How to do beach chic
A sarong, shades and jelly shoes will take you from sand to sundowners. Me+Em does a pomegranate striped sarong; tie into a skirt, halter or mini dress. Invest in Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses and a pair of Iro mesh jelly pumps. Le beach, c’est chic.
12 hours on a beach with kids
The key is the kit. Prepare everything the night before and store in a sturdy cool bag. Take a spray-on sunscreen so you can discreetly spritz little kids as they dart past you. Invest in a natty foldaway bucket for sandcastles, and pre-freeze smoothie pouches to slyly satiate midmorning ice-cream requests. Snacks essential, of course (go for unmeltables, like raisins and breadsticks) along with a cold (or frozen) bottle of water. Ensure they have waterproof shoes, but just in case, bring waterproof plasters, too. Pack 1 x game of Uno; 1 x thing of wet wipes; 1 x umbrella for immediate shade. And, brilliantly, some baby powder in a sock. Yes, when you rub it over sandy skin at the end of the day, the sand comes off with it. For feet, fill a plastic bag with water, insert the little foot, then stick it into a sock. Incredible?
Newsletters
Register to hear the latest from the Observer
View more
For information about how The Observer protects your data, read ourPrivacy Policy
How to get changed on the beach
This ancient British dance must be carefully choreographed. Tie a towel around you and shimmy out of your clothes, or open two car doors – there are towels with magnets to attach to them to create a little changing room. Alternatively, assess how much nudity you’re comfortable sharing. If bum is acceptable, get changed facing the sea.
How to do your first nudist beach
Strip off swiftly – dithering increases anxiety. Etiquette needs adhering to: no gawking or photos. Slather the SPF everywhere. Watch your fellow sun-seekers strolling along the sand, not naked, but nude. Here, all are basking mammals – and elephants aren’t self-conscious at the watering hole.
Extreme sandcastle construction tips
It’s all about the ratio of sand to water and the tools. You need: buckets (for mixing sand and water, laying the foundation, stacking layers); lightweight shovel, trowel, flags, spatula, drinking straw, melon baller, water spray bottle. Now build!
Illustrations by Hattie Clark