The summer is in full swing and having a little fun in the sun is a must. Of course, choosing your beach bag companions can completely elevate your experience and we have the scoop on what you need now.
THE BAG
First things first, you need the bag. Nothing says summer quite like woven and crochet bags. Its light weight and easy breezy vibe is contagious. We love Mar Y Sol’s Tulum Tote with its beautiful fan crochet pattern and their juicy saturated colors. There is plenty of room to tuck away your beach necessities – and look super cute doing it.
Of course, you might be looking for something that doesn’t bring sand home as a souvenir and the Bogg Bag certainly finds beauty in utility. We love how useful this bag is. Waterproof, washable and lightweight, it certainly ticks all the boxes when traveling out and about.
THE SUNSCREEN
When we think of sunblock we think of VACATION. And you should, too. We’re in love with the fun, cheeky VACATION brand from Miami. They do sunscreen like nobody else. Think all the goodness of 80’s retro meets 2024 skincare technology. And, their fragrances are the stuff of 1986 trust fund barbies sun-dipping on a yacht deck in the Keys.
Based on their best-selling “VACATION” fragrance. This is our kind of aroma therapy. Immediately it transports you poolside with creative perfume notes of coconut milk, solar musk, banana, pineapple, pool water, swimsuit Lycra, and sea salt. All the while the glittering shimmers add an eye-catching glow as your skin is nourished with: peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, argan, marula, coconut & jojoba oils. We love how all Vacation sunscreens are compliant with the Hawaii Reef Compliant Act 104. That means even our oceanic friends are safe in their ecosystem, so we can protect them and the skin we’re in.
She’s been called “Dessert for your skin”, but that doesn’t make her blush. Classic Whip knows she deserves the cherry on top. Based on the classic whip cream dream of after dinner sweets this sunscreen mousse makes reapplication a treat. And talk about a beachside icebreaker. This fully “authentic “tilt valve” actuator that produces perfect, star-shaped mountains of foam..” is sure to turn heads.
And, last but certainly not least, may we reintroduce you too a cult favorite. A reimagining of the French Riviera’s summertime staple Bain de Soleil Orange Gelee. It was unfortunately discontinued in 2019, and that was when fans everywhere petitioned VACATION to take on the job of bringing this beloved baby back to the beach. The Orange Gelée Revival Project began and now here we have the one and only Orange Gelée; better than ever since VACATION brought their no-nonsense approach to ingredients to the table. It’s an Orange Gelée 2.0, and we couldn’t be happier. The scent is rich, warm and citrusy, lingering longer than many perfumes. The sunburnt orange toned balm melts on the body to reveal a silky texture that leaves your skin feeling like a million bucks.
THE SUNGLASSES
So, true story, I was sunbaking in the sugary white sand of Siesta Keys and met a lifeguard, Scooter of the Beach, to be exact, who mistakenly thought I was there on my honeymoon, (my Italian lover had quickly ran into the warm salt water as soon as we arrived, desperate to be immersed the sea once more after being too far, and too long gone from his home country) and he started to give me tips about the beach and local area. However, it was his sunglasses that kept drawing my eye away from the sea glass green hues of the Gulf of Mexico. I had to know where they were from and why they were so eye-catching.
Not the first time he had gotten that question, I quickly realized. He knew right away what I was talking about. That is when he shared the tip all lifeguards of the Florida coastline know, Costa del Mar is the number one brand when it comes to sun protection for your eyes. Choosing the correct sunglasses is serious business for those searching the glistening waters for endangered souls along the shores. You only have one pair of eyes and they have to be fit for the job.
Costa del Mar has built its reputation on their true glass, polarized lenses. Not any typical plastic, resin lenses that scratch within days. No, these lenses are scratch proof due to the layering effect of their Costa 580 technology. “In addition to 100% protection from UV light, Costa 580® technology absorbs HEV light known to cause macular degeneration, pterygium, cataracts and other eye diseases.” That’s tech speak for exceptionally good and very protective. This Daytona based company recommends that when you have the ocean on your skin and the sun in your eyes, to reach for Costa del Mar polarized.
THE SHOES
Oooo, once you try OOFOS you can’t go back to the other summer flipflops. Actually, these shoes deserve a whole other shoe category. The OOFOS Oolala Sandal has remarkable technology that the OOFOS brand stands on (pun intended) and that is their trademarked OOfoam tech and geometry that absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear foam materials. They actually recommend it as a recovery shoe; post running, post tennis, post Pilates, post Piña Coladas. They fit in the beach bag beautifully.
The ladies of Palm Beach are all in the know when it come to the ONEX SHOE brand. Light and easy to wear, somehow the designers have managed to create a powerhouse of chic style in just a few whisps of leather. The super soft soles are delicate on the feet and the beautiful detailing masterfully shows off your pedicure du jour. You can wear these poolside, beachside, or inside and know that you look brunch at The Breakers ready.
THE BIKINI
Tropical flowers, ocean views and a whisper of cheetah print, and that’s just on the bikini bottoms. Luli Fama is known for bringing the heat when designing their swim collections. We love the crystalized top and ruched back bottoms of this set that should absolutely make its way into your beach bag this summer. They even have a fabulous halter Mini dress that can take this from the pool to a beachside night club in a moment.
Of course, we have something for the men, too. Sauvage Swim is a luxury swimwear design house based in San Diego, California. Last year their designer, Elizabeth Southwood, was awarded the 2023 Excellence in Design Award by the prestigious Mare di Moda Fashion Group in Italy. Sauvage Swim source all their textiles from Italy and Spain, whose production houses put sustainability first.
We love the classic lines and intriguing prints that they bring to men’s swimwear.
These are a few items that you will find in our beach bag. What’s in yours?
- Featured Image – Photo credit: Mikhail Nilov
- Photo Credit: Pavel Danilyuk