Photographs: Vanessa Petersen
Text: Vanessa Petersen
We all know that lingering sandy residue of a day well spent at the beach. But, along with the sand in between our toes, some key beach accessories can easily shift into impressive fashion ensembles.
Popular belief is, "You don't bring sand to the beach", but what about the 'sandy looks we bring back with us? Let's call it "Sand In The City"...it has a certain Carrie Bradshaw ring to it.
#1 Beach Bag Lady
Just what the doctor ordered…a bigger bag to fit more stuff! Beach totes are a must on and off the seashore. They come in various fabrics and patterns and can easily be incorporated into your everyday looks. Not to mention, they are roomy for all of life's necessities…and extras. My current go-to brands for beach totes are Zara, Na-KD, and Asos.
#2 The Sarong Song
Another fun beach-to-city piece is the infamous sarong. These simple pieces of fabric can transform an entire look. Wrap them over a pair of shorts, jeans, or even a bodycon dress to effortlessly enter the realm of bohemian rhapsody. Extra points for fringed sarongs help add a pinch of fashion drama. Nasty Gal, PrettyLittleThing, and Zara are great places to pick up some runway-ready sarongs.
#3 Hold On To Your Hats!
Everyone loves a functional and health-conscious piece of fashion. Not only does a beach hat provide a statement, but it also helps to battle those stubborn UV rays. Various structures of hats can easily be worn on the summer city streets. Straw hats, fedoras, visors, and bucket hats, to name a few. So pick up your hat at Revolve, H&M, or Zara for the win.
#4 A Crocheted Cover-Up
Beach covers are probably my most versatile beach-to-street items. They are true statement pieces, allowing the rest of your outfit to be lazy without drawing attention. From crocheted to macrame to mesh dresses, these pieces are meant to throw over a pair of jeans and a t-shirt…and go. Another cool way to rock beach covers is under a blazer for a skirt effect. My favourite places to snag the perfect knitted cover-up are AcrCrochetDesign, Zara, and H&M (oh and Nasty Gal for an honourable mention).
#5 Shady Business
Another functional and health-conscious beach accessory is the sunglasses. Finding the ideal frame silhouette is vital to the overall slay. Pay more attention to your face/head size…when searching for the perfect frames. Aviators, cat eyes, wayfarer, round, and oversized seem to be popular styles. A pair of fabulous shades adds the final chef's kiss to any look. H&M, Nasty Gal, Zara, and Na-KD are great places to snag affordable sunglasses.
#6 The Magic Of The Scarf
A silk scarf blowing in the summer breeze is genuinely timeless. These are fantastic pieces to add an extra 'oomph' to your overall look. Scarves, depending on the size, are very versatile. You can use them as a headwrap, fashion them into a dress, or tie it around your waist in a sarong-like manner. The best place to snag silk scarves is Zara, with a wide variety of bold patterns. If you prefer cotton scarves...I have the perfect place for you, KanthaBae, where each scarf is one-of-a-kind.
Now that the sun is finally shining, people are flocking to the beach. So it's the perfect time to try your favourite beach accessory out on the streets. Remember, the only rule in fashion is…there are no rules! Beach accessories don't only have a lifespan in the summer - they can be incorporated into your everyday looks all year round. So feel free to bring the sand into the city.
