5 mistakes to avoid when dressing up for the beach

Summer has arrived and, with the reopenings moving forward, the desire to go to the beach becomes stronger and stronger. A beach is a place of relaxation and freedom, where you go to sunbathe without particular hassles. The basic rule to follow is that, if not to be simple, at least to be relaxed – but also that of the basic decorum. Anyone familiar with beaches, especially Italian ones, knows that the very few rules of bon-ton in force are not respected. And while the absence of rules is part of the charm of the authentic Italian beach (including families installing marquees and eating lasagna by the beach in August), a grain of good taste never hurts.

Here are the 5 mistakes not to make when dressing for the beach.

#1 Overdressing

Paris Hilton & Kim Kardashian

Kris Jenner

Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull

Lady Gaga

Gianni Morandi

Frank Ocean

Kourtney Kardashian & Younes Bendjima

Lindsay Lohan

Tony Effe

Vittorio Sgarbi

It's a beach, not a fashion show. If at five o'clock on an August afternoon you show up at the beach in white shirt and loafers, sumptuous and flowing dresses more suited for the evening than a swim, profusion of jewellery, wedges or any extra-sparkling or executive wardrobe item – try to relax a little. The beach outfit serves to cover the costume (see point 3) and can't really be more elaborate than tops and shorts. Of course, you can be chic: just don't overstate yourself and go for something easy. Shirts are allowed if Hawaiian or linen shirts – but in principle relaxation and ease are always recommended. 

#2 Use the wrong bag

Marc Jacobs

Naomi Watts

Jennifer Lopez

Katy Perry

Ilary Blasi

Jessica Alba

The variety of bags and duffel bags for the beach is huge: from the pouch to the straw bag, everything is allowed or almost. But if to go to the sea you take out a luxurious leather bag, which you are willing to leave under the sun and expose to sand and salt, maybe you do not take much care of your bags. Only Marc Jacobs is allowed to take his Hermès bag to the sea – otherwise limit yourself to canvas, cotton or nylon. The same goes for the opposite case: getting to the sea with paper bags or supermarket bags is the ultimate sloppiness.

#3 Not having an aprés-plage look

Ralph & Ricky Lauren

Jennifer Aniston

Tom Holland

Adele

Robert Downey Jr

We can agree that the expression aprés-plage sounds pretentious. This principle is based on the fact that a beach is a place where semi-nudity is allowed, while it ceases to be when you step outside of it. Nonetheless, here is the rule: if you are physically on the sand (chalets included) you can wear only the costume, but if you exit the beach for any reason, even a coffee at the waterfront bar, wear at least one shirt or a pair of shorts - that is, if you're wearing short briefs. There is nothing worse than people who think that proximity to a beach is an authorization to go around in their underwear. It's just a social construct, true, but if it exists there must be a reason. Bonus slap for the style masters who pair t-shirt and speedos, managing to look paradoxically more naked: in that case, at least sports or boxer-like shorts are a must.

#4 Actual underwear under your swim trunks

Lil Wayne

Michael B. Jordan

Lewis Hamilton

Shawn Mendes

Zac Efron

KJ Apa

This is for men only. The long-old dilemma is: what to wear under your swim trunks? A speedo or nothing are both acceptable answers - but if you don't wear anything get ready to take the risks. An absolute ban is for cotton underwear under the board trunks, even if it's branded. It's the beachwear equivalent of using raisins instead of chocolate chips for cookies: just because two things look alike, doesn't mean they're interchangeable.

#5 Extra-large or extra-small swimwear

Channing Tatum

Chad Michael Murray

David Beckham

LMFAO

Ricky Martin

Arnold Schawrznegger

Dave Bautista

Francesco Totti

Gianluca Vacchi

Claudio Marchisio

Mark Wright

Roberto Cavalli

Fabrizio Corona

It's a fact that the perfect swimwear for any man is the swim trunks. Generally, up to mid-thigh long. Those shorts whose hem reaches the knee or, worse, go below it is banned. If the drooping, extra-long costume makes you look like a wet bag of potato or a parachute lost at sea, the use of the mini costume, or speedo, is always borderline: they are allowed for athletes and similar, yet when you see them on the beach they look a bit vulgar. Yet, to be intellectually honest, it must be said that there is no specific factor that makes them vulgar in themselves. So wear them at your own risk and see what happens.