Summer is here, and hopefully you’ll find yourself lounging along one of the coasts at some point in the next few months, so it’s a good idea to be prepared! Although this piece is primarily targeted towards beachwear, many of the pieces are also perfectly suitable for use along the poolside. Whatever you end up doing over the summer, you’ll likely be getting wet, so make sure your closet is ready.
Swimwear
Your choice of swimwear is by far the most important part of your trip to the beach. You’ll be in your trunks all day long, so they have to be comfortable and maintain a wide range of motion while still being stylish. They should also dry very quickly, allowing you to jump between the beach and the city with relative ease.
Modern trends dictate that your swimwear should end a few inches above the knee, baring a bit of thigh. If you aren’t comfortable with this, it’s fine to go down to the knee, but don’t let it dangle over — that restricts movement and contorts your silhouette. So, look for shorts labeled with a 6-8″ inseam, going up to 10″ maximum. Adjust according to your height: longer legs require a longer inseam.
Also, if you’re feeling tenacious, try out a suit or two with bright colors and striking patterns; remember, this is the only piece of clothing you’ll have on in the water, so there’s no risk of clashing. Versatility is touted as a distinguishing feature in other forms of apparel, but swimwear is an entirely separate category – if you wear nothing else with it, versatility can be mistaken for boredom.
Shirts
You never know when your day at the beach will turn into a stroll along the boardwalk or a night on the town, so it’s a good idea to pack or wear something socially acceptable just in case you don’t spend the entirety of your time in the water. Plus, if you’re a little self-conscious, an extra layer on top can add a lot of confidence.
The single most important aspect of such a shirt is quick-drying capability — you’ll likely be tossing it on while you’re still slightly wet, and perhaps within splashing distance of the water, so it’ll get soaked at some point. Wet t-shirts stick to your skin and trap heat, and just generally feel uncomfortable.
As a result, you should consider purchasing an athletic shirt intended to wick sweat and dry as quickly as possible. They should also be lightweight; obviously, t-shirts rarely weigh much anyways, but it should feel unrestricting and be easy to toss into your tote bag before heading for the coast.
Tank tops are a great idea if stepping outside feels like opening an oven door, but they’re inappropriate for night wear and can be regionally awkward. For example, tank tops are the de facto uniform on the southern coast of California, but more traditional beach towns tend to disapprove of them.
Regardless, they’re great for the dead of summer, and because they have less surface area, dry even quicker. They’re also fantastic for layering and keeping cool. Throw on an unbuttoned short sleeve shirt over top when you walk off the sand.
Footwear
Given the sandy conditions, beaches may not often conjure images of shoes, but you must account for the transit there in the first place. The easiest choice is flip-flops — they’re cheap, readily available, and very effective for their intended purpose.
Since you’ll only be wearing them for a short period of time, they’ll likely be stashed away during the duration of the trip, so their low profile is perfectly suited for transportation. Furthermore, their rubber construction is easily cleaned, an important attribute for beach attire.
Plus, they are as breathable as physically possible, allowing for rapid evaporation and cooling. Higher-end brands will offer leather construction, which requires much more maintenance but has the potential for increased comfort and longevity. Keeping cost in mind, check out the selections below:
Hats
The combination of salt (or chlorine), sand, and water will wreak havoc on your hair, and any product you use will obviously be washed away. Needless to say, it’s not easy to have a good hair day at the beach, so it’s good to have a backup. Baseball caps are an excellent option, offering many benefits in addition to hiding your messy mop.
Firstly, they keep the sun out of your eyes, which can work in conjunction with sunglasses to keep you free of eyestrain. At the same time, the cap helps to prevent sunburn on your scalp, ears, and face – if you have fair skin or thinning hair, this can be a major benefit. While your hair is drying, moisture will be wicked to the surface, keeping the most important part of your body cool.
Of course, this is far from the most efficient way to dry your hair; a hat is no match to a proper towel. Even so, hats obviously offer a great number of advantages, even though they might be a bit intimidating. Don’t be afraid of tossing on a baseball cap before running out the door, it might pay off later when you’re lounging on the sand – and remember, you can always just take it off.
Also Read: The Festival Of La Tomatina.
