As the weather becomes less and less enjoyable and holiday time is around the corner, the allure of a hot sandy beach becomes more enticing than ever. Whether your family tradition is flying south to spend some much needed time in the sun or you've booked a last minute jaunt to the nearby Caribbean, a holiday-time vacation in the sun is surely an added enjoyment to celebrating festivities during the busy season. Swimming in the sea or poolside need not require complicated ensembles, though; rather, part of the enticement of escaping is breezy ease in every respect (beach-side cocktails and canapes, anyone?). But that doesn't mean looking anything but pulled together is desirable; achieve style, grace and ease seamlessly on your beach getaway this holiday season with these picks below.
Flip-flops are an obvious beach trip necessity, but they don't necessarily have to be rubber nor clunky. Rather, pack a pair of Tkees -- designed in Brazil, these sumptuously soft leather thong sandals are produced in eight shades of nude to all but disappear on the wearer's feet. Sophisticated and displaying true craftsmanship, Tkees make legs look longer and leaner while taking you from beach to sundown cocktails.
When you're enjoying frolicking on the beach, there is inarguably a better suit to swim in than a Maaji piece. Geniusly and generously providing two suits in one (packing made easy!), each piece is reversible (and each side is as gorgeous as the other). This Colombian brand is well known and well loved for their whimsical, bold and bright colour palette and patterns, yet each design remains tasteful, refined and alluring. Paying close attention to every little detail, Maaji's cuts are artistically designed to flatter figures like none other -- seams all but disappear, silhouettes both support and enhance, and bottoms come in a variety of coverage options to allow the wearer to customize their preferences.
If that wasn't enough, this seminal swimwear brand created the Earth Warriors initiative -- a nonprofit project that plants trees in Colombia, this campaign helps protect and preserve the environment and strives to "plant an ocean of trees" (they're well on their way with a forest of 90,000 trees in the Maaji forest!). Their current collection for Spring 2017, appropriately called the Sunny Dream Inn, boats beautifully patterned pieces, sophisticated strappy tops and a variety of cuts -- a corest-type top perfectly balance support and style, while a traditional triangle styles end in tassels for extra style points. We'll have one in every style, please!
When it comes to packing clothing items, a few simple swaps can make all the difference. Choose easy one-piece outfits, like a summer dress that can be thrown on at the beach, and look perfectly in place over lunch in town. For extra comfort and style points, pack a few playsuits by beloved Australian designer Alice McCALL. Feminine, frilly details balance mega short hemlines (that are strategically angled to elongate and slim the legline), and beautifully display a bare shoulder here or low back there. Colours, patterns and silhouettes vary, and there is certainly a style for every taste, while ease and sartorial superiority are injected into each and every piece.
No trip is complete without a suitcase filled with old classics and new favorites alike. Lugging around 20 kilos of your belongings is no one's idea of fun though; pick wisely, and you'll be spoiled for choice with just a weekender bag. The temperature and humidity demand light textiles and fuss-free beauty looks -- Charlotte Tilbury's Beach Sticks are the definition of easy, gorgeous makeup. Imparting a beautiful, elusively fresh-faced look that never slips in the heat, the shade Ibiza looks perfect when swiped right underneath cheekbones for a little glowy structure, while Es Verda, a peachy coral, enhances and brightens a sunkissed complexion.
Ensuring lips stay hydrated, protected from the sun and dressed up all at once is no easy feat, yet Fresh's Lip Treatment manages to do it all. It packs a winning combination of gorgeous texture, addictive, sophisticated citrus flavour, and instant and long-term smoothing results. With moisture-preserving sugar, nourishing precious oils, antioxidant-rich polyphenols, and essential SPF protection, one easy swipe of this lip-beautifying balm instantly pulls your look together. Choose from a myriad of sheer shades, from a moody, sultry plum to a bright, bold fuchsia.
Post beach day, pamper sun, wind and surf-dried skin and hair with Aerin's Beach Cream. With an illuminating shimmer and a super hydrating formula, this double duty cream makes both skin and hair soft and gorgeous. It sinks into skin quickly, is deeply hydrating and comforting, and, when warmed in hair, a deep conditioning treatment is activated and restores strands, even if you've been swimming in the Indian Sea all day.