42 Beach Essentials For Your Next Holiday
Whether the annual pilgrimage to Ibiza is taking place or you’re making do with the temperamental sands of Cornwall, make sure you’ve got all of your beach essentials on hand this summer. From cool towels to chic cover-ups, hard-working SPF to fun and games, these summer buys will make your next beach day even better.
Cool beach towels
There are so many great beach towels on the market right now that will ensure you make your spot on the sand as chic as possible. First up, Business & Pleasure Co., which, quite frankly, is worth checking out for anything beach, poolside, or holiday-related. We love the retro eggshell blue and cream deck chair-striped towel. Or, for something a little more punchy, Harry Styles’ lifestyle brand Pleasing has created a gorgeous wavy design in Matisse blue and bright white.
And if you’re after practicality with a side of style, Sunnylife’s genius terry towelling designs fold up into a convenient tote bag. The White Company’s towels are designed with an elasticated bottom skirt for a snug fit over your lounger, are lightweight, quick-drying and feature a side pocket to keep your book, phone and SPF in one place.
SHOP THE EDIT…
Roomy beach bags
The ultimate beach bag rule? Go big or go home. From SPF and portable speakers to kids’ toys and family-sized towels, your beach bag needs to carry it all – and then some. We’ve got you covered with styles that can literally fit everything but the kitchen sink.
Raffia and basket bag styles get our vote, not only because they handle the sand like a dream, but they effortlessly exude those chic French girl summer vibes.
SHOP THE EDIT…
Hard-working SPF
It pays to invest in your SPF if you want to look after your skin. It’s really just as an important step in your skincare routine and no more so than in summer.
From those that double up as primer to waterproof options and factor 50+ the whole family can use, check out our favourites below.
For more on SPF for the face, check out our full guide here.
Beauty Pie’s SPF-meets-primer is hands down the best we have tried if you want a good base for makeup plus full protection.
SHOP THE EDIT…
Set-up saviours
From portable BBQs to cute coolers to keep the rosé chilled (imperative), we’ve got your beach set-up covered.
For the ultimate boujee beach day, we rate Business & Pleasure’s chic parasols. An investment for sure, but you can set them up in the garden too and pray for another heatwave – we’re fully aware they won’t fit in the actual beach bag.
SHOP THE EDIT…
Fun & games
If there’s one brand that’s making beach days even better right now, it’s Sunnylife. Their range of beach accessories and games includes everything from fun inflatables to bats and balls, giant Jenga towers to waterproof cameras to take snorkelling.
Keep the tunes rolling with Sony’s tangerine-hued waterproof speaker, and cart all the kids’ crap around with Zara’s handy cotton beach trolley.
Make sure you have the tunes covered with a waterproof tangerine-hued speaker.
SHOP THE EDIT…
Big protective beach hats
Whether you’re a ’90s-inspired bucket hat type or are channelling a Parisian girl in Provence vibe, make sure you have a good (and big!) sun hat to keep you cool and protect you from the sun.
Top of our wish list is Lack of Color’s charming scalloped Paloma hat with its cute tie-ribbon, as well as their Holiday Bucket in of-the-moment chocolate brown bucket hat if you want to lean into a grunge-meets-chic aesthetic on the beach.
But if you’re after something truly exquisite that you’ll treasure forever, Lorna Murray’s concertina, SPF-approved, beautiful designs are something else.
Cover-ups
From menswear-inspired linen shirts to cute beach dresses in sherbert shades and this season’s must-have sarong skirt, we’ve got your beach cover-ups, well, covered.
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
