This summer, it’s all about versatility. Don’t get caught without these five summer vacation necessities.
Bright Footwear
Color block your wardrobe by inviting bold and vibrant contrasting colors. Replace those drab black kicks with bright, shiny, patent shoes. Try flats, pumps, or for the daring, some sneaks, like Nike Dunk Lows. Visit nike.com.
Reusable “Going Green” Tote
This summer, the more versatile and green-friendly the bag, the better. Check out a Baggu bag, a handy super strong sling that can help carry a cart of groceries. Using one Baggu for one year replaces 300 to 700 disposable bags that could take up to 1,000 years to decompose naturally. Prices range from $5-$38 at baggubag.com.
Waterproof Camera
Digital cameras are great for dry land, but what about all the sweet stuff that happens underwater? Try the Oregon Scientific ATC-2k waterproof action camera ($130) that can be strapped to almost anything… skateboards, helmets, handlebars, you name it. More adventurous? Capture all the underwater action you want! Try the Sanyo Xacti ($500), the world’s first waterproof camcorder. Both available at sharperimage.com
Canopy Chair
An all-in-one beach necessity. Try this reclining chair, which includes a pillow, cup holder and attached canopy that blocks 94% of skin-damaging UV rays. The seat folds into a backpack for easy transporting to and from the beach. Available online for $50 at beachchairs.com.
Sunglasses
Forget Chanel; cheap sunglasses protect, too. Like your skin, your eyes never recover from prolonged UV exposure, so make sure your sunglasses block 97 -100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays. Try shades from anysunglasses.com. They guarantee 100 percent UV protection, and, most of their glasses are under $25.
