In Hampton Roads, the July 4th holiday marks the official opening of beach season in the area. Thousands of tourists and locals alike make their way to the oceanfront to get a piece of the sand and surf life right here in Virginia Beach. Whether you plan to be parked in the sand under a beach umbrella with a good book, splashing and swimming in the ocean waves with the family, or strolling the shops and restaurants along the three-mile boardwalk, you can still be fashionable and function for your oceanfront activities.

Here are seven of my favorite fashion trends for 2016’s beach season.

The color orange. Spotted all over the runway at the Spring 2016 edition of New York Fashion Week, orange is a trending color for this summer. BOSS, Erin Fetherston, and Marissa Webb were just a few designers who used orange as the spotlight color in their collections. Because of its many different hues, everyone can find the right orange for their skin tone. It’s also a color that works for the entire family. Look for swimsuits, swimming trunks, shoes, and other beach fashion pieces in either solid orange, or look for pops of orange in patterns.

Light or white denim. With so many stretchy, comfy options for denim available, don’t count out a good pair of jeans for the beach. You can wear them if you have no plans to get in the water, roll up the cuffs if you want to just get your feet wet, or pack a pair to throw on over your bathing suit when you want to take a boardwalk stroll. Keeping a denim jacket is also great for late nights on the beach when it tends to get a bit chilly. Light wash and white denim just say summertime.

Crochet knit pieces. Crochet pieces just lend themselves to catching all the breezes while you’re at the beach. So many items are available in crochet, from shorts, skirts, and dresses, to swimsuits and cover ups. What I really like about crochet cover-ups, is that you can still get a peek at your swimsuit underneath.

Rompers. Rompers have come a long way, and with such a variety of styles, patterns, and fabrics, they can provide endless options for your beach wardrobe. Especially when traveling, these are easy to pack and don’t take up much space at all. Pair with sandals, flats, or your favorite sneaker for a casual look, or don a pair of high heels to dress it up for a late night beach outing. Jordan of petiteMODERN Blog, pictured below, wears this black romper well. Of course, the only caveat to wearing a one piece is the lack of easy access when you need to use the little girls’ room.

Fun fringe. Fringe was seen trending a lot last year, and it’s sticking around as a trend in 2016. Whether used to trim skirts and dresses, or on handbags and shoes, adding pieces that feature some soft fringe detail is a great way to stay on trend. Have some features you’d like to disguise? Look for swimsuits that have fringe that de-emphasize those areas. Thinner fringes give a softer, dainty feel, while thicker fringe have a more western feel.

Boho chic. Designers like Altuzarra, BCBG, Coach, and Alice and Olivia were inspired by the beach bums and laid back hippies. Which is what going to the beach is all about – relaxing and enjoying the surroundings to the fullest. Look for swimsuits, cover ups, and other pieces that are tie-dye. Long, flowy pants and dresses made with linen are also great for the beach and other beach related activities. Loose tops in light weight fabrics and bright colors, like this one worn below by Megan of Sweet Sauce Blog are great for the beach. Large, floppy brim hats with colorful trim or details are also on trend and are very functional for a day in the sun.

Showing some shoulder. This is one of my favorite trends that I believe never gets old. Whether you’re looking to rock a piece that exposes one shoulder, or both shoulders, there are so many options between swimsuits, tops, and dresses in order to incorporate this trend into your beach wardrobe. If you would prefer to not have your entire shoulder exposed, consider items that still cover between your neck and the tip of your shoulder, and expose the rest. This is perfect if you’d be more comfortable wearing your favorite bra.

These beach fashion trends are so easy to incorporate into your summer wardrobe. The great thing about trends, is that you can leave the ones you don’t like, and keep the ones you love If you’ll be visiting the Virginia Beach Oceanfront and surrounding areas, be sure to pack a few of these trendy items in your bag.

Which of these summer beach fashion trends do you plan to rock this summer?

*Special thanks to Jonna Scott-Blakes from her blog Naturally Glam for creating this article for Virginia Beach fashion!*