Summer Swimwear and Beach Gear

Now that it's finally summer, everyone's looking forward to hitting the sand and sea. Whether you're inclined toward fashion, surfing or lounging, picking your duds for the beach can be tough. But beyond how it suits your figure, swimwear made from eco-friendly materials or containing a sun protection factor may offer the best benefits, and there are more options than ever.

Better Fabrics
Swimsuits are often made from synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, but these petroleum-based fabrics offer skimpy advantages for the eco-conscious. Now, many companies offer stylish swimsuits made from eco-friendly textiles at affordable prices. Photographer, surfer and swimwear designer Aaron Chang creates swimsuits ($60-100) and rashguards ($39) out of polyester from recycled PET bottles (www.aaronchang.com). Industry-wide, this process diverts billions of bottles from landfills each year. Patagonia offers rashguards made from 84 percent recycled polyester ($50-55; www.patagonia.com) and, in an effort to close the recycling loop, has a take-back program to accept clothing made from recycled PET to reuse.

Kelly B offers women's swimsuits made from organic cotton ($115-135). For the fashion-concerned, her Valentina bikini was featured on The View in March (www.kellybcouture.com for retailers). FaeriesDance.com also sells suits made from recycled PET with spandex, as well as from organic cotton ($54-122; www.faeriesdance.com). For men, Rawganique's swim trunks made from organic hemp fibers are produced without the pesticides or petroleum products used for conventional materials ($64; www.rawganique.com).

Sun protection
Another thing to consider when heading to the beach is the sun protection factor of your clothing. Although the American Cancer Society recommends getting a small amount of sun on unprotected skin (15 minutes a day, three days a week) to stimulate production of vitamin D, usually, you'll need to be covered up and protected from the sun to prevent skin cancer and premature signs of aging.

Sun-protection clothing may carry a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) label, which is used only for fabric and rates both UVA and UVB rays but is not federally regulated. Sun Precautions offers a large line of sun-protective clothing, ranging from shirts and pants to hats and beach cover-ups (www.sunprecautions.com). Australian-made Shark Suit sun-protective swimwear comes with a 50+ SPF and suits active men, women and children who'll be spending a lot of time out under the sun's rays (www.sharksuit.com). Coolibar also offers swimwear, activewear and hats with a 50+ UPF (www.coolibar.com).

Because you may be less than inclined to sit poolside completely covered up, we've tracked down some sarongs and umbrellas that will keep you shaded and protected without making you lounge fully clothed. See Sun Precautions' sun-protective sarong ($64.95), available in periwinkle or black, and Coolibar's Versatile Sun Sarong ($39.95), which comes in a variety of patterns and can be worn a number of different ways to keep you protected.

Towels and Umbrellas
Although beach towels made from eco-friendly materials aren't as common as bath towels from organic cotton, bamboo and wood pulp, there are some options to wrap up in after a dip in the sea. Try Rogan for Target's 100 percent organic cotton leopard print beach towel ($24.99; www.target.com), the bamboo and organic cotton beach towel by Sea Glass Organic ($26; www.seaglassorganic.com), or the 100 percent organic cotton striped beach towel made with non-toxic dyes by Coyuchi ($42; www.arenaturals.com).

Sun umbrellas and tents are a practical way to enjoy the outdoors without getting too much sun. Visit www.coolibar.com for options ranging from $19.95 for a travel umbrella to $199.95 for a full umbrella ensemble to set up camp on the sand.

Also see our Sunscreen Buying Guide for tips on lathering up to keep safe while enjoying the outdoors and the summer sun-it's finally here!