Packing list: the beach

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african bag

It’s just about the time of year that I start heading out of the city on weekends—some people do it as soon as Memorial Day hits, but I don’t tend to go away until it starts getting meaningfully hot out—and I have gotten my packing list down to a science (I’m not including swimsuits here because I’ve got a post coming up on them). This year, I’m thinking of adding a Kenya-style woven tote to the mix, and found this excellent (and one-of-a-kind) specimen on Etsy.Screen Shot 2018-06-10 at 12.42.56 PM

Since one of you will probably snap that up, here’s a pretty nifty geometric-patterned one.

flip flops

A dressed-up pair of flip flops will take you anywhere in the summer.

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Or you could just go for some (fairly) cheap Havaianas—I like the thick straps here.

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I wear a hippie girl cover-up like this one to the beach, naturally, but I also like to sleep in it.

kennedy dress

This dress could easily function as a cover-up too.

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I kick around everywhere in Converse low tops—I think you’d be hard-pressed to find more great style for a mere $80.

dylan dress

A breezy sundress—this one is so good with the red and blue stripes—looks pretty great with the aforementioned Converse.

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A decent A-line denim skirt is tough to locate, but this one is a good length and also doesn’t cost a fortune.

graphic tee

I’ll wear it with a graphic tee like this one.

tree tee

Or maybe this one.

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I like a bucket hat to keep the sun off my face, and a light hue keeps things from getting too hot.

racerback bra

This is my favorite racerback bra for tricky or bare tops—it’s cuter than most racerback bras, and very comfortable.

abe sunglasses

Finally, I don’t venture anywhere without sunglasses, and this square-ish aviator shape is so good, especially with the blue lenses.

 

Here’s a post I did on weekenders.

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15 Thoughts on Packing list: the beach
    Deede
    11 Jun 2018
    8:10am

    Dusting off my Kenya tote from back in the day…Loveth your summer selections…This is my most difficult season to dress and feel excited over…

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    supermaggiemay
    11 Jun 2018
    9:45am

    I have the regular version of that bra and it is pretty magical.

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      Kate
      11 Jun 2018
      10:19am

      It is!!! I wear a 38DD and it gives great support without being a lot of bra to wear.

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    Kate
    11 Jun 2018
    10:10am

    That bra is fantastic. I also have the regular version and it’s amazing. But be warned! The racerback version runs very small. At least a full size small. So it you are a 36C you need to order a 38D. I’m a 38DD right now and I can’t get a larger size. If you are in my situation, I suggest something with the ballet straps from Chantelle Is that what they are called?

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      Viajera
      11 Jun 2018
      10:42am

      Wait … their sizing stops at 38DD??? That seems wrong. Ouch. What I noticed was the lack of “skin color” choices. Who buys white anyway? They could get rid of the white and do at least one other brown.

      I tried a Wacoal once and did not care for it. It had padded cups and I felt like a house.

      However … I do know others who like them. Maybe I am too cranky today.

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        Kate
        11 Jun 2018
        3:06pm

        Sometimes their sizing goes up much higher, but not in this bra. I honestly don’t think this bra could support more than a 36D/38DD. It’s very lightweight and lacks padding.

        The skin color choices are abysmal. I don’t know of many large manufacturers that do a good job with the nude skin tone colors. I’ve had some success with Soma as they have a fair pink nude that isn’t too dark for me. But I have friends with much darker skin and they face a lot of challenges. I saw a website that sold nude shoes for all skin tones a few months ago but I can’t remember the name of it to save my life.

        I can’t wait for the day that manufactures wise up and realize that we aren’t all bandaid beige.

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          Jenny
          12 Jun 2018
          10:08am

          Try Naja — many skin tones for bras and briefs. The bras might not be the best for very full busted ladies, because they tend to stretch out. Briefs are great – very comfortable and totally invisible,

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          Viajera
          12 Jun 2018
          10:53am

          Thanks, I’m glad to hear that their sizes often go bigger. People need support! I don’t like all over padding but I can see that it can be very useful.

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      supermaggiemay
      11 Jun 2018
      11:32am

      Really good to know as plan on ordering this one. Thanks!!

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    Mimi
    11 Jun 2018
    10:41am

    Kim – I clicked Contact on the menu at left and it didn’t work. I’d like to understand your business model better. I will probably buy a dress from your first floral dress post. Do I have to go back to the post and click from there in order for GOACA to get credit for the purchase? If I clicked through to Nordstrom when I first read the post, will GOACA receive credit for my purchase if I go to Nordstrom.com directly? What if I read and click the blog on my computer and then purchase later on my iPad? I’m aware that GOACA isn’t a hobby for you, so I’m trying to be a responsible consumer.

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      KimFrance
      11 Jun 2018
      10:48am

      Mimi, thank you so much for caring thatI get credit for your purchase! You’ve got to purchase directly from my link in order for me to receive a commission. xx

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        Mimi
        11 Jun 2018
        6:59pm

        Got it! Thanks.

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    c.w.
    11 Jun 2018
    1:30pm

    Love that black and whiteish Eileen Fisher tote. Such a classic. And the denim skirt is perfect. So many great choices here!

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    EW
    11 Jun 2018
    1:48pm

    AH Very rich post today!

    1. Dietland: I too am intrigued by this so I bought and am now reading the book its based on; I’m ‘taping’ the series (I know its DVR but my head stills calls it taping)

    2. I still have my original ‘kenya’ woven basket tote — that I carried in high school in the 80’s!— they were The Thing for awhile I always kept it, precisely for beach/pool times. It’s faded a bit but still rocks.

    3. Does anyone else remember when converse lo or hi tops were like $25??? I had white ones that I ended up drawing on with sharpies

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    Candy
    12 Jun 2018
    12:03am

    Thanks for the Converse low tops for both their fabulous colors and their unisex sizing. My size 12 feet thank you.

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Kim France

I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.

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