What’s In My Pool Bag: Summer Poolside Essentials You’ll Love

Whether you’re headed to a resort, a friend’s backyard, or just your local pool for some sunshine therapy, having a well-stocked pool bag is key to staying cute, comfortable, and protected. I always keep mine packed with my ride-or-die summer essentials—beauty, style, and tech included—so I’m ready to soak up the sun in style.

Here’s everything I pack in my pool bag:

☀️ 50+ SPF Sunscreen

Sun protection is non-negotiable. I love using a lightweight, broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast and layers well under makeup (if I’m feeling a little glam). Bonus points if it smells like vacation. A few of my favorite brands are Sunbum, Vacation, and Supergoop.

💦 Facial SPF

Your body SPF isn’t always ideal for your face. I pack a separate facial sunscreen that’s ultra-light, won’t clog pores, and leaves my skin glowing instead of greasy. Look for one with skincare benefits like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid. A few of my favorite brands are Supergoop, Summer Fridays, and Tower28. You also cant go wrong with a tinted sunscreen. I love Elta MD, Colorscience, Supergoop, Kosas, and Ilia's tinted sunscreen!

✨ Bronzing Body Oil

For that poolside glow, I swipe on a subtle bronzing oil—it gives my skin that just-back-from-the-beach shimmer and looks so good in the sun. Some even come with SPF, which is a total bonus. A few of my favorites are Sol de Janeiro, Kopari, and Saltair.

💋 Lip Balm

Hydrated lips are happy lips. I never leave home without my Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm—it’s glossy, smells amazing, and gives the perfect tint. Poolside selfies = covered. A few of my other favorites are Laneige, Topicals, Refy, and Ilia.

🧷 Claw Clips & Hair Ties

Between dips in the water and tanning breaks, I always keep cute claw clips and hair scrunchies in my bag. Bonus if they match my cover-up or swimsuit. A sleek bun or braided pony keeps things chic and low-maintenance. I love Emijay and Kitsch claw clips, and crown affair, kitsch, and slip scrunchies.

🧺 A Cute Pool Towel

Not all towels are created equal. I love a plush, oversized towel in a fun stripe or check print—it's basically a fashion accessory. Plus, it doubles as a backdrop for tanning or reading. I find so many cute ones at Marshalls, Tjmaxx, Target, Revolve, and Nordstrom Rack!

👗 Chic Cover-Up

Whether it's a breezy button-down, a crochet mini, or a matching set, a cute cover-up is essential for going from pool to patio without needing a full outfit change. I keep one rolled up in my bag at all times. a few of my favorites are from Target, Nordstrom Rack, Amazon, and Aerie.

🔋 Extra Charging Block

Nothing ruins a pool day like a dead phone—especially when you’re capturing all the vibes for IG or TikTok. I always pack a portable charger so I’m never without juice (or music!). The one I use is under $15 on Amazon!

😎 Fun Sunnies

Statement sunnies = instant cool-girl energy. I throw in a couple of fun, oversized pairs in different shapes or colors to mix it up depending on my mood and fit. A few of my favorites are my Miu Miu, Prada, Tory Burch, or even my target ones!

👒 A Go-To Hat

Protect your scalp and your style with a good hat! A bucket hat for Y2K vibes, a straw hat for something chic, or a baseball hat for a fun sporty look—either way, it’s a must for keeping cool and safe from the sun.

📖 A Good Summer Read

Pool days are made for light, dreamy reads. I always toss in a rom-com book, a juicy memoir, or whatever BookTok is obsessed with lately. A good book makes lounging so much better. a few of my favorite summer books are: Just for the Summer, The Summer I turned Pretty, One Golden Summer, Beach Read, Happy Place, Every Summer After, 28 Summers, and so many more!

Pro Tip: I use a waterproof, wipeable mini tote that’s cute and functional so I never worry about spills or soggy corners. Organize everything in little zip pouches to stay extra tidy.

If you’re heading poolside this summer, make sure your bag is stocked with the essentials that keep you protected, glowing, and feeling your best. ✨

Let me know what's in your pool bag or tag me in your summer setups—I love seeing everyone’s poolside vibes! 🌊💛