11th of November, 2021
The sand, the sea and the sun: when you smell the salt breeze in the air, you know it’s time for summer — and that’s right, it’s time to hit the beach. Whether you’ve got plans to lounge in the sun, catch up for a coffee or meet up for a date, the beach is a sure-fire ticket to a good, relaxing time.
But what should you wear other than swimwear?
Dressing for a day in the sand welcomes a few different rules to your regular warm-weather outings — things are more relaxed, but you also have to be a bit more practical, too. To wit: when you’re by the shore, you’re out in the elements, and you never know if there’ll be any respite from the sun, or when a gust of wind might come by. But have no fear — chic cover-ups to effortless ensembles will have you styling your swimsuit in new, creative ways. Our style guide of beach outfits is here. Read on for our tips on what to wear:
01. Beach Outfits
The quintessential beach outfit is pretty straightforward: a bathing suit (and a healthy lathering of sunscreen).
We’re partial to a charming one-piece in black for an ever-fashionable option — and a cover-up, just in case. Lightweight button-up shirts in cotton or linen tend to be fan favourites, but why not jazz up your beach outfits up a little and have some sartorial fun in the sun with a bit of print? A digitally printed shirt in light-as-a-feather silk is the perfect post-swim cover-up to turn heads by the beach. It’s even classy enough for any surprise outings afterwards — you never know where the day will take you. Button it up for a bit of boyish charm, or leave it open for optimal comfort. Or, give your outfit a stylish twist—literally—and tie it at the waist. Don’t forget to bring your hat, sandals and sunscreen, and you’ll be ready for whatever the beach may bring.
02. Beach Date Outfit
Dates are tricky enough to dress for without a beach location as a curveball.
But that just means you can use the location to work to your advantage: here, looking cute but keeping the mood easy going is the aim—you’re at the beach, after all. Our advice? Maximise versatility by layering things up and keeping the overall mood simple yet sleek. This halter one piece swimsuit is low-key yet sexy, and after you’ve spent some time in the water, you can easily dress it up with tailored shorts and a linen shirt. Wear the shirt open to show off the deep-V of the swimsuit, but keep things mellow on the footwear front with sandals. And don’t forget your bag: for a piece that takes you from day to night, opt for a beach tote in black, like this raffia crochet version. This way, if the date goes well—or not—you’ll be able to head straight to dinner or a bar, too.
03. Beach Party Outfit
If there’s one thing, we love summer for, it’s the beachside parties.
As glamorous as they are relaxed, anytime someone drops an invite to a seaside soirée, it’s an instant yes from us. But then comes the next conundrum — what do you wear to a beachside party, especially if you’re planning to head there straight from the waves?
The answer: a playsuit. An all-in-one ticket to a fiesta-worthy look, playsuits are easy to throw on, and equally easy to look good in. Even better, they’re great for layering over your swimsuit. We love a playsuit rich in personality and pattern, like this one in leopard print, that we can slip on for instant style points. Our tip: wear the playsuit open to show off your swimsuit underneath, for added intrigue to your outfit. Don’t be afraid to add the relaxed glamour of vacation-inspired accessories – oversized raffia earrings for example.
04. Casual Beach Outfits
Casual beach dressing is a lesson in minimalism — when the mercury’s that high, less truly is more. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make a style statement, even if your aim is to keep things low key: all you have to do is keep a few simple rules in mind.
Firstly, when it comes to summer, now is not the time to get fancy with the fabrics — we recommend keeping things light and breezy in the textile department. Classic summer fabrications of lightweight linen or cotton in neutral colours will keep you cool yet covered, in the heat. But for an appealingly comfortable way to boost your style credentials, turn the drama up a notch with the silhouettes. Enter: the kaftan.
Think of the ever-alluring kaftan as your summer saviour, the piece you’ll be wearing all summer. Though most people think of them as cover-ups to wear fresh out of the pool or the waves, they’re also great layering pieces that will add panache to even your most understated summer outfit. For extra versatility, opt for a version that can be worn open or closed, like this loose version that comes in a lightweight linen blend, complete with a waist tie. With a shorter length and larger sleeves than usual, its casual air makes it suitable for day outings and evening events alike. Throw it on over the quintessential summer combination of a tank and linen shorts to add instant flair to your outfit, and you’re all set to lounge in style.
05. Beach Cocktail Attire
A cocktail party by the beach isn’t your regular cocktail party: thanks to the coastal location.
The ambience becomes more informal, the rules are loosened and with that, there’s a little bit more room to give a playful twist to cocktail party attire. To which we say, why not incorporate your swimsuit as part of your outfit?
Take this bandeau one-piece in cinnamon red for example—with its sun kissed hue, it’s definitely worthy of socialising by the shore. Wear it to give a whimsical twist to a pair of classic summer white pants, and because you’re still by the beach, we suggest keeping the heels at home or at the very least, swapping the stilettos for shoes that’ll keep you steady across sand e.g. the woven wedge espadrille. Take advantage of the swimsuit’s wide, open neckline to finish things off with some jewellery that will elevate the whole look, and all you’ll need is a margarita in your hand.
06. Winter Beach Outfit
The temperatures may be lower in winter, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay away from the beach. In fact, that’s part of the charm: with fewer people around and perhaps a more pleasant experience in the sun, you can enjoy the view of the waves more.
Of course, when it comes to what to wear, dressing for the beach in winter isn’t all that different to what you’d don in the summer. Relaxed shapes are still the name of the game, and your favourite warm-weather fabrics like cotton and linen are still equally as appropriate in winter. In fact, pants like these linen culottes could work for the beach no matter the season—in summer, we’d slip them on over a bathing suit, while in winter, we’d wear them with a laidback crochet tee. High-waisted and flowy, this flattering style could even work with a jumper should the temperatures get even colder. And, just like summer, it’s worth keeping things simple: bring your essentials in a clutch, and open-toed shoes to let the sand slip through. Just don’t forget to bring a good beach blanket, and you’ll be able to happily enjoy the beach all year round.
07. Beach Outfit Ideas for Plus Size
When the mercury gets high and the sun goes overhead, there’s one piece we reach for that’s almost universally complementary for any body type: a summer dress.
A one-piece wonder, summer dresses are a go-to for any hot-weather occasion, whether that’s a day at the beach or a trip to the shops. Even better, they can be dressed up or dressed down to match the event.
Look for a piece made from airy, breathable fabrics—it’ll make the difference between a dress you love, and a dress you like. We’re fans of a cotton lattice dress that mixes fashion and comfort. Complete with feminine details, it’s an easy-to-wear beach outfit that brings a touch of style to the sand while keeping you cool at the same time. Wear it with your favourite (and necessary) beach accessories, like a sunhat, a beach tote and comfy slides, and summer day’s out, here you come.
08. Beach Vacation Outfits
Unlike what you’d wear to the beach on an everyday basis, if you’re going to wear an outfit to the beach while on vacation, it needs to be worthy of inclusion in your luggage — space isn’t infinite!
So even while you grab those plane tickets and check those hotel reservations, it’s worth thinking about how you’ll get the most bang for your buck with your luggage.
Our suggestion: a light, airy kaftan in sheer cotton that won’t add weight to your suitcase, but still scores high in the glamour stakes, too. With a gathered waist, deep lattice neckline and elegant drape, this billowy garment works just as well for throwing on after a sunset swim as it does for cocktails afterwards. In our eyes, that ticks all the boxes off for what we’re looking for in an ideal beach holiday outfit. Just don’t forget to pack your favourite swimsuit!
09. Wearing Swimsuit as Clothes
Unless you’re at the beach every day, it can sometimes feel like a waste to leave your most stylish bathing suits in the closet, hidden away from the light of day unless you have the opportunity to hit up your favourite coastal spot.
But if this is you, or if you’ve ever despaired that your collection of bikinis and one-pieces were only seen by the sun-thirsty crowd at the beach, think again: whether you wear your favourite maillot as a bodysuit, or bikini top like a crop top or bralette – swimsuits are equally chic for the street as they are for the seaside.
In fact, we’d almost say you should incorporate your favourite pieces into your regular wardrobe more often: bathing suits tend to be made from quick-drying materials that make them ideal for all sorts of hot-weather activities. This isn’t just an exercise in vanity; we’re being practical, too.
The trick to wearing bathing suits as tops is to think about balance: if you’re keeping things minimalist on top, it’s time to go maximalist on the bottom. Case in point: a vivacious printed slip skirt balances out the openness of a black, V-neck swim top, here worn as a crop top. Feeling too exposed? Tie a relaxed linen or cotton oversized shirt at the waist. Complete the look with your favourite sandals and sun hat, and you’ll start wondering why you hadn’t been wearing your bathing suit as a top before this.
10. Beach to Bar Outfit
Nothing beats a good post-surf cocktail: you’ve spent the day in the waves, and now it’s time to enjoy some nightlife.
But there’s no need to get complicated with your outfit: especially if you’re heading out earlier in the day, you’ll want to find something that’s convenient enough to stash into your beach tote, but still sophisticated enough for the bar.
For us, a bold black kaftan with contrasting geometric details answers the call for an outfit that’ll get us through from sunrise to sunset and beyond. Thanks to its elegant drape, it’s perfectly suited for throwing on after a swim and sashaying over to the bar. All that’s left to do is dress it up with some earrings and make the most of the balmy summer evening.
Need more outfit ideas that aren’t specifically beachside?
Read more of our Style Advice articles, to get you one style step ahead – rain, hail or shine.