Cover ups as chic as the swimsuit you’re wearing underneath.

Swimsuit cover upS

When headed out on a beach vacation, you will likely spend most of your time by the water’s edge.

And, though the only “clothing” that you plan to wear might very well be a swimsuit, some moments throughout the day call for a little bit more.

Want to take a quick stroll through town? Head to your favorite poolside café for lunch? Simply want to sit under an umbrella and read a book without getting too much sun? A swimsuit cover up is what you need most.

Now, you’ve spent so much time shopping for the perfect French bikinis, high waisted sets, and classic maillots, so why not take the same care when choosing what you’re going to throw on top?

Pro Tip 😎

Think of it like the summer equivalent to shopping for a chic coat that sits atop your favorite cocktail dress.

From sheer pieces that really do need to be thrown on top of a swimsuit, or cover ups that can do double duty as a vacation dress for cocktails out long after the sun has gone to bed, shop the best swimsuit cover ups here

Just in time for your next vacation.

Swimsuit Cover Ups Ultimate Guide

Check out our hand picked cover up items for each category below!

SARONG : Sarong is the perfect beach cover up worn as a dress or a skirt.

SARONG SKIRT : Like sarong but a fast pull-on solution to all your cover up problems.

COVER UP DRESS : A single wardrobe item you toss over your head and go from beach to bar.

COVER UP PANTS : From ultra-wide leg silhouette, bold colors, or retro prints, it’s your beach-friendly bottoms.

SWIM SHORTS FOR WOMEN : Your new summer uniform at the beach.

OUR TOP PICKS

1.

& Other Stories Terry Romper

Shop Now at & Other Stories

Get your retro on with a romper instead of a traditional dress.

There’s nothing better than terry cloth for the beach, and in a bright orange tone it’ll have you turning heads wherever you go.

2.

Honorine Monet Broderie Anglaise Cotton Midi Dress

Shop Now at Net-a-Porter

Though you’ll surely need to wear a swimsuit underneath this totally sheer eyelet dress, it’s elegant shape and midi length make for the perfect beach-to-brunch look that is basically your everyday city look…but sheer.

3.

Ulla Johnson Trula Cotton-Blend Coverup Dress

Shop Now at Moda Operandi

A trapeze dress is a great option for the hottest of days, keeping you easy breezy when you need a swimsuit cover up but don’t want anything touching your skin.

With a deep red and cream print, this style is colorful without being loud.

4.

Eres Loisir Minidress

Shop Now at MyTheresa

If you’re looking for the little black dress of swimsuit cover ups, seek out Eres, who makes the ultimate in beachwear essentials that run the gamut when it comes to category.

Sure, you can shop a perfect French bikini or sporty one piece swimsuit from the brand, but their cover ups are just as good. Especially when they fall into the category of black mini dress. Of course.

5.

Lemlem Tirunesh Striped Cotton-Blend Gauze Maxi Dress

Shop Now at Net-a-Porter

You love Lemlem for their bright colors and ethically-sourced materials. And this swimsuit cover up dress is no exception.

In a lightweight cotton gauze, it’s woven with brightly colored stripes that are anything but nautical.

6.

Juliet Dunn Floral-Print Cotton Top

Shop Now at Matches

Make it a set. Who says a swimsuit cover up has to be a dress…or a sarong?

This summer, try your hand at a camisole and shorts pairing that match, creating a stylized look that feels so much more elevated than any cover up you’ve ever owned.

Matching shorts : Floral-Print Cotton Shorts

7.

Cult Gaia Finn Metallic Crochet-Knit Midi Skirt

Shop Now at Net-a-Porter

If you’re looking for a swimsuit cover up that isn’t really covering up much of anything at all, this Cult Gaia skirt has your name on it.

Not only can you pair it with little more on top than a bikini, but the open weave leaves little to the imagination on the bottom either.

8.

Solid & Striped The Bailey Cut Out Terrycloth Minidress

Shop Now at Saks Fifth Avenue

Travel back in time to the days of flower children and hippies, with a mini dress that not only boasts one of the most popular cut outs swim trends of the season, but a terry cloth material that’s perfect for wet days by the water’s edge.

RELATED: Best Cut Out One Piece Swimsuit to Try

9.

Johanna Ortiz Les Vagues Printed Cotton-Voile Pareo

Shop Now at Net-a-Porter

Sometimes, you want a swimsuit cover up that is nothing but a sarong, so you can feel a little bit more clothed than you might in just a bikini, but still show it off for all to see.

10.

Lisa Marie Fernandez Crop Seersucker Cover Up Cardigan

Shop Now at Nordstrom

Cardigans as swimsuit cover ups? Why yes, at least according to Lisa Marie Fernandez.

With her bikini sets, she’s crafted an army of shrunken cardigans that are just as waterproof as the rest of your look, but offer a little bit more protection from the sun.

11.

Agua by Agua Bendita Indigo Embroidered Cotton and Silk-Blend Pareo

Shop Now at Net-a-Porter

Kick it up a notch with an embellished wrap skirt for the chicest of swimsuit cover up options.

Pair it with a tank, or simply throw it on over a clean tank swimsuit, and you’ll be able to effortlessly transition from the beach to lunch in a snap.

12.

Marysia Bianca Cover Up Dress

Shop Now at Marysia

For the swimsuit cover up that’s ready to splash in the waves with you, Marysia should be your first stop.

Made in the same style as their swimwear that you know and love, all of the brand’s sporty dresses are made of the same material…with the same great fit.

13.

Missoni Mare Metallic Striped Crochet-Knit Maxi Dress

Shop Now at Net-a-Porter

When all you really want to wear is a T-shirt, but know you need to look chicer than the vintage stunner from your dad’s dresser drawer, splurge on this striped Missoni dress that hangs just-so, but still has that casual T-shirt vibe.

14.

Oséree Lumière Plumage Short Dress

Shop Now at Oséree

When is a cover up not a cover up? When it’s made of lurex and feathers, of course.

You might know Oséree for their lame and lurex suits that catch every ray of the sun, but did you know they design a mighty band of beachwear as well? It just keeps getting better…

Pro Tip

😎

Shop for a dress that’s going to do double duty, not only serving its purpose by covering up your bikini when you want to run to the local bodega for a quick drink, but also looks chic enough to be work without a swimsuit at all (on most occasions), and transitions to date night at the local beach bar.

You love your swimwear, but make sure that you have a swimsuit cover up…or four!…on hand when you need to wear, well, decidedly more than a bikini.

These perfect swimsuit cover ups do just the trick, through morning, noon, and night.

RELATED: 19 of The Best Bralette Tops For Your Next Vacation

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