.
A Flattering Swimsuit
When it comes to swimsuits, there is no better feeling than finding a bathing suit that fits you perfectly. And it’s an important first step in creating a stylish and perfect beach look. Go with a swimsuit that you’ll be excited to put on (and one that you will feel confident in). Try on a few different swimsuit options to find the one that’s best for you.
You’ll find it challenging to feel stylish if you don’t like the most important beach-day item.
A Pretty Cover-up
No one wants to come home from the beach with a sunburn, and while you can pack your beach bag full of sunblock and sunhats, you’ll also need a trusty beach cover-up to keep your skin protected from the sun’s intense rays.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, many factors come into play when determining how protective a cover-up will be, but, overall, the website notes that “the more skin your outfit covers, the better your protection.” And not only does a beach cover-up protect you from the sun, but it’s also a trendy item that you can use to show off your style. So, it’s truly a win-win.
Shop for beach cover-ups that complement your swimsuit. If your swimsuit is solid black, slip on a colorful cover-up in contrast. If your bathing suit is floral-printed, get yourself a flower-inspired beach cover-up to match.
A Perfect-for-You Hat
There are many options to choose from when it comes to hats, all of which add a lot of style to your beach-day look. You can go full glam with a wide-brim straw sun hat, try out a boho straw visor, or get a casual yet cool baseball cap. Different hats fit different beach-day styles, so try a few on before committing to your summer hat.
Cute Sunglasses
Sure, sunglasses are cute and come in loads of different shapes and colors, but they also protect your eyes from the bright sun on your upcoming beach days. The Papale Eye Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, stresses that eye protection is key for a successful (and safe) day at the beach. On its website, they note that you should have “...a good pair of UVA and UVB blocking sunglasses.” Why?, Well, “even if you are sitting in the shade, the sun can sneak in and cause some serious retinal damage.” On top of that, you don’t want to spend the day squinting as the sun gets brighter and brighter.
Pick out a pair of sunnies that you love—you can go for a classic aviator style, a pair of instant-glam oversized sunglasses, retro-inspired cat-eye glasses, or a pair of bright sunglasses to contrast a chic black swimsuit.
A Summer Dress
While a beach cover-up can suit your needs on the beach, you’ll likely want a little more dressed-up item to wear for your after-swim happy hour or to dinner on the beach. Here’s where summer dresses come into play. Pack a dress that shows off your shape and your style, whether that’s one of your button-front shirt dresses, a jersey midi dress, or a bright maxi dress.
Some Fun Jewelry
Jewelry isn’t always something that folks wear to the beach, but a few pieces of fun jewelry can be just the thing you need for your stylish beach-day outfit. Wear a casual bracelet, or channel the ’90s with a casual anklet. Just make sure you don’t wear expensive or sentimental jewelry; you wouldn’t want it to get lost in the ocean or the sand.
Your day-at-the-beach style doesn’t have to be bland. You can show off your favorite colors, prints, and accessories by choosing to pair your swimsuit with a trendy cover-up, cute sunglasses, a protective hat, and more—just don’t forget to pack these items in your canvas tote bag.