​The Ultimate Beach Accessories Guide: Sun Hats, Sunglasses, Sandals & Swimwear Essentials

Packing for a beach day takes more than grabbing a towel. The accessories you bring shape both how protected you stay in the sun and how the day photographs — the hat that either shades your face or blows away in the breeze, the sunglasses that either cut glare or fog up, the sandals that either handle hot sand or give you blisters by noon. Getting these choices right is the difference between a beach day you relax into and one you spend adjusting. This guide covers the accessories that actually work, why they work, and how to care for them across the season.

Beach accessories at a glance

Accessory	Key feature	Best for	What to avoid
Wide-brim straw hat	UPF-rated, packable	Full-day sun protection	Loose weave without rating
Sunglasses	100% UVA/UVB (UV400); polarized for glare	Beach glare, water reflection	Lenses without UV protection
Water-resistant sandals	Slide or espadrille, rinseable	Hot sand, boardwalks	Heavy leather, closed-toe
Swimwear cover-up	Breathable, quick-drying	Beach to lunch transitions	Heavy cotton, lined fabrics
Beach tote	Canvas or woven, zippered	Carrying essentials safely	Open-top bags without lining
Simple jewelry	Solid gold, minimal pieces	Evening transitions	Silver or plated pieces in water

1. The wide-brim straw hat

A wide-brim hat is one of the most useful pieces in a functional beach outfit — it shades the face, protects the scalp, and adds an immediately polished look to a swimsuit outfit. The feature to look for is a UPF rating (50+ offers meaningful protection) rather than relying on weave density alone, since many loosely woven straw hats look protective without providing measured UV protection. A UPF-rated hat adds useful protection, but it does not replace sunscreen on exposed skin or other sun-safety measures. Packable designs in paper-straw or synthetic blends recover their shape after being crushed in a suitcase, which makes them genuinely travel-friendly in a way traditional woven straw isn't. A natural tan or soft cream with a simple ribbon trim pairs with most swimsuit colors.

How to pack it

Stuff the crown with soft clothing — T-shirts or socks — to maintain its shape, and lay it flat in the center of the suitcase rather than on top or underneath heavier items. Hats packed this way usually come out ready to wear without needing to be reshaped by hand.

2. Sunglasses

Sunglasses at the beach have two jobs: protecting the eyes from UV exposure while reducing glare reflected from sand and water. Polarized lenses handle the glare side, reducing reflected light from water and sand in a way non-polarized lenses don't. For bright, open beach sunlight, grey or dark green lenses tend to preserve true color perception while reducing glare; brown lenses enhance contrast against blue water, which some people prefer for seeing details in the water. Classic oversized tortoiseshell, minimalist metal aviators, and '90s-style rectangular frames all work well — the shape matters less than the lens quality.

What to look for

Polarization reduces glare, but it does not replace UV protection. The lenses should provide 100% UVA/UVB protection or be labeled UV400. Frame shape matters too: angular frames tend to soften round faces, while round or oval frames balance square and angular ones.

3. Water-resistant sandals

Beach sand gets genuinely hot, and closed-toe shoes trap heat quickly. A good beach sandal should be water-resistant, easy to rinse clean, and able to remain comfortable on hot surfaces. Many EVA slides are lightweight, quick-rinsing, and water-resistant, although performance varies by design. For a more polished beachfront brunch look, minimalist strappy leather slides or natural jute-wrapped sandals can elevate the outfit, although they work best on dry sand and prepared surfaces rather than in the water.

What to avoid

Heavy leather sandals that aren't water-treated, closed-toe shoes that cook the feet, and very thin-soled options that offer little protection from hot surfaces. For extended boardwalk walking or a day that mixes beach and city, our sandals vs sneakers guide covers when each works better.

4. Swimwear cover-ups

A good cover-up bridges the gap between the beach towel and a seaside lunch. The essential features are breathability and light weight — fabrics that dry relatively quickly and move in the breeze rather than cling when damp.

Three options that work well

The crochet tunic or dress: adds a bohemian texture and lets the swimsuit show through subtly. Works particularly well in warm, dry climates where the knit breathes freely.

The oversized linen button-down: worn open or loosely buttoned over a swimsuit, it creates a clean, modern look that photographs well and transitions easily to lunch. For how linen compares to cotton in heat, our linen vs cotton guide covers the details.

The chiffon or viscose sarong: ties at the waist, provides coverage and movement, and packs down to almost nothing in a tote. Adjustable and flattering across most body types.

5. The beach tote

A canvas tote or a woven rattan shoulder bag brings the beach look together while carrying everything the day requires. Look for one with a zipper closure and a water-resistant interior pocket — these details keep a phone, sunscreen, and sunglasses safe from sand and splashes. A tote without a lining tends to let fine sand work its way into the fabric over time, which is difficult to remove completely.

Jewelry at the beach

Simple pieces — small gold hoops, a thin chain — finish a beach-to-lunch look without competing with it. The beach is a hard environment for jewelry, though: silver can tarnish more quickly in humid, salty conditions, although the timing depends on the alloy, finish, and exposure. Chlorine and saltwater can damage some gold alloys, while plated finishes may wear away over time. The simplest habit is the safest — removing jewelry before swimming is the safest option, with the pieces going back on for lunch or the evening. Save silver and plated pieces for after the beach day.

Fabric and material notes

Accessories last longer when the materials match the beach environment. Quick-drying nylon and spandex blends work well for swimwear and light cover-ups — they hold their shape when wet and dry relatively quickly, depending on fabric weight and conditions. Chiffon and viscose have a liquid drape that moves beautifully in a coastal breeze and pack down small. Natural woven fibers like straw and jute have a beautiful texture but benefit from synthetic or paper-straw blends when humidity and splashes are a concern — pure natural straw can weaken with repeated water exposure.

Styling from sunrise to sunset

The beach day often extends into evening — a bonfire, an outdoor dinner, a late sunset walk. A few small swaps make the transition without a full outfit change: EVA slides swap to metallic flat sandals or block-heeled mules, statement earrings replace simple daytime studs, and hair gets pulled up into a neat bun or low ponytail. The swimsuit-and-cover-up foundation stays the same; the accessories change the tone. For more evening transitions, our summer evening dress guide covers more formal options for beach vacation nights.

How to care for beach accessories

Saltwater, chlorine, and fine sand wear down accessories faster than most people expect. Three simple habits extend their life significantly:

Rinse immediately: swimwear, cover-ups, and sandals should be rinsed in fresh, cold water as soon as possible after the beach. Salt crystals left in fabric weaken fibers over time; chlorine left on elastic breaks it down.

Air dry flat, in shade: avoid high-heat dryers for elastic swimwear and delicate cover-ups. Lay flat on a towel or hang in a shaded, ventilated space. Direct sunlight on wet fabrics can fade colors and weaken fibers.

Clean straw hats gently: a slightly damp microfiber cloth removes sand without soaking the weave. Soaking a paper-straw or woven hat can weaken the structure permanently.

What actually works vs what doesn't

What works	What doesn't
UPF-rated hat plus sunscreen on exposed skin	Relying on weave density alone for sun protection
Lenses with 100% UVA/UVB protection; polarization as a glare bonus	Polarized lenses without UV blocking
Water-resistant sandals that rinse clean	Heavy leather or closed-toe shoes on hot sand
Cover-ups that dry relatively quickly	Heavy cotton or lined fabrics that stay damp
Rinsing everything in fresh water the same day; air drying in shade	Hot dryers for elastic swimwear; soaking straw hats
Removing jewelry before swimming	Silver or plated pieces in the water

Final thoughts

Beach accessories earn their keep through small, specific choices: a hat with a rating, lenses with full UV protection, sandals that rinse clean, a cover-up that dries quickly, a tote with a zipper. These details are what separate a beach day you adjust through from one you relax into — and they're the same pieces that can last through a season with basic care.

Frequently asked questions

Can packable straw hats actually survive being crushed in a suitcase?

Packable hats in high-density paper straw or synthetic blends are designed to flex. Stuff the crown with soft clothing to maintain the shape, and lay it flat in the center of the suitcase rather than on top. Packed this way, they usually come out ready to wear without reshaping.

What sunglasses lens color is best for bright beach environments?

For intense open-beach sunlight, grey or dark green lenses tend to give the truest color perception with strong glare reduction. Brown lenses enhance contrast against blue water, which some people prefer. Polarization reduces glare, but it does not replace UV protection — look for 100% UVA/UVB or UV400 labeling.

How do I get fine beach sand out of delicate crochet or knit cover-ups?

Let the garment dry completely first — wet sand clings to fibers. Once dry, shake it firmly outside, then use a vacuum with a brush attachment on low over the fabric before washing in cold water. Trying to remove sand while the fabric is still damp usually pushes it deeper into the weave.

Is UPF 50+ on a hat really necessary, or is any wide brim enough?

Any wide brim helps, but UPF-rated hats offer measured protection that loose weave doesn't — a loosely woven straw hat can look protective without providing measured UV protection. That said, a UPF-rated hat does not replace sunscreen on exposed skin, sunglasses, or avoiding long peak-sun exposure; it's one layer of sun safety, not the whole plan.

Can I wear silver jewelry to the beach?

Silver can tarnish more quickly in humid, salty environments, although the timing depends on the alloy, finish, and exposure. Solid gold is generally more resistant than silver, but chlorine and saltwater can damage some gold alloys, while plated finishes may wear away over time. Removing jewelry before swimming is the safest option — save silver and plated pieces for after the beach day.

Written and edited by Away Style Editorial