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Last summer I packed for a Greek island with one thought in my head: I’m going to look effortlessly chic. I did not look effortlessly chic. Wrong sunglasses, a beach bag that held approximately nothing, a hat that announced “tourist” from fifty metres away, and jewellery that turned my neck green after day two. The real problem wasn’t that I’d packed badly — it was that I’d packed thoughtlessly, grabbing things that looked fine at home without considering whether they’d actually function in 32-degree heat on a pebbly beach with a 20-minute walk to the nearest café.
Here’s what I’ve since figured out: the right summer accessories don’t just make you look better. They make the whole holiday easier. Less fussing, more actually being there.
So I’ve put together 10 picks that genuinely earn their place in a suitcase — not fussy pieces that sit in a drawer when you get home, but the kind of things that work harder than you do.
Do Your Sunglasses Actually Work, or Just Look Good?
Sunglasses are the one accessory everyone notices first — mostly because they’re literally on your face. But not every trend flatters every person, and that’s fine. I tried six different pairs before landing on the ones I wore every single day of that Greek trip, including overcast mornings when I probably didn’t need them at all. The best sunglasses aren’t the most expensive ones or the trendiest ones; they’re the ones that feel so right you stop thinking about them entirely. Whether you gravitate toward oversized tortoiseshell frames, vintage cat-eye shapes, or something more understated, the goal is finding a pair that protects your eyes properly — polarized lenses make a real difference near water — and that you’ll reach for automatically, not just for photos.
Polarized lenses matter more than people think. Non-polarized glasses in bright sun just make everything darker; polarized ones actually cut the glare off water and sand, which your eyes will thank you for by day three.
Versatile statement sunglasses that work for holiday style and sun protection
Prada, Pre-Owned Womens Tortoiseshell Oversized Round Frame Baroque… £158 (30% OFF — was £225)
High-quality polarized lenses for beach days and water activities
Trendy sunglasses that look premium without the premium price tag
Ruby Rocks, Women’s Fimmel Sunglasses in Pale Pink Pale Pink One Size £30
Beach Bags: The Real MVP
A beach bag is not just somewhere to chuck your phone and sunscreen. It’s your portable life support system, and when it fails you — zip breaks, straps dig in, bottom gives out under the weight of four water bottles — the whole day suffers. You need something big enough for a full-size towel (not folded into origami), structured enough that it doesn’t collapse into a sad puddle by noon, but relaxed enough to actually squash things into when you’re rushing to make a reservation. Oh, and ideally it looks decent enough to walk into a beachside café without feeling like you need to apologise for it.
Canvas totes age beautifully. Woven bags look the part. Waterproof linings are underrated.
Spacious canvas tote perfect for carrying everything you need for a beach day
Boohoo, Womens Stripe Canvas Beach Tote Bag £15.59 (3% OFF — was £16)
Practical waterproof option that keeps your belongings dry and protected
Woodland Leathers, Womens Large Beach Bag £13.99 (36% OFF — was £21.99)
Organized beach bag with multiple compartments for easy access to essentials
Boohoo, Womens Textured Metallic Structured Clutch Bag £11.59 (3% OFF — was £12)
Your Head Will Thank You for a Proper Sun Hat
Spending a holiday with your head effectively microwaved is nobody’s idea of fun. I learned this in Santorini. Actually, that’s not quite right — I learned it on the ferry to Santorini, standing on deck for forty minutes without a hat, arriving at the port with a headache that lasted until dinner. Wide-brim hats aren’t a fashion statement so much as basic self-preservation, and the good ones do both jobs at once: they block UV rays from your face, ears, and the parting in your hair (which burns more easily than you’d think), while also making a plain linen dress look like an actual outfit. Straw hats breathe better than anything else in heat. Packable options that squash into a bag without losing their shape are genuinely worth the slightly higher price if you’re hand-luggage only.
Classic wide-brimmed straw hat for serious sun protection and holiday style
PEACH ACCESSORIES, Women’s Wide Brim Sun Beach Straw Hat for Women in Beige Beige One… £25
Lightweight foldable hat perfect for fitting in luggage without losing its shape
Sunday Afternoon, Lanai Women’s Wide-brim Packable UPF 50+ Sun Hat £32.95
Structured panama-style hat that works for beach and casual evenings
Trespass, Unisex Adult Classified Panama Hat (Khaki Green) £15.16 (57% OFF — was £34.99)
Trendy bucket hat option that provides full coverage and a modern aesthetic
Holiday Jewellery Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated
Keep it light. That’s genuinely the only rule.
Summer jewellery has to survive heat, sunscreen, seawater, and the occasional accidental splash, all while looking like you made an effort. Chunky statement pieces are exhausting in 30-degree weather — they weigh on you, catch everything, and by 8pm you’re just irritated. Gold tones work beautifully against warm, sun-touched skin; delicate layered chains catch the light without demanding attention. A simple bracelet, a pair of earrings, maybe one ring. That’s a complete look without overthinking it. The other thing worth knowing: if you’re going somewhere sandy or swimming a lot, don’t bring jewellery you’d be devastated to lose. Holiday pieces go missing. It’s practically a rule of travel.
Lightweight layered gold necklaces perfect for summer evenings and beach looks
Accessorize, Women’s Layered Star Pendant Necklace in Gold Gold One Size £12
Classic hoop earrings that work with any outfit and complement tanned skin
Casual beaded bracelets with a relaxed vibe that work for day and evening
Vibrant turquoise pieces that bring colour and personality to evening outfits
Never Underestimate What Bad Sandals Can Ruin
Your feet are in sandals for approximately twelve hours a day on holiday. That is not an exaggeration. And yet somehow, sandals are still the thing people buy last, in a rush, without trying them on properly, wearing socks in the shop.
Strappy leather sandals dress up. Slides are brilliant for everything casual. Metallic or embellished options feel a bit special at dinner without being unwearable by the time you’ve walked back. The thing nobody says loudly enough: break them in at home first, even just around the house for a few evenings, because new sandal blisters on day two of a week-long trip are a particular kind of miserable that ruins everything, including your ability to enjoy the very holiday you spent months looking forward to.
Durable leather sandals with supportive straps for all-day comfort and style
Trendy metallic sandals that dress up any casual outfit for evening wear
Clarks, Womens Un Oak Mule Gold Metallic Sandals £45 (31% OFF — was £65)
Cushioned slide sandals perfect for easy slip-on comfort around the beach or town
IVACHY, Women’s Double Strap with Buckle Cushioned Mule Slippers Slide… £26 (25% OFF — was £34.66)
Decorated sandals with beads or embellishments that add personality to your look
When your sunglasses fit properly and your bag holds what it needs to, you stop fussing. You’re just there, in it, actually on holiday rather than managing a series of small frustrations. That’s what good accessories actually do — they disappear into the background so you can be present. None of the pieces here are going to transform you into a different person, but the right ones will mean you’re not standing on a beach somewhere adjusting a hat that won’t stay put or squinting because you grabbed the wrong sunglasses on the way out the door.
My honest opinion: spend a bit more on the sandals and sunglasses, less on the jewellery (since it will probably get lost anyway), and don’t underestimate how much a good beach bag improves literally everything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
What summer accessories are actually worth buying for a UK holiday?
The ones that do real work: a beach bag big enough for an actual towel, polarized sunglasses (not just pretty ones), a wide-brim hat with UV protection, and sandals you’ve broken in before you leave. Jewellery is worth it too, but keep it lightweight and don’t bring anything irreplaceable.
How do I choose sunglasses that suit my face shape?
Round faces tend to suit angular or square frames. Square faces look good with rounder, softer shapes. Oval faces can pull off almost anything. That said, the most important thing is whether they feel right when you put them on — face shape rules are guidelines, not law.
What should I look for in a beach bag?
Size first — it needs to fit a full-size towel without folding it in half. Then think about whether it’s easy to wipe down (sand and sunscreen get everywhere), whether it has at least one internal pocket for your phone, and whether it looks decent enough to carry into a café.
Will holiday jewellery turn my skin green?
Cheaper metals — particularly those with high copper content — are the usual culprit. Gold-plated pieces over brass can do it too, especially in heat and humidity. Sterling silver and solid gold won’t. If you’re buying budget jewellery for a trip, it’s worth testing it at home for a day or two first.
Should I break in sandals before my holiday?
Yes. Absolutely yes. Wear them around the house, on short walks, anywhere. New sandals on day one of a holiday is how you end up with blisters by day two and spending the rest of the trip in flip-flops you panic-bought from a gift shop.
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