Nancy 
With spring officially here, it’s time to think of vacations, pool-side weekends, and fun in the sun. Yet, before you hit the beach, park, or pool, or are just taking a staycation in your backyard, check out these essential spring and summer must-have accessories, along with some notable brands that will keep you stylish and protected.
- A good sun hat
A sun hat is crucial for those who want to safely enjoy the sun. Not only will a hat provide protection against wrinkles and premature aging, it will also ward off the risk of melanoma and other dangerous forms of skin cancer. While a big, floppy sun hat can certainly offer protection, taking it a step further by looking for one that has been treated with SPF protection is even better.
2.A good beach tote
Nothing says summer like a good beach bag. There are so many styles to choose from that it can be hard to decide the right one for you. A good tip is to look at your lifestyle and how you will be spending your spring or summer. For example, if you are someone who will be vacationing a lot and wants to pack less but gets more, look for a neutral-colored beach tote that will match most of your outfits and can also be carried like a purse while sightseeing or as a carry-on for the plane.
Alternatively, if you spend a lot of time at the beach or public pool, especially with kids, and need to not only carry around towels, snacks, and sunscreen but beach toys and other products for your kids, the Bogg Bag is a great beach tote to check out. It is a sturdy, non-tip bag, made out of similar material to Crocs shoes, that you can rinse off with a hose at the end of the day and hang to dry. With a bag like this, if a juice box or bottle of sunscreen explodes at the bottom of your beach tote, all will not be lost.
3.A good pair of sunglasses
Sunglasses are important year-round but particularly important during the spring and summer when the sun is the strongest. Like a sun hat, sunglasses will stave off premature wrinkling as well as skin cancer. You may not know this, but it is possible to get ocular melanoma.
First, it is important to look for the best sunglasses for your face shape, but beyond that, it is also important to seek out quality styles that offer decent SPF protection. While many sunglasses claim to have sun protection, often, the cheaper pairs have such a thin coating of it that it can quickly wear off over time and essentially turn your sunglasses into the equivalent of a magnifying glass. Do your eyes a favor and buy the best pair you can afford, or be sure to change out your less expensive pairs more frequently to ensure you are getting sun protection.
4.Flip Flops
We all have sandals for the spring or summer, but, for the beach or pool, a less expensive pair that you don’t mind getting sandy or wet will come in handy. While they don’t have to be expensive or super fancy, they can still be stylish. A tip is to choose a pair that will work with most of the colors on your beach, pool and/or summer attire. A popular brand favorite is Havaianas, but if you are looking for something different or with a slight wedge, that is still beachy, Flojos ( pronounced flo-hos, which means kick-back in Spanish) offers cute trendy styles that are favored by surfers and beachgoers alike.
Your spring and summer accessories are just as important as your summer clothes
Spring and Summer must-have accessories are just as important as the clothes you choose, if not more. As you can see, many of these items go beyond just offering style and convenience; they offer protection from the sun, as well. Nothing ruins summer plans more than a bad sunburn, and with these items, you’ll be stylish and safe.
