Whether you’re prepping for a beach vacay or just looking forward to relaxing in the sunshine in your own backyard this summer, keep these five affordable summer must-have items in mind while you’re shopping for a bathing suit or picking up a new bottle of sunscreen. These five essentials will help you make it through the hottest months of the year looking and feeling your best to maximize your summer fun before autumn inevitably arrives.

It’s common knowledge that sunscreen is a non-negotiable summer essential. If you want to avoid a painful sunburn and long-term skin damage, don’t skip the sunscreen—and make sure it’s at least SPF 30.

As a general rule, standard sunscreen lotion is more efficient than sunscreen spray as a foundation for your sun protection. However, sunscreen needs to be reapplied every couple of hours and you won’t want to put on lotion once your skin is wet or sandy. Bring a sunscreen spray with at least SPF 30 with you in your beach bag every time you head out into the summer sun. Every two hours—or every time you get out of the water—give yourself a thorough mist with your sunscreen spray to stay protected until the day is over.

  • High-Waisted Bikini Bottoms

High-waisted bikinis have topped the trend charts for several seasons and don’t seem to be fading from the spotlight anytime soon. These sexy bikinis are ultra-trendy, versatile, and universally flattering for any figure.

Whether you’re feeling bloated from a summer barbecue or just generally insecure, a high-waisted bikini offers coverage for your midsection that helps you feel more comfortable and confident flaunting your figure at the pool or beach. High-waisted bottoms are also very versatile. You can mix and match them with virtually any bikini top to create a stylish, flattering look that automatically boosts your confidence.

  • Tapestry

Instead of bringing a towel to spread out in the sand at the beach this summer, take a tapestry instead.

Not only are colorful, patterned tapestries more stylish and create a much more Insta-worthy backdrop for your beach bikini pics than a plain beach towel, they are also less bulky, more lightweight, and easier to carry around. Plus, tapestries don’t cling to sand like a normal towel does, so you won’t end up with a mess of sand tracked everywhere in your car and house at the end of the day.

  • Maxi Dress

No matter how vigilant you are about your sunscreen application, you’re bound to end up with a sunburn at some point—even if it’s very mild. Nothing feels worse than trying to drag on a tight pair of jeans and a scratchy top over sensitive, sunburnt skin after a day at the beach or pool. That’s when a maxi dress comes in handy.

A maxi dress is the perfect option after a day spent in the sun. It’s easy to slip on over sensitive skin without irritation, and it is breathable to keep you cool and comfortable under the hot summer sun. Plus, maxi dresses are ultra-versatile. You can dress them up or dress them down depending on the occasion, so you’ll always have something cute and comfortable to wear throughout the season.

  • Polaroid Camera

Okay, so this “must-have” might be more of an indulgent splurge than an essential. If you’re going to splurge on something this summer, though, a Polaroid camera is a great option.

Whether you have big plans or not, summer is the perfect time to make fun, lasting memories with your friends and family. Having a Polaroid camera by your side at beach bonfires, camping trips, etc. can help you capture all that summer fun on film and leave you with keepsakes that last much longer than the season. Plus, if you tend to get the end-of-summer blues when September rolls around, having a set of Polaroid pictures that help you remember your favorite summer memories can help you get past your melancholy more easily.