Spring Summer 25 Beach Bag Essentials: What to Pack for the Shore

Summer Daze: 16 Beach Bag Essentials For Summer 2025

After a winter that seemed like it might never end, we’re looking optimistically forward towards a long, hot summer. Prepping for beach weather is its own kind of joy: new swimwear, summer-friendly fragrances, stylish accessories, and of course, the ultimate beach bag. Here, we offer the Chadstone edit of the best new-season beach totes and what to fill them with: throw-on linen shirts, minimalist leather sandals, hydrating moisturisers, page-turning beach reads, and more

Beach Towel

Country Road | $99.95

No beach bag is complete without a durable, stylish towel. Country Road’s ‘Ellis’ delivers both, with a classic striped print (we love the dark olive shade) and woven terry made from verified Australian cotton.

Leather Basket Bag

Seed Heritage | $299.95

Seed’s leather basket bag blends Jane Birkin chic with a pragmatic oversized silhouette that swallows your beach-day inventory whole. Crafted from 100% leather in an on-trend weave, it’s your new go-to tote.

Linen Shirt

Uniqlo | $59.90

Post-swim, nothing feels better than an easy white shirt. Uniqlo’s 100% premium linen version is a perennial fashion-editor favourite, with a chic cropped cut that flatters everyone – and dries fast.

Palermo Bikini Set

Seafolly | Top $130 | Bottoms $110

What’s summer without a fresh bikini? We love Seafolly’s minimalist black ‘Palermo’ style, trimmed with Loewe-esque statement charms.

'Lily' Raffia Hat

Sportsgirl | $39.95

Sun safety, but make it stylish. Sportsgirl’s oversized ‘Lily’ hat brings bucket-hat ease with a raffia twist and contrasting trim.

Strawberries and Cream Lip Glow

Allkinds | $14.99

Salt, sun, and wind wreak havoc on lips. Keep them soft all season with Allkinds’ Lip Glow, packed with jojoba and olive oil, and finished with a nostalgic strawberries-and-cream flavour.

Ceramic Reusable Bottle

Frank Green | $69.95

Long beach days mean one thing: hydration, hydration, hydration. Frank Green’s cult ceramic bottles make it easy, and the new toffee shade is irresistibly chic.

Wrangler Denim Shorts

Universal Store | $109.95

The most easy, effortless beachside uniform? A bikini, an unbuttoned white shirt, and a great pair of cut-offs. We love these shorts by Wrangler, made with breathable cotton and light-wash denim.

Everyday Tote

Oroton | $85

This new-season Oroton tote comes with a serious feel-good factor: it’s crafted from 33 recycled bottles. With vintage elements like the black double straps and printed logo, this design is spacious and durable, A.K.A: the perfect beach bag.

Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy

Readings | $36.99

Every beach bag needs a good beach read. This summer, reach for Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy’s buzzy memoir ‘Mother Mary Comes to Me’, which tracks her complicated, often tumultuous relationship with her mother.

To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen

Mecca Cosmetica | from $22

Repeat after us: SPF, SPF, SPF. All summer long, slather your face (and body!) in Mecca Cosmetica's ‘To Save Face’ sunscreen. Branded as a “superscreen” this SPF50+ formula is lightweight, non greasy, and perfectly portable.

Ouai North Bondi Eau De Parfum

Sephora | $110

Ouia founder Jen Atkin loved Bondi so much she bottled it. The North Bondi Eau de Parfum is, as the name suggests, clean and fresh, with its blend of Italian lemon, violet and white musk.

‘Niki’ Leather Thong

Unison | $149.95

Up your footwear game this summer with an elevated pair of thongs from Unison. The sleek, minimalist ‘Niki’ style is perfect beachside fodder, a stylish sandal that works with a wrap dress, a two-piece set or a simple swimsuit.

Embryolisse Moisturiser

Chemist Warehouse | $39.99

This rich moisturiser is a cult French pharmacy product, beloved for its instantly hydrating formula, accessible pricepoint and easy throw-it-in-your bag bottle. Slather on post-swim and before heading for an early dinner – it’s a great base for makeup.

Gucci Sunglasses

Myer | $575

Gucci’s ‘90s-inspired tortoiseshell sunnies are the ultimate new-season investment – you’ll wear them summer long and they’re guaranteed to take you into 2026 and beyond.