Spilling ocean waves, sand-encrusted towels, and rocky cliff backdrops are just part of the appeal of spending time by the water. The other half? Putting together an immaculate vacation outfit, which goes beyond the requisite swimsuit and sandals. Equally essential to a sea—or poolside—ensemble is a carefully-chosen swimsuit cover-up, be it a billowing Dries Van Noten pant, or a sweet printed sarong reminiscent of Grace Kelly’s iconic beach look in To Catch a Thief.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Beach Cover-ups:
Beachgoers, of course, know there’s more to cover-ups than just tunics and pareos. With their carefree sensibility, oversized breezy button-ups and pull-on bottoms are two other tried-and-true favorites. Maximalists will appreciate the joyful, getaway-ready prints from Johanna Ortiz and Dries Van Noten, while those who take a subtler approach to vacation dressing will likely find themselves drawn to minimalist styles from Matteau and Toteme. Crafty crochet dresses play nicely with the boho revival we’re seeing—opt for a maxi from Escvdo or dainty mini from Staud to add a touch of texture to your packing list.
Whether your M.O. this summer is to soak up the views from an Adirondack chair while getting lost in the latest Emily Henry novel; lie horizontally underneath a striped umbrella in Liguria until the glittering waters beckon, or have plans to go on an epic scuba-diving adventure—dive into the most stylish swimsuit cover-ups, below.
Chic Caftans and Tunics
Not that into sarongs or mini shorts? A gorgeously-printed caftan or tunic is just what you need to head back to the hotel. Go bold with bright prints by Johanna Ortiz and Dries Van Noten, or more textural with a woven stripe by Lemlem. For something more streamlined, try Sara Cristina’s linen kaftan, adorned with a single delicate pearl in the front.
Easy, Breezy Dresses
Perfect for an al fresco meal in Sifnos followed by ceramics shopping in town, these airy dresses can go from beach to cliffside restaurant and back again. For a striped option, it doesn’t get much better than Ciao Lucia’s maxi kaftan. Loulou de Saison serves up the perfect breezy shirt dress, just as suited for a stroll by the beach as it is for a sunset dinner reservation. Meanwhile, Cristiano Marcheli’s lacy, tiered maxi is ever-so-sweet and Faithfull offers a cheery mini in hot chili red.
Crochet All Day
Crochet is to summer what mohair is to winter—cool, textural, and just a downright vibe. The window to wear these crafty pieces is slim, but wide open during the warmer months. Make a subtle statement in Staud’s easy wrap option, or inject a little color with striped options from Escvdo, Alix of Bohemia, and Prada.
Poolside Pants
Whether you’re sprawled on a shaded sun lounger in Provence or finding your zen at a wellness retreat in Ibiza, a pair of lightweight trousers is just right for the occasion. Opt for easygoing silhouettes with comfortable details, like an elastic waist and wide legs. Summery graphic prints and loose linen, like these pairs from Dries Van Noten, Deiji Studios, and Toteme deliver easy, poolside polish.
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Throw-on-and-Go Button-Ups
With deep fashion roots—Lauren Bacall in Key Largo, Audrey Hepburn in Two for the Road, the late Peter Lindbergh’s beach photographs—the oversized button-up has earned its stripes. It can be tied, cuffed, buttoned, or left entirely open to catch a little wind breeze. Best of all, it can remain in rotation long after your vacation has ended. Matteau and Free People deliver timeless linen styles, while Sanderlak’s delightful oversized stripe can be teamed up with a matching pant.
The Big Short
Pull-on shorts have the same ease as flowy pants, though far more suitable for heatwave temps. Of course, you can never go wrong with the white linen look, courtesy of Posse. Boxer-inspired pairs by Faithfull and Matteau are the definition of borrowed-from-the-boys chic, while Bode’s printed tap shorts inject some vintage nostalgia into your poolside style.
That’s a Wrap
Lunch by the sea? Tie a sarong around your waist as a skirt or around your neck as a dress—there are no rules here. You can always play it safe with a solid color, but we’re most fond of the patterned styles on the market right now, from Lido’s bright, bold, beachy stripes to Matteau’s more subdued maroon take. We also love a bit of texture, like the short crochet wrap on offer at Free People and Toteme’s towel-esque sarong.
Toweling Off
Forget to pack your towel? Or did you leave it in the cabana overnight and discover it still damp from your last beach excursion? A solution is nigh: terry cloth separates. Lisa Marie Fernandez and OAS both do terry just right in tee- and tunic-length options. But for the more cheeky amongst us, La Veste’s scalloped hotshorts and Tomobolo’s Pop Art hooded top do the trick.
