What to Wear to the Beach
Taking a trip to the seaside? No need to fret about your wardrobe choices with our beach dweller starter pack
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What to Wear to the Beach
Taking a trip to the seaside? No need to fret about your wardrobe choices with our beach dweller starter pack
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'What to wear to the beach?' is not a straightforward question. There are too many variables, the first and most obvious being age plus body confidence divided by the square root of sartorial taste minus budget. But if I might be so bold as to remove the maths and suggest that the 'what to wear to the beach' conundrum is simply a question of joy, then we've hit upon a universal truth. That is; lucky you! You're going to the beach! Now retain that joy, revel in it, don't let questions about what the hell you'll wear there dampen your mood, because I am here to provide a fail safe beach starter kit that will let you focus on frozen margaritas or your paddle boarding form instead of hoiking your bikini out of your but I digress. Shall we begin?
1.
A Throw On Cover Up
Buttoned Mini Towel Dress, La Veste, £145.00
Quality is king here. I am inclined to invest more in my cover up than anything else because it's basically your beach coat, and we already know how important a good coat is. I don't want it to cover me up, I want it to make a statement about my very relaxed bohemian beach style, I want to enjoy throwing it on with confidence so I can go to the bar/the loo/the ice cream van without even considering my rear view.
Shop Cover UpsA Does-It-All Swimsuit
Bra Swimsuit, Totême, £160.00
In my case; be elegant, but cool (in all senses of the word), quietly interesting, cover surgery scars, not go as high up my thigh as current trends dictate, give that comforting kind of support that excellent sports leggings provide, pack light, dry quickly, not be extortionate, but not fall apart in contact with chlorine either, I could go on about my swimwear needs but I don’t need to because I’ve found The One…Toteme Bra Swimsuit, thank you for your service.
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3.
A White Shirt
Plalia Keyhole Shirt, Isabel Marant Étoile, £250.00
Or any kind of shirt really, but something wafty and oversized. You literally wear this to the beach, but you can also wear this on the beach, (in place of a cover up even) - it’s the perfect understated touch that is so worth the investment because you’ll keep wearing it way beyond the beach. Isabel Marant Etoile and Liberty the perfect example, imagine knotting it at the waist while you wade in up to your ankles, leaving it open over your swimsuit/denim shorts combo to go home. Which brings me to…
Shop TopsThe Right Ratio Shorts
Parker Long Shorts With Cuff, Agolde, £180.00
There is a specific reason why beach shorts need to be denim shorts, and that is you can sweat in them without anyone noticing. Cotton goes transparent, silk stains, colours go dark, but denim? Designed for practical workwear to better hide dirt, so in this instance, for ‘dirt’ read ‘sweat’. Plus they look effortlessly excellent with a wafty white shirt. Go for a shape that fits the waist and flare out at the thigh, this is the key and AGOLDE do the perfect length to flare ratio.
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5.
Extra Sunglasses
Flower Sunglasses, Loewe x Paula's Ibiza, £290.00
Not a spare pair, no I mean ‘extra’ extra. Your accessories are an excellent outlet for expressing your style when it comes to beachwear. If I’m going crazier in shape I prefer neutral in shade, but that’s just me. Obviously they’re a health and safety consideration as essential as SPF 50, but the real benefit of sunglasses is the joy and symmetry they bring to your outfit. If you need an extra ‘extra’ pair, who am I to dissuade you?
Shop SunglassesThe Basket Bag
Emma & Georgina Little Basket Bag, Liberty, £245.00
I know we are all over straw bags for summer in general, but when worn to the beach, the basket bag comes into its own, official purpose. Roomy, even-better-when-batthered, lightweight and super stylish and - crucially - closeable, are my criteria. The LIberty Little Basket Bag ticks every box. It is practical magic.
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