Lands’ End Crossgrain Canvas Tote is the ultimate beach bag
One of the best parts of summer is spending an entire day at the beach or the pool. It’s the perfect getaway, because you are compelled to unplug and relax. But while a day on the water means leaving it all behind, you still need to haul a LOT of stuff with you, particularly if you have kids.
That’s where Lands’ End comes in.
The Lands’ End Crossgrain Canvas Tote is perhaps the ideal beach bag. It’s huge, for starters, big enough for four towels, six pairs of goggles, two snorkels, and enough diving toys for an army of kids, among other things. It has great pockets — three small ones inside that are just the right size for sunscreen and tissues and your wallet, and one on the outside that will keep your cell phone away from the wet stuff. The inside also has one long side pocket with a strap, for things you want to keep separate from the rest of the jumble, like your magazine or book. And it has the all-important key hook, because who wants to dig through a bag this size looking for the car keys at the end of the day?
Not me, I’ll tell you what.
The Crossgrain Tote is made of sturdy canvas that stands up on its own and dries easily. It comes in four gender-neutral color combinations, which means that your husband won’t have any excuse not to take it — and the kids — to the pool on his own. And the straps are the perfect length for hand or shoulder toting.
The Crossgrain Tote retails for $39.50 and can be monogrammed for an extra $5.00.
J. Crew printed beach tunic brightens up your apres swim
I’m always hesitant to buy a swim cover-up; most of them look a little frumpy, honestly, and then there’s the whole issue of investing in something that only gets worn for a very brief time (from the car to the pool, for example, or only in the summer).
I think that’s why I love this particular tunic from J. Crew so much — I can see this working long after the pool is closed, with some skinny white jeans and sandals. And the bright color and floaty fabric make it perfect for actually WEARING to the pool — full coverage without the warmth and weight of the typical terry cover up.
J. Crew printed beach tunic, available in XS - L, and currently on sale for $39.99. Also available in four solid colors for $29.99 (if prints aren’t your thing).
Old Navy swimsuit cover up, on sale — just in time for Memorial Day
Summer is all about long lazy days at the pool or the beach, but eventually you will need to leave the pool or beach and head for some place that serves food, and possibly a drink as well
For those afternoons when you don’t want to sip a G&T (or an iced coffee or even a gigantic blue slurpee) in your swimsuit, pack a cute coverup in your tote. This one, from Old Navy, is a nice cross between a dress and a towel; it’s made of soft absorbent terry which is nice over a damp suit, and the cute empire style covers up without adding any bulk or weight.
But keep in mind that this is a SWIMSUIT COVERUP, not an actual dress; I don’t want to see you pairing this with heels and a cute clutch for dinner out. Toss it over your suit and then go home and change before you hit the bars. Please.
Old Navy terry empire coverup, $15.00. Available in five colors in sizes XS to XL.
It’s almost swimsuit season, and Lands’ End can fit any figure
Memorial Day is two weeks from today, which means that summer is OFFICIALLY only fourteen days away. Which means that it’s time to talk about bathing suits.
I know, but you’ve GOT to have one. What’s summer without a trip to the pool or the beach, or just an afternoon in the sprinklers?
Swimsuits can be torture to shop for, because no matter how much you love your body when it is fully clothed, a swimsuit requires you to bare (almost) all. And those less-than-perfect spots that you have been cleverly camouflaging with loose skirts and tailored shirts will be on display for everyone to see.
Fortunately, Lands’ End recognizes that not every body is the same, and that very few (if ANY bodies) are perfect. Their swimsuit line is designed to fit a wide range of shapes and sizes (with cups that will accommodate up to a DD) and includes a nice selection of plus-size and post-mastectomy suits. The styles are hip and chic and the prices are right.
I would make one suggestion about buying swimwear online: order the suit you want in the size you think you need (measure carefully, and follow the site’s directions for determining size) as well as the size above and below. In other words, if you THINK you will need a 10, order an 8, a 10, and a 12 — and then return whatever doesn’t fit. The idea is to get the best fit, not to wear a certain number (you can always cut the tag out if you are unhappy with the size).