A guide to the perfect beach day, and what to pack for effortless beach style.

We’ve spent years travelling to coastlines all over the world, chasing something we couldn’t quite define at the beginning, or possibly our youth didn’t allow us to appreciate it fully!
 
For one of us, that meant living in airports, constantly in transit, catching glimpses of places in between flights.
For the other, it meant travelling for work, arriving somewhere beautiful, but rarely having the time to actually experience it.
 
Different lives, same quiet frustration:
being somewhere incredible… without ever really feeling it.
Because it wasn’t just sunshine.
It wasn’t just clear water.
And it definitely wasn’t about ticking off destinations.
It was a feeling.
 
The kind of beach day that stays with you long after your tan has faded.
Somewhere along the way, we realised that not all beach days are equal.
That could be location, the company you are in, but ultimately it comes down the feeling you are left with and the memories you store. 
 
Here we chat about what makes the perfect day in the sun for us. 

How we plan the perfect beach day

The best beach days don’t start when you reach the sand.
They start with anticipation, without a packed plan or a list of “next stops”
No rushing, no squeezing things in.
Just space.
Space to settle.
To order something cold, please.
To stay longer than you meant to with no commitment to be anywhere else. 
 
We’ve learned that when a place lets you stay, rest and recover, everything changes; it fits the brief that you weren't even aware you were looking to fulfil. 

What to pack (without overthinking it!)

Packing used to be chaos, too much of the wrong things, never quite right.
Now, it’s simple.
 
We think in terms of flow, what moves easily from swim to lunch to that golden hour moment when we feel fulfilled and don't want the day to end.
Swimwear that feels as good as it looks.
Something light to throw on.
Sandals you forget you’re wearing.
A bag that carries just enough.
And the small things that quietly make the day better:
good sunglasses, a book you actually want to read, skincare that survives the heat.
Packing has become part of the ritual.
(It’s also, if we’re honest, how NAIA began.)
 
We couldn’t find pieces that worked for the kind of beach days we were chasing, so we refined our own. NAIA came from that process. Not a big moment, just years of editing what really works.

The pieces we always come back to

There are a few things that make every bag, no debate!
A one-piece (or go-to bikini) -
Something that works from swim straight into lunch.
An easy throw-on -
Light, relaxed, and just pulled together enough.
A set that does both -
Together or separate, less packing, more options.
A bag that behaves -
Nothing oversized. Just right.
Pieces you don’t think about -
If you’re adjusting or second-guessing, then it’s already too much.

Why time feels different at the beach

There’s a moment, usually mid-afternoon, when you realise you haven’t checked the time. What a wonderful feeling! 
That’s when you know.
Music in the background. Conversations are drifting. Light softening without you noticing. The dance of light on water (isn't that just the best?) More significantly, you are not thinking about what’s next.

You’re exactly where you want to be.

What actually makes a great beach club

 It’s rarely the obvious things.
It’s how a place feels the moment you arrive.
The way it never feels crowded, even when it is.
The way service just happens, without interrupting.
The way the energy shifts gently into the evening.
Small things, that when done properly make or break the experience. 

The beach days you don’t forget

Even in well-known places, the best beach days feel personal.
They’re not overproduced.
They’re not trying too hard.
They just… are.
And somehow, those are the ones that stay with you. Alone, with friends and with family. Where time stands still and you allow yourself to just be in the moment. We all know this is such a luxury . 

A few things we’re always asked from our fabulous community.

Favourite Beach?

Never just one, always the ones that feel easy: clear water, calm energy, no pressure. I think this is such a personal question and the answer changes year from year. 
 

What are we reading?

Something you can dip in and out of between swims.
Lately: Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, Happy Place, The Housemaid.
 

Where was your last holiday?

Tess:
"Jamaica with my family. It was one of those trips where everything slowed down in the best possible way, long days on the beach, warm water, and just being able to properly switch off together. It’s rare to get that kind of uninterrupted time, and it reminded me how important those moments are."

Gayle:
"A trip to Morocco to celebrate my birthday. It had such a different energy, beautiful, vibrant, and full of contrast. From the colours to the food to the atmosphere, it felt like a real escape. It was the perfect way to mark the moment and do something a little more special."
 

Favourite NAIA piece?

Tess:
"I’ve always gravitated towards a one-piece. The Selene swimsuit is my go-to season after season, this season in the Dolce Vita print. It’s one of those pieces that just works; the straps can be dropped to avoid tan lines, and the subtle sculpting gives shape without ever feeling restrictive.
What I love most is how it connects back to everything else. The matching beachwear makes packing feel effortless rather than overthought. The Malaga dress is a personal favourite, it’s completely crease-free, so no holiday ironing for me, and I can just throw it on and move straight from beach to bar without needing to change or think twice."

Gayle: 
"I’ve always preferred a bikini, and for me it’s the Maia bikini from the Golden Hour Ocean range. It’s NAIA’s number one selling bikini season after season, and my absolute favourite, it’s simple, flattering, and something I never have to think twice about. The Pelosa maxi dress is this season’s number one packing essential for me, it’s the perfect holiday piece and works so easily from day into evening. I also live in my Martinique co-ord short and shirt, is something I rely on every trip, we’ve just launched it in a new aqua colour this season, which is beautiful. It’s unbelievably versatile and works for so many different moments without ever feeling overdone."

This season with NAIA.

This season, NAIA is teaming up with Simpson Travel. Known for their carefully curated villas, boutique hotels, and beautifully considered destinations, Simpson Travel shares a similar approach to travel—one that values ease, quality, and a sense of
place above everything else. Their focus has always been on creating holidays that feel effortless from start to finish, where every detail is thoughtfully taken care of.
It's a partnership rooted in the same idea: that the best travel experiences aren't about doing more, but about feeling more.
Watch this space.
You can explore more through Simpson Travel's world on the below link

www.simpsontravel.com