Travel is finally back and whether you have grand plans for far away getaways, or simply a day trip to your local seashore, cute beach outfits are a must when it comes to summer shopping. If you’re aiming to keep things casual and cute, or prefer statement-making pairings that will stand out in a crowd, you will want to inject a little playfulness into your beach look.
“I think what makes beach dressing fun and fashionable is the freedom to try something new and embrace a look outside your typical style,” Patricia Bonaldi, founder and creative director of PatBo, tells WWD. “I know so many New Yorkers who wear head-to-toe black in the city, but lean into color and print for the beach as a fun, different expression of their style.”
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What to Wear to the Beach
We saw a lot of runway trends perfect for the beach this Spring/Summer 2022 season. Vacation was on many designers’ minds, from crochet summer dresses at Gabriela Hearst and Jonathan Simkhai, to surfer style taking center stage at Stella McCartney, Etro and Isabel Marant. Even the return of gladiator and other cute summer sandals at Alberta Ferretti and Valentino, instantly sparked ideas of dreamy, vacation-ready outfits. However, both our experts agree, you don’t have to follow the trends when it comes to forming your perfect beach capsule wardrobe.
“I personally don’t tend to follow trends; I dress with my gut and what makes me feel good,” Bonaldi says. “I also love exactly that — a beach wardrobe! — pieces that are versatile and not just swim, but for the boat, seaside dinners and exploring the town, while still feeling comfortable and beachy,” agrees Marysia Dobrzanska Reeves, founder of Marysia. “I’m not a super trends driven designer. I