Travel Like an Editor: What InStyle's Violet Gaynor Packed for a Beach Getaway to Fire Island

"I always like to pack one statement piece of jewley for a beach weekend. You never know when you're going to want to dress up, and this one piece is not only statement-making but also super easy to pack."
Dannijo Michele Necklace, $445; shopbop.com

"My new obsession is these Eliza Gran basket bags—they fit all of my weekend essentials and look amazing as storage bins for toys at home. And roomy enough to double as a hiding place for my toddler!"
Eliza Gran Studio Topanga Basket, $91; elizagranstudio.bigcartel.com
Eliza Gran Studio Venice Basket Shell, $88; elizagranstudio.bigcartel.com
Stella McCartney Cat Eye Sunglasses, $190; shopbop.com
Serena and Lily Pinstriped Fouta Beach Towel, $36; serenaandlily.com
Eugenia Kim Lillian (similar), $340; eugeniakim.com

"Once you've tried these Birkenstock soft footbed sandals, there's no turning back. They feel like you're walking on a cloud, and they kind of look that way too."
Birkenstock Arizona Sandals, $160; barneys.com

"Summer is the time to play around with nail polish colors you may not wear any other time of year. These polishes from Mischo (which are free of formaldehyde, DBP, toluene, formaldehyde resin, and camphor) come in the most vibrant neon-meets-pastel colors. The Fouta towel by Serena and Lily is the perfect beach accessory—comfy and cute."
Mischo Luxury Nail Laquer, $18 each; mischobeauty.com
Serena and Lily Pinstriped Fouta Beach Towel, $36; serenaandlily.com

"From the moment I saw Rebecca's Taylor's first swim collaboration with Giejo, I knew I needed this bikini in my life. I love the mismatched boho prints and simple cut. Ever since seeing Kate Hudson looking dropdead gorgeous in a bikini/bodychain combo, I wanted to try this out for myself. This Gorjana chain was fun to wear and goes well with bikinis and dresses." 
Rebecca Taylor Paisley Swimlette Top, $125; rebeccataylor.com
Rebecca Taylor Paisley Mixed Boy Brief, $105; rebeccataylor.com
Gorjana Bali Bodychain, $90; shopbop.com

"While most of the pieces I packed were on the casual side, I always like to include one dressier item that I can throw on and feel put together in. This Mara Hoffman plunging-back dress is the comfiest thing I own and is equally appropriate for a beach bonfire and dinner out with friends."
Mara Hoffman Linen V-Neck Maxi Dress, $405; marahoffman.com

 

"As much as I'd love to be one of those girls who just throws on a tinted moisturizer and a pair of sunglasses, I am not. I take my regular skincare/makeup routine and simplify it for the beach: a little light argan oil, sunblock, my beloved Koh Gen Do aqua foundation, and my new favorite RMS lip2cheek stain, which kills two birds with one stone."
Clockwise from left:
Re/done The High Rise Short, $176; shopredone.com
Tom Ford Shimmering Body Oil, $225; amazon.com
Josie Maran 100 percent Pure Argan Oil Light, $48; sephora.com
Tarte Tarteguard 30 Sunscreen Lotion, $32; sephora.com
RMS Beauty lip2cheek, $36; rmsbeauty.com
KohGenDo Maifanshi Aqua Foundation, $62; kohgendocosmetics.com

"There's nothing I love more than wearing matching mother-daughter outfits (no shame!). And thankfully Plum loves it as much as I do. These Marysia swimsuits are made of the softest material and come in the sweetest colors and prints. Plum's "Bumpy" bathing suit has an adorable polka-dot print on one side, and reverses to a pretty solid pink on the other. My bandeau bikini is in the same print, but also has a cute pink heart on one side." Click ahead for shopping info. 

 

Marysia I Heart Antibes Top, $138.50, and Bottom, $138.50; marysiaswim.com
Marysia Scallop Maillot, $125; marysiaswim.com
 

"Instead of a traditional beach coverup like a sarong or tunic, I packed my new obsession: Love Shack Fancy's lace playsuit. It offers just enough coverage while also feeling very polished. Plum's Bonpoint tunic is one of my favorite investment pieces for her: I always order a size up so that she can wear it as a dress initially, then grow into it for at least a year and wear it over shorts or leggings."
LoveShackFancy Playsuit, $365; loveshackfancy.com
Bonpoint Alix Blouse, $77; bonpoint.com

"We hit up the local ice cream shop, Unfriendly's, daily for mint chip (for me) and strawberry (for Plum). Eating ice cream while barefoot, overlooking the bay is one of our favorite summer traditions."
Gap Photo-real Flutter Swim One-Piece, $18; gap.com