You know the surreal feeling when that whimsical beach trip jocularly chalked out during a random drunk conversation with friends manifests into actual flight and hotel bookings? Well, I experienced it first hand recently. But I am not here to be a tease, I promise. On the contrary, I am here to talk about an obstacle I faced before living my best life by the sea.
While thinking about cruising, surfing, and all things beachy made my excitement shoot through the roof, planning all of my holiday ensembles made me go borderline crazy. Dressing for the beach turned out to be quite a conundrum. Practical beachwear could fit into my suitcase easily, it didn’t really fit into my style-forward equation. That’s why I took to the ‘gram and dived into the sea of celebrity vacay looks for some inspiration.
Their sun-drenched social media feed served as a virtual travel-fashion guide and here are 10 styling dos and don’ts I drew from them for some inspiration. I’m sharing them with you right here, right now so that you don’t have to endure the confusion and stress of planning your outfits. Check them out:
Do: Invest In A High-Waist Bikini
Petite, apple-shaped, or hourglass, a high-waist bikini can look extremely flattering on every body type. You get some extra support while flaunting them curves. Win, win situation!
Don’t: Underestimate Loungewear
We’ve all collected a myriad of loungewear sets–thanks to three back-to-back Covid waves and a zillion lockdowns. But now that the situation’s better, you can wear them outside of your house too. And of course, you can wear them to the beach. Janhvi’s look is proof. What more do you want than to stay comfy and stylish while unwinding by the sea!
Do: Pack Cutesy Floral Dresses
Maxi, mini or midi—nothing spells summer at the beach like a cutesy floral dress. Take a style lesson from Disha Patani’s recent clicks and feel free to play with bright colours and bold prints.
Don’t: Shy Away From Going Glam
Conventionally, beach looks are centred around the less-is-more fashion funda. But Janhvi Kapoor’s sequinned bikini set is dreamy, glamorous defiance of this rule and I love it. After all, it’s all about shining bright as the sun, right? If you plan to follow suit, make sure to balance it out by keeping your make-up and accessories minimal.
Do: Cash In On The Power Of Statement Sleeves
There’s no outfit that statement sleeves can’t elevate. This fashion rule stands true even at the beach. So flaunt those puffed sleeves just like Jaqueline Fernandez.
Don’t: Forget To Accessorise
Anklets, a stack of bracelets and rings, layered necklaces—who said you can’t wear jewellery to the beach? Ananya Panday’s look is a testament to the fact that the right accessories can amp up your beach outfit like no other. In fact, they can make your outfit go from drab to fab in a jiffy.
Do: Have Fun With Your Beach Cover-Ups
Gone are the days when beach cover-ups were just, well–cover-ups! They’re now statement-making outerwear pieces for the beach that can add that extra oomph to your swimsuits, bikinis, and dresses. Watch and learn from Sara Ali Khan and experiment with mesh capes, printed ones, as well as striped or checked ones.
Don’t: Ditch A Monokini For Anything
Bikini shy or not, a monokini can look even more chicer than a two-piece. It’s also more flattering and can double up as a bodysuit when you step into the city or go out to a party after a relaxing day at the beach. Shanaya Kapoor totally rocked a solid one at her vacay but you can experiment with a neon-coloured or a printed one too.
Do: Wear A Hat
A bucket hat can work like a charm if you’re planning a vacation to a beach destination. It can add playful summer vibes to any and every outfit. From dresses to kaftans to swimsuits, hats blend in really well with everything.
Don’t: Write Off The Print-On-Print Combo
Nothing looks more picturesque than an outfit with eclectic prints against the backdrop of the blue ocean waters. Ananya Panday’s look is a practical demo of this beach fashion theory. From three-piece sets with a bikini top, cape, and a draped skirt/sarong to co-ord sets—prints are the way to be on your beach vacay.
Now that you’ve taken some serious beach fashion lessons, go ahead and pack these ensembles. Leisurely beachside BBQs, under the sorbet skies await. Au revoir!