Margaret Logan Style

Leaving the beach today after a fabulous morning of building sandcastles, hunting for sand dollars and playing in the tumultuous waves left in the wake of Hurricaine Hanna, I noticed a gal heading towards the beach. She made quite a fashion statement in her Pucci-esque print wellies, her brown and orange paisley sundress, oversized sunglasses and large dog on a leash. She clearly got a kick out of getting dressed, and she wore a beaming smile to prove it.

As I teetered toward my car in full piggy-back mode, I realized I’ve seen a lot of colorful things at the beach this summer. And as the summer comes to a close, it seems a good time to reflect on some of those more interesting observations.

First, let me say, I love the beach. I love it because it’s such a democratic place. When I think of all the stress and absolute hell we ladies go through trying on bathing suits in nothing short of sheer terror at the very thought of stepping foot on a beach in anything less than a caftan, I have to chuckle. It’s such a waste of a perfectly good day of shopping. Next year, when the times comes, grab a girfriend and go out to lunch instead. Trust me on this.

If that seems like an impossible notion, the next time you’re at the beach just take a gander down that long stretch of sand. In a veritable sea of other-worldly physiques, you will feel a new sense of confidence for wherever you happen to be on the physical spectrum.

It’s an amazing realization – with very little left to the imagination, we suddenly don’t really care about who might be a tad overweight, who might be a shade too pale, or who spent top dollar on a designer bathing suit or bikini wax. Once your feet hit the sand, you are transported to another place. As it should be.

So don’t spend too much time fretting about what to wear to the beach. Just get out there and enjoy. Keep it simple, keep it comfortable and, when in doubt, keep it under wraps:

1. A black chain link beach cover up is indeed an anomaly, especially when pitted against an abundance of pale, white skin. This look is truly disconcerting. In fact, you simply can’t stop looking. Oh dear.

2. Under garments don’t count as proper swim wear. I don’t care if it’s a sexy black bra that set you back $200 bucks. It’s still a bra, and we can spot it as such a mile away.

3. White on bottom is a tough one, ladies. White on bottom when your bottom is ample is even tougher, and completely unforgiving. Avoid this at all costs.

4. Speaking of ample, large pale bellies are best left unexposed. Ladies, I’m talking to you here. One piece suits are a delightful invention and should be purchased posthaste.

5. Large prints, loud colors….you see where this is going.

6. On a more hopeful note, those cute little terry cover ups by Juicy Couture really are perfect for the beach. Brights, neutrals, a beach-faring gal should have several. (May I eat my words…)

7. The navy and white stripe cotton cover up by Isaac Mizrahi for Target was the second most perfect beachside look this summer.

8. Nothing beats a sarong and wide brimmed hat, of which I admired a pleasant handfull this summer. Note to self…

9. A little Lilly Pulitzer goes a long way and can be such a breath of fresh air. Uplifting and happy. Why did I fight it so as a kid?

10. And last but not least, one for the fellas. Speedos. File under unattractive. Extremely unattractive.