In my younger years, my family and I would go to the lake in the summer and that only meant serious water-related chaos. I'd be in the water with my brothers and sisters from morning until dusk and we would never even go back into the house if our folks didn't call on us. I remember my mom would wrap my whole body in a towel like a burrito, all shriveled and wrinkly underneath. Looking back, that made a lot of sense. But when you're all grown up you can't exactly pull off the burrito look even if you try. As responsible individuals of the mature world, we need to seriously update that look. You have to accept that we just don't belong to the single-digit age anymore.



When you plan your beach wardrobe you don't just think about your swim suit, do you? I don't think I've seen anybody this summer in only their bathing suits or swimming trunks. Even the guy who lives down the street from me takes a fanny pack to the beach. Women would need more time to reflect - they need to sit down and think about it a little more, I'd imagine. Preparing to hit the beach or pool party can just be as tedious as getting dolled up for an elegant night out in town like a posh cotillion or a moon lit wedding. It can even be harder than picking something out for an elusive blind date. Once you've decided on what swim wear to use, there's the serious matter of accessorizing to consider and these days as the fashion and entertainment industries bombard us with countless images of tropical beauties and high class summer couture, "accessories" simply go way beyond just *flip flops* and beach towels.

Wearing a big t-shirt over the suit has been practically a religion for beach goers. Sure, it's convenient as hell. You open that closet and get the first shirt you see out of there and over your head - uncomplicated albeit a little bit on the derelict side. You have to give your old house cotton shirts and towels a break, people! If you want something that works like a shirt, go for a long racer back tank top, tunic or slightly larger crisp cotton button down shirt. Add a touch of style by wearing a contrasting belt to define your hips and waist. A key piece like that could literally tie the whole outfit together, making you look like you've actually changed from your sleeping clothes. The long-sleeved Sage Green Sequin Beach Tunic by Kashmere is made of a light weight cotton voile that almost floats against your body's curves. The sequin adorn trim of the V-neckline allows people to get a decent glimpse of what's underneath. Vent slits on each side exude maximum comfort and movement even when you're plopped down playing footsie on the sand or running along the shores with a "playmate."

If you consider yourself a traditional, beach loving, no-fuss kind of lady, you could always resort to the ever dependable board shorts. I'm sure no one would even mind if you leave them on when you take the plunge. Big names in women's board shorts and surfing apparel such as Rip Curl, Billabong, and Roxy have come up with evolving designs and cuts to cater to America's varied tastes. The 21" long Sweet Beach Board Shorts from the 2006 Roxy collection has a tricolor floral pattern and asymmetrical black-and-white hip band design. Its fast-drying polyester sublimated Supersuede microfiber material, heat seal double tie cord, neoprene fly, and snap pockets make it one of the hottest shorts around.

Dressing up and down for the beach doesn't have to be just another chore. It can be quite exhilarating if you only know what to look for. Whether you end up sporting a colorful tunic, your old board shorts, or a fabulous sarong, make sure you get just the right amount of coverage you want. Don't be afraid to glam up for the outdoors. And most importantly, don't let your couture out of your sight. Your new found summer glory might just end up in someone else's beach bag.