16 Essentials I Never Forget to Pack For a Trip to Charleston

Double Bananagrams Word Game ($19, originally $25)

The beaches of Charleston are decidedly peaceful. Even Folly — which is renowned for its easygoing, day party atmosphere — is never crowded. Given that there are mild temperatures to enjoy for the better-half of the year, you'll want to bring some carefree games to pass the time. Trust me, you can spend hours upon hours playing Bananagrams with family and friends. It's a crossword-style game that's easy to learn for newbies.

Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 Sunscreen With Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide ($38)

I rarely employ a full face of makeup while I'm spending time in Charleston. Since you'll be constantly hit with the sun's rays, you'll want a protective face SPF that also provides a consistent glow throughout the day. So many of our editors love this product, myself included. "The formula has a light, barely-there tint and a pearlescent shine that looks like you bathed in highlighter (but like, in a really, really good way)," Senior Beauty Editor Jessica Harrington wrote in her own review of Supergoop!'s Glowscreen Sunscreen. "I smeared it on with my fingertips and found it absorbed within seconds. It feels hydrating immediately upon application thanks to hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5, but not greasy or wet like the sunscreen you grew up slathering on before pool days."

Gap Straw Bucket Hat ($45)

Bucket hats are my go-to silhouette when I want to marry fashion and function. While I like to add dimension to my outfits with patterns or a wicker weave, my best piece of advice is to invest in something neutral. This Gap sun hat strikes the perfect balance and will fit right in with your downtown outfits and beach getups alike.

JBL Clip 4 Portable Mini Bluetooth Speaker ($50, originally $80)

You'll definitely want a portable speaker for beach days in Charleston, whether you're headed to Sullivan's Island, Folly Beach, or Isle of Palms. These hot spots are no more than a 15 to 30 minute drive from downtown Charleston, depending on traffic. You'll find that there's more than enough room on the long stretches of sand to space out away from other beachgoers and turn up your music. JBL's top-rated speakers are bluetooth compatible, waterproof (in case high tide gets the best of you), and they're equipped with up to 10 hours of playtime.

Brümate Rotera 35oz ($53)

I like to hydrate ahead of a weekend in Charleston (there's lots of sun and plenty of cocktails to be had), so I fill up my tumbler with water after I've made it through security and sip away while I'm on the plane. I'll continue to use this insulated water bottle while I'm at the beach or rehydrating at the end of the day in my hotel room. This pastel color combination screams Charleston to me, and I love that the straw becomes accessible via an easy twist of the cap, which is a sanitary bonus.

Duvin Design Beach Day Button-Up Shirt ($69)

Printed short-sleeved button-downs are not only my favorite swim cover-up while I'm in Charleston, but versatile enough to wear with denim shorts for many of the casual lunch spots — especially on Folly Beach. This Duvin Design style is hands down my most worn (I'm honestly obsessed with it). And the golden-yellow colorway earns me compliments everywhere I go.

Vans Old Skool Sneaker ($90)

You'll need a comfortable pair of walking shoes on your trip to Charleston, especially for a day of taking in the sights downtown, from Rainbow Row to the Pineapple Fountain to the historic City Market. I lean toward the casual appeal of Vans when I'm in this beloved city. Sometimes, I even bring two different pairs (one in a bright color, and one in a neutral) for mixing and matching with my looks.

Ookioh Rockaway One-Piece ($125)

The Charleston temperatures do vary throughout the year, though you'll be able to hit the beach if you're visiting any time April through October. My advice? Bring a one-piece that can also work as a bodysuit. If you don't end up taking a dip, you'll be able to repurpose your suit and get an additional outfit out of it. Ookioh is my forever favorite brand, both because the designs are crafted from 100 percent regenerated materials and because they're accented with retro details like contrast piping, metal rings, and dungaree clips.

Aimee Kestenberg Milan Leather Belt Bag ($128)

While you could trek a favorite handbag around the streets of Charleston, I highly recommend bringing a pouch that allows for hands-free movement. Whether you need to hold a shopping bag after strolling through the shops on King Street or you're headed to the beach and lugging a towel, there are so many reasons to opt for a sporty waist bag over a designer purse while you're in this walkable city.

Crossrope Get Lean Jump Rope Set ($129)

If you're staying in an Airbnb in downtown Charleston and you don't have access to a gym, Crossrope is my favorite way to stay fit. It's easily packable with all accessories fitting right into the small drawstring bag. Download the accompanying app that's full of free workouts — plenty of which incorporate bodyweight strength moves — then step outside, turn on your favorite playlist, and start jumping.

Caraa Commuter Pack ($188, originally $288)

I usually stay in Charleston for four to five days, and there are times I can fit all my essentials into this oversize commuter pack. I swear, this is like the Mary Poppins bag of luggage, and there are so many zippered compartments you'll likely forget to fill them all. If you haven't filled the bag up to the brim, you can fold in the top, pull the drawstring to close, and stow it underneath the seat in front of you on the plane.

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 ($225)

There are so many incredible spots to run and take in the sights while in Charleston. My favorite? The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which arches over the Cooper River, connecting downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant. The bridge has a wide biking, running, and walking path on one side that spans 2.5 miles, so I usually aim for an out-and-back and completely lose myself in the breathtaking views on my jog. After completing my first run there, I never forgot to pack my most supportive running sneakers again.

Mother Down Low Undercover Cutoff Denim Shorts ($228)

I like to bring relaxed, loose-fitting denim cutoffs for a trip to Charleston — comfortable enough to wear with everything from slides to walking sneakers. I try to aim for a medium-wash pair so that the colorway is versatile and I don't have to pack extra styles. This is also the perfect year-round length given the average monthly temperatures.

Maui Jim Polarized Aviator Sunglasses ($319)

My Maui Jim aviators emit island vibes, so they're usually my go-to when I'm headed down South. I also love that they match seamlessly with my everyday jewelry (I'm a gold hardware gal), and the tortoise rubber arms are a comfortable fit behind the ear for all-day wear.

Aje Belonging Mini Dress ($425)

I'd recommend packing at least one nicer summer dress for dinners out. There are some very chic hot spots downtown — including Fig, Stella's, High Cotton, 82 Queen, Anson, and Husk — so you can add a pair of strappy kitten heel sandals to finish off the look. The fact that this Aje minidress comes with a matching lightweight shirt ($325) means you'll have the perfect layering piece for when the sun goes down and the evening chill kicks in.

Sony ZV-1F Vlog Camera ($498)

There's no doubt that Charleston is one of the most picturesque cities in the US, and you'll likely want to document some of your feel-good moments during your stay. I love the Sony ZV-1F camera because it allows you to seamlessly transition from picture to video mode, and it even comes with a small microphone attachment for high-quality sound. The camera is also relatively small, weighing nine ounces and measuring 4.15 x 2.36 x 1.83 inches, so it can be packed and even stowed away in the aforementioned belt bag with plenty of room to spare.

Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of commerce at PS. With plenty of experience in the shopping market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.