Beach Packing List: Everything You Actually Need

There are beaches on the Oregon coast that you won’t find on the internet yet. I know this because I was there on Tuesday with a book and a towel and about 4 surfers looked at me the same way they look at people who appreciate what they love. we didn’t talk. The social contract on an almost empty beach is simple and perfect. We are all here on purpose, and that’s what matters.

What you bring to such a place is a kind of discussion about how you want to spend your time. So here is my list of things to pack for the beach. It is not intended to cover all contingencies and is based on just one question. “What do I actually need to be fully here?”

my beach packing list

Think about this list like you would design a room. These are the words of William Morris: “I don’t have anything in my house that I don’t know if it’s useful or that I don’t believe is beautiful.” Everything here was chosen on that basis. Because good taste knows exactly what you need.

bag

For those who are tired of raffia. It’s structured differently than your average beach bag, with stripes that are more intentional than nautical, and it’s large enough to hold everything on this list.

towel

An object that justifies its place in your life by being exactly what it is. It’s spacious enough to actually lie down, soft enough to make you want to linger longer than you planned, and the color combination makes it look like a painting someone painted in the late afternoon. Marigolds do something to sunlight that I can’t explain and don’t care to explain.

swimsuit

A dress that looks like it was made by someone who’s actually been to the beach, but with real structural benefits: support, compression, and a fit you don’t have to think about after wearing it. Wear it in the water. Wear it to lunch with a sarong. Wear it as a bodysuit with linen pants on the way home. I’m hooked. The same goes for other parts of the internet.

cover-up

Cotton voile hand-printed by artisans in Como, Italy. It drapes like any fabric made by someone who knows what they’re doing. Tie it at your waist, wrap it around your waist, or do whatever you like. (it is.)

hat

What you wear when you want to look like you’ve been to the beach your whole life. The structure keeps it in place, so you can relax so much that you forget you’re even wearing it. In fact, if raffia isn’t enough for you, the crochet texture has it all covered.

sunglasses

Chunky acetate, a barely there cat eye, a tortoiseshell print dark enough to feel sophisticated, and warm enough to feel summery. It matches all face shapes and literally looks good with everything.

SPF

The sunscreen gods have answered our prayers. This bottle stays clean forever and has no color residue. Please bless me. It’s a low-key part of the beach, but it’s non-negotiable. We encourage you to apply without hesitation.

body glow

Summer is non-negotiable, whether there is a beach or not. It’s specific. It’s not the glitter or sparkle of a disco ball, but the warmth that catches the light in a way that makes you look like you’ve come somewhere nice. I wear them every day from June to August. Those who know know. People who think you don’t just look so well vacationed.

jewelry

If you don’t mind, I have a rainbow colored abalone necklace. The compliments were consistent and I was no longer surprised by them. she is phenomenal.

book

Ten years after her debut, she’s back with a thriller about a Hollywood producer who returns to his alma mater for a funeral. And then she finds herself entangled with the person who got away, or actually the person she got away with. A smart, dark, Gone Girl-esque plot with an ending you’ll never get over. Release date is July 7th. Pre-order and be prepared to not have access for hours.

This post was last updated on June 23, 2026 with new insights.