The beachgoers style guide to summer 2024 | members only access

3. FIND A CONFIDENCE-BOOSTING POSTBEACH COVER-UP. It’s not _all_ about the swimsuit. Sorry but your old oversize tee, faded pareo or just-about-covers your derriere button-down won’t work

anymore, not when poolside restaurants and impromptu after-sun invites beckon. Many cover-ups are too sheer, too tight or too skimpy to realistically go from beach to barbecue when there’s

no time for a shower and change of clothes. This is when you must think outside the box and not get hung up on the actual cover-up category. One of the best solutions is a breezy dress in a

light, breathable cotton gauze fabric like the J.JILL COTTON GAUZE ONE-POCKET SHIRTDRESS IN WILD ORCHID ($129, jjill.com), the L.L. BEAN X SUMMERSALT CLOUD GAUZE MIDI DRESS IN WHITE OR DEEP

SEA ($79, llbean.com) and the SONOMA GOODS FOR LIFE WOMEN’S TIERED V-NECK MIDI DRESS IN PINK THEME OR TEAGAN BLUE ($35, kohls.com) that can handle being rolled, folded and stuffed in your

beach bag without coming out wrinkled. Just pick a length that makes you feel comfy — anything from above the knee to maxi. Another option is a cotton gauze pull-on skirt in a midi or maxi

length like the OLD NAVY CRINKLE GAUZE MAXI SKIRT IN SAPPHIRE SKY OR BLACK JACK ($32, oldnavy.gap.com) that can be worn with any tank, T-shirt or your swimsuit. Before leaving home, stash a

small freshen-up kit in your beach bag that includes deodorant, a decorative hair elastic or clip, some wipes to remove sunscreen residue and sweat, a travel-size roll-on fragrance and a

multitasking cheek-lip makeup stick. Goodfellow & Co. Carson Two-Band Slide Sandals in Black (left) and Navy Blue (right) Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Target (2)) 4. WEAR STYLISH

FOOT-HEALTHY BEACH SANDALS. Who doesn’t love the chance to walk barefoot at the beach or pool and show off freshly polished toes? The answer is anyone who’s experienced scalding hot sand,

hidden rocks, shells, shards of glass or plastic, or foot fungus, thanks to an unhygienic locker or restroom floor ripe with germs. But don’t reach for thin-soled rubber flip-flops (save

them for pedicures) or polished leather sandals (keep these for street wear). There’s a reason for the popularity of so-called pool slides in waterproof materials, with supportive footbeds

and a slip-on design like the GOODFELLOW & CO. CARSON TWO-BAND SLIDE SANDALS IN BLACK OR NAVY BLUE ($8, target.com), CROCS CLASSIC SANDAL 2.0 IN GOLD, LATTE OR BLACK ($30, zappos.com) or

the FREEDOM MOSES CHEETAH SLIDE SANDAL IN SAND LEOPARD PRINT ($30, dsw.com). They come in a range of looks from sophisticated to sporty, but all can get you safely through sandy treks, wet

common areas, restrooms, seaside take-out stands and after-beach activities slip- and splinter-free. Many provide contoured, cushioned support for those with mature bony feet, weak arches or

 plantar fasciitis or tendonitis. When trying on sandals, make sure the footbed’s shape matches your foot’s arch for better support. If there’s a gap, keep looking. (Left to right) Lands’

End Long-Sleeve UPF50 Swim Tee Rash Guard in White; Coolibar Hightide Long-Sleeve Swim Shirt in Bold Yellow; Tirrinia Wide-Brim Straw Hat in Beige Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Lands'

End; Coolibar; Target) 5. BUY SUN-SAFE CLOTHING … IT’S NOW ESSENTIAL. If you’re 50-plus, applying sunscreen daily and on repeat is a must 365 days a year. When it comes to summer (and 

vacations in the sun year-round), you’ve probably been wondering if you should buy a UPF rash guard and a wide-brimmed hat to replace an ordinary T-shirt and baseball cap. The answer is

easy: Yes! UPF is short for ultraviolet protection factor, and when it’s embedded in the fibers of clothing and hats, it creates an effective barrier that won’t wear off, sweat off or

require reapplication during the day. A long-sleeve rash guard like the LANDS’ END LONG-SLEEVE UPF50 SWIM TEE RASH GUARD IN WHITE OR GRAY HEATHER ($45, landsend.com) and the COOLIBAR

HIGHTIDE LONG-SLEEVE SWIM SHIRT IN BOLD YELLOW OR WHITE ($69, coolibar.com) slips right over a swimsuit like a lightweight tee and can be worn in and out of the water (it’s quick drying and

sweat wicking), allowing you to safely skip constant sunscreen application on your arms, back, chest and torso and to avoid a burn in these areas.