July 6, 2021July 3, 2021 by Beau H.

#OOTD: What to Wear to the Beach for Guys This Summer

Who among us can pass up a trip to the beach these days? As heat waves roll across the country, it can be a nice respite to hit the surf and sand, especially as we roll into the dog days of summer. Enter today’s #OOTD, my ultimate guide on what to wear to the beach for guys this summer. We’re going much more laidback and casual than you might dress on a breezy summer weekday, so stow away one of your favorite lightweight jackets and keep things cool and easygoing. You’ll want to start your look with the basics, the fundamentals of truly getting dressed for the beach with style and utility in mind. That means going with some sustainable men’s swim trunks, specifically a pair with a throwback-inspired cut. They’re a change of pace from the everyday, and that’s not a bad thing at all.

Fear not: We’ve got plenty of the best new men’s gear along for the ride, including one of the best T-shirts for men, plus a durable and surprisingly stylish pair of dependable beach sandals, plus another crucial beach essential: Iconic and investment-worthy Steve McQueen Persol Sunglasses, which happen to have the approval of the style legend himself. These picks are going to serve you well for hours at the beach, and yet, you won’t miss a beat when you roll up to a beach bar. It helps that your United By Blue swim trunks even look a little bit like on-trend, stylish men’s shorts. Put it all together, and you’ve got the right look for a stellar day at the beach. Just be sure to pack up your Huckberry x Coors Banquet Cooler (more on that in a second) with the best beach beer for the occasion. Let’s hit the beach, folks. Cheers!

The Classic Swimwear: United By Blue Organic Throwback Board Shorts, $78 — What’s not to love about the sustainable men’s swim trunks on offer here from United By Blue? They’ve got a trim, throwback-inspired cut, distinctive detailing and on-point style. The brand also offers more classic boardshorts, too.
The Sunglasses: Steve McQueen Persol 714 Sunglasses, $480 via UNCRATE — Aside from your stylish swim trunks, a pair of the coolest sunglasses for men might be the one of the most important accessories to bring to the beach. Luckily, these Steve McQueen Persol Sunglasses, as sold by UNCRATE, fit the bill perfectly. Instantly iconic.
The T-Shirt: Wellen Hemp Tee, $36 — Just as important as your classic sunglasses has got to be the right T-shirt. This sustainable T-shirt is well-made, nicely priced and available in a range of versatile colorways, like the one shown here. Plus, it’s a bit more polished than a tank-top when you need a bit more coverage.
The Slip-On Shoes: Huckberry x Chaco Chillo “Agave” Sandals, $60 — I don’t often recommend stylish men’s sandals here on the blog, but when Huckberry and Chaco team up on functional, understated beach sandals, well, that’s as good as anything when it comes to what to wear to the beach this summer.
The Watch: Alsta Nautoscaph Superautomatic, $1,005 — Invest in one of the coolest watches for men on the market, and one that’s uniquely beach-ready (it’s a remastered version of the Nautoscaph Watch worn by Richard Dreyfuss in Jaws). It’s the perfect blend of style and functionality, folks.
The Hat: Seager Co. The Seager Boys Snapback, $30 — Wondering how to dress for the beach? Top things off with a vintage-inspired ballcap from Huckberry, the kind you can wear for years and plenty of beach trips to come.
The Cooler: Huckberry x Coors Banquet Cooler, $95 — Packing up for any beach trip is going to require one of the most durable, best coolers on the market. Huckberry and Coors Banquet have teamed up on a fittingly inspired, legendary partnership, so load up this cooler accordingly with your favorite beer.
The Bluetooth Speaker: DemerBox DB2 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, $349 — You’ve got your cooler loaded up with some of the best beer for summer, and all you need now are some of your favorite tunes played one of the most durable Bluetooth speakers for the beach. Don’t hit the surf and sand without it.

When you start off your beach look with a pair of the sustainable men’s swim trunks, you really can’t go wrong. With United By Blue, you’re getting both eco-conscious construction and an on-trend design, and things only get better from there as far as this #OOTD is concerned. Keep on building your look in breezy fashion with the iconic and seriously cool Steve McQueen Persol Sunglasses, as sold by UNCRATE — that pair is going to set you apart from the pack the right way. And a well-made, sustainable T-shirt is a perfectly breezy tee to wear to the beach, topped off in rugged, retro fashion with a vintage-inspired ballcap. The whole look gets even better and even more throwback-minded, if you can believe it, with one of the coolest watches for men, an instantly recognizable, investment-level watch that’ll turn heads in the best way possible.

Now that you’ve got those style staples down, including a pair of understated beach sandals, it’s time to load up one of the best coolers with perfectly crafted light lager for summer. Be sure not to forget a set of durable Bluetooth speakers to stream your favorite tunes all day long. The ideal beach day is well within reach, so use this #OOTD as your perfect guide as you plan out how to dress for the beach this summer. Once again, cheers to the season.

July 23, 2018July 12, 2018 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Myles Apparel Seacliff Boardshorts are the Summer Swim Trunks You Need

The new boardshorts that amp up your beach wear to another level.

Any list of summer style essentials should likely include a stylish pair of swim trunks, right? Like the ones seen above from Myles Apparel, I’d wager. Even if you’re not a frequent beachgoer, you should still take care to dress appropriately when stepping off the boardwalk onto the beach. It’s as essential as what you’re packing in your beach bag and the sunscreen you’re putting on — truly. And that, my friends, is where the functional-yet-stylish Myles Apparel Seacliff Boardshorts come into play. These aren’t the baggy boardshorts you wore as a kid or back in college — the Seacliff Boardshorts are a new breed of men’s swim trunks, equally as good-looking as they are durably crafted. It’s a surprising combo that should make your search for a stylish men’s swimsuit considerably easier, ehh? It all starts with the quick-drying, four-way stretch material that gives these more performance-minded features than the baggy floral numbers a lot of us wore growing up. Trust me — the Seacliff Boardshorts are anything but that. The 7-inch inseam should work well for most guys, although taller fellas will want to search for something with a longer inseam (Bonobos does a nice job of that, my friends). Still with me? Still interested in the Seacliff Boardshorts?

Good stuff. There’s really no downside to picking up a pair of the Seacliff Boardshorts, seeing as the striped pattern is a menswear-minded pattern that stands out in a sea of gaudy, bright colors at the beach. That’s exactly what you’d expect from Myles Apparel, too. The brand offers a clean, minimal and durable interpretation of everyday staples (probably why they’ve named their signature shorts the Everyday Shorts!), so it only makes sense that the Seacliff Boardshorts would blend nautical inspiration and performance in one package. The point is this: You don’t need to worry about much when your shorts are as stylish as the Seacliff Boardshorts — simply pack up your cooler, throw on a rugged henley and some stylish slip-ons, and go.

Do you think the Seacliff Boardshorts are a summer must-have? Let me know on my Twitter page. Thanks for reading!

June 28, 2017June 28, 2017 by Beau H.

Style Suggestion: The Best Gear to Bring to the Beach This Summer

It seems as if we were just talking about transitional spring style on this here blog, and yet now, we’re staring down the Fourth of July and we’re talking about what to wear to the beach. Or rather, what to wear to the beach and all the rest of the best men’s gear to bring with you. We’ll cover a bunch today on The Style Guide, from a great beach cooler to a stylish pair of swim trunks, a slim summer T-shirt, great sunglasses and plenty, plenty more. After all, hitting the water needn’t mean you leave your favorite seasonal style essentials at home. You can — and indeed, should — bring along durable accessories, a stylish dive watch, a classic pair of sunglasses … seriously, bring (and wear) as much of it as you can. Vacation time is no time at all to slack off, fellas. In the spirit of upgraded beach style, follow along with the below #menswear picks, follow along with my summer style on Instagram and if you dare … follow me on Twitter. Happy shopping!

The Swim Suit: Onia Charles Trunks — $77.98 OR Penfield Seal Swim Shorts — $65

Two colorways, two different brands and two fairly agreeable prices — stylish summer swimwear is here.

Let’s start things off with what’s most important — shall we? Two options here, both stylish, functional and no-frills when it comes to the fit, details and colors. These are trunks that don’t cry out for attention — I’m partial to the Onia Charles Trunks. Either one will work with a slim T-shirt and slip-on sneakers, and you can throw on a classic ballcap with ease, too. Either option is also fair in terms of price. When it comes to quality, the Onia Charles Trunks or the Penfield Seal Swim Shorts aren’t the sort of swim trunks that can be found in a bargain bin — and that’s quite the positive for you.

The Essential: Finisterre Beach Towel — $44.98

A good-looking beach towel? Who knew?

Before we get to the rest of the essential summer gear you need, how about we knock out one crucial item early on? It can be a bit of a search to find a quality, well-made and stylish beach towel. And if you hadn’t yet thought that a beach towel needed to look nice, well … consider yourself on notice. The Finisterre Beach Towel features a no-fuss pattern and a neutral color — both underrated qualities in a sea of bright, bright towels.

The Bag: W&P Design Cocktail Tote — $127.98

A grab-and-go bag finished with stylish details and enough durability to make it beach-ready.

So, you’ve got your remarkably stylish beach towel and swim trunks all set. Before we go any further, let’s sort out how you’ll be hauling your everyday carry — from your classic summer sneakers to your favorite sunglasses. You just might want to make the W&P Design Cocktail Tote your bag of choice. It’ll provide durability and stylish looks — and it won’t look out of place slung over your shoulder when grabbing a post-beach beer. Speaking of beer — if you’re looking for a durable beach cooler, stick around until the end of this post.

The Shirt: Flint and Tinder Supima AirKnit Tee — $38 OR Flint and Tinder Slub Henley in Pewter — $45

Buy one, buy both … wear one, wear both. It’s up to you, but these stylish Flint and Tinder tees will have you all set for beach time.

We’re giving you two simple, subtly stylish and very well-made summer T-shirt options from the fine folks at Flint and Tinder. As it were, you could pick up both tees and be covered for two different style scenarios. Throw on the Flint and Tinder Supima AirKnit Tee to head to the beach in the first part of the day, and then keep the breathable Flint and Tinder Slub Henley — a former Style Pick of the Week entry — in your bag if it gets breezy or chilly during that beach bonfire. Which brings us to our next point …

The Light Sweater: Finisterre Newlyn Crew — $99.98

When the temperature drops, this is the lightweight sweater to wear.

If indeed it gets too breezy or chilly on the beach or on a boat, you need to be adequately prepared. It’s all too easy to resort to tossing on a ratty old crewneck or a logo sweater. And yet, we should likely all aspire to look a little bit better in every situation. That’s where the indigo-dyed, French Terry cotton Finisterre Newlyn Crew finds its way into your bag. Functionally minded, made for anything and built with handy storage pockets, it’s a perfect go-to after a post-morning surf or …. a post-evening beer.

The Footwear: Hari Mari x Nokona Leather Flip-Flops — $110 OR SeaVees Hermosa Plimsoll Standard — $78

It’s your call as to whether you go for sandals or sneakers — either should perform reliably and stylishly.

We’re once again giving you two options that could both feasibly work for a stylish day at the beach. If you’re looking for a supremely easy-to-wear pair of premium leather flip-flops, the Hari Mari x Nokona collaboration has you all squared away. These handsome flip-flops are crafted with baseball leather for a look that’s unlike any pair of sandals on the market. If you’re more of a sneakerhead, reach for the subtly stylish, classic SeaVees Hermosa Plimsoll Standard. They’re arguably a pair of summer sneakers you should already own — trust me.

The Sunglasses: J. Crew Syd Sunglasses, $118 OR Norton Point Charlie 014 Sunglasses, $99.98

Pick a pair, any pair. The Norton Point Charlie 014 is in a close race against the J. Crew Syd when it comes to great looks.

In sticking with our focus on affordable men’s style, I bring you two options for stylish summer sunglasses that won’t break the bank — and they won’t skimp on any style points, either. J. Crew as a retailer has certainly seen better days — the good old days of classic chambray shirts on every corner might be behind us. And yet… the Syd Sunglasses are an ideal pair of laidback sunglasses. The same can be said for the classic, casual Norton Point Charlie 014 Sunglasses, available for just under $100. Either will sort out your summer beach ensemble quite nicely.

The Hat: Ebbets Field Flannels For J. Crew Ballcap — $49.50

A well-made, affordable and vintage-inspired hat for summer.

We’ve all got that trusty hat we always reach for when stepping out of the house on casual days, right? This head-turning Ebbets Field Flannels for J. Crew cap channels vintage style with the sort of easygoing design that should make it a beach bag mainstay. In a neutral and versatile color, you’d do well to throw it in your bag for later — it’ll be the coolest hat at the beach.

The Watch: Aulta Acuatico Automatic — $235 OR Deep Blue Master 1000 Dive Watch — $219.98

Two rough-and-tumble watches geared for beach exploration.

When it comes to rugged watches, I sure hope you like options. Wearing a watch to the beach can be a losing cause — unless you’re wearing the right watch, that is. Leave your stylish leather watch at home and break out one of these bad boys if you want rugged functionality. In particular, the simply designed yet sporty and tough Aulta Acuatico is surf-inspired and yet sleek thanks to the black-on-black color combo. And the Deep Blue Master 1000 … don’t even get me started on how perfect this beastly timepiece is for summer, what with tough construction and rugged design.

The Cooler: Bespoke Post Chill Box — $45

Two pint glasses and a durable cooler — what’s not to like? Bring it to the beach, without a doubt.

While we gave you plenty of options in the way of durable watches and stylish swim trunks, there’s really only one cooler you need to buy for the beach. That, my friends, would be the Bespoke Post Chill Box. It’s coming at ya courtesy of the great Bespoke Post team, and it’s packed with all the goods for a great beach day. The Chill Box includes a functional and effective cooler from Hudson Sutler — made in America — along with two pint glasses, ideal for knocking back a couple cold ones. Oh, and when you sign up for Bespoke Post? Well, my friends … you get a nice discount on the Chill Box. Save a brew for me, will ya?

Alright, you tell me — did I do enough of thorough job in the way of stylish summer gear for the beach? I hope this roundup was helpful for ya. If you start out your day right — by putting on some stylish swim trunks — it’s tough to go wrong from there. Grabbing handy everyday carry pieces like the W&P Design Cocktail Tote and the underrated Finisterre Beach Towel are also going to help your day get started on the right foot. Oh, and summer footwear for the beach should be easy with either the Hari Mari x Nokona collaboration or a pair of equally summer-friendly classic SeaVees sneakers. On the watch front, you should undoubtedly pack and wear a durable timepiece that can stand up to some surf and some sun. Either the Aulta Acuatico or the Deep Blue Master 1000 you have you set up for summer beach adventures nicely. It certainly wouldn’t be a beach day without a vintage ballcap, a stylish Flint and Tinder T-shirt and — perhaps most critically — the Bespoke Post Chill Box. Do you have your shopping list all filled out? Good. Go get to it, and then hit the beach — I’ll see you out there!

-Beau

March 13, 2017March 12, 2017 by Beau H.

Style Guide on The Road: A Florida Spring Break

Casual style fit for beach adventures. Striped tee and swim trunks by JackThreads. Renshaw Sneakers by Brooks Heritage. Military Watch by Timex + Todd Snyder. Sunglasses by Nautica. Explorer’s Cap by Huckberry. Bracelet by Miansai.

So, welcome back to another Style Guide travel post! It’s become a custom these past few years for me to make a spring trek down to Florida in mid-March, right around the Big Ten Tournament (featuring my beloved Michigan State Spartans) and right around my dad’s birthday (hey, Dad!). And so it was the case again this past weekend, as I got out of the hustle and bustle of New York City for some birthday celebrations with my dad and some much-needed Florida beach time. I had the chance to spend a week down south as I celebrated a Fort Myers Christmas in style back at the end of December, but this trip couldn’t have come at a better time, what with cold temperatures returning to Brooklyn this past weekend. My packing list was different than my recent winter trip to New Haven, but I focused on spring style essentials and my favorite #menswear picks for the road nonetheless. Join me, and bring that bottle opener — will ya?

Transitional gear for temperate NYC and sunny Florida. Trucker Jacket by Levi’s. Garment-dye oxford by Abercrombie & Fitch. Stretch twill pants by Kit Culture. Greenflex Chukkas by Astorflex. Watch by Timex for J. Crew. Sunglasses by MVMT Watches. Flight Brief by Owen and Fred.

It was a temperate early morning in NYC as I hit the road, so I had to dress with transitional travel style in mind. For me, that meant an Abercrombie & Fitch Garment Dye Oxford Shirt, layered up with my Levi’s Trucker Jacket. Of note, that oxford is a very affordably priced, great-fitting and seasonally appropriate shirt. Just as with my New Haven road trip, I stepped into my extremely comfortable, slim-fitting and travel-ready stretch twill pants from Kit Culture — the five percent stretch proved perfect for a plane ride. Equally perfect for travel style? A sharp pair of sustainably made Astorflex chukkas — the Greenflex in Dark Khaki provided a stylish contrast to my Timex for J. Crew watch,. And with its minimal case size and durable NATO strap, the latest Timex for J. Crew timepiece is an affordable casual watch you should buy as soon as you can. To haul the rest of my gear, I relied on both the Owen and Fred Voyager Waxed Weekender and the Owen and Fred Flight Brief in Midnight ; each proved stylish and durable, what with handsome leather accents and a canvas exterior.

With my travel gear in tow and nothing but sunny skies in the forecast, I landed in Florida looking forward to some serious fun in the sun — and that’s certainly what you get in Fort Myers. With a delicious lunch at Summerlin Jake’s in the books — waterfront view and all — it was high time for an afternoon spent at my parents’ pool (one of the more scarce things to find in New York City, truly). Topped off with a delicious dinner and some choice brews at The Grill in Fort Myers, it was a much-needed day of relaxation that couldn’t have worked out any better.

No better place than Florida for a nautical-inspired tee and some crisp kicks. Striped tee by JackThreads. Stringer Dune Shorts by Bridge and Burn. Renshaw Sneakers by Brooks Heritage. Military Watch by Timex + Todd Snyder. Sunglasses by Nautica. Brass bottle opener by Owen and Fred.

With a fun Thursday in the books, a weekend of kicking back was really just getting started. That’s not to say it wasn’t busy — and that’s not to say I didn’t dress in style, either. Naturally, I had to grab warm-weather gear from perennial Style Guide favorites JackThreads, including a nautical-striped tee. Hot temps also meant it was time to ditch my classic blue denim (finally!) for a pair of Bridge and Burn shorts. For exploring Fort Myers, I also had to reach for stylish accessories (enter my Nautica Square Sunglasses) and comfortable, versatile footwear — that’d be the Brooks Heritage Renshaw from the brand-new Brooks Heritage Grand Slam Collection. For grabbing donuts at the legendary Bennett’s Fresh Roast, the extra comfort provided by those kicks was crucial — as was staying on time, thanks to my Timex + Todd Snyder Military Watch. And wouldn’t you know it, keeping track of the clock helped us squeeze in some much-needed beach time before a great home-cooked meal (I’d highly suggest you ask me for my dad’s rib recipe). MSU’s Big Ten Tournament loss aside, it was a heck of a nice day to be in Fort Myers.

Taking on the heat — and bar-hopping — in style. Marco Polo by Life/After/Denim. Premium Washed Khakis by Dockers. Renshaw Sneakers by Brooks Heritage. Calypso Watch and Runaway Aviators by MVMT Watches. Bracelet by Miansai. Glasses by Frameri.

As the sun rose on Saturday, it hit me that I still had two full days left in Florida — that’s quite the treat, and it made it all the more enjoyable to get out and enjoy more sun on Saturday. As you’d expect, I tried to make it a point to bring along my best spring bar crawl gear . For stops at the seriously cool Bury Me Brewing (themed like a craft beer graveyard) and a quick pint (and tasty chicken wings!) at The Lodge, pieces like my Life/After/Denim Marco Polo proved well-crafted to beat the heat. I kept things equally casual on my bottom half, opting for a new pair of the Dockers Premium Washed Khaki in a mobile Slim Tapered fit. Featuring washed stretch twill and a Florida-friendly shade of light blue, I’d opt you reach for a similar pair when you want to look put-together, yet feel casual and relaxed.

Does it get any better than hanging out in the beautiful Florida sun? Marco Polo by Life/After/Denim. Renshaw Sneakers by Brooks Heritage. Calypso Watch and Runaway Aviators by MVMT Watches.

On the footwear front, the crisp Brooks Heritage Renshaw was again my pick, not least for the way it added a bit of sharp style to the combo. And for getting around Fort Myers and heading to evening dinner at the terrific Courtney’s, my MVMT Watches Calypso Watch and MVMT Watches Runaway Aviators proved to be prime accessories picks. Given the cold weather that swept through NYC this past weekend, I was more than happy to have some ample outdoor time sipping on tasty craft beer and wearing my favorite new warm-weather menswear. Not bad, ehh?

The right way to finish off a Florida trip. T-shirt by Todd Snyder x Champion. Ace Shorts by Mack Weldon. Legend Sneakers by SeaVees. Calypso Watch and Runaway Aviators by MVMT Watches. Explorer’s Cap by Huckberry

Even with Saturday in the books, I still had nearly a full day in Florida prior to my evening flight back to chilly New York City. So, what else to do but grab comfortable, casual style essentials? For yours truly, that tends to start with a well-fitting tee — is it any wonder that Todd Snyder x Champion T-shirts fit the bill perfectly? And what better way to soak in some sun than with the tailored-yet-casual Ace Short from Mack Weldon? Of course, I find that SeaVees sneakers are the perfect way to complement a casual outfit, especially the spring-ready Legend Sneaker Regatta. And to take on a great lunch at Big Blue Brewing, there were no better picks than my MVMT Watches Calypso Watch and MVMT Watches Runaway Aviators, along with my Huckberry Explorer’s Cap. Unfortunately, the day drew to a close all too quickly — with slightly chillier temps in the forecast, it was time to trade in my Mack Weldon shorts for stretch twill pants and swap my sneakers for chukkas.

It’s always such a treat to head down to Florida and get some great time in the sun and sand — even if it’s only for a quick weekend. The chance to catch up with family and celebrate my dad’s big day was fantastic, too. From the beautiful beaches of Fort Myers to the great craft beer and food scene downtown (and throughout the city), this trip really had it all. Of course, we’re back to the grind today in NYC (follow along on Instagram to see how I’m fighting the chill). With that being said, I already can’t wait to get back to Fort Myers. In the meantime, you can check back here tomorrow for a new St. Patrick’s Day menswear ensemble, and you can join us on Wednesday for a look at what to wear for March Madness.

Until the next trip — thanks for tagging along!

-Beau

August 8, 2016August 3, 2016 by Beau H.

Style Suggestion: What to Wear to the Beach This August

Editor’s note: Click here for another look at a casual menswear outfit.

We’re still rolling right on through the hot days of summer here at The Style Guide (and elsewhere) — hopefully by this point, you’ve made it out from the office to a refreshing lake, pool, sprinkler … you name it. If you haven’t and are worried you’re running out of time, fear not! There’s still plenty of time before Labor Day to hit the water in style. Just as with other situations — from Sunday brunch to a first date — there’s a lot to be said for keeping your casual style on-point (especially for that first date). That means paying attention to proper fit and fabric, plus other details — right on down to the gear you bring along in your everyday carry. Even if the pool or beach happens to be a short stroll away from your humble abode, you should still take the time to smarten up — it’s not Jersey Shore out here, right? Grab the gear below, and consider this a full primer on what to wear to the beach this August. To offer up your own suggestions, check out The Style Guide on Facebook, and see what I’m bringing in my beach bag on Instagram.

The Swim Trunks: JACHS NY Circle Print Hampton Swim Trunk — $59.40

A continental-inspired pair of swim trunks for the rest of summer.

Let’s start with what you most need for hitting the water — great swim trunks. While your style-obsessed author is all about sticking with neutral basics, it’s fun to mix it up sometimes. And if we’re talking heading to the beach or pool for the last few weeks of summer, you’ve got an opportune chance to switch up your swim trunks. JACHS NY produces elevated takes on casual sportswear, and these trunks are a refined addition to that assortment. The side fasteners add a bit of a tailored feel, and the trimmer fit should be more flattering than baggier trunks.

The T-shirt: JackThreads The Daily Vee — $15

A slim fit and comfortable fabric = a steal of a deal.

We’re sticking with just a V-neck T-shirt here, with the idea that you’ll be catching some rays in the meantime. Don’t think of this as just any tee, though — approach it like a style upgrade. On the other hand, it would also be agreeable to rock a slim striped shirt in case after-beach drinks at a nice restaurant are in the mix (that’s also where refined swim trunks will serve you well). JackThreads does just about every #menswear item you could ask for at low prices, and this T-shirt is no different. The fabric quality should be surprisingly high for just $15, and the agreeable price point will leave plenty of room for a few extra brews at the beach.

The Sneakers: SeaVees Hawthorne Slip-on Standard — $78

A boardwalk-ready classic that’ll serve you well away from the water, too.

Why stick with stylish slip-on sneakers here as opposed to flip-flops? Well, style should be all about versatility whenever possible. These particular sneakers give you styling potential ranging from a slim summer polo to your favorite pair of chino shorts — as well as the printed swim trunks seen here. You can slip them off easily when you get to the beach or pool, and then slip ’em back on just as easily (don’t forget no-show socks once your feet dry off). Plus, the price is quite agreeable as far as classic sneakers go, and the folks at Huckberry offer speedy shipping.

The Watch: Seiko 5 SNZH55 Stainless Steel Watch — $175

A refined dive watch that’s ready for action nonetheless.

The first key when heading to the beach or pool — aside from grabbing a watch that looks reliably stylish — is picking up a timepiece that can stand up to the rigors of the day. In this case, that means the Seiko 5 SNZH55 Stainless Steel Watch is the way to go. It’s water-resistant to 100 meters, which should be more than enough depth. And it features a slightly beefier 43mm case diameter, perfect for getting beat up a bit. It’s a classic diver style with a sporty face that eschews numerals in favor of clean lines, so it’s as style-ready as it is durable.

The Sunglasses: Knockaround Fort Knocks Polarized Sunglasses — $29.98

An affordable pair of sunglasses that’s nearly unmatched in terms of durability.

How do you meet the dual forces of sand and sun in style? Easy — with sunglasses that are built to take a beating, yet retail for a dirt-cheap price. The Knockaround Fort Knocks gets that balance exactly right, with a model that features injection-molded frames for extra durability, along with a sharp and versatile Tortoise/Amber blend. The frame shape isn’t too sporty or too dressy — it’s right in the sweet spot, making this one pair of frames you can wear at a summer wedding or as a complement to a slim pocket T-shirt and lightwash denim.

The Hat: Huckberry Explorer’s Cap — $39.98

A combination of vintage style and functionality.

If you’re going to invest in a hat, you might as well reach for one you can wear the rest of the year. The Huckberry Explorer’s Cap is precisely that hat, featuring a versatile navy color and neat touches like a customized compass embroidery on the back. The color plays nicely off the blue print on the swimsuit (and the red of the tee), and it’ll work much more stylishly to shield the sun from your face than a regular athletic logo ballcap might. It’s made in the U.S.A., and the cotton sweatband should ensure your head doesn’t get too hot in the sun.

The Accessories: Onia Tilden Towel — $78.98 AND Tread for Men Traveler Sunscreen — $6

Don’t overlook the benefits of a great beach towel — or much-needed sunscreen.

A high-quality beach towel and sunscreen are the two things that should be in every beachgoer’s bag from the get-go, so it stands to reason that you should reach for quality when on the hunt. The Onia Tilden Towel blends the brand’s signature swim print & fabric with absorbent French terry fabric for a towel that’s at once functional and stylish. The fact that it’s close in color to the swim trunks is another bonus. And an easy-to-carry sunscreen provides the same benefit as a bulkier bottle, but it won’t weigh your bag down. On that note, you would do well to grab a middle-of-the-road option to haul your gear — take the JackThreads Denim Tote, for instance. It looks like your favorite pair of denim but hauls a heck of a lot more than your pockets ever could.

Stylish, smart accessories should be top of mind wherever you’re headed, but doubly so in a situation where others might let their style slip a bit. Slim swim trunks with an eye-catching print — not one that’s too wild — are a great place to start, especially when matched up with classic slip-on sneakers and a simple-yet-stylish V-neck tee. Understated accessories, like a classic ballcap and versatile sunglasses, help complement the rest of the look. And you should never forget tough essentials like a great dive watch when hitting the water — or a nearby bar thereafter. If you’ve got other suggestions to finish off this #menswear ensemble, head over to Twitter to continue the debate.

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