These are neither Daniel Craig’s itsy bitsy beach fashions nor Borat’s wild and wacky styles but breezy, edgy and sporty ocean-bound essentials for real men, so you’ll look like tomorrow’s trendsetter today. Get kitted out.
By Purnima Shrinivas
Sun Shade: Seaside fun, but of course, in the sun – so shield yourself from all the glare with a wide-brimmed hat high on flair. jcrew.com
Dapper Peepers: Bump off your acetate sunnies for this eye-popping pair sustainably made from skate wood. Polarised and perfect for enjoying views of the sexy seaside. bear-essentials.co.uk
Linen Love: Love linen? And in pastel hues? Well then dude, you’ve got nothing to lose, because light-coloured linen is way hot this season. Don’t sweat the wrinkles; sport a few crinkles. Remember the messier, the better. abercrombie.com
Multi-Functional Mate: When it comes to technical excellence, these shorts deliver: they stretch with you, withstand chlorine, resist fading, dry quickly, are spill-proof and have an essential pocket for keys as well as an adjustable waistband. Most importantly, they keep indecent exposure at bay thanks to the slide-lock-snap closure. Plus they won’t balloon like a military parachute when you’re in the water. kitandace.com
Wet Set: Surfing or snorkelling? Swap your existing neoprene wetsuit for this summer-friendly half suit – it’s lightweight, warm, super-stretchy, contoured for a close fit, and just the inspiration you need to hit the cyan seas. But if you prefer something lighter, simply go with a comfy two-tone neoprene vest and team it with board shorts. vissla.com (suit), vissla.com (vest)
Cooler Than Cool: Air conditioning only works indoors, but what if you could cool your body down by five degrees outdoors just by wearing a T-shirt and working up a sweat? It’s possible, thanks to a birch tree compound bound to this garment’s fibres. Sun protection included. exofficio.com
Destination Beach: Sometimes you just want a pair of trunks to say ‘BEACH’, even if a little cryptically. Don these ultra-colourful, digitally printed ones from Ralph Lauren and do exactly that. Rest easy – these are a tad too stylish to exude those Hawaiian bar boy vibes. ralphlauren.com
Barefoot Luxury: Minimal, lightweight, stable, rugged and airy, this one-of-a-kind, semi-customisable and made-to-order pair of sandals look as cool as they feel – like wearing nothing at all, but with the benefit of keeping your soles protected at all times. unshoesusa.com
Trendy Towel: A monogrammed or personalised rectangular beach towel is certainly nice for a day at the seaside, or perhaps you prefer a double-sided roundie with a sophisticated leather carry? You decide. notonthehighstreet.com, thebeachpeople.com.au
Nautical ‘N’ Nice: With a mind-boggling variety of beach bags to pick from, here’s a simple suggestion: select one that’s individual, nautical and roomy enough to accommodate your precious beach cargo. And in this case, the chattiness factor is also a plus. sparksclothing.co.uk
Sand Sieve: It’s a beach mat alright, but far from ordinary: thanks to its sieve-like PVC top layer, you can lie endlessly in the sun without getting soaked in sand. It’s not the most comfortable mind you, so make sure to supplement the surface with a towel. out-right.co.uk
Snorkel Easy: The inconveniences of a regular snorkelling mask are all in the past. Thanks to this innovative full-face snorkel mask, you can breathe underwater as you would on land, not worry about screen fogs or water leaks, and even hook up your GoPro to shoot your marine experience and save it for posterity. A clear winner? We think so.
Beach Saver: Stay safe on your next adventure at sea with a wrist-worn contraption that inflates upon a tug at the lever, provides additional buoyancy without being restrictive, and pulls you up to safety, thanks to a replaceable CO2 cartridge inside. Smart. Simple. Safe. kingii.com
Smart Sun Band: Get the recommended Vitamin D, but don’t wait for your skin to turn ketchup red and start peeling in the blazing sun – strap on an LED wristband that monitors your exposure to UV rays based on your skin type and flashes when you’ve reached the limit so you can avoid overexposure. Convenient…. and colourful as well! sunfriend.com
Portable Pleasures: This suitcase-style speaker, aka vintage bass trunkie, lets you to blare your favourite music at the beach with its nostalgic and modern features. Curious glances and interesting conversations are bonus effects. basstrunkies.co.uk
Beer Buddy: Beach and beer go together – so here’s a high-quality, smartly designed and stylishly crafted six-pack beer bottle carrier in rich American walnut-coloured leather. When you’re done with your tipple, simply fold it into a compact flat pack and take it back. Personalisation possible. sixfold.nyc
Wave Board: Stoked to ride the waves but not a full-on surfer at heart? Then wear your favourite pair of flippers, slip on a high-quality hand plane from James Otter with customisable wood, shape and grip, and make a dash for the waters. Advisory: If you’re a beginner, train in the smaller white water waves first. ottersurfboards.co.uk [Photo Credits: Mat Arney]
Play Ball: No run-of-the-mill ball this, but a small, performance-driven heavyweight that bounces off water and promises to keep you on your feet until sundown. Fit for athletic types who prefer to play league. waboba.com
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