Looking cute and together on the beach is harder than it seems.  The sun, the sweat, the sand—they create a trifecta tornado of potential beauty and fashion hazards.

You may not think of the beach towel as part of your ensemble, but why not!  The bigger, the bolder, the brighter… the better.  Plus it is a surefire way that your friends can spot you down by the water.  Soft and generously sized: Seaside Beach Towel.

The swimsuit.  That might be a bit of an oxymoron for you, because the first question you should ask yourself: is your suit going to be for form or function?  Some of the cutest bathing suits are great on a towel, and too tiny for the ocean.  So tiny you may wind up without one.

Form: Too tiny up top for function, but cowgirls are too cute too pass up.  Cowgirl Print One Piece.  Watch out for odd tan lines.

Function: The Lorena Printed Bandeau Top & Bottom provides sturdy coverage, without losing the chic factor and pretty details.

Best in Black.  Nothing beats a perfect black bikini.  Ever.

Makeup. I don’t like to put anything on my face besides sunscreen, but a simple tinted moisturizer is perfect for the beach.  Try NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30. Sheer coverage and protects.

A book.  It is an essential! Leave 50 Shades of Gray for home, and grab the newest from .  Journey to Sicily from the sand with Andrea Camilleri’s ‘The Age of Doubt.’

Sunglasses.  Save your eyes from crows-feet and hop on the Warby Parker bandwagon in these Jasper sunnies in Whiskey Tortoise.

Now lay bay, relax, crack open a beverage in a beach friendly container, and let the sun do the rest.

-Arianna Schioldager