If you like to plan ahead or are a virgo like me, then you’ve probably already started planning your summer. And let me tell you, as someone who’s obsessed with Pinterest and has made an excessive number of boards on the perfect summer aesthetic, I’ve already come up with necessities to have a summer not only of fun, but one filled with amazing memories.

So, before I begin to let you in on my summer ‘22 “musts”, I’m going to set the scene for the kind of vibe I’m going for. Recently, I’ve read the book, “Malibu Rising”, and for whoever’s read it before, you know that its aesthetic of surfing and 50s Malibu is immaculate. If you mix that with the similar summer vibe from “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and the trending “coconut girl aesthetic”, you get the absolute perfect summer. Here’s that perfect summer vibe I’m going for:

To reach the perfect summer of tans lines and sunshine, I’ve come up with five necessities.

Disposable Cameras 

First, of course, are disposable cameras! In order to start off our summer, disposable cameras are the perfect way to keep memories and take pictures with your friends to keep memories  for years to come. Not only are they absolutely cute and affordable, but you can also get underwater waterproof dispos to continue capturing your exciting summer without having to worry about getting your camera wet! Dispos are such a cute way to record your memories in a fun, retro-type way, and I would highly recommend them for your summer ‘22! 

Watermelon 

This next one may be simple, but hear me out. Watermelon is the perfect summer snack and a necessity for this 2022 summer. Imagine a summer filled with picnics by the beach or nights of watching drive-in movies with friends and a tray full of refreshing watermelon by your side. The sound of it just sparks the vibe of a sweet, relaxing summer. Its sugary pleasant taste marries perfectly with the feeling of summer vacation and the cool breezy wind by the coast. Along with tasting amazing and fitting the summer vibe, watermelon is also great for hydration. This  is key to staying healthy, especially when you are spending summer break in a sunny and hot atmosphere. Though it seems like just a fruit, as Harry Styles said himself, watermelon matches the feeling of summer vacation in a way that’s completely unmatched.

Lip Balm and Sunscreen 

For my third and fourth summer necessities, lip balm and sunscreen are absolutely essential! While enjoying yourself and having the summer of your life, it’s also important to remember self care. As far as lip balms, I’m a huge fan of the tinted glossier ones which I bring with me everywhere, not only to moisturize my lips but to feel glamorous while doing so! Similarly to that, I consider sunscreen lotions as essentials when spending time in the sun to protect my skin while having a good time.

Sun Glasses and Tote Bag 

Lastly (since I couldn’t decide between the two), I feel like both a cute pair of sunglasses and a tote bag are perfect for this summer’s vibe. If you know me, I pretty much carry around these two things regularly year-round and so, naturally, when thinking about this summer, I couldn’t help but include them in my necessities list. When thinking about trips to the beach, hikes through the mountains or other kinds of adventures I hope to go on this summer, tote bags are the perfect way to stay fashionable and keep track of all my summer essentials! 

Similarly to lip balm and sunscreen, sunglasses are the perfect accessory and essential for a hot summer day. Both are completely necessary for a vibey, fashionable summer, and are useful to have a summer filled with memories and fun!