Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation if you click a link and make a purchase. Learn more!
There is hardly anything more relaxing than spending the day on the beach. Now that the weather is getting warmer, I find myself daydreaming about my toes in the sand, and I’ve made a mental checklist of all the things I need to have the best beach vacation ever ! The best beach essentials are not only fashionable, they are also practical and will help you leave all your problems behind. Make any beach day the best ever with one of the following 15 items!
1. Shady and Protected: Did you know that the sun is the most common cause of premature wrinkles? Of course, wearing sunscreen can protect you from its harmful effects, but you really can never do enough to protect your face. In addition to sun protection, this Lanzom floppy sun hat will protect you from the harshest rays (and add to your stylish beach aesthetic!).
2. Tropical Energy: Cover-ups are just as important as your swimsuit when you’re heading to the beach, and these pieces are a far cry from the casual, boring options of yesteryear. We love that this open knit cotton throw from Quince is a beach party must-have, so you can keep up your fun energy without having to stop at home to change!
3. No burnt feet! Walking on hot sand stinks. Protect your feet in style with these ultra-comfortable (and chic!) Lululemon slides. The super plush padding makes it feel like you’re walking on clouds.
4. Greek Goddess: Even if you’re not vacationing on a Greek beach, you can recreate the same energy with this pretty blue floral Venus one-piece. The balconette design and underwired cups provide you with enough support so you can freely frolic and swim in the sea.
5. Beach Friendly Tote Bag: Not all totes are suitable for taking to the beach (as we’ve all learned the hard way). Luckily, the Dagne Dover Vida Tote features wide-open storage and a wipe-clean interior, so you can easily clean any sand inside without compromising its integrity or functionality! Bonus: The tote bag can be used for pretty much any occasion!
6. Ultimate Beach Accessory: Why grab an old beach towel when you can relax in style (and at a discounted price!). This blue striped Lacoste Home towel will have you feeling like one of the Hamptons’ elite for less than $30!
7. The Bigger the Better: Small sunglasses just won’t do on a beach day. We recommend opting for a sleek, oversized pair — like this Prada option — to keep your gaze safe. (PS: They are currently on sale!)
8. Bestseller alert! A basic beach rule: You can never have too many sandals. If you prefer traditional flip flops, Soleil Sea is one of the best thanks to the ergonomically padded footbed and bright colors.
9. Sun protection, but with fun: Applying sunscreen won’t feel like a chore when you have Vacation Classic Whipped SPF 30 on hand! The fluffy, fragrant SPF spreads like whipped cream and nourishes the skin, leaving it feeling silky soft.
10. Stay hydrated! There’s nothing worse than feeling dehydrated after a day at the beach. If you have a nice water bottle, you’re more likely to have a drink. You won’t regret adding this cute copy from Takeya to your cart! You can choose from three pretty shades to suit your style and personality.
11. Throw your hair up! Keep your hair from becoming a matted, salty mess with fun hair ties. This three-pack comes in bright beachy colors and won’t pull on your curls like other elastic options.
12. Personality Pop: You’ll feel confident wearing a bikini you love as you strut around on the beach. So be bold and choose one that deviates from the plain black. The vintage-inspired green floral pattern on this cupshe is totally unique (to match your personality!)
13. Mix and Match: The beauty of two-piece covers? You can wear shorts and shirt together or separately to create a range of magical beach outfits. I wear this vitamin A linen button-down shirt with denim shorts for a relaxed vibe outside of the office.
14. The Comfy Bottoms: The Vitamin A set above would not be complete without the linen bottoms. The real question is which color you should choose!
15. Bye, sand! With this Longchamp woven bag, you don’t have to worry about sand accumulating in your beach bag. The genuine leather handles and clasp also make it feel incredibly classy!