• What to take to the beach for a dreamy day under the sun •

Summer is almost here: the sun is shining brighter, promising us delightful beach trips in the weeks ahead. I can almost feel the wind in my hair and the warm, soft beads of sand scrunching up under my toes. You might imagine little colorful dots of people smiling and splashing along the coast, like a modern impressionist painting—at least, if you have blurry vision without glasses like me.

As we start to make our beach plans a reality, I began thinking up ideas on what to bring for the perfect beach day—what’s the recipe, exactly? While it may look a little different to everyone, I ended up with a long list of beach day ideas and inspiration to ensure your visit feels like a most pleasant summers’ day. A day basking under the hot sun requires some planning, after all.

So, continue along for 16 ideas for a perfect day at the beach.

Beach Ideas

here’s what to take to the beach—

A good book

Reading is my number one beach day activity. There’s just something so soothing about getting lost in the pages of a story with the sea breeze and waves creating soft noise in the background. It also happens to be the perfect way to pass the time while suntanning, too. Bringing a good book will definitely make your beach day dreamy, and I recommend Jane Austen to get the job done.

A Beach blanket

Unless you really like sand, a beach blanket should probably be on your list of things to pack. In an effort to create the perfect beach day, I feel that there’s nothing as elegant and polished as a white blanket—as long as it’s suited for outdoors. White and off-white evoke feelings of calmness, relaxation, and freshness—it’ll be like laying on a cloud. Plus, a white blanket will serve as a perfect backdrop to complement your other belongings.

Sunscreen

All that needs to be said here can be said in four words: (please) don’t forget your sunscreen.

But I’ll go on; you can actually still get a tan with SPF 100 (and in overcast weather!), and, as the value of SPF increases, so too does your protection from getting burnt. There’s nothing that sours the appeal of a dreamy beach day like a painful, lobster-colored burn.

Therefore, SPF is a crucial step in the guide to your perfect day at the beach. For a weightless, antioxidant-rich sunscreen without the white cast, I prefer the one linked above from La Roche-Posay.

flowers

This is a step I can’t recommend enough; it’s a very easy and affordable way to create an elegant mood on your beach day. My favorites are sunflowers or certain wildflowers, like daisies or Bachelor Buttons. Pick up a bunch from your local store and carry them along in your bag to place on your beach blanket. You may need something to tie them together or weigh them down so they don’t fly off with the wind.

An Instant Film Camera

There’s something about looking through the lens of a camera that can help you find the beauty in every moment. It gives you an intentional eye and tells your mind that the here-and-now is worth remembering. Our lives are but a culmination of our memories, after all.

All that to say, I’m a proponent of bringing your camera on your day at the beach. Whether film or digital, it doesn't have to be the main activity (though could be, if you find that fulfilling!)—but a shot here and there can only add to the present, in my opinion.

I recommend a film camera to really capture the charming mood, and an instant film camera can be especially fun, enabling you to share each photo in the moment.

A cute swimsuit

Whether on the sand or in the water, a cute swimsuit is usually a given (though not a must) at the beach. It certainly doesn’t hurt to show up in style, either. I felt this darling suit was easily dreamy enough to match the perfect beach day mood. Get it here.

A Woven Bag

You’ll need something sturdy and smart for your supplies, and I think a woven straw bag is the perfect choice for the beach: it’s stylish and won’t dirty easily. As an added idea, when you’re not using your silk scarf (more on that later), tie it on the handle of your bag for an elegant accent detail.

Rectangle sunglasses

A good pair of sunglasses are both functional and fashionable. They’ll serve as a necessary shield for your eyes, of course, and can help create a stylish mood for your day. If you’re in need of a new pair, rectangle sunglasses are the shape of the season, seen on runways like Saint Laurent and Off White. Whether donned in a classic neutral or a bright pastel, you’ll certainly be en vogue with this shape. Get it here.

Lip Balm

It’s all too easy to leave the beach with chapped lips, so keeping them hydrated throughout will help keep your beach day perfect. Any chapstick or lip balm will do, but I like Glossier’s Balm Dotcom for a subtle tint and shine and a healthy feel all day.

Face Mist

You may be seeing a theme here; a lot of beach essentials revolve around keeping you hydrated and protected from the sun. I’ve tried a couple of different face mists over the years, from Heritage Store’s rosewater to Evian’s mist, but I have to say, Caudalie Beauty Elixir Face Mist is by far my favorite. It has the most refreshing scent and feel and is perfect for keeping your skin hydrated and dewy throughout the day.

A picnic basket

There’s something inherently charming about picnics, and a picnic basket itself is no exception. It evokes such sweet and joyful imagery, which is why I think it’s a necessary ingredient for a dreamy beach day. You’ll need something functional to hold all your snacks and drinks, so I chose one that’s sturdy with an added cooling compartment and, not to mention, elegant-looking, too.

fruit, Drinks, & Other Snacks

Of course, snacks and beverages are necessary for the perfect beach day—and lots of them!

I think fruit is one of the best snack options for the beach. It won’t spoil without refrigeration, and it’s full of antioxidants and hydrating goodness to keep you energized throughout the day. Some other options I like are bread and olives, sliced cucumbers, dried salami, nuts, and dried fruits, too. If you have a sweeter tooth, you could bring along some sweet pastries.

As for beverages, water is, of course, a great bet, and I also like switching it up with sparkling or coconut water as well, and sometimes fruit juices. Wine can really add to the dreamy mood, but (obviously) be careful based on local area guidelines and potential dehydration.

glassware

What makes a beach picnic sweeter than gorgeous glassware? (Except, I guess, the sweets themselves.) Elegant glasses will help create a charming mood, and if you go for a sparkling beverage, the dazzling, romantic sway of the sparkles will only add to the effect.

Chanel Sandals

Okay, so you really want to make this day dreamy, huh? These yellow goatskin sandals from Chanel embody, to me, the most charming Cannes beach day in the form of shoes: all sun, sand, and shores.

Indeed, these shoes have that le sud bébé mood—sweet, effortless, and a little cheeky.

A Silky Scarf

Bringing a silk scarf to the beach might not be something that typically comes to mind when thinking up beach essentials, but it’s a great method to keep your hair moist, soft, and free of tangles against the strong sea wind. Plus, it’ll add an extra layer of protection for your hair and scalp against the sun.

Silk also happens to be one of the most romantic materials, adding a luxurious element to your perfect beach day. There are a variety of gorgeous silk scarves out there, but I found this silky, champagne scarf to be particularly lovely. Get it here.

jewelry

While rings, bracelets, and necklaces should maybe be excluded from your beach day to prevent any funny tan lines, earrings are a great option to wear to the beach. Reflecting off the sunlight, silver or gold jewelry creates such a romantic, stylish look.

If you’re looking for a particularly luxurious pair, Alighieri is one of the most charming jewelry brands out there. Each stunning piece carries a story and gives its wearer a distinct radiance.

The Lunar Rocks Hoops I picked tell the story from Dante Alighieri’s Paradiso when the poet arrives “to the magical sphere of the moon, where light and serenity abound.”

Ending on a high note, this concludes my list of beach ideas for the perfect day. To me, each of these ingredients will add up to create a beautiful memory. What do you like to bring to the beach? Let me know below.

16 Beach Day Ideas for the Perfect Day | What to Take to the Beach