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Spilling ocean waves, sand-caked towels, and rocky cliff backdrops are just half 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 Pucci caftan inspired by the Palm Royale costumes, or a sweet sarong reminiscent of Grace Kelly’s iconic beach look in To Catch a Thief.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Beach Cover-ups:
- The Knit Caftan: Missoni Zig Zag beach cover-up, $768
- The Printed Tunic: Zimmermann Ottie oversized cover-up, $795
- The Easy, Breezy Dress: Matteau strapless printed maxi dress, $560
- The Crafty Crochet: Faithfull the Brand Serena maxi dress, $239
- The Poolside Pant: Mango printed cotton pants, $80
- The Multi-Use Button-Up: Banana Republic the Perfect linen shirt, $90
- The Big Short: Zara lace-trimmed shorts, $40
- The Effortless Sarong: Ulla Johnson Anya wrap skirt, $220
Beachgoers, of course, know there’s more to cover-ups than just tunics and wrap skirts. With their carefree sensibility, oversized linen button-ups and pull-on bottoms are two other tried-and-true favorites. Maximalists will appreciate the the joyful, getaway-ready prints from Johanna Ortiz and Faithfull the Brand, while those who take a subtler approach to vacation dressing will likely find themselves drawn to minimalist styles from Onia, Toteme and Anemos. Crafty crochet plays in nicely with the boho revival we’re seeing—opt for a dress or skirt to add a touch of texture to over your swimsuit.
Whether M.O. this summer is to soak up coastal views from an Adirondack chair while getting lost in a great beach read; lie horizontally underneath a striped umbrella until the glittering waters beckon, or have plans to go on an epic scuba-diving adventure—deep-see treasure hunting not included—dive into the most stylish swimsuit cover-ups, below.
Chic Caftans and Tunics
Not fully toweled off? A gorgeously-printed caftan or tunic is just what you need to head back to the hotel. Go bold with details that speak for themselves, like Missoni’s multicolored zig-zag stripes or Pucci’s psychedelic prints.
Easy, Breezy Dresses
Perfect for an al fresco meal followed by a jaunt to the local market and old town, these airy dresses can go from beach to deck restaurant and back again. French heritage resort label Eres has a great linen caftan that can be belted should you want to feel more put-together without having to change your outfit, while Solid & Striped’s Sarai maxi—part of its Sofia Richie Grainge capsule—is as close to weightless as a dress can get. For a strapless option, it doesn’t get much better than Matteau’s printed dress.
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 they really shine during the warmer months. Make a statement in Escvdo’s multicolored dress, or keep it in neutral with Faithfull the Brand’s long-sleeved maxi. Diotima’s two-piece set is made for sultry evenings, with a late-night swim highly encouraged.
Poolside Pants
Whether you’re sprawled on a shaded sun lounger in the 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 prints (who can resist a little tropical foliage!) and crochet accents, like the overlay on La DoubleJ’s pair, deliver playful, poolside polish.
Multi-Use 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.
The Big Short
Pull-on shorts have the same ease as a flowy pant, except are far more suitable for August’s ultra-sweltering temps. Go nautical with Dôen’s sweet stripes or embrace delicate eyelet detailing, courtesy of Silvia Tcherassi. Comme Si’s menswear-insired “Classica” boxer comes in a fresh floral print designed with British brand, Liberty.
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 printed styles on the market right now, from Faithfull the Brand’s cool graphic patterns to Ulla Johnson’s sunburst tie-dyes.
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