I think this new washed denim tote from Claire V would be perfect for stuffing full of sunglasses, books, sunscreen, water, and everything else I bring to the shore.

And I think this cover-up from Emerson Fry is just about the cutest.

I have loved my newish waterproof Birkenstocks—they’re so lightweight and comfy, and about half the price of leather Birks.

A tent that lets in the breeze is just a good idea.

This Yeti cooler is the only thing here that I’ve actually purchased, and it was a bit of a splurge, but so worth it: it is so well-designed, and keeps your cold items impressively cool.

I’ve been trying to break my plastic water bottle habit—so wasteful in every way—and think this tie-dye water bottle could go a long way towards helping me realize that goal.

A Turkish-style beach towel is nice and light, and you can shake the sand out of it easily.

And why not a leopard print beach chair, I ask you?

A tapestry like this perfect for passing out on the sand.

Every summer, a number of you will ask me to do a post on swimsuits that look good even if you’re not model-thin, and every summer I procrastinate, because there are few things I dislike shopping for than swimsuits. But I managed to find some good ones this time around, including this cute cheetah-print suit.

The side ruching on this one helps camouflage stomach pooch.

I like the high neck on this suit, as well as the tonal floral print.

This striped number is sexy without being especially revealing.

This is a Miraclesuit, which promises to take ten pounds off your appearance. I find this compelling.

This one from Norma Kamali looks like something a 50s screen siren would wear.

Here’s another good one for stomach pooch.

A halter-style with flattering ruching.

This has a James Bond vibe that I really like.

The rainbow stripes here add a nice bit of punch.

This skirted suit is just the right amount of flirty.

And finally, the red zipper on this splurgy suit is a cool, statement-y touch.

I like the idea of a fun summer hat: not only do they protect your skin (and hair color, if you dye it) but they also add a nice bit of drama to just about any outfit. This one from Cos is made of crocheted paper, and I like the orange hue.

This canvas striped hat is just so fun and summery.

Here’s one from Uniqlo that’s a seriously good buy.

This denim bucket hat has an exactly perfectly wide brim.

The piping on this classic bucket hat is a fun touch, and it also comes in pink and green.

Here’s a water-resistant number that’d be good for sudden downpours while hiking, or whatever you get to outdoors.

I like the checkerboard pattern here; it’s kind of cool and ska-ish.

This baseball cap-shaped straw hat would be a lot cooler—literally and figuratively—than a traditional baseball cap.

I like to wear my hair up in the summer, so I went for this visor, so it looks like I actually have hair.

This pink checked specimen is just damn cute.

This hat is packable, which is handy.

The chinstrap here is kind of a romantic (not to mention practical) touch.

The ultra-wide brim here really packs a punch.  Here’s one that is similar but cheaper, and comes in several good colors.