Top 10 Summer Essentials That Are Must-Haves for a Great Vacation

Nothing screams summer like a light and airy summer dress. This versatile piece can be used anywhere, whether covering up at the beach, going for a daytime stroll, attending a music festival, or even going to night-time events.

When choosing summer dresses, opt for ones made of breathable natural fibers like cotton or linen. One popular style is the maxi dress, and contrary to popular belief, not only tall women can pull this off. Women with all body types can sport a maxi dress, as long as the piece plays up their assets and draws attention away from problem areas.

Like clothing, footwear must also be adapted to the change in season. With closed shoes too uncomfortable for the hot weather, sandals are the footwear of choice for the summer, securing the ninth spot in our list.

Sandals have evolved since they were first made and used in Egypt 5,100 years ago. Flat styles like pool slides and gladiator sandals offer maximum comfort. Those looking to add some length to their frame can go for block heels, wedges or clogs. Some things to consider when choosing a sandal include the activities where the sandals would be used, fit, materials, straps, arch support, flexibility, and cushioning.

Longer days during summer also means more time to be exposed to the sun. One way of protecting oneself from increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun is to wear a hat. For women, a wide-brimmed straw hat is not only stylish but also fit for the weather. For men, panama hats, boater hats, and baseball caps are more suitable for tropical climates compared to stuffy, more formal classic styles. There are a wide range of hats for every face shape, but the Panama hat is not only timeless, but also generally flattering for everyone.

Aside from sandals, slippers or flip-flops are another type of footwear we will be seeing more of this summer. When buying flip-flops, pay attention to the material of the sole. Veer away from pairs made with plastic foam as these tend to wear off quickly. Instead, go for ones made with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or rubber. It also crucial to find slippers in the correct size and with proper arch support.

Taking the seventh spot in our poll are visors, which look like baseball caps without a crown. This allows the wearer to protect his face from the sun while avoiding the crown of the head to be damp with sweat. Athletes, especially golfers and tennis players, favor visors. However, those going for the 90s look can accessorize with a visor as well.

When choosing a visor, consider whether you will be using it for sports or fashion. Some visors are made of mesh to have sweat absorption capabilities, while some have special materials which allow the hat to have Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) or Sun Protection Factor (SPF).

Board shorts were inspired by and made for surfers, and its name is derived from the surfboard. However, board shorts aren’t strictly for surfers only, as men (and even women) have made this part of their outfit for a day at the beach.

Some factors to weigh when buying board shorts include color, material, length and purpose. Tall guys, for example, can get away with lengthier designs that cut above the knee, but this might dwarf those with a smaller frame. Classic hues like black, navy, army green, or khaki make your shorts easy to pair with other pieces in your wardrobe.

Earning the fifth spot in our survey are shades, another must-have accessory for the summer when there is increased glare from the sun. Not only are shades fashionable, they help keep your eyes healthy, too. In fact, shades block out the radiation from the sun’s rays which cause cataracts and skin cancer.

The top consideration to keep in mind when choosing shades is the sun protection it offers. Experts recommend buying sunglasses which “block out 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation, and screen out 75 to 90% of visible light.” Secondary to that is how the pair looks on your face. Whether you have a heart-shaped, round, oval or square face, there is a pair of frames that would best suit you.

For more style tips this summer, go to Yoorekka!

In this age of social media, sharing your vacation photos is almost obligatory. So if you want to take more than just selfies, then bringing a camera along with you is a must.

When it comes to price, it’s hard to beat point-and-shoot cameras which get the job done without the frills. Nowadays, there are also travel compact cameras which are larger and have more powerful zoom lenses than point-and-shoot models. Another option is a mirrorless camera, which allows you to shoot DSLR-quality photos without the bulk.

During summer, it is important to dress appropriately, lest you want your outfit to be a sweaty disaster. And so earning third place in our poll are comfy summer outfits and swimsuits.

Summer is also the best time to go swimming. This makes swimwear all the more important, especially in places which observe strict swimwear rules for guests like resorts and water parks. While there are a wide range of styles and silhouettes available in the market, what’s important is that your swimsuit fits well. Make sure your it provides enough coverage by bouncing around or running in small circles while in the dressing room. Style-wise, the classic one-piece style is flattering for all body types.

Where there’s water involved, point-and-shoot or digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras just won’t do. That’s why there are action cameras. Small and rugged, these cameras will literally go where no ordinary cameras will go: most models have water-proof bodies, with some models even shockproof and freeze-proof. This makes action cameras the gear of choice for surfers and snowboarders, or just ordinary people on vacation who want to capture their memories without worrying about their camera getting wet.

GoPro is one of the most recognized brands in action cameras. However, other manufacturers like Kodak, Sony, Xiaomi, Olympus, LG, Cherry Mobile and Nikon have developed their own offerings for this segment. Action cam brands available in the Philippines include HTC, Qube, Playground, CDR-King, Garmin, Sony, Veho and Xiaomi.

With the high amount of sunlight we are exposed to during summer time, it only makes sense for sunblock to top our survey of summer essentials. Sunblock lotions protect the skin from sun damage by blocking out UltraViolet A (UVA) and UltraViolet B (UVB) rays from the sun.

When choosing sunblock, consider the length of time you will be exposed to the sun. Check the Sun Protection Factor or SPF of the sunblock, which indicates the amount of time it takes for skin to redden with sunblock compared to without sunblock. To know how long you can stay under the sun with your sunblock, multiply the SPF with the amount of time it takes for you to get a sunburn after sun exposure. For example, if it takes you 15 minutes to get a sunburn, then a sunblock with SPF 15 would give you 225 minutes of protection from the sun’s rays. Experts recommend to apply sunblock with at least SPF 15 daily, and reapply every after two hours.