These days a towel and a book are no longer enough for your trip to the beach. There are clearly several more accessories that you need to complete your look and make the requisite style impact.

• Maximum protection. Do not forget your sunscreen and use it often and liberally!
• Sunnies. An essential part of the summer look, the favourite sunglasses styles for this season are the classic aviators and the large bug-eyes for the ladies. Get yourselves to Extreme Eyewear as I have found that they stock the pick of the hot styles for the season. Do not skimp on the quality of your sunglasses as your eyes are very precious and need the best protection you can afford.
• Cover ups. Kaftans, sarongs and skirt-dresses (you know those ones that have the elastic at the top and can be worn as a dress or a maxi skirt) are ideal as cover ups on the beach. Make sure you get the fabric right, with very light loose- weave cotton, cotton jersey or silk chiffon being perfect. Natural fibres are 100 percent essential and you really can't afford to take a synthetic garment onto the beach. Cover-ups need to be cool and easy to slip on over your swimsuit, as well as relaxed enough to wear to play a rousing game of beach bats.
• Bejewelled. The trend this season is to put a bit of sparkle on everything, so look out for sequins and beading on your costumes. If this is not your personal style, opt for necklaces, fringing or bows as accessories. Just remember, here in SA you really can't wear metals against your skin on the beach as the sun will burn them into you. Think smart about how to give your beach outfit a bit of zing, without incurring second degree burns.
• Hats. Another absolute essential for beach bods in South Africa. But just because they are a practical consideration, does not mean that they have to be boring. For guys, a classic panama hat will see you through many seasons and is so much more gallant than a baseball cap. Ladies, a wide-brimmed straw hat completes the '50s look, or you can go for a trendy trilby in straw. For both chaps and ladies, the straw cowboy hat is still good news this season, but make sure that the attitude doesn't go with it. Charm and good manners are just as appropriate on the beach, as they are off.
• Shoes There is no question that the beach shoes of this season are still the Havaiana flip flops. They are the easiest to wear to ensure fuss free traipsing across both the sand and the hot tar. If ladies do want to go a little more upscale, a beaded flip flop would be the way to go. If you insist on a heel, nothing but the espadrille wedge will look appropriate, but really the beach is not a time for heels of any kind.
• Beach Bags Straw or canvas will ensure your trip to the beach goes without mishap. The bigger the bag, the smaller you look — and when you are wearing a bathing costume this is a worthwhile consideration for the ladies. For me, a straw bag with a large sequined bow is the way I will be jazzing up my beach look this year, without having to wear any of the decoration on my body. Cunning!

Remember all these tips, and you should be set for your summer at the sea or your pool party if you are not lucky enough to live at the coast…

For more information on Robyn and her personal styling services, go to: www.robyncooke- styleguide.co.za