12 Essential Items for a Trip to the Beach

beach essentialsWith the arrival of summer and travel on the horizon, we’ve rounded up some of our essential items for a trip to the beach. Although everyone seems to have their own opinion on what to pack, we think these items should be on everyone’s list! Click through to see some of our picks and must-haves!

01 // beach hat: Everyone needs a good hat when traveling to the beach! Not only do they provide protection from the sun (which is always important when trying to preserve healthy skin), but they also add style to any beach outfit. We are loving this summer hat from Cuyana, this panama hat from J.Crew, and this textured straw hat.

02 // swimsuit: This one may seem like a given, but there are so many good options for swimsuits right now we couldn’t resist! One pieces are definitely having a moment – and for good reasons. Of course you can never go wrong with a bikini either. We love classic stripes, a white one piece and even suits with ruffles or scallops this year. At the top of our list is this striped one piece swimsuit, this high neck scalloped one piece, and this classic black ruffle bikini (all under $100)!

03 // towel: We’re up for trying something a bit different when it comes to beach towels this year – as in turkish towels! We have used these in our homes and now we are loving the idea of taking them to the beach as well. You can’t go wrong with classic stripes (both bold and simple).

04 // cover up: A good cover up is a definite beach essential. Something light and flowy is key! I have a few cover ups I have been using for years now that are classic, timeless pieces. I also recently purchased this beach kimono to wear over my suits for my trip. Not a huge fan of cover ups? Try wearing a pair of jean cut offs over a one-piece suit to the beach. We are loving this look right now!

05 // sunnies: Sunglasses can be tough to shop for (at least for myself). I usually have to try them on in a store, rather than shop online which is hard to do when your options are limited. I tend to go for something simple and functional – something that will go with anything and stay on my face. I usually look for something affordable in case I lose them or they break. I recently picked up these cateye sunglasses and a new pair of aviators for our trip to the beach. You really can’t beat the price tag on them!

06 // straw bag: Summer is the perfect time to carry around a straw bag – from the beach, to the market and even on date night! When trekking to the beach, our biggest priority is size and making sure it is big enough to fit everything we need. We love this round wicker basket, this banana handle bag, this classic belly bag and this moroccan market bag.

07 // SPF + lip balm: Is it just me or does the smell of sunscreen just scream summer? After the seemingly long winter, I love opening up my swimsuit drawer and catching the scent of coconut sunscreen. We use a variety of lotions and sprays because to me, nothing is worse than rubbing creamy lotion all over your sandy body after being at the beach. I also pack lip balm with SPF so my lips don’t get burnt – lips can easily be forgotten until it’s too late (which is never fun).

08 // sandals: We know this is a given, but we’re always on the look out for new, cute sandals! You can never have too many of them, right? I usually opt for slides when going to and from the pool or beach so they are easy to slip on and off.

09 // bandana: This has recently been added as a must have in my book! We have been seeing a lot of bandanas used as accessories this season – around necks, on bags, and even as hair accessories. For the beach, we would wear these tied around our head (with a knot at the top) or wrapped around a top knot (used more as a hair tie). They also help keep you hair out of your face while near the breezy ocean.

10 // reading material: One of our favorite ways to relax by the water is by diving into a good book or magazine. I’m always sure to pack a few good options to help pass time as I travel or while I am laying by the water catching some rays.

11 // beach playlist: Who doesn’t love a good summer/beach playlist? If you are able to, pack a speaker (or two) to take with you to the beach or pool. You can even create your own playlist on Spotify or use Pandora or Amazon Prime for great pre-made playlists.

12 // water bottle: It’s important to stay hydrated while out in the sun! Why not do it in style with this Swell bottle or one of these bkr bottles?

I’d love to know…what are some of your go-to items for a trip to the beach? For those of you traveling this summer, have fun and stay safe! Let’s hear about the plans and adventures you have planned.

images: gal meets glam

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