There are some things you should never wear to the beach.
Listen, we don’t want to tell you what you can and can’t wear. After all, fashion is all about subjectivity, play and self-expression. Nevertheless, we will go out on a limb here and say that there are a few things you should (almost) never wear to the beach — for purely practical reasons, of course!
If you’re getting ready for your next beach vacay, these are the four fashion items to avoid.
1. Cheap sunglasses
Sunglasses are just sunglasses, right? Unfortunately, no, they are not. Especially at the beach, where sunglasses are not just fashionable accessories, but are extremely important for protecting our eyes from dangerous UVA and UVB radiation. Glasses without certified lenses actually only give the illusion of protecting your eyes with dark tinted lenses, which can lead to irritation, inflammation and, in some rare cases, damaged eyesight.
2. Jewellery
A lot of your nicest jewellery will thank you for leaving it at home when you head to the beach. Silver, pearls and gemstones are very sensitive and do not respond well to salt water or strong sunlight. Plus, fine sand is poison for clasps and settings, while sun creams can lead to discolouration. In other words: jewellery does not belong on the beach. However, if you absolutely cannot do without it, the best option is to wear gold, as this precious metal is relatively robust or tarnish-free jewellery.
3. Ill-fitting beachwear
Unfortunately, not all women feel one hundred percent comfortable in swimwear — and we can feel even more uncomfortable if our swimwear doesn’t actually fit. If the bikini bottoms keep riding up or the top keeps slipping, your good mood and self-confidence will quickly plummet.
4. Leather bags
Yes, we get it — you want to take your new It-bag with you everywhere. But leather bags (especially those with metal details on the clasp or handles) should never be taken to the beach. Leather and metal can be scratched by sand, salt water, suntan lotion can leave stains and strong sunlight can cause the leather to fade and crack. The smarter and less sensitive alternatives for your go-to beach bag are raffia, wicker or fabric bags.
This article originally appeared on GLAMOUR Germany.