Sun, sand, swimsuits and Spring Break.

Apart from an icy cocktail and a hot cabana boy, the final touches for your Spring Break packing is an assortment of practical (yet stylish) accessories. The first accessory: the perfect sunhat that is as  fabulous as it is functional. Not only will you look fierce on the beach, but it will also save your scalp and face from too much sun exposure. You’ll also need a great pair of sunglasses to shield you from the sun when you’re laying out… or struggling to stay outside after a late night out. (Sunnies are also great for discrete boy watching. Just sayin’.)

Now is also the time to start scoping out sandals if you need a new pair. Just be smart; Spring Break might not be the time to break in a pair of expensive sandals you love, in the off chance you lose one. Which, as anyone who’s ever been on Spring Break knows, is highly likely. And of course, you need a great beach bag to hold it all (and sunblock, magazines, a bottle of tequila…) that won’t get ruined when someone spills their margarita on it.

What’s that? You need some help picking out the goodies? Well lookie here – I’ve got 15 splendid Spring Break accessories ready and waiting for you. Bon Voyage!

We’re so close to Spring Break I can almost taste the sunscreen and tequila (not together. Ew.)

As you start to think about what to bring (and equally important, what not to bring) you might be finding some gaps in your Spring Break-appropriate wardrobe. Got your swimsuit (or maybe 15)? How about something to go over it? If you left your favorite sundress at your parents’ house, or lost it somewhere between Independence Day and Welcome Week (damn you, kiddie pool!), there are plenty of cute (and affordable!) options hitting store shelves right now.

And don’t hold back; you need one!

First, a new sundress can do double duty, working both as a cover-up at the beach-side bar and as a super sexy, fun frock for when you’re out at night with your friends. Plus, while you’re most likely buying it for Spring Break, you’ve got a whole lot of spring and summer coming up (not soon enough) to get plenty of use out of it. And, depending on the cut and style, with the proper accessories (tights, a long-sleeve tee or a blazer) you can make a sundress last well through next winter.

So have some fun and embrace the variety of shapes, bold colors, funky patterns and styles of this season’s sundresses. Just don’t forget to pack your sunblock. Lobster red skin clashes with everything.

With Spring Break fast approaching (more on that here!), it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll be wearing with that margarita on the hot, sandy beaches. That also means it’s time to get your bikini bod ready and prep yourself for the agony of swimsuit shopping.

But while you might dread seeing your pasty skin or winter bulge under the fluorescent changing room lights, there are so many adorable swimsuits to distract you from the horrors you (think you) see staring back at you from the unforgiving mirror. (Seriously, is that a fun house mirror?!)

Swimwear is fun! It’s also one of the best times to experiment with trends. If you’re otherwise shy about stripes, polka dots or colorful, abstract patterns, swimsuits are the easiest way to embrace it all. It’s a chance to make a statement and stand out. To go a little wild. To highlight your best assets. Because the chances of being remembered on the crowded beaches of Cancun in a boring black bikini are slim to none.

So dust the snow off your shoulders and strip down all those layers. It’s time to think Spring (Break)! [Click on any swimsuit to shop it!]

But what to wear?

Not only is it day-to-night activities, but you don’t want to pull a George Banks and be a total party pooper (that’s why we invited you!) avoiding the red, white and blue all together, but, then again, you don’t want to be so obviously festive that you look like a walking Old Navy ad (or a pro wrestler). Thank God I’m here!

I can dress you from the beach to the fireworks so all you have to do is show up, grab that Corona and hot dog and enjoy.

For That Beachy BBQ/Poolside Celebration:

Bathing suit

Fourth of July or not, this badboy is adorbs.

Cover Up

For the Fireworks:

Swimsuit shopping has been dreaded by women for a very long time, but it doesn’t have to be.  Sure, seeing all that cellulite harshly highlighted by the flourecent lights of a dressing room is U-G-L-Y, but there are so many cute suits this season that you may not even notice those ripples.

This summer there is no one-size (or style) fits all for bathing suits.  There truly is a bathing suit for everyone regardless of shape, size, style or skin tone.  No longer are you bounded by the basic two options: the one-piece or the bikini.  Stores are carrying the monokini, the bikini, the tankini — and many variations on each of these different basic cuts. With all the options out there, you are sure to find one (or one for everyday!) that fits your budget and looks H-O-T.

And the Teen Choice nominees are out!

Is Rihanna gettin’ nakey for Playboy?

When should you apply to college?

The swimwear trends of summer.

I’ll be the first to admit that I own a ridiculous amount of swimwear for a girl who lives in a state where the temperature reaches 80° for a maximum of three months. We don’t have real beaches, just lakes and pools. I’m not even a swimmer. I just really like bikinis. For the past few summers, however, the monokini has been a fierce alternative to the triangle top and the brazilian cut bottom. But will I actually buy one? Do I even like monokinis? I’m torn.

Love it:
I was first introduced to the concept of a monokini while watching none other than The Simple Life, when a non-emaciated Nicole Richie rocked the look while auditioning to be a mermaid at an amusement park in Florida. (Well, actually Paris was a mermaid; Nic was a turtle, but same difference.) After swimming, she pulled a denim mini over her suit and went clubbing. Swimsuit and sexy club top? Can’t (or at least shouldn’t) be done with a basic bikini. But with a monokini you’re getting two looks in one!

Aside from that, however no one can deny that monokinis are fierce and moderately new summer look. The fact that many girls haven’t tried the trend means that if you rock one, you’ll probably be getting a lot of looks on the beach. Monokinis are fierce because of their peek-a-boo sexiness. When you wear one, you’re not showing your entire body off, but you’re definitely hinting at and highlighting it. That being said, monokinis may be a good alternative for girls wanting more coverage than a classic bikini would provide without wearing a once piece or tankini.

Loathe It:
Two words: Tan. Lines.

Just think about what would happen – tan sides and cleavage, but one weird stomach. If you spend a day in a mono and want to switch it up to a bikini the next, it’s bound to look awkward. Speaking of awkward, it seems like if you have a normal body, monokinis are hard to look good in. Round tummy? It’s just going to accentuate it. Big hips? They’ll be very apparent in the hip-baring styles. Monokinis seem like they’d be a great option for the super-toned or super model type, but I’m not so sure that they’d be flattering to girls with regular bodies.

Lastly, while monokinis come in all different varieties – some cut out drastically on the sides and front leaving just a strip of fabric connecting the bottoms and the top, some just cut out the sides, and others have modified triangle tops built into a deep V– the customization isn’t anything like a bikini. If you’re wearing a two piece, you can usually buy a small top and medium bottoms, or a large top and small bottoms. Your tops and bottoms don’t even have to match! What happens if you want to wear a monokini and you have big boobs? Or a long torso? Or a curvy butt? In these cases, monokinis seem like wardrobe malfunctions waiting to happen…

But maybe that’s just me.

Have any of you ladies tried a monokini? Do you find them flattering? Comfortable? Or is it a trend you hate? Let us know in the comments!

This is why I have decided to compile a list that will prevent beach goers everywhere from ruining their day in the sun by making the silly mistakes that can often snowball and cause a tripto the shore to be (gasp!) unenjoyable.

1. Check the Weather- This is the single most important move to make when planning a trip to the beach. The weather will make or break your entire experience. No one likes sitting in a bikini on a cold, cloudy beach and why experience this misfortune when Weather.com is just a click away?

2. Look Hot- Remember that a trip to the beach means massive exposure. Remember to shower and shave all the right spots before you go.

There is nothing more horrifying than laying your towel down on the sand and realizing you have a bird’s nest worth of hair protruding from your armpits. (Gross).

Tousle hair with some Garnier Surf Hair texture paste for natural beach hair before you hit the waves. Pick out some cute sandals, throw on some shades and you’re good to go!

3. Bring Toys - Swimming and sunning can only keep you occupied for so long. If you want to go all the way with your beach excursion, you at least need to bring a bucket and a shovel. Get a giant sand castle going. Dig a hole to China. If you’re part of a large group, grab a volleyball or a football to get a beach side game going. If related to someone who likes treasure hunting at the beach, nerd out and borrow their metal detector.

4. Don’t Forget the Warm Clothes - No one thinks of sweatshirts when they think of the beach, but when you emerge from the icy ocean and the wind starts to blow, there is nothing in the world you’d trade at that moment to warm up. If you don’t go swimming, you’ll be covered when the sun goes down and your bikini just isn’t enough coverage.

5. Bring Coins and Elect a Qualified Driver - There may be tolls, parking meters, or extreme cravings for cheap snacks on your journey to the beach. Coins always come in handy. As for your elected driver, this individual must be skilled in their sense of direction and have the ability to know when is the right time to make pit stops along the way. Taking on the role of driver requires skill and dedication. Be wise when making your choice.

6. Leave Early- Pull your friends out of bed and drag them to the car if you need to. If you start your day early, you can beat traffic and take advantage of all of the prime time hours of sun.

7. Locate the Bathrooms - Immediately upon arrival. I’m not kidding with this one. Don’t wait until your stranded on a remote section of the beach with your bladder about to explode. Sidenote: Contrary to popular belief, the ocean is not a gigantic toilet. This whole phenomenon weirds me out, big time. Who wants to go swimming in the same place they go to the bathroom?

8. Pick the Perfect Spot - You don’t want to be squinting to see your friends from the sand dunes a mile away from the shore. You also don’t want to be sitting in the line of fire of the waves. Last week I witnessed a man’s iPod and PDA simultaneously wash out to sea before he had a chance to retrieve them. Ouch.

9. Wear Sun Tan Lotion - Yeah yeah, lather on the sunblock. That weird guy

Baz Luhrmann even wrote a song centered on the concept. We’ve all heard it a thousand times, but it needs to be said. Many girls still hit the beach completely unprotected, exposing their hair, skin, and eyes to the powerful rays of the sun for hours on end. Just look for those sixty year old ladies with leathery skin on the beach. They’re probably forty. You may be bronze now, but snake skin (and skin cancer!) could belong to you sooner than you may think.

10. Bust Out the Camera - Who doesn’t love dreaming of summer instead of finishing their ten page paper for Media and Law? Capture some memories and remind yourself not to despair during the cold months. Those pictures of you and your friends frolicking on the shoreline will help you remember that summer will be back in no time.

Solid French Top $36, Solid Hipster Tie Bikini $34, both from J.Crew

I know I recently praised the return of the one-piece bathing suit, but today I stumbled upon the most adorable bikini — and I’m pretty sure I would have died if I hadn’t instantly bought it and splurged on the express shipping so that it will arrive at the currently sunny and delicious Dartmouth College asap.

Only the cool kids have summer school, believe you me, and I plan on spending a good chunk of this beer-infused summer camp sporting this little number. The question isn’t whether it’s appropriate to wear a bikini to class, but whether or not it will help me finally seduce that hot government professor I’ve been eyeing since last semester — that was a strictly theoretical example of course.

But more about this swimsuit. Tell me this isn’t the pinnacle of cute? I can see myself sunning on a nice polka-dot towel, pearl earrings, coral toenail polish with a Nalgene full of Malibu and pink lemonade by my side.

If you currently reside within a 25 mile radius of Hanover, you are strictly forbidden to buy said swimsuit under penalty of my wrath, slightly less, but still a terrifying wrath if you buy it in another color. For those who live in other areas, feel free to purchase with reckless abandon.

Summer dresses, espadrille sandals and awesome bikinis are all also right there for the taking. And not only are they uber cute with a sexy little edge, but everything’s very affordable — especially when the signature sales come along to tempt my spending urges, like right now…

Absoultely EVERY kind of item is 25-50% off! Swimwear is on clearance. Panties and bras are going fast. Stylish tees and shorts are being bought as we speak.

Grab your credit card before you miss out on …

This Polka Dot Bikini, $29.

Or this Terry Jumpsuit, $19.

Or these Strappy Platform Sandals, $39.99.