21 May 2011 Essential trip togs
For some Arkansans, one of our favorite summer vacation spots is the beach. We can’t wait to get there!
One of the hardest parts of planning for that fun beach trip can be trying to decide what clothing is necessary. We want to be comfortable yet stylish. And not only that, we just want to be prepared for time in the sun, eating at a nice restaurant or an evening walk on the beach.
Here are a few basic items that you can take with you that will hopefully help you be prepared for that long-awaited vacation.
First off, you will obviously need a swimsuit. Choose one that is flattering to your body shape and size. When shopping for a swimsuit, take your best friend with you – she will tell you the truth about how you look in it.
Along with the swimsuit, you need some type of cover-up. There are many styles and fabrics to choose from. My favorite is a sheer sarong that can be worn many different ways over the swimsuit.
A cotton blazer is a great item to have. A denim jacket might appeal to some women instead, and that can take the place of the cotton blazer. It is great to carry along to dinner in case the restaurant is chilly. It is also good for a walk on the beach later in the evening.
A plain tank top in a solid color is a piece that can definitely come in handy. Even one with some embellishment on the shoulder straps would work. The cotton blazer or denim jacket is fun layered over the tank top.
Shorts are a must-have. But I’m not talking about gym shorts or flimsy cotton shorts. A nice pair of longer, darker wash shorts are classy, yet comfortable. They can be dressed up or down, depending on where you are wearing them. Save the gym shorts for the beach football or volleyball game!
An item that you might not have thought about is a pair of yoga pants. They are great for a walk on the beach or lounging in the condo, and they are so much more flattering than a pair of sweatpants.
A loose tunic-style shirt is comfortable for a day of shopping or visiting tourist attractions. These usually have a v-neck and three-quarter length sleeves and are made longer than a normal T-shirt. I’ve seen them in a variety of fun colors and prints. It would be great paired with the longer shorts.
A simple cardigan is another staple piece to have on vacation. It is lighter weight than the blazer or denim jacket and is great to have to ward off a chill.
Here is one you might not have thought of – a full-length crinkly skirt. They are usually very lightweight and are so cute! And better than that, they are extremely comfortable. It could be paired with the tank top you’ve brought along, and you can add the cardigan or blazer if it’s chilly.
A jersey knit dress is great to have because the fabric doesn’t wrinkle nearly as bad as cotton does. That is good to wear to dinner at a nicer restaurant. Dress it up with a large pair of earrings and either a set of bangle bracelets or a large attention-grabbing cuff bracelet.
Flat sandals, whether thong or gladiator-style, are also on the must-have list. Black is a great color choice, but even a pair that has some type of embellishments on it would work. They can be worn with most everything on our list and are a bit dressier than plain flip-flops.
Two last things that you can’t be without: a hat and beach bag. There are some big, floppy beach hats out there. They are great to have while on the beach because they will help protect from wrinkles and sun damage. Don’t be scared to wear one. If you feel like it’s not cute on you, I promise it is – you’re just not used to seeing yourself in it!
There are a variety of beach bags/tote bags to choose from. Pick one in any easy-to-care-for fabric because it’s easier to clean up when things get spilled on it. It needs to be large enough to hold all of the things you consider necessary when sitting on the beach relaxing.
Look back through this list and think about which of these items you have in your closet. I’ll bet you’ll be surprised at how many of these you already own! If there are pieces you don’t have, then happy shopping!
501 LIFE would like to thank Doug Stadter for the use of his sailboat at Lake Maumelle for this feature.
