Oh yes, we’re all familiar with the magical world of her majesty – the beach. The place where you go swimming, surfing, tan and sweat your buttocks off is the sizzling heat. It has its perks m’kay? Splashing your way into the water is a great way to cool down and take a breather from the scorching sun.
So when you’re planning your next beach getaway, you might find yourself staring at your closet wondering what to pack for your next adventure out on the sandy beaches. And look, we know how strong the urge to overpack is, but you need to fight it. We know that there’s a lot of things you’ll need, or think you’ll need, but it’s much better to keep things simple and not overdo it. Keep it simple with a few light layers of clothing and basic toiletries.
Pack the Right Beachwear
Here’s how to dress to impress at the beach with the appropriate clothing.
Swimwear
It wouldn’t be a beach holiday without a swimsuit, now would it? Whether you’re just lounging by the shore or having some fun in the sun, you’ll be wearing a swimsuit. The number of swimsuits to pack depends greatly on the amount of time you’re planning on spending at the beach but you should definitely pack at least two. After all, it’s not really a good idea to sit in wet clothes for longer periods of time.
Bikinis and one-piece suits are the go-to options for most people, depending on their preferences. For bikinis, you can have some fun mixing and matching different tops and bottoms to play around with styles and patterns.
And here’s a little word of advice. If you’re anything like me, putting on a swimsuit can make you feel a little exposed, self-conscious and vulnerable. And let me tell you this, don’t let those mean voices in your head get to you. Embrace your body shape – belly rolls, stretch marks and all – because that’s what makes you human. It’s easier said than done but it’s the absolute truth. There’s literally no such thing as the perfect body weight or shape, you’re incredibly beautiful and breath-taking in a way that is so uniquely YOU and there’s no one out there in the world that’s exactly the same. And that’s what makes you special.
Dresses
Super lightweight linen beach dresses are versatile and easy to put on over your bathing suit. Their thin texture radiates elegance, making them appropriate to wear in all social settings. They’re available in a variety of modern and stylish patterns and designs, ranging from mini to ankle-length models.
Most of them come with adjustable spaghetti straps giving you even more room for customization according to your preferences. Linen beach dresses are specifically designed to make you feel comfortable, all while looking fashionable and up-to-date with the latest trends. When you think about it, linen clothes never seem to go out of style so they’re the perfect investment.
The best thing about linen dresses is that they’re very breathable and absorbent, which is definitely a bonus when you’re sweating buckets in the overwhelming heat. Surely you don’t want to wear fabrics that are too heavy and don’t let the air flow freely through your body. Linen releases moisture and prevents perspiration effortlessly so it’s the ideal fabric choice for beach clothing.
And another thing – linen is extremely durable as opposed to other fabrics. In fact, it’s about 30% more durable than cotton. This means that you won’t have to worry as much when it comes to unexpected rips or tears.
You might be surprised to find out that linen can actually get even softer to the touch with every wash. It’s definitely the superior fabric which is why you should get your hands on a linen beach dress ASAP.
Shorts and Tank Top
If you’re not much of a fan of dresses, wearing shorts and a tank top is a good alternative. Make sure to pack a few pairs just in case. Pack shorts that have more neutral colours to increase versatility and ensure they can be worn with multiple tanks. Just make sure they’re comfortable and easy to wear and you should be good to go.
Show Some Love to Your Feet
When going on a beach vacation, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll need fancy dress shoes or athletic sneakers so no need to pack those. Flip flops are the preferred option for many since they’re affordable and highly convenient to slip in and out of.
When you’re casually walking around town or doing some shopping, you can choose from a variety of comfy sandals that come in a range of stunning colours and sophisticated designs. They’re perfect for the hot weather and allow your feet to breathe freely.
Additional Essential to Pack
Apart from the necessary beachwear items, there are a few more things to keep in mind when packing.
Beach Towel
Once you’re done with all the fun and games in the water, you’ll most definitely need a proper towel to dry off. It’s absolutely crucial to choose the right materials for a towel. These days, bamboo beach towels are quite popular since they offer numerous benefits and are environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic.
Sun Protection
We can stress this enough – please protect your skin from the harmful sun rays. Research shows that increased sun exposure leads to faster skin aging and can cause some serious long-term skin damage. Make sure that you apply loads of sunscreen every 2-3 hours to maximise protection. You can make a fashion statement too, by wearing the latest summer hats and sunglasses and strut your stuff along the shore.
Beach Bag
And where are you supposed to put all these beach essentials? The answer is quite simple really, in a handy-dandy beach bag. Tote bags are actually quite a good option here since the material is beach-appropriate and its sophisticated design is surely going to make you stand out from the crowd.
