Beyond the sea

I can’t remember the last time I went to the beach to swim. Does anyone these days? Aside from the occasional dip and the half-hour snorkeling log, the water just serves as a brilliant back-ground to the vivid plateau of bikini-clad bodies and tanned torsos. People now go to the beach with the same intent as when they’re heading over to the hottest nightspot: to see and be seen — in the most fashionable get-up, of course.

A co-writer from YStyle has written that popular beach destinations have become extensive catwalks for beachgoers parading around in their latest bikini buy. These days, swimwear has evolved so much and has adopted so much runway influence that you don’t necessarily have to swim in order to wear them. Beach fashion has become so style-centered that it doesn’t even surprise anymore when someone lugs a 30-kilo-capacity suitcase to Boracay.

If you bring three different bikinis for a three-day beach trip, you’re good. Bring six and you’re downright styling. Add accessories into the fray: flip-flops to match each two-piece, smashing cover-ups to don over your bikini, flirty dresses for evening trysts, bejeweled sandals, a bag for every outing, and even stilettos.

Strolling down the beach in heeled sandals does spell out fashion victim in huge capital letters, but that doesn’t mean that you should leave out stilettos when packing your beach tote — save them for a pre-dinner cocktail rendezvous, worn with your best tan-enhancing frock.

If you need help in building the perfect summer wardrobe, Crossings Department Store is more than willing to provide enough pieces to assure your beach baggage goes over limit. A slew of brands offer up chic add-ons to complete your perfect beach get-up. Proud Mary, known for its beautiful beaded totes, has some hula-inspired bags that can easily cross over from city to sand, or opt for colorful quirky straw totes by Estele Rene. For footwear beyond rubber flips, choose among Wildflowers’ jewel-decorated metallic sandals or Zcarpa’s sexier pairs. Cover-ups are also necessary for making a summer statement. Batik sarongs are due for retirement; take a cue from XSML instead and don cropped embroidered shrugs or loose asymmetric tops.

Crossings also has killer suits for every undertaking. Salsatrends brings out your inner beach bunny with intricately cut maillots polka-dotted ‘50s starlet-style, while Faith Hope Love sticks to earthier prints and colors. And just in case you’re one for tradition, Crossings also has nice swimwear basic enough to actually swim in.

Crossings is located at Shangri-La Edsa Plaza and on Quezon Avenue. Check out www.crossings.com.ph for more summer shopping finds.

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