10 Things You Need for a Perfect Hot Girl Summer: Bags, Beauty & Vacation Must-Haves
- Marielle McElrath
- Jul 11
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 30
We’ve finally arrived at my favorite season of the year, and I couldn’t be more excited to share my summer trends and beauty essentials with you. Every summer, I chase that effortless, chic vibe — the kind that pairs perfectly with catching flights, sunset chats, and memories that last a lifetime. This is the time to invest in yourself, feel confident, and embrace your most feminine side with a fresh skincare routine, on-trend outfits, and must-have vacation picks. I’ve carefully curated my top beauty essentials, trendy summer outfits, and travel staples to help you create the picture-perfect Hot Girl Summer. And for that fresh, natural glow, don’t miss my favorite clean girl summer makeup guide - & don't worry, you’ll find plenty of budget-friendly options, too!
A Polished Travel Bag
What to look for?
Size & Versatility: Invest in a cabin-sized suitcase like the Rimowa Cabin Luggage in Aluminium — it’s compact yet spacious enough to fit your essentials and keep everything organized for quick getaways.
Material & Durability: Look for premium, durable materials. An aluminium shell is lightweight but strong, perfect for frequent flights and summer adventures.
Style & Comfort: Choose a travel bag that makes a statement while staying practical. The sleek design of an aluminium cabin bag looks effortlessly chic and timeless, complementing any airport outfit.
Rimowa Essential Cabin Luggage
If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, there are plenty of other brands that offer stylish alternatives with the same polished design, often made from premium ABS and PC materials to keep your luggage safe and durable. The open front compartment is especially convenient for frequent travelers, making it easy to keep your essentials within reach at all times. Plus, it’s perfect for securing laptops and other delicate items safely and accessibly. I found a few Rimowa dupes that offers great value for money. Brands like Luggex, Samsonite & Level8 on Amazon.
Budget friendly options...
Rhode - Galzing Mist
Hailey has proven once again that her refined style can take the beauty industry to new heights. In one of Rhode’s latest campaigns, the Glazing Mist was introduced — and we all know the now-iconic, viral Rhode Glazing Milk that has become a staple in many polished skincare routines. The Glazing Mist is designed to be used as the final step in your routine: it can be spritzed on to set makeup or simply to refresh and hydrate your skin throughout the day. Two spritz and it lowkey feels like a breath of fresh air! Trust me, it will be your best friend this summer.
Lip Gloss - The Ultimate Summer Essential
I never leave the house — or anywhere, really — without my lip essential. It’s an all-day, everyday must have for me. I always reach for a soft, dewy-looking lip gloss that pairs perfectly with my favorite lip liners. I love a clean girl summer makeup look: think lightweight, light-to-medium coverage that add that final touch of effortless polish and a hint of spice.
What to look for?
Non-Sticky Formula: Choose a lightweight, comfortable gloss that feels smooth and hydrating — no one wants hair stuck to their lips in the summer breeze.
Added SPF, better: A lip gloss with built-in SPF is a must to protect your lips from sun damage while you’re out and about.
Glowy, Tinted Shine: Look for a gloss that adds a natural, juicy shine with a hint of tint to enhance your lips and complement your sun-kissed glow.
Refy - High Shine Lip Gloss
Other lip gloss summer favourites
July Smells Like Success!
This Replica fragrance Afternoon Delight strikes the perfect balance between crisp vanilla and a subtle, irresistible sweetness. Imagine wearing it as you watch the sunset with your favorite cocktail in hand, the sound of waves gently crashing along the coast. It’s the ideal scent for capturing those relaxed, sun-soaked summer moments.
Discover my top 5 favorite fresh fragrances that leave you smelling so clean they’re guaranteed to turn heads wherever you go.
Maison Margiela Replica - Afternoon Delight
Favourite Travel/Beach Bags
What makes a perfect beach bag?
Go for Multipurpose: Choose a spacious, practical tote bag like the Muimiu Tote — it works perfectly as an everyday carryall, a go-to travel bag, or your must-have beach companion.
Stick to Versatile Colors: Pick shades that match most of your outfits — natural tones or neutrals are ideal for a clean, timeless look that’s easy to pair with any summer style.
Go for Woven & Raffia: Woven and raffia textures are perfect for the beach — lightweight, stylish, and effortlessly summery.
Oversized beach bags are a must — after all, a girl needs her essentials for a beach day: hairbrush, body mist, cosmetic pouch, a good book… the list goes on. This season, brands have really stepped up, offering unique statement bags that are as practical as they are beautiful like this MiuMiu tote bag. Many of these picks can easily take you from a day by the pool to a sunset cocktail party. Below are some of my top picks for the perfect beach bag.
MiuMiu - Ivy Canvas Tote Bag
My seasonal whishlist
Stylish Sandals You Can Actually Walk In
Can I be honest for a second? It took me ages to find the perfect shoe that doesn’t have me whining halfway through the day and complaining about sore feet. Comfortable shoes for the summer are a must if you still want to look trendy and put together — especially when you’re wandering the narrow streets of Mykonos or tackling the rocky paths of Italy. The Hermès Chypre sandals have never let me down. They’re always within reach, and the color options are fantastic. Yes, you’ll spend a little extra, but they’re worth every single penny — timeless, comfortable, and right on point with fashion trends for summer.
Hermes Chypre Sandals
Loewe - Anagram White Tank Top In Cotton
This simple yet cute white tank is a true summer essential — tank tops like this pair effortlessly with just about any outfit. Look for a minimal design that’s casual yet chic, and always choose something lightweight and breathable. Quiet luxury lives right here: start with a soft, simple piece — think a classic Loewe tank top or even a statement Missoni top for summer — then elevate it with bold layered jewelry, a sleek bun, and your favorite loafers. Instantly, you’ll look polished and put-together with minimal effort.
Effortless Shine: Subtle Jewellery Staples
Today, jewelry is one of the most important parts of any look — when styled well, it can transform even the simplest outfit into something striking. A bold piece like the Bulgari Serpent Viper Ring is a timeless staple that instantly adds a sophisticated, charismatic, yet feminine touch. Chunky gold jewelry stacking and chic jewelry rings like the Cartier Juste Un Clou are trending now, proving that the right mix of chunky gold layers can boost a woman’s confidence and elevate her entire vibe.
Bulgari - Serpenti Viper Ring
More of my favourites
Phlur - Vanilla Skin Body Mist
What is the difference between Body Mist Vs. Perfume? A body mist is lighter, fresher, and perfect for an all-over spritz throughout the day, while a perfume is more concentrated, long-lasting, and designed to leave a stronger, signature scent. Typically, I keep my body mist in my bag or on my desk for easy access whenever I need a little boost or a quick refresh during the day. I bring it to the beach (thank me later). It’s great to apply after your skincare routine or post-shower to add a subtle layer of hydration and scent. Perfume, on the other hand, I apply at the last step of my beauty routine — a few spritzes on pulse points like wrists and neck to ensure the scent lasts longer and truly makes an impression.
Other body mist favourites
How I Keep A Healthy Skin All Summer
If you know me, you know I never skip SPF — especially during summer’s harsh UV days. It’s exciting to see how the beauty industry has become so innovative, introducing makeup-integrated skincare that makes protection effortless. Take the Supergoop Glowscreen, for example: it has a light, sheer tint that helps even out your skin tone while keeping your face protected all day lon for an ultimate glow. Korean skincare has also played a huge part in shaping my skincare rituals, inspiring me to stick to beauty essentials that really work like the Beauty of Joseon Rice & Probiotics SPF 50. And if you want to discover a few SPF heroes you didn’t even know you needed, make sure to check out my post on the best sunscreens — it’s your ultimate guide to staying glowing and safe under the sun.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40
Other SPFs that never disappoints
