Tech reporter Jenna Wortham spends her days writing for The Gray Lady—and tweeting to her 517K followers––but she's got killer style and smart beach bag game, too. Her essentials, below.
Summertime was made for weekend trips to the beach, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to figure out what to pack to enjoy a day of surf and sand. My first few trips to the Rockaways or Fort Tilden in New York, I barely brought anything more than a faded towel and a bottle of water. Now, I've got my beach strat down to a science and this time of year, my beach bag stays packed, making it easy to wake up and head straight for the water. All my friends know to look for me and know that I've always got supplies that make every trip extra special. Here's a quick rundown of my must-have summer essentials.
The carryall: Dust off a backpack or grab a woven tote—something that won't get ruined if it gets wet or sunscreen on it.
Summer threads: I like my BFF Chromat's line of sexy and sporty suits that look good on dry land and in the water. The key is having a reliable selection of go-to outfits so you can roll out of bed, throw one on, and bounce a few minutes later. Leave a pair Illesteva Leonard Sky Mirrored Sunglasses in your bag so you never forget them and consider investing in a good cover-up, something you can wear to the taco shack or a nearby bar when you need a break from the sun. Get a printed sheet to maximize your real estate on the sand. Lighten the load and leave the towel at home––the sun will dry you, promise––and bring a sheet (mine is floral) that you can spread out and invite friends to sit on.
Sunscreen, obvs. I like Kiehl's sun care products for the body and face—it's not greasy and a little goes a long way. One bottle is usually enough to last a summer.
Conditioner! The salted waters of the sea always turn my curls into a perfect soft tumble, but it can also dry my hair out if I'm not careful. I always stash a travel-sized bottle of Ouidad's Moisture Lock Leave-In and a comb in my bag and work some into my hair after the last swim of the day.
Tunage: Bluetooth speakers may seem extravagant, but music turns the day up and out. Highly recommended. And don't forget to prep a playlist. I like the new SZA EP and this Fader mix from June.
Reading material: Always keep at least one book in your bag. At the very least, you can loan it to someone in your group. My current picks: Land of
Summertime was made for weekend trips to the beach, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to figure out what to pack to enjoy a day of surf and sand. My first few trips to the Rockaways or Fort Tilden in New York, I barely brought anything more than a faded towel and a bottle of water. Now, I've got my beach strat down to a science and this time of year, my beach bag stays packed, making it easy to wake up and head straight for the water. All my friends know to look for me and know that I've always got supplies that make every trip extra special. Here's a quick rundown of my must-have summer essentials.
The carryall: Dust off a backpack or grab a woven tote—something that won't get ruined if it gets wet or sunscreen on it.
Summer threads: I like my BFF Chromat's line of sexy and sporty suits that look good on dry land and in the water. The key is having a reliable selection of go-to outfits so you can roll out of bed, throw one on, and bounce a few minutes later. Leave a pair Illesteva Leonard Sky Mirrored Sunglasses in your bag so you never forget them and consider investing in a good cover-up, something you can wear to the taco shack or a nearby bar when you need a break from the sun. Get a printed sheet to maximize your real estate on the sand. Lighten the load and leave the towel at home––the sun will dry you, promise––and bring a sheet (mine is floral) that you can spread out and invite friends to sit on.
Sunscreen, obvs. I like Kiehl's sun care products for the body and face—it's not greasy and a little goes a long way. One bottle is usually enough to last a summer.
Conditioner! The salted waters of the sea always turn my curls into a perfect soft tumble, but it can also dry my hair out if I'm not careful. I always stash a travel-sized bottle of Ouidad's Moisture Lock Leave-In and a comb in my bag and work some into my hair after the last swim of the day.
Tunage: Bluetooth speakers may seem extravagant, but music turns the day up and out. Highly recommended. And don't forget to prep a playlist. I like the new SZA EP and this Fader mix from June.
Reading material: Always keep at least one book in your bag. At the very least, you can loan it to someone in your group. My current picks: Land of