Beach Essentials

Tried and true must haves for a stay at the beach

I’m back in the city after a glorious week at the beach and still very much in a beachy frame of mind. I took a news vacation which did wonders for my spirits. I highly recommend it. The icing on the cake was a harmonious house with old friends and making amazing new friends. 

I traveled light only bringing a carry on bag and a straw beach bag for the week. This is my preferred way to travel. It forces you to plan what you’ll need and carefully choose each piece knowing a little has to go a long way and often must do double duty. 

My post mortem for packing is the inspiration for this post. There was one item I sorely missed each and every day I was there; a slip on espadrille. I meant to order a pair and even included them in my Summer Essentials post.  You would think I’d take my own advice. The slip on espadrille is the perfect summer shoe. They mold to your feet after a few wears and are always comfortable. Your feet can breath in them, and unlike most of my sandals, which find new ways to torture my feet with every wear, an espadrille will never rub you the wrong way. They are in the timeless classic hall of fame; light and compact to pack and go with virtually everything from dresses to beach wear. I did have a pair of lace up espadrilles with me, though they could not be my beach shoes. Who wants to have to stop to lace and unlace every time you hit the sand? Lesson learned. I’m suddenly opposed to the flip-flops I previously wore to the beach. I think the slip on espadrille is a chicer alternative. 

Bottom, striped and solid , top frayed edges black and white, center criss-cross black and white

I also desperately need a new straw beach hat.  This is the one item I hate to buy online because I find it necessary to try hats on. They either work on your head or they don’t.  I’ve been looking for a year or more but choices in stores are slim.  Better options were uncovered after a deep dive online which you can see below.