Beach Weekend – Pack The Perfect Ensemble For Sun, Surf & Sand
June 28, 2013
By Brian Maynor
June 28, 2013
No summer would be complete without at least one trip to the beach. Screaming children; suntan lotion; coolers; headphones; towels; flip-flops; hats; sunglasses; the waves and of course the sand, not to mention the anxiety over swimwear all make for a very relaxing weekend. Right? At least you can still look great.
My take on beachwear is very similar to the one on college fashion, mostly disposable. Invest in the key elements you want to reuse, like the swimsuit and tote bag, but keep everything else moderate. These outfits will have you looking great without costing a fortune. Plus they transition nicely from the beach to the beach bar.
- Bold Prints. Even if you normally steer clear from vibrant, loud prints embrace them on your next beach trip. They blend perfectly with the environment and help camouflage stains. Just remember the key is keeping everything proportional. If the pattern is too small and repetitive it makes you look larger and if it is too large it dwarfs you making you look short and dumpy.
- Accessorize. Every beach outfit needs some accessories. A long necklace adds great texture and dimension to your outfit, as well as vertical movement making your torso look leaner, but to be appropriate stick with natural stones or solid metal.
- Sunnies. With sand, surf and suntan lotion, this is probably not the time to break out your really nice, really expensive designer shades because they will inevitably be scratched, stepped-on or lost to the ocean. I recommend a plastic pair to which you are not overly attached. Aside from the style, make sure they offer the right protection for hours of direct sun exposure.
- Embrace the hat. Everyone has had the sunglass sunburn at one point in time and it is never attractive. Avoid the possibility of repeating the offense by including a hat along with your SPF. They are also one of the most neglected beach accessories and help set you apart from everyone else.
- Break out the large totes. There has been a lot of press recently over the excessive size of handbags and the ailments they cause, but this is one time when they are essential. With everything you have to carry from the car to the beach, make sure it all fits neatly into one bag. No one wants to be ‘that guy’ making multiple trips or looking like a pack mule.
- Walking in sand is harsh. If there was ever a place where flip-flops are appropriate it is at the beach. They slip on and off easily and are flat, so walking without twisting your ankle is feasible, plus your feet can have a natural pedicure. I still recommend leather to help ensure they survive the day in one piece, and keeping a pair of wedges and loafers in the car for after beach activities.
Whether you choose a one-piece or a two-piece, a bikini or board shorts is all up to you, but when you look and feel like the best dressed person on the beach you may not want shed the cover-ups.
Woman’s Beach Outfit
Click on the outfit below for where to find these items.
Man’s Beach Outfit
Click on the outfit below for where to find these items.
I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pull double duty. Email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyborads at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.
About Brian Maynor
Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.
Sign up here to receive MidlandsLife weekly email magazine.
