Cora What to pack and wear when heading out for some sun, sand, and sea.
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. Take a look around at the brands below and see if you find any designs you like, and remember, be expressive!
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.
They’re also fantastic for layering and keeping cool. Throw on an unbuttoned short sleeve shirt over the top when you walk off the sand. They’re helpful for agents who don’t feel comfortable going shirtless or with an open button up shirt.
On the other hand, a regular t-shirt is versatile for off-beach wear and is often flattering for a greater variety of body types. It might be a good plan to purchase a few of each, just to cover all your bases.
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.
In addition, their inexpensive assembly allows you to entirely ignore cleanup; you could purchase a new pair for every visit if you’re so inclined. Flip-flops also have the excellent benefit of having an incredibly small surface area in contact with the foot, so wet feet won’t feel as constricted. 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:
Outside of flip-flops, there are a variety of other types of sandals to choose from. Leather tends to not play very well with water — it causes faster wear, especially in the case of sea water. Not to fret, sports sandals offer a similar silhouette while maintaining waterproof qualities and impressive durability. These shoes stay more securely attached to your feet and offer more arch support, so they’re a better choice for long outings with a great deal of walking. Of course, they’re also bulkier and more cumbersome to transport, so the tradeoff is that they’re harder to lug around when they’re not on your feet. So, before you leave the house, evaluate which you’ll be doing more: lounging in the sand, or walking between storefronts. In any case, here are a few options depending on your particular budget: