Hit the Beach in Style

It’s summer!  Time to hit the beach. I’m lucky.  I live within driving distance of some of the most celebrated beaches in the world. Yes, the places where the ocean meets the land in California really are as wide and sandy as they are on television. There is, however, one big difference between the fantasy of TV and the reality of the beach: the people.  On the tube perfect blond beach bunnies and hunky, muscled life guards populate the sand but in real life the scene is much more varied. Sure, the life guards are super-fit and the bunnies frolic in the waves, but they’re joined by their grandmas and grandpas, parents, aunts and little nieces and nephews too. Everyone is having fun in the sun and no one cares if your cellulite is showing, because everyone over the age of 22 is showing off something imperfect and they’re doing it with aplomb.

So leave your insecurities in the car, grab a bikini and hit the beach! In case you’re still a little hesitant here are some photos to inspire you. They were taken in Capitola by the Sea, a charming little town in central California.  My family and I were on vacation here for a couple of days but I could have relaxed on the sand for weeks.

Yeah, that’s me above in my cut-offs and a bikini looking not-very-coordinated. (And above that a photo of my own beach boys.) I was going to wear a chic little kaftan thingy but it just felt too pretentious.  California beach style is very laid-back.  If there is anyplace in the world where anybody can wear cut-off jeans with confidence the little beach communities of the Sunshine State are it.

I’m wearing yet another new bikini, this one by Becca. The print is a wild, multi-colored stained-glass butterfly motif on black.  It feels as elegant as a black bikini, only its colorful and fun. I think the one-shoulder design makes it feel sophisticated.  Honestly I don’t know if I would have bought it myself because it’s a bit too skimpy and my insecurities get the best of me, but my husband insisted it looked great, and he should know right? It looks skimpy but it’s tight and supportive.  I don’t feel like it’s about to fall off every time I get in the water, a plus when frolicking in the surf.

• Bikini – Becca (You can find the top here and the bottom here. A more covered version of the bottom can be found here.)
• Hat – Unknown brand
• Shorts – Originally Gap Jeans. I cut them off myself.

I found more beach inspiration on my trip to Capitola. Check out the trendy zebra print bag in the photo below.

Zebras were hot! I spotted these two on the sand.

How chic is this black and white print tote?  The woman who carried it to the beach with her toddlers told me she found it at a local florist shop.

Are you going to the beach this summer? What are you wearing?