I used to be that person who would pack about ten different swimsuits for a short four day beach weekend thinking that changing my bikini every few hours was the secret to looking stylish on vacation. But honestly after hauling a massive overweight suitcase through three different airports and realized I only ended up wearing two of those suits anyway I completely changed my packing strategy. I noticed that the women who looked incredibly elegant and rich at the resort bars were not wearing crazy complicated swimwear at all. They were actually wearing super simple classic swimsuits but they completely elevated their entire look using a few really clever key accessories. That was a total lightbulb moment for me because it made me realize that resort fashion is not about the actual swimsuit itself but it is all about what you wear right over it. Now my vacation bag is way lighter because I focus on packing a few hard working pieces that can take me from a morning lounge chair straight to a fancy seaside dinner without needing a full wardrobe change.
The oversized linen button down you will literally live in for days
The absolute first thing that goes into my suitcase after my swimsuits is a crisp white or beige oversized linen button down shirt. Please stop buying those cheap polyester neon beach cover ups that stick to your skin the second you get sweaty because they look so tacky in photos. A real linen shirt looks incredibly classy and it gives you that effortless I just threw this on look that is so hard to fake. You can wear it completely open over a bikini during the day to keep the sun off your shoulders or you can tie it at the waist with some high waisted denim shorts for a quick lunch at the boardwalk. It is incredibly breathable and the natural wrinkles in the fabric actually make it look even more authentic and relaxed when you are walking around in the ocean breeze.
Why you need a massive pair of retro acetate sunglasses to hide tired eyes
Another non negotiable item for me is a really good pair of oversized sunglasses with thick acetate frames. When you are on vacation you are usually staying up late drinking cocktails by the pool and getting up early to catch the sunrise so let us be honest you are probably going to have some serious under eye bags. A giant pair of tortoiseshell or black vintage style sunglasses instantly hides all your exhaustion and makes you look like a glamorous celebrity trying to avoid the paparazzi. I always avoid wire aviator styles for the beach because the metal gets burning hot when it sits in the sun and the nose pads always end up getting horribly tangled in your messy beach hair when you push them up on your head.
The French girl woven straw tote that holds absolutely everything
You also need a proper bag for the beach that can handle the environment without getting ruined by sand and salt water. I always pack a lightweight collapsible woven straw tote because it instantly gives off those classic French Riviera vibes. It is basically a bottomless pit where you can throw your sunscreen a giant water bottle your book a wet towel and your keys without worrying about scratching expensive leather or ruining delicate fabric. The best part about a high quality straw bag is that it looks just as good sitting on a sandy towel as it does next to your chair at a high end resort dinner later that night so you do not need to pack a separate evening bag.
Waterproof gold huggie earrings that will never turn your skin green
My final secret weapon for looking put together at the beach is minimal jewelry but you have to be incredibly careful about the metal you bring near the ocean. Standard cheap fashion jewelry will tarnish and turn your skin an ugly shade of green within two minutes of hitting the salt water. I always pack two pairs of heavy duty stainless steel or titanium huggie earrings plated in eighteen karat gold. These metals are completely waterproof and tarnish resistant so you can swim in the ocean and bake in the sun all day without taking them off. Having that little glint of gold near your face catches the sunlight beautifully in pictures and it gives your simple swimsuit a really polished intentional look with zero effort.
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