Beachside Wear

A reader asks…
I need to figure out what to wear during a beach vacation. If I get off the beach and want to grab a drink or head to a restaurant, what do I wear to look appropriate? Do I put on sneakers and a t-shirt? I’d like to look right while still managing a little style. Any suggestions?

Answer:

Sure thing. Look for vintage Hawaiian shirts on eBay and at your local vintage boutiques, and combine them with a pair of nice shorts. But be warned though: You could be either coolest thing on the beachside or greatest disaster depending on which shirt you pick. If you don’t want to risk with a Hawaiian look but you’d still like something easy to wear on the beachside, go for a pair of loose, wide legged linen trousers with a drawstring closure. Match them with polo shirt or lightweight casual shirt, sleeves rolled up.

Also toss the flip flops and look for a pair of espadrilles instead. These perfect-for-the-beachside shoes will work well in shops and restaurants, and transition much more smoothly from sandy beach to beachside shops.