Summer shore style: What’s on your list?

Sure, it’s damp and dreary today, but as my calendar inches toward May, I’m thinking about what I’ll be wearing down the shore this summer. I have three to-get things on my list:

1. Cotton dresses. I’m not always down the shore for activities that would require a bathing suit, so I’m always on the hunt for cotton dresses that make the summer heat a little less horrible. This summer, I’m specifically looking for more shirt waist dresses, which are cool and summer professional at the same time. Plus, they require a slip. That might make me sound old fashioned, but there’s less chance of sweating through a dress when there’s a layer in between. My favorite so far is this vintage number I picked up last summer.

2. Slip on shoes. I got caught up in the flip flop trend, but they’re horrible for your feet, so I’ve switched to more foot-friendly styles like Sanuk’s Sidewalk Surfers, which have a flip flop bottom, and Toms. I’m still looking for the perfect closed toe espradrille that doesn’t require an engineering degree to lace properly.

3. Sporty bathing suit. I run, but it’d be nice to add some open water swims to my exercise routine. I tried on about 7,000 Speedos last summer but didn’t find anything that fit quite right. Of course, waiting until the last week of August when the stores were already stocked with ski gear probably didn’t help my cause.

So what’s on your shore fashion shopping list? Tell us in the comments below.