Your beach bag

 

Clutches and mini totes aren't for the beach. You need at least one extra large beach towel in your bag, so make sure it's big enough for all your summer essentials and accessories.

 

Shape
Basket shapes are handy, especially ones with pockets. You can carry them as shoppers or on your shoulder. Forget backpacks which get sweaty and uncomfortable when the temperature gets past 25 degrees.

 

Beach bags come in all types of materials: canvas, cloth, straw, plastic and cotton. When the heat rises, waxed canvas, plastic and rubber aren't ideal as they heat up very quickly and become unpleasant next to your skin.
Straw baskets are ideal, but many can only be carried by hand (plus if the basket is heavy, the straw will irritate your shoulders and leave less than glamorous marks). Leather or metallic bags should be left at home (remember theft is quite common at the seaside and you don't want your bags disappearing when you're in the water). A solid fabric or canvas tote is your best bet. 

 

Things not to forget:

- Towel, bikini and/or cossie

- Bottle of water

- Suncream

- Sunnies

- Keys and a small amount of money (pop them in a little clutch or pocket so you don't lose them). 

 

- A comb or brush to untangle your hair

- Cream or spray to protect your hair from the sun, salt and sand

- A water spray to freshen up and rinse your face after swimming in the sea

- Moisturising SPF lip gloss
- Plasters in case of cuts

 

Use little plastic bags to avoid getting suncream all over the place and to prevent your swimwear wetting everything in your bag.