Growing up in Florida meant weekends full of last minute trips to the sea for salty air and beach bumming. Besides conquering the ideal SPF-to-tan ratio and some rudimentary surfing skills (a fact that I like to sprinkle in conversation *as much as possible* now that I live in NYC), packing for the beach has become a forte of mine over the years.
Traveling light is definitely a top priority for a day in the sun. When you’re running between breaks with boards and m-a-a-y-be a few beers, who wants to lug around a heavy tote bag? Me neither. But there are certain essentials that you just cannot forego, so let’s meet in the middle and pack what’s needed…in style.
Below, the 8 beach essentials to pack this summer:
1. Lab Series SPF Moisturizer, $48
Wear it Well: It only takes one lobster-red burn to never forget sunscreen again…and we should all avoid that. Opt for a sunscreen specially formulated for men to fully breach your skin and keep you protected all day.
2. Pendleton Towel, $50
3. Garbstore Canvas Tote, $165
Wear it Well: A canvas tote is the perfect balance of masculinity, utility, AND durability. Wet trunks and sandy flip-flips? Throw ’em in there without thinking twice.
4. illesteva Sunglasses, $177
5. Sunnylife Beach Speaker, $49
Wear it Well: Secure your phone in this multi-function radio and start a Spotify summer playlist without worrying about any sand in your screen. (Did you see that you can pump up the bass too?)
6. Havaianas Flip Flop, $22
7. J.Crew Rash Guard, $50
Wear it Well: A rash guard can be the unsung hero of your beach day. If sea sports are your thing or if you want ultimate sun protection, don’t forget a simple rash guard…no oversized logos here, guys.
8. Mr. Swim Board Shorts, $39
Wear it Well: Outshine fellow beach-goers with a bold pair of trunks. If there’s a perfect time to go outside your comfort zone with prints and color, this is it.
Tell me:
What’s in your beach bag? Do you pack it all or keep it minimal?
Brittany Hammonds is a former Floridian, full-time editor at Style Girlfriend, and occasional artist living in NYC. Follow her random creations and big city musings on Instagram.
Want more summer shopping inspiration? Check out the swim trunks and drawstring shorts to add to your summer wardrobe.
The Mr. Swim board shorts are great, fun pattern and orange is a favorite color. Beach bag is pretty low key; a beach towel, sunscreen, beach hat, rash guard, sunglasses, earbuds, small drybag for my phone, iPod shuffle, water bottle, snack and a book or e-reader and maybe a sketchbook/journal. Wow that seems like too much when I write it all out. When I’m on the beach I just want to relax and get into the water. Also depends where I’ll be; Lake Michigan, Caribbean, Atlantic, all call for a little variation.
The Lake. Is there any other? Nope. #lakemichigan
Right you are but I have to say being surrounded by the Great Lakes gives me a chance to really enjoy the variety.
Now that you mention it, I’ve brought my sketchbook on occasion as well. What kind of beach hat do you bring?
Depends on where I am; I have a light visor and plain baseball cap that I take if I am packing light and its going to be windy but I really like my bucket hat or my woven straw hat for more shade.
Love that tote suggested in this article! I was wondering how large that thing is because I’m in the market for a personal item that could be small enough to complement your carry-on luggage yet roomy enough to fit more things than a messenger bag. Though I have a backpack, it seems more like what a backpacker/hiker would carry AND would probably count as big enough for a carry-on as shown in the attached photo.
Other than that, never knew that a simple tee would count as a rash guard. I’m totally an advocate of sunblock, especially one that protects my fair-medium complexion. And personally, I prefer the old-school vibe of an espadrille over a toe-baring flip-flop. To top it all off, the swimming board shorts are interesting because I liken it with mine, which has some Hawaiian-inspired decoration on it yet in darker colors. Totally balances keeping it subdued and giving some interest in the swimwear.
This is the one I have http://www.filson.com/products/tote.70261.html?fromCat=true&fvalsProduct=luggage&fmetaProduct=10
SO perfect.
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I appreciate the link to a solid-looking bag, though I gotta ask, is this particular one already your carry-on or is this your personal item that goes with your roller? I’m not sure how the size is.
Mine is a slightly different color combo – I actually staged this photo for my Instagram. No wheels, Carries pretty well though
A tote could be a perfect alternative to a backpack because you are able to use it alongside your carry-on, I say go for it! Per the rash guard, it’s actually not a regular t-shirt, but is styled like one so it can easily translate on and off the beach (a win-win, if you ask me).
Depends on who I’m going with. When I lived in SoCal, I’d go to the beach every weekend for a few hours, so I’d just bring a towel, drink and sunscreen. When I go with a bunch of people, we go all out with umbrellas, beach chairs, cornhole, can jam, etc.
Can jam is my beach go-to! I don’t hear about it enough these days…
Wait, what is this? I’ve never played can jam!!
What the what?! Megan, you have to play! It’s a fun team game. Let’s go: The Brian/Bryan’s vs the SG’s right now.
We challenge all of TeamSG to a game of beach Can Jam
hahah, I better start practicing!
I have lived in florida for over 2 years and I can count the number of times I’ve been to the beach on one hand. I know, it’s a terrible sin but I’ve never been much of a beach person. Whenever I do go, sunscreen is a definite must.
I’m with you on that, TJ. I’ve always been a pool person myself. Probably something to do with growing up in Wisconsin 🙂
$177 Sunglasses, $165 bag, $50 towel… is this packing list for Donald Trump? I’m all about buying quality gear, but not all of us have the means or the inclination to bring this amount of high-dollar stuff to the beach.
I own a similar bag that cost about $165. I’ve had it for years, and still looks great. I use it almost everyday at times. It’s my gym bag, my diaper bag, my beach bag, my change of clothes for the kids at day camp bag, my overnight bag. It’s been a great investment.
A great canvas tote is definitely an investment piece that’ll last for years!
Having lived on the beaches of L.A. for the past 8 years I like many of these suggestions. My typical beach carry is a small canvas tote which has a nice towel, sunscreen, a nalgene bottle of water, and likely some fruit or another snack that won’t melt.
The one thing I am strongly against is the speaker. If I’m in an area all to my friends, that’s one thing, but people who bring a speaker to the beach and blast it when there are a good amount of people around is annoying as hell. Most people go to the beach to relax, not party. Keep the speakers at Dockweiler or the volleyball courts. If you want to listen to music, throw on some headphones and keep it to yourself.
^^^^ Man, that sounds like I’m an angry old man yelling at kids to ‘get off my lawn!’ LOL!
A note on the sunscreen: Most men don’t shave their legs and arms. So when we use the traditional bottle of sunscreen, it can take forever (like 20 min) to apply and we’ll use half the bottle. I love LAB Series products, but I think a spray sunsreen is better and much more effective.