Ladies, I’ll be honest with you — there are very few things in this world I love more than a walk on the beach. It’s my favorite thing to do, full stop, and this past weekend on St. Simons Island I got to do it every single morning. The weather was glorious — low 70s and sunshine, the kind of fall weekend you’d order up if you could — so today’s Life Beyond Style is a little travel diary, a little confession about a brand I don’t wear nearly enough, and a few fall beach getaway outfits over 50 I’d happily pack again.
Key Takeaways
- Late fall at the beach is a sweet spot — warm enough for linen and a swimsuit, cool enough to want a sweater on a morning walk.
- Tommy Bahama is a well-made brand you’ll find at department stores, and it deserves more than a vacation-only spot in your closet.
- We all have our go-to brands, but every so often it pays to expand your horizons — Vitamin A is another good one for swim and beach or pool days.
What Should You Pack for a Fall Beach Getaway Over 50?
Keep it easy and keep it mixable. Pack linen pants and a relaxed shirt for warm afternoons, a light sweater for cooler mornings and evenings, dressier jeans for dinner, and a swimsuit with a shirt and shorts you can throw over it. Fall on the coast can feel like summer by lunchtime and ask for a layer by dinner, so pack pieces that play nicely together and you’ll never be caught out.
A Weekend on St. Simons Island
I stayed at The King and Prince, and I’ll tell you the truth — she’s a grand old girl who could use a bit of a refresh. But she sits right on the beach, and when I can step out the door and walk straight onto the sand, I’m willing to overlook a lot. That’s how I started every morning, and on a weekend like this, I wasn’t about to miss a single one.
Now, on Tybee, I know exactly what to expect. For one walk, I head down South Beach to the water tower; for the other, I head up to North Beach and the bird sanctuary. Either way it’s a mile and then some, and I know every step of both, which is half the charm. St. Simons was a new stretch of sand to me, but it didn’t disappoint. And I’ll never tire of the marshes that border the beaches here in the South — they’re one of the things I love most about this part of the world.
Why the Beach Always Brings Tommy Bahama to Mind
Every time I’m near the ocean, Tommy Bahama pops into my head. I can’t help it—for me, the brand and the beach go together. The last time I talked about it here, I was in Sarasota, and somewhere between then and now it slipped right out of my rotation. Which is silly, really, because I’ve always liked it. The quality is good, it’s easy to wear, and you can find it at department stores, so you can try it on before you buy—always a plus in my book.
Shop the Look
Here’s the thing, Gang: I have my favorites, and you know them — I’ve been a Ralph Lauren girl for as long as I can remember. Talbots, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Quince, and Lands’ End are go-to brands for you and me. There’s comfort in knowing what works. But every so often I need to expand my horizons, and a weekend at the beach is a good reminder that other well-made labels deserve a spot in my closet. Tommy Bahama is one of them. And frankly, a good pair of linen pants doesn’t need an ocean view to earn its keep—it’s just as useful on any summer day or warm-weather vacation. (If you love that easy, linen-and-neutrals feeling, my roundup of coastal grandmother style brands has a few more names worth knowing.)
The Tommy Bahama Pieces I’d Pack
For cool mornings
For warm afternoons
For dinner
For the Beach and Pool: Vitamin A
And while I’m on the subject of branching out — Vitamin A. If you’re looking for swimwear, or the easy pieces you pull on over it for the beach or pool, it’s a good brand to know. (It’s in good company, too — you’ll find more of what SaaCA readers are buying for the beach right here.)
How I’d wear it all:
- Morning walk: V-Neck Sweater + Linen Pants, rolled at the ankle
- Afternoon: Relaxed Shirt + Easy Linen Pants + flat sandals
- Beach or pool: Bandeau Swimsuit + Playa Vida Shirt worn open + Getaway Short
- Dinner: Cord Classic Shirt + Jacquard Flare Jeans + a string of pearls — one loud piece is enough
WAYFAIR DAYS
Ladies, today is the last day of Wayfair Days, with up to 80% off and free shipping, so if something’s been sitting in your cart, now’s the time. My guest room proves I practice what I preach, because Wayfair is behind several of my favorite pieces. There’s the Faux Olive Tree that softens the window, the pair of Nightstands flanking the bed, and the lamps on either side (here and here). My latest addition is a little Marble Accent Table, so guests have a proper spot to set down their drinks instead of balancing them on the windowsill. And I’ll let you in on a secret: my guests give that room a five-star rating, and I owe it to my Helix mattress, which happens to be on sale right now, too. Good sleep and good savings? I’ll take both.
Closing Thoughts
I came home from St. Simons with a full heart and a reminder of how happy I am when I’m walking along the water first thing in the morning. I also came home with a little note to myself: step outside my usual brands more often. Tommy Bahama has been a good one all along — I just tend to save it for the beach, and I’m going to work on that.
Style has no expiration date — and neither do you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should women over 50 pack for a fall beach getaway?
Linen pants and a relaxed shirt for warm afternoons, a light sweater for cool mornings and evenings, a dressier pair of jeans for dinner, and a swimsuit with a shirt and shorts to throw over it. Pick pieces that mix so you can pack less.
Is late October a good time to visit St. Simons Island?
It was for me — my weekend was a glorious low 70s, perfect for morning walks on the beach. Fall weather on the Georgia coast can vary, so check the forecast and pack a layer.
Is Tommy Bahama good quality?
In my experience, yes. I’ve always liked the quality, and because the brand is carried at department stores, it’s easy to try things on before you buy.
Can you wear Tommy Bahama when you’re not on vacation?
Absolutely. Linen pants, a relaxed shirt, or a soft sweater work just as well at home on a warm fall day as they do at the beach.
What is a good swimwear brand for beach and pool days?
Vitamin A is a good one — for the swimsuit and for the shirts and shorts you pull on over it.
Shop the Post
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Tommy Bahama
Vitamin A
Before You Go
Tell me in the comments — is there a brand you love but only seem to wear on vacation? And where’s your favorite beach to walk?
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