Beach Cover Ups That Actually Look Good | 7 Styles for Every Swimsuit
You finally found the perfect bikini. The color is right, the fit is flawless, and you feel amazing. Then you realize you need something to throw over it — and nothing in your closet works.
A great beach cover up does more than hide tan lines on the walk to lunch. It turns a swimsuit into a real outfit. The right one takes you from the pool deck to the beach bar without a wardrobe change, and it photographs just as well as the bikini underneath.
Here are seven swimsuit cover up styles that earn their spot in your beach bag.
1. The Crochet Cover Up — Bohemian Texture That Never Goes Out of Style
Crochet has been a beach staple since the 1970s, and it’s having another massive moment. Open-knit patterns let your swimsuit show through, which means you spent all that time picking the right bikini cover up just to hide it — crochet says no to that.
A long crochet cover up in cream or white works with every color bikini you own. For a bolder look, go for a cropped crochet top paired with a high-waisted bottom. The texture photographs beautifully in natural light, making it a favorite for vacation content.
Best for: Resort towns, tropical getaways, anyone who wants that effortless island aesthetic.
2. The Sarong — The Original Beach Cover Up
There’s a reason the sarong has been the go-to beach cover up across Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean for centuries. One rectangular piece of fabric gives you at least a dozen different outfits.
Tie it at the hip as a skirt. Wrap it around your chest as a strapless dress. Drape it over one shoulder for a toga look. Fold it into a halter top. The sarong is the most versatile piece of swimwear you’ll ever pack — and it takes up almost zero space in your luggage.
Best for: Minimalist packers, island hopping, beach-to-dinner transitions.
3. The Linen Button-Down — Borrowed-From-Him Energy
An oversized linen shirt worn open over a bikini is one of the easiest looks in beach fashion. The sleeves rolled to the elbow, the hem hitting mid-thigh, a few buttons undone — it’s relaxed without trying.
White linen is the classic choice, but pale blue, sand, and sage green all work. The fabric dries fast, breathes in heat, and gets softer with every wash. This is a swimsuit cover up that doubles as actual clothing — wear it buttoned up with shorts and nobody knows there’s a bikini underneath.
Best for: Beach clubs, boat days, anyone who wants to look polished without effort.
4. The Maxi Dress Cover Up — Poolside to Dinner in One Piece
When you need a cover up dress that works for the pool at noon and cocktails at seven, a lightweight maxi is your answer. Look for thin, flowy fabrics — cotton gauze, rayon, or chiffon — with a deep V or button front so it reads as beachwear, not formal wear.
Side slits keep things breezy and show off your legs as you walk. Floral prints in muted tones give resort energy without looking like a hotel bathrobe. Pair it with flat sandals and oversized sunglasses for the full vacation look.
Best for: Resort vacations, all-day pool parties, travelers who pack light.
5. The Kaftan — Effortless Glamour
Kaftans are the cover up equivalent of a statement necklace. They’re dramatic, flowing, and they make you look like you’re on a yacht whether you’re at a five-star resort or a public beach.
The best kaftans fall to the knee or just below, with wide sleeves and a loose silhouette. Bold prints, embroidered edges, and metallic threads all work. This isn’t a subtle piece — it’s the beach cover up you wear when you want to make an entrance.
Best for: Pool parties, beach resorts, anyone who dresses for impact.
Shop Beach Cover-Ups & Sarongs
From lace to crochet to mesh — find your perfect cover-up. Our Lace Chiffon Beach Cardigan adds instant elegance, while the Mesh Beach Skirt Cover-Up shows just the right amount of skin.
6. The Mesh or Sheer Swim Skirt — Showing Skin Strategically
A sheer midi skirt over a bikini bottom is one of the most underrated pool cover up looks. It gives you coverage from a distance while still letting the swimsuit do its job up close. Black mesh with a high-waisted bikini creates a sleek silhouette. A white sheer skirt over a bright-colored bottom adds dimension.
This is a smart choice when you want to move between the water and a beachside restaurant without fully changing. The skirt dries almost instantly, weighs nothing, and rolls up smaller than a pair of socks.
Best for: Pool lounging, beach bars, quick transitions from water to table.
7. The Oversized Beach Tee — Low-Key and Comfortable
Not every beach day needs a fashion moment. An oversized tee — faded, broken in, maybe from a surf shop in a town you loved — is the most honest beach cover up there is. Pull it over a wet swimsuit after a swim, wear it to grab tacos from the stand down the road, toss it over the back of a chair when you’re done.
Graphic tees with vintage prints add personality. Plain white or gray keeps it clean. Either way, the oversized tee is the cover up you reach for when comfort beats everything else.
Best for: Casual beach days, surf trips, road trips with no itinerary.
Cover-Ups That Double as Outfits
Looking for beach-to-dinner versatility? The Knitted Beach Dress Cover-Up works as a standalone outfit, and the Beach Cover-Up Blouse layers beautifully over any swimsuit.
How to Choose the Right Beach Cover Up for You
With seven solid options, here’s how to narrow it down:
- Going somewhere fancy? Kaftan or maxi dress
- Packing light? Sarong (one piece, infinite outfits)
- Want to show off the bikini? Crochet or mesh skirt
- Need all-day versatility? Linen button-down
- Just want to be comfortable? Oversized tee
The best swimsuit cover up is the one that makes the space between the water and everywhere else feel intentional. You shouldn’t have to choose between looking good and being comfortable — the right cover up handles both.
Styling Tips to Elevate Any Beach Cover Up
A few small details take a basic cover up from forgettable to full-on beach style:
- Accessorize up. A straw hat, layered gold chains, or shell anklet turns any cover up into a look
- Match your metals. Gold jewelry with warm-toned cover ups, silver with cool tones
- Belt it. A thin belt over a kaftan or oversized shirt adds instant shape
- Choose sandals wisely. Flat leather sandals say polished; rubber slides say poolside — both work, but they set different tones
- Mind the bag. A woven tote or raffia clutch completes the beach-to-town transition better than a gym bag ever will
Your cover up is half your beach wardrobe. Treat it that way.
All images sourced from Pexels — free for commercial use.
Pair Your Cover-Up with the Perfect Bikini
Every cover-up needs a great bikini underneath. Explore our bikini sets or grab a complete Bikini Set with Sarong for a coordinated beach look.
