Turquoise Oceans, Dresses and Swimsuits
This post started with a summer beach visit in Santa Monica and photos of a turquoise dress and bathing suit. My dress was already a few years old then. Those original outfit links and sale promotions are no longer current recommendations.
The outfit idea still works: a swimsuit, an easy dress or cover-up, flat shoes and a bag for the things you actually use. You do not need everything in the same color. Let one print or color do the work and keep the rest simple.
Build the Outfit Around Your Beach Plan
If the day includes a lunch stop, pack a dry dress or a shirt and shorts instead of assuming a wet swimsuit works everywhere. Try the cover-up with your actual suit before leaving home. For a walk, choose shoes you have already tested on your feet.
My original turquoise dress is archive inspiration, not a current product listing. The Hunter Bell suit below has a different print and shape. It is an option to compare for fit, not an exact replacement for the outfit in the old photos.
A Small Beach Edit to Browse
This post contains affiliate links; I may earn a commission if you shop through them. The current picks below are options to browse, not products I have confirmed wearing on the original trip.
Hunter Bell Underwire One Piece
The Coastal Conversation print is an option for a swim-focused wardrobe. Check the underwire fit and size guide before choosing. This is a current option to browse, not the swimsuit from my original trip. shop here.
Brixton Helena Straw Sun Hat
A wide-brim raffia hat for a calm beach day or time ashore. Check the available size and circumference. Do not count on a loose straw hat staying put in wind or on a moving boat. shop here.
Project Reef SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick
A stick format to browse for your beach bag. Read the label for application, reapplication and water-resistance directions. A hat and shade still belong in the plan; this is not a promise that one application covers your whole day. shop here.
Pelican Marine Waterproof 2L Dry Bag
A small bag to browse for essentials during a boat or beach day. Check the capacity, closure instructions and manufacturer limits before putting valuables inside. It is not a guarantee against water damage. shop here.
What Goes in the Beach Bag
Start with a dry layer, sun protection, water and a place to keep small essentials. Check the label on your sunscreen and do not treat a hat as a reason to skip it. Keep valuables away from wet clothes and follow a dry bag’s closure instructions if you bring one.
Check the Day, Not the Old Heatwave
This archive was written during a hot summer. It is not a current forecast. Check the weather for your own beach day and take a layer if your plans stretch into the evening. For a pier day, my Santa Monica outfit guide has more shoe and layering ideas.
What to wear to Santa Monica Pier
Try the Outfit Before the Beach Day
Set out the suit, cover-up and shoes together. Make sure the dress is easy to put on over the suit and that the bag holds the dry layer without crushing your hat. If the outfit needs a particular bra, strap or separate top, pack it now. A little outfit check at home is easier than discovering a missing piece when it is time to leave the beach for lunch.
More Outfit and Packing Ideas
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