Ahh, summer. With warmer temperatures come evening barbecues (or the smell of your neighbour's), bike rides along the seawall, Saturday strolls after brunch and, naturally, trips to the beach. In fact, sand and surf rate high on any list of good things about Vancouver living, so arm yourself for an epic summer at the beach with this list of essentials. IN THE SWIM We may as well start with the item you either loathe (ugh, pasty skin, muffin top, need we go on?) or love (tanned bod, all those hot yoga classes) shopping for. Trends in swimwear have all but disappeared, so choose something - anything - that suits you, flatters you and, most importantly, that you like. A fringed number in lime green by L*Space (recently seen on Rihanna)? How fab. A vintage-inspired bandeau top in a more subdued maroon by Vitamin A? Yes, please. Homegrown label Aritzia (and, more specifically, its sporty lifestyle label, TNAction) has also launched its very own swim collection, while Anna Kosturova's crochet bikinis, which have won countless mentions in Sports Illustrated, are coveted yachtwear.