24 Jun 5 Summer Essentials for the Best Beach Outfits in 2024

The summer holiday season is upon us, and all I can think about is the warm sun on my limbs, the sand between my toes, and the many chic beach outfits I need to pack to dress appropriately for this dream scenario. Aside from your all-important swimsuit, there’s the perfect summer sandals, and a practical but stylish beach bag option to think about. In addition, the easy breezy options you can throw over the top to make your beach basics ready for the stroll through town, the trip between the pool, and for long shady lunches beachside. Exhausting, I know.

Luckily these 5 summer essentials will make light work of the situation. Aside from the practicalities of a staple summer bag to tote your wares to the beach and back and a protective hat, a well-selected sarong, or crisp linen set for example can add just the right amount of je ne sais quoi to your beach look. Read on for the 5 on-trend summer essentials you need to whip up your best beach outfits this summer.

The Perfect Beach Bag

Of course, the perfect carryall beach bag to transport your essentials to and from your favourite beach spots every day goes without saying. From baskets to slouchy raffia and crochet, the perfect beach bag will also transport all your transitional outfits into summer in the meantime.

A bag that will go with anything and everything.

Add pop of colour with M&S’s green beauty, or plump for the chic black or natural version…

The perfect size for all your beach essentials and more, this & Other Stories natural beach bag is lined with cotton canvas and comes with a leather-trimmed straw pouch to keep your valuables safe.

Hand-woven in Colombia from raffia, Hunting Season’s ‘Iraca’ tote is gorgeous trimmed with supple black or brown leather.

Prada’s logo raffia tote is an influencer favourite and will add instant cool to your summer outfits.

Saint Laurent’s elevated take on the basket bag is an investment piece you will wear for summers to come.

A Cute Hat

Aside from providing an air of mystery, a hat is also good sun sense when the heat is on. There are plenty of fabulous options, so there is no excuse to leave home without one, whether crochet, canvas, bucket, or wide-brimmed, there is a hat for every summer aesthetic. Go for a wider brim if keeping that sweet face protected is a high priority though.

So cute.

A canvas bucket hat not only looks ready for action, but it can also be folded into your packing avoiding any awkward airport hat parade moments.

A cap also makes a solid choice for various activities.

This sheer straw sun visor is very chic.

Versatile, practical, and transportable.

In my experience, the ties are a very useful addition to a hat in a breezy situation. This chic Loewe number will go with everything too.

A Chic Cover Up

If you’re planning on spending most of your time at, or in transit to the beach, then investing in a gorgeous beach cover-up makes sense. Make it cotton, linen, or crochet for the win in the heat, and get ready to wear it every day.

A classic crochet mini dress will do you no wrong on a beach. holiday.

Another winner from Me + Em, this long black version could do day to evening so well.

Jazz things up a little with this zebra cover-up and coordinating loose beach trousers if your heading somewhere a little more glamorous.

This sunshine yellow is so pretty.

Everything from Haight, please. If you take a minimalist approach to your beachwear then this brand is for you.

Easy and chic.

The most beautiful beach cover-up there ever was.

The Perfect Swimwear

Naturally, you will need a stunning swimsuit or 2 as the main event of your beach outfit. Purchase the perfect piece and you will love pulling it out summer after summer.

Matteau’s simple but stunning black swimsuit is a great investment.

This chic crinkled cream bikini top and bottoms are so classic.

Red is a huge swimwear trend this season, as is everything red and this number will certainly turn heads. Alternatively, the brown version of this ribbed swimsuit is very chic and versatile.

Reformation’s double-layer bikini top and coordinating bottoms are so pretty in this floral print. Alternatively the black and white or sky blue and white are both winners.

If you like to keep it minimal, both in style and coverage, Mango’s metal ring detail bikini top and bottoms are for you. Metal detailing is another swimwear trend we are so on board with.

Arket’s square neck swimsuit is simple in shape with a little spice via the neutral animal print.

Jade Swim’s simple and elegant bikini top and high-rise bottoms are sure to be worn over and over, summer after summer.

A Pretty Sarong or Pareo

There are multiple ways in which you can style a pareo, my personal favourite being folded in half and tied at the waist to make a mini. Not only can this ultimate holiday item be worn in so many ways, but it can also used as a practical and space-saving substitute for a post-dip “towel”, or a pretty sunbed cover. I know, you never realised you were going to garner such packing wisdom from this post.

Make your seaside sashay the ultimate in chic with Matteau’s printed silk pareo.

I am personally a big fan of this Faithfull summery 70s print sarong and bikini.

A versatile choice from Arket.

H&M’s short sarong comes in this fresh blue and white pattern, orange floral, or black & white print.

Both the print and colours of this Topshop sarong are so holiday ready.

This black and white geometric print makes a versatile and chic choice.

The colours of Me + Em’s silk and cotton sarong are so pretty.

Chic Coords

Whether an oversized shirt and shorts set, coordinating crochet, or some long and loose trousers with a matching flowy top, a coord is one of the easiest ways to get dressed on hot summer days and a true holiday packing hero.

A striped cotton shirt and matching shorts work every time. This set from Me + Em is especially crisp.

Ditto, crochet, the enduring summer classic. Perfectly paired with oversized sunglasses and fisherman sandals.

This relaxed shirt and shorts set are so pretty.

Arket’s chic grandad collar shirt and matching shorts are perfect for summer days in the city or by the beach.

This oversized linen shirt and breezy shorts come in this cute print or a blue striped linen option.

Wide-leg white linen trousers are a forever staple and this elevated linen blouse is a different take on the classic oversized shirt.

You might not want to pull COS × TABATA SHIBORI’s Gorgeous top and coordinating trousers on over your sweat and suncream, but for post-beach shenanigans, this set is a winner.

This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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