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8 Summer Beach Essentials For Guys

Sun, Sand, and the Perfectly Packed Beach Bag
source: @mariasantos.x

by Megan Collins Updated: June 30, 2025

Products are curated by Style Girlfriend editors. Purchases through our links may earn us an affiliate commission.

As a city dweller, I have a landlocked soft spot for the beach. The sand! The salt air! The price-gauging bottled water sellers!

Which begs the question, what do you need for a successful beach outing without packing everything plus the kitchen sink?

The bulkiest item should be the 12-pack of beers you’re bringing, and those will get recycled on the way home anyway. Who wants to lug around a heavy tote bag of stuff you’re not even sure you’ll need? Nobody.

men's beach style essentials

For the beach (or pool!) day essentials guys need, check out this #SGapproved list.

Below, the 8 men’s beach essentials to pack for Summer 2025:

1. Sunscreen!

sun bum spf 30 sunscreen spray

Sun Bum

SPF 30 Sunscreen spray

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vacation spf 50 classic sunscreen lotion

Vacation

SPF 50 Classic sunscreen lotion

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SG Says: There are beach essentials, and then there are BEACH ESSENTIALS. Sunscreen falls in the latter camp.

RELATED: Yes, Drinking More Water Is *That* Good for Your Skin

It’s literally crazy how many bottles of sunscreen we pull out of friends’ bags that look like they were purchased pre-Y2k.

That sh-t expires, guys!

And with all the advances in formulation and application these days, there’s no excuse not to be protected.

As for what to look for? Grab one bottle for your face, and one for the rest of your body. Spend a little more on your face sunscreen in the same way that you (hopefully?!) spend a bit more on your face moisturizer and face wash than you do on your body wash and body lotion.

2. A stylish beach towel

blue and white striped turkish beach towel

Turkish Towels

Mediterranean Turkish towel

Available in 3 colorways

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striped blue and yellow beach towel

Dusen Dusen

Terry cloth beach towel

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SG Says: Sure, you could use whatever beach towel your mom sent you off to summer camp with when you were a kid.

But! Spreading out a towel that’s chic af is one of those, “This guy has his act together” moves that women low-key love.

3. A durable tote bag

ll bean boat and tote bag

L.L. Bean

Boat and Tote

Available in 12 colors

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navy and white striped tote bag with front pocket

Barbour

Tynedale tote

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SG Says: A canvas bag you can throw over your shoulder offers the perfect balance of beach day utility, durability, and yes, masculinity. We get that a straw tote isn’t necessarily for you!

Wet trunks and sandy sandals?

Throw ’em in there without thinking twice.

4. beat-up-able sunglasses

sunski tango sunglasses in black slate

Sunski

Tango sunglasses

Available in 4 colors

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green tortoiseshell sunglasses

Knockaround

Paso Robles sunglasses

Available in 20 colors

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SG Says: You probably won’t forget to wear sunglasses as you leave the house to head to the beach or pool, but do you really want to wear the nice sunglasses you are trying to make last through August without breaking or losing them?

That’s why stuffing a cheap-o “on call” pair in your bag is a summer beach essential.

Wayfarers with a plastic frame are ideal for not worrying about sand, chlorine, or an errant foot during an especially lively game of sand volleyball.

5. An easy-breezy coverup

stylish man wearing a casual red linen shirt with khaki shorts

Banana Republic

Slim-fit linen shirt

Available in 20 colors

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brown and white striped men's linen shirt

Todd Snyder

Sea soft Irish linen shirt

Available in 13 colors

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SG Says: Sure, you could just wear a t-shirt to and from the beach, but a button-down shirt in linen sets you apart, style-wise.

Even if you’re not wearing one while lounging, putting one on to hit the snack stand or bathrooms means you get to cover up the hard seltzer belly growing.

Don’t spend too much on this item, or go with anything too structured. This shirt is meant to be beat up, so don’t be precious with your purchase!

6. Functional flip flops

navy flip flops

Old Navy

Flip flop sandals

Available in 5 colors

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white birkenstock sandals

Birkenstock

Arizona soft footbed leather sandal

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SG Says: It feels like you guys think we’re anti-flip flop in an all-encompassing, comprehensive sense.

Which is not true! Summer days spent at the beach or pool are the exact right time to wear flip flops.

Keep a pair in your beach bag and change into them when you get out of the car at your hydration destination. (Pssst, this is a great time to put on your sunscreen, too.)

It should be noted, however, that a pair of slides or strap sandals works just as well and have the added bonus of actually being in style right now.

But y’know, when in Rome and all that…

7. A beach hat with a brim

brown brimmed hat with black trim

Lands’ End

Sojourn hat

Available in 2 colors

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man wearing a cream-colored bucket hat

lululemon

Reversible bucket hat

Available in 3 colors

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SG Says: A good hat can be the unsung hero of your day in the sun. It’s easy to forget to reapply sunscreen, and sunglasses only protect so much of your face.

This summer, Team SG is partial to a man in a bucket hat, but of course a simple baseball hat will totally suffice.

If you’ve ever wanted to indulge in that #floppyhatlife without worrying you look like you’re cosplaying Gilligan’s Island, though, now’s the time.

8. Multi-tasking grooming

bumble and bumble hairdresser's invisible oil

Bumble and bumble

Invisible Oil heat protectant

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sol de janeiro milky leave-in conditioner

Sol de Janeiro

Milky Leave-In Conditioner

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SG Says: Multi-task during your time in the sun with a product that moisturizes your hair.

You’re already working on your tan, so you might as well use some of that heat to nourish your locks.

If your hair is particularly dry or brittle, using a leave-in treatment will keep your head from looking like a bird’s nest at the end of the day, while providing UV and heat protection to boot.

As for après-sun?

Celebrity men’s hairstylist Vaughn Acord recommends a tonic for your hair and scalp. “You want something that soothes the scalp and moisturizes hair after a day of sun and saltwater.” We like this one from Moroccanoil.

***

More men’s summer style inspiration:

Yes, You Should Wear Loafers with Shorts This Summer

Subtly Stylish Fourth of July Outfits

The 15 Best Swim Trunks Under $100

Megan Collins

I started Style Girlfriend to help guys look, feel, and act their best.

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