This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Ky Tanella. Find them on Instagram at @ky.tanella. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
The sun is out, the temperature is rising, and people (in the South, at least) are flooding to the beach for a bit of me-time, or family time! While I’m usually allergy-ridden during the spring, I love the early Summer vibes here in Georgia, and it’s the perfect weather for getting an early tan! But if you’re heading to the beach with your friends for break, or just starting a solo beach journey, you may be overthinking what to pack in a beach bag. Don’t fret, as an expert overthinker, I will lead you through a packing guide. From the basic to the extra-extra.
The Bag
First, you need a bag! I usually prefer something waterproof, as I get paranoid about high tide even if I’m at the end of the beach. However, they’re typically not the most aesthetic (not that it matters much). Something crocheted is usually a go-to; just make sure to keep it on your towel to prevent too much sand from getting in.
The Basics
If you need a chill, solo beach day (or just want to bring a small bag and yourself), this is all you need!
You might want a cover-up along with your bathing suit. Personally, I love some athletic shorts and a beachy button-up, but there are plenty of cute dresses or bottoms to go with if you’d like something that matches your bathing suit! You’ll also need one to two towels for drying or lounging; if you’d like to spread out, I recommend getting a picnic blanket for optimal tanning.
Also, please tell me you’re wearing sunscreen—SPF 50! SPF 30 is also fine, but re-applying with SPF 50 is recommended, especially on tattoos or more sensitive areas of your body! If you have acne–prone or sensitive skin, I recommend Cervae’s Sunscreen or Sun Bum’s Mineral Sunscreen. Also, make sure to wear SPF on your lips—it’s just as important!
Next, you should bring a reusable water bottle. A plastic water bottle is fine, too—just make sure you’re recycling and not leaving any glass on the beach—just stay hydrated! I always recommend bringing sunglasses, even if you don’t wear them while tanning. For those of us who wear glasses daily, clip-on sunglasses can be a game changer. Instead of juggling between frames or skipping sun protection altogether, clip-ons offer a super convenient fix that doesn’t compromise on comfort or style. They make life so much easier when you’re going to that perfect spot on the beach and provide much-needed protection if you choose to read.
Speaking of reading, bring a book, or a Kindle if you choose to relax that way! While there are some hailed “beach reads,” get whatever feels most engaging to you – I read at least half of Jane Austen’s complete works on the beach! Turning to some Romantasy is always a good time if you’re into that thing! If you’re more of an audiobook listener, bring your earbuds and plug in for some immersion, especially if the beach is crowded and you get a little overstimulated like I do.
Lastly, for the basics, I always tell people to bring things for their hair. Whether it be a simple hair tie, a scarf, or a bandana, getting something to protect your hair from the salt can be essential. For curly girls like me, the ocean can be a real tangle, so I try to defend it by putting it up or tying it back!
The Extra
If you’re like me, you’re probably in this section – super overprepared for every scenario. I’m usually stocked with a small toiletry bag, full of little goodies that probably aren’t needed, but just in case!
I recommend bringing a deodorant and re-applying it when you hop in and out of the water. The travel-sized section in Target hates to see me coming before a beach trip, I love getting those little travel-sized deodorants or hand sanitizers. Like I said above, the ocean can be a real hair-tangler if you leave your hair down, so bringing some detangler and a brush might be considered “extra,” but I think it’s super smart. If you’re a curly girl on a budget, I’m begging you to try Aussie’s Detangling Milk, and it saves my life every time. The Tangle Teezer or the viral UNbrush detangler are fantastic beach options. Next, I tend to keep tampons strapped on me, even if I’m not on my period (you never know) or if one of my friends needs one! Tanning oil isn’t always recommended, but it should be fine if you wear sunscreen. Please don’t use tanning oil as your only form of SPF protection!!
When I was younger, my Dad always came strapped with the beach chairs and a cooler (even though the chairs are always impossible to unfold). If you’re more of a lounging/sitting person, beach chairs are relatively affordable and should last you a while, depending on how often you head to the shore! The vibes are better curated with some sort of small speaker, specifically a portable JBL clip, which are relatively inexpensive and last forever. I know certain beach hats may look corny, but if you’re inherently sensitive to the sun, I’d advise bringing at least a snapback to keep your eyes nice and shades – just watch out for those tan lines.
Obviously, you need some snacks. The best beach snacks keep you nice and hydrated, so definitely dive into some watermelon, frozen grapes, or citrus fruits! However, I’ll never judge you if you pack some sandwiches and chips, just be sure to drink lots of water.
Lastly, and this could be a me thing, I bring plastic bags for any jewelry I wear and for seashell collecting. My seashells or seaglass tend to get lost in my bag and can make my towels super sandy, so I rinse them off in the ocean, and keep them safe in a little baggie. This is quite extra, but I use seashells in my witchcraft quite a bit, so I love to bring them home in one piece! And, if you’re feeling introspective, bring your journal and some cute pens. The beach can be peaceful, especially if it’s not super crowded, so if you’re in your feelings, write ‘em out!
The Extra-Extra
These are some things you might see on Pinterest or TikTok, often labeled as a “that girl” beach bag. While I try not to subscribe to consumerism, those mini makeup products frequently get me! But keep in mind: You don’t need these products, and if you do bring them, I’m in no way insulting you!
A bunch of these pots love the Sol de Janeiro products, and for good reason. Their Bazilian Bum Bum Cream is fantastic and is a life-saver when the ocean sucks a lot of the moisture out of your skin, and their famous 62 scent is incredible, if a little expensive! Lip Oils, Liquid Blush, and Blotting Sheets are also super popular items to bring to the beach, and add a little natural glow, especially if you’re sweating just a bit. If you’d like to add any touch-ups, a tiny or travel-sized mirror is usually recommended, but just make sure you don’t blind anyone with the reflection. Lastly, in the product section, if you have straight/wavy hair, some wave spray (or texturizing spray) could be great if you’re looking for that natural beach wave.
If you’re not renting them, bringing tents/umbrellas is a sure-fire way to have the ultimate set-up at the beach, but carrying them back to the car is never fun. However, if you spend most of your time in the ocean, bringing a floaty or a boogie board is always fun to ride the waves with, just don’t float out too far. Lastly, ugh, a tiny fan? It’s essential for those 90-degree days when the Sun is cooking you alive, and they’re usually super cute!
So, did I miss anything? What are your go-tos for beach days? Let us know in the comments below, and remember to beach responsibly!
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