The cover-up used to be whatever you grabbed on the way out of the hotel room. Now it's the piece that decides how the whole beach outfit reads, and a good one turns a plain swimsuit into something you can wear to lunch. Crochet, sheer mesh, linen and big prints are everywhere this year. When I pack for a beach trip, I think about where the day goes after the sand: a boardwalk, a café with a dress code, drinks at sunset. The 20 outfits below are built around that, each one with the swimsuit, shoes and bag that make it work.
Matching the Cover-Up to Where the Day Goes
Before I pick a cover-up, I ask where you're going after the beach. The answer decides the length, the fabric and how sheer it can be.
- Staying on the sand or by the pool: anything goes, including mesh, crochet and lace. Pick what dries fast and shakes sand off easily.
- Beach bar or boardwalk: cover shoulders and seat at least. A shirt, tunic, sarong or romper is fine.
- Café, shop or hotel lobby: many places ask that swimwear be covered, and a sheer layer doesn't count. Go for an opaque kaftan, a co-ord or a shirt with shorts.
- Dinner straight from the beach: pick a cover-up that works as a dress or set on its own, like the knit midi, the printed maxi or the wide-leg set, and bring a dry suit or underwear to change into.
The wet swimsuit problem
A damp suit under a light cover-up leaves dark patches that show in every photo. Pale cotton and knits are the worst; linen, chambray and busy prints hide it best. If lunch is on the plan, I towel off and wait a few minutes in the sun before the cover-up goes on, or pack a dry bikini in a small pouch.
1. Oversized Linen Shirt Over Swimsuit
An oversized linen shirt over a black one-piece is the cover-up I pack first. The collar gives it shape, the open front lets the swimsuit show, and linen dries fast if you wear it straight over a damp suit. Go for crisp white or sandy beige that hits mid-thigh, and roll the sleeves once. Size up rather than borrowing a man's shirt if your shoulders are narrow, since a too-wide shoulder seam slides down the arm. Barely-there flat sandals, a wide-brim straw hat and an oversized woven tote for sunscreen and a book are all it needs.
2. White Crochet Cover Up Dress
A white crochet midi over a beige or soft tan bikini is one of the cleanest beach outfits there is, and it photographs well against pale sand. The open stitch lets air through and gives texture, while the midi length covers more than you'd think. A deep V, slight bell sleeves or a scalloped hem make it look more considered than a basic one. Crochet does have one weak spot: the loops catch on rattan chairs and bag clasps, so I keep jewelry smooth. Warm brown leather slides, tortoiseshell sunglasses and a couple of layered gold chains finish it.
3. Kaftan Beach Cover Up With Sandals
A flowing kaftan in a jewel tone or a bold tropical print over a solid swimsuit is one-step dressing at its best. Kaftans are cut as a wide rectangle, so they float off the body, catch the breeze and hide a damp suit underneath. Tassel ties at the neck, side slits and hand-blocked prints make one feel special. Pick a one-piece in a color pulled from the print so the kaftan stays in charge. Embellished flat sandals or thong flip-flops both suit it, with a straw clutch and gold hoops, and you can go from lunch to shopping to sunset drinks without changing.
4. Sheer Mesh Maxi Dress Over Bikini
A sheer mesh maxi over a sleek black bikini is the bolder end of beach dressing. The mesh shows the swimsuit on purpose, and the floor-length cut adds drama when you walk. Lime, electric blue and soft rose mesh look sharp over a neutral suit. Check for a high slit or open side seam, because a narrow mesh tube is hard to walk in on sand. Plain black sandals, a low bun and small hoops keep the focus on the shape. Be aware that most restaurants will read this as swimwear, so for dinner I'd add a shirt or skirt over it.
5. Button Down Shirt With Denim Shorts Beach Outfit
An open button-down over a swimsuit, with high-waisted denim shorts, is a classic because it works. I'd choose cotton poplin or rayon with a thin stripe or tiny print and leave most buttons undone so the suit becomes part of the outfit. Light-wash frayed shorts add some structure. One practical note: denim takes a long time to dry, so put the shorts on over a dry suit or after you've had a few minutes in the sun. White canvas sneakers or flat leather sandals, a canvas tote and a cap make it the outfit for a boardwalk walk after the beach.
6. Matching Linen Co Ord Set Beach Cover Up
A linen co-ord, button-front shirt and wide-leg trousers, over a triangle bikini is the set I tell everyone to pack for a beach trip. Slightly crinkled linen in terracotta, sage or ivory hides creases from the suitcase, which is half the battle. Wear the shirt open, button one or two at the waist, or knot it at the front for a cropped shape. The high-waisted trousers make the legs look long and take you well beyond the beach. Woven leather sandals, a linen tote and a fine anklet finish it. Split the pieces and you get four or five more outfits out of the trip.
7. Printed Sarong With One Piece Swimsuit
A printed sarong tied at the hip over a one-piece takes seconds and packs smaller than anything else here. Tie it with the knot on one hip and you get a diagonal drape that suits most shapes and moves as you walk. Painterly florals, watercolor prints and bold geometrics look more grown-up than the usual palm print. A black or deep navy one-piece underneath lets the print lead. Neutral thong sandals, round sunglasses and a few stacked bracelets are enough. A sarong also doubles as a scarf on the plane and a towel on a pinch.
8. Lace Kimono Over Bikini Beach Outfit
A lace kimono over a crisp white bikini is soft without being sugary. Lace is semi-sheer, so it adds texture without bulk, and long sleeves keep the sun off your arms. Stick to ivory, blush or sandy beige so the colors stay calm, in a knee or floor length depending on how dressed up the day is. I'd keep lace for the pool or a lunch rather than the waves; salt water and sand are hard on fine threads. Flat tan sandals, a shell anklet and a woven clutch fit a resort pool, a beach club or a barefoot walk at sunset.
9. Striped Cotton Tunic Cover Up
A striped cotton tunic over a white swimsuit is the nautical version, and it's hard to get wrong. Navy and white or soft blue and cream stripes in a light cotton that falls away from the body rather than clinging. A button front, side slits and a slightly dropped shoulder keep it relaxed. The white one-piece brightens the stripes, though pale swimsuits can go sheer when wet, so check yours in good light. Espadrille wedges add height, and a straw tote with a navy-ribboned sun hat finishes it for a morning walk and a seafood lunch on the pier.
10. Knit Cover Up Dress Over Swimsuit
A light knit cover-up dress in sand, cappuccino or soft clay over a matching one-piece feels surprisingly polished for the beach. Ribbed or pointelle knits have texture and still breathe, and a midi length with a side slit lets it move. A V-neck or low scoop back shows a little skin without overdoing it. Knits do hold water, so I wear this one dry, not straight out of the sea, and I never hang a wet one, because it stretches out of shape. Warm leather sandals, slim oval sunglasses and a fine gold chain make it easy to walk from the sand into town.
11. Bold Printed Maxi Dress Cover Up
A vivid printed maxi worn open over a solid bikini gets a lot of impact for very little effort. Bold tropical leaves, big florals and brushstroke prints in coral, emerald and cobalt are big this season, and they work as cover-ups because they give a plain suit personality. A deep V or halter neck keeps all that print from feeling heavy, and slits or a high-low hem show some leg. A black or white bikini underneath keeps it from turning chaotic. Jeweled flat sandals, statement earrings and a small crossbody make it dinner-ready. It packs flat and earns its space.
12. Crochet Two Piece Cover Up Set
A crochet two-piece, a crop top and matching long skirt, over a tonal bikini is the handmade look that's all over resort wear this year. Olive, warm sand and soft rust keep it earthy. The bikini top shows through the crop, and a deep side slit in the skirt gives it movement and lengthens the leg. Crochet stretches when it's wet and heavy, so if you swim in the bikini, let it dry before you put the skirt back on. Flat woven sandals, a jute tote and bronze hoops suit beach clubs and vacation lunches in real heat.
13. Sheer Printed Kimono Over Black Bikini
A sheer kimono in a watercolor or abstract print over a plain black bikini has a slightly edgy, artistic feel. The long open front moves freely, and thin printed fabric catches the light as you walk. Black underneath gives the print a sharp frame and stops it from swamping you. Flat black sandals, cat-eye sunglasses and a black tote keep the rest in one color so the kimono leads. I'd suggest this one if you like your beach clothes to look styled rather than practical, since it reads as an outfit, not just something thrown over a suit.
14. Off Shoulder Cover Up Dress
An off-the-shoulder cover-up dress in cotton voile or gauze has a soft, romantic feel. The bare shoulders and a ruffled or smocked neckline frame the face well in photos, and there's enough fabric to walk into a café. Lavender, peach and butter yellow look fresh, and white never stops working. A strapless bandeau in a matching tone keeps lines clean under the neckline. The smocking needs to be snug enough to stay up when you lift your arms, so test it in the fitting room. Flat espadrilles, a straw crossbody and drop earrings for golden hour.
15. Mesh Shirt Cover Up Over Bikini
An oversized mesh shirt over a bright bikini is one of the most modern cover-ups this season. The mesh barely covers anything, and the big fit borrows from streetwear. Neon green or electric pink under black or white mesh is the loud version; a cream shirt over a sandy suit is the quiet one. Bike shorts or high-cut bottoms keep the proportions balanced under that long shirt. Chunky sport sandals, a mini backpack and a high ponytail give it a playful feel that suits a music festival as much as a beach club.
16. Romper Cover Up Beach Outfit
A light romper over a one-piece is one garment that covers you like a full outfit. Breathable cotton or linen blends, a smocked waist, flutter sleeves or a cheerful print all suit the beach. The shorts mean you can bend, run and play volleyball or chase kids without thinking about what's showing. The one downside is the bathroom trip: a romper over a one-piece means taking off both, so I'd pick one with buttons or a zip down the front. Slides or white sneakers, a visor and a roomy tote. If it's cute enough on its own, it becomes a street outfit later.
17. Wide Leg Pants and Crop Top Cover Up Set
Printed wide-leg pants with a matching crop top over a bikini top make a long, flowing shape that moves well in a breeze. High-waisted trousers lengthen the legs, and the crop shows a sliver of midriff with the bikini peeking through. Florals, palms or abstracts in soft watercolor colors look polished without being plain. Wide legs and sand don't always get along, so I'd hem them to just clear the ground in flat shoes. Metallic sandals or cork wedges, a rattan bag, layered gold chains and some lip gloss take it from a beachside café to a resort dinner or a sunset boat trip.
18. Embroidered Cotton Kaftan Cover Up
A white embroidered cotton kaftan with thread work at the neck and sleeves brings real craft to the beach. Cotton breathes in the heat, and embroidery gives the piece texture and interest even in one color. The loose cut, wide sleeves and deep neckline fall easily over a solid bikini or one-piece. Wash it cold and inside out, because hot water can pucker the embroidery. Jeweled flat sandals, tassel earrings and a beaded clutch suit the handmade feel without tipping into costume. It's the one I'd pack for a Mediterranean getaway, a honeymoon or any trip that deserves something special.
19. Macramé Cover Up Over Bikini
A macramé cover-up over a tonal bikini in sand or soft terracotta shows the earthy side of this year's beach style. Knots and fringe make each one look handmade, and a mini or midi with open work covers some and shows some. Macramé is heavy for its size and slow to dry, so I'd wear it over a dry suit and pack it rolled, not folded, to keep the fringe from kinking. Cognac or tan leather sandals, a suede fringe crossbody and a few beaded bracelets fit the mood for a beach bonfire or a sunset gathering.
20. Chambray Shirt Over One Piece Swimsuit
A washed chambray shirt over a white or bright one-piece is a no-fuss cover-up that never lets me down. Soft blue chambray feels casual, and the collar keeps it looking put together. Roll the sleeves to just below the elbow, leave it unbuttoned, and front-tuck it lightly into high-cut bikini bottoms or belted shorts for a coastal prep look. Chambray is lighter than real denim, so it dries much faster over a damp suit. White canvas sneakers or leather flip-flops, a canvas tote and retro round sunglasses finish an outfit that looks easy without being careless.
What Salt Water and Sun Do to Linen, Crochet and Mesh
Beach clothes take more abuse in a week than city clothes do in a season. Salt, sunscreen and strong sun all leave marks, and a little care on the trip keeps them wearable next year.
- Rinse anything that touched the sea in fresh water the same day. Salt left to dry stiffens linen and fades color.
- Sunscreen leaves yellow or orange marks on white cotton and linen. Put it on and let it dry before your cover-up goes over it, and wash marks out quickly.
- Dry crochet, macramé and knits flat in the shade. Hanging them wet stretches them, and hard sun yellows white yarn.
- Mesh and sheer synthetics pick up snags from sand and rough chairs. Turn them inside out to wash and keep them away from velcro.
For packing, roll the light pieces like sarongs, mesh and chambray, and fold linen loosely on top. A cover-up that creases badly in the suitcase is usually one you'll leave in the hotel room, so I steam or hang linen in the bathroom while I shower on the first night.
Two Cover-Ups Will Carry Most Beach Trips
This year's cover-ups have earned more attention than they used to get. They're no longer an afterthought; they shape how the whole beach outfit reads, from a plain linen shirt to a lace kimono or a printed kaftan. What every outfit here has in common is a plan for the rest of the day, so the swimsuit, the layer and the shoes work together from the sand to the street. Pack two or three of them for your next trip, mix the pieces, and you'll get far more out of a small suitcase than you'd expect.
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