I did not expect a beach club to have such a tender origin story, but Nikki Beach does. Jack and Lucia Penrod opened Penrod's Beach Club on Ocean Drive in 1989, and after Jack's daughter Nicole died at 18, they turned its pool into Café Nikki, a garden and memorial. The family chose to honor her by celebrating life, and in 1998 they took that gathering onto the sand and opened the first Nikki Beach.

Lucia moved from Nicaragua to Miami and worked her way from managing the Jockey Club to PR director for Penrod's, and today she is co-founder, owner and CEO. The company's own story folds beach clubs, resorts, boutiques, fashion and music into that one idea of celebrating life. That is the context I want for the hats: they belong to a brand built around daylight, travel and the social rituals of a beach afternoon.

The hat is the most literal thing Nikki Beach makes, built around sun and the long stretch between beach and lunch. The Shelley Bucket Hat, Pearle Bucket Hat and Aubree Bucket Hat keep the outline relaxed, and the Coastal Cowgirl Hat and Charlotte Cowgirl Hat bring a wider, more Western shape. For a cleaner resort look, the Jordyn Fedora Hat is the one I would pair with a shirt dress, while the Angel Hat and Exuma Hat in White keep to lighter colors. I went deeper on a related idea in Denim Dress Guide: Midis, Minis and Shirt Styles Worth Wearing Now. I went deeper on a related idea in Herve Leger Dresses: Bandage Styles Worth a Look.

Picture her carrying the Saylor Hat in White down to the water, then wearing it through a long lunch. My own beach daydream ends with the Tulum Hat at golden hour and no change of outfit required. What I would skip: choosing by looks alone. A close bucket shape and a broad cowgirl brim feel very different in the wind.

I would use the rest of this group to build out a whole beach day instead of adding another row of the same idea. The Pale Blush Silkie Bikini, Sahara Bikini 2.0 in Paisley Blue, Animale Bikini and Mykonos Bikini in Dusk Blue give swim a few directions. The Nikki Beach Pajama Cropped Top and Nikki Beach Pajama Short make a matching sleep set, and the Nikki Beach Celebration of Life Tee and Women's Short Tank Top are easy things to throw on before heading out.

For carrying the small stuff, the Portofino Bag in Raspberry, Kayla Bag in Pale Pink, Malaga Bag, Valencia Bag, Mallorca Bag in Reds and Karolina Tote Bag cover a range of sizes and moods. The La Plague Clutch, Hola Clutch and Siesta Fiesta Clutch feel better suited to a compact evening. The hats come in dozens of shapes, so I would choose by outfit instead of collecting them all.

Before packing, lay the swimwear, a cover-up top and the bag you plan to carry together and see what still makes sense. For a quick errand away from the water, I would skip the clutch and bring one bag.

Nikki Beach is a hospitality company first, and I think that is why these accessories make sense as part of a wardrobe. They are meant for the hours that run from the beach into a meal and the walk back through town. I would start with one shape that already fits the trip, then wear it again on the bright ordinary days that need a little shade. The best part is the feeling of staying outside awhile. Although I admit I would also stay for the bag.