How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night

11 New Yorkers on the outfits that take them from the beach to the bar without breaking a sweat.

June 16, 2015
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night

At the tail end of a day at the beach—when you're a little delirious, a tiny bit sunburnt, and utterly spent—nothing sounds better than going out and sipping icy drinks until dawn. It's a great idea in theory, but the reality is a much more tangled affair involving damp trunks, stringy hair, and sand in crevices you didn't know existed. But there is a better way, as the 11 people we tapped for their sartorial savvy prove down below. Here's how you go from the beach to the bar with ease.

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How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
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How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night

Adrian, 26


Occupation: Digital media consultant.
Favorite beach: Montauk Point.
Beach beverage: Tequila with lime juice.
Beach essential: A boombox.
Words of wisdom: Plan ahead: don't just get up and go because you're inevitably going to forget something.


This look: I always want to swim so I wear real trunks, not just shorts. But I always bring a second pair so I can switch and not be all sticky. I like wearing my shorts with an oversized button-down, so I look like a Hamptons dad. I hate wearing pants in the summer.

How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night

Van, 23


Occupation: Photographer.
Favorite beach: Williamsburg Waterfront.
Beach beverage: Champagne.
Beach essential: My water shoes.
Words of wisdom: It's never a low-key thing.

This look: My beach look is comfort-wear shorts from D II, some water shoes from D II, t-shirt from D II. My after-beach look is some Adidas, your basic tennies, and a classic printed-button down with a nice summertime vibe to it.

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How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night

Rebecca, 25


Occupation: Filmmaker.
Favorite beach: Coney Island.
Beach beverage: Pina Colada.
Beach essential: A book.

This look: So first I was wearing vintage '70s shorts with a bikini top and kimono and hair curlers with a scarf. The curlers are for the party look after, when I took off the kimono and put a sheer dress over my bikini, plus heels and a leather jacket. And some more red lipstick.

How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
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How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night

Ashley, 24


Occupation: Writer.
Favorite beach: Rockaways. Last time I was there all the girls I was with took their tops off. I wasn't that brave, but I liked the idea of it.
Beach beverage: Smoothies. If you throw some alcohol in there, that's good too.
Beach essential: Sunglasses, it sounds dumb but the sun is very bright!
Words of wisdom: It's fun to be half naked and just hang out.

This look: I guess my whole look is just "tropigoth." I have giant boobs so this is actually a sports bra. My night look is a thrifted blazer paired with all black. And it's summer, so no pants necessary.

How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night

Ruth, 28


Occupation: Showroom Director for VFiles Third Floor
Favorite beach: Rockaways.
Beach beverage: Nutcrackers.
Beach essential: Sunscreen, thanks Mom.
Words of widsom: Set no expectations and go with the flow.

This look: I like to wear all white during the summer, and I think that my beach look and after-beach look are kind of the same. I'm a fan of clubbing at the beach and beaching at the club.

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How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night

Sean, "up for debate"


Occupation: Designer, Eddie Eddie by Billie Tommy.
Favorite beach: Sag Main in Bridgehampton.
Beach beverage: Lemonade.
Beach essential: A towel.
Words of wisdom: Run from the top of the dunes straight into the water, don't stop.

This look: This bathing suit's from the Beverly Hills Hotel, a good friend got it for me. It's great to wear when you're not at the Beverly Hills Hotel to shine on people. Then just a towel, I don't wear shoes or a shirt. Then it's an easy transition: change your boxers, keep the suit. Add an oxford dress shirt, plus a jersey to play it down.

How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
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How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night

Alexandra, 25 & Jasper, 20


Occupation: Artist and artist.
Favorite beach: JASPER: Is Martha's Vineyard in New York? ALEXANDRA: We don't have a favorite New York beach.
Beach beverage: ALEXANDRA: Coconut water.
Beach essential: JASPER: A ball.
Words of wisdom: JASPER: I almost got shot at Brighton Beach before, so don't get shot. ALEXANDRA: Watch out for needles. JASPER: And watch out for sharks.

This look: JASPER: I lost my trunks so these are just basketball shorts, and my night looks are just some Champion sweatpants and an Adidas T-shirt I stole from my mom. ALEXANDRA: Those are my sweatpants though. I'm wearing a Nike bathing suit with some DKNY sneaker things. For my night look I just added a vintage skirt and some green men's dress socks.

How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night

Hannah, 27


Occupation: Photographer and producer.
Favorite beach: Jacob Riis.
Beach beverage: Pina Colada.
Beach essential: Sunscreen.
Words of wisdom: Steer away from weekends.

This look: This is a wider pant that won't stick to your body. I hate putting on tight jeans after being in the sand. It all depends on what party I'm going to, but this is just a loose thing I throw on.

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How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night

Olivia, 23


Occupation: Project manager and researcher.
Favorite beach: Coney Island.
Beach beverage: Coconut water and tequila gimlets.
Beach essential: A silk scarf to wrap my hair up in, For my hair and skin, coconut oil.
Words of wisdom: Don't make a set schedule. Play it by ear.

This look: To go to the beach I wear this straightforward oversize denim romper, so I'm comfortable, with a plain crochet bikini. I like wearing solid pieces so, to transition, I kept my swimsuit on but put on a white tunic. It's very straightforward, and doesn't wrinkle. I keep all of my jewelry on at all times. This silver and pearl body chain that transitions really well.

How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night
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How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night

Christopher, 27


Occupation: Assistant at HBO.
Favorite beach: Cooper's Beach in South Hampton.
Beach beverage: Corona.
Beach essential: Music, so I can participate or not participate.
Words of wisdom: Bring activities and games in case it's not sunny. Have a back-up plan.

This look: I definitely like a button-down in case it's cold, and I like to bring an extra layer. I wear sneakers because they're super light but good for doing activities.

How To Go To The Beach And Still Look Good At Night