What to wear over a swimsuit? (May 2025)

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Having a few extra layers on hand is always a smart idea, whether you’re at the lake, the beach, the pool, or just lounging in your backyard.

In your swimwear, a cover-up is the perfect item of clothing to have on hand. Perhaps you want to have a drink in a cabana, eat lunch on a patio along the beach, or just cover up when you aren’t in the water to keep your modesty and skin safe. You can achieve that with a cover-up. A sarong or a tunic will do the job just fine.

Reasons one might want to cover up and wear something over a swimsuit

You might consider several reasons for getting a cover-up while wearing a swimsuit. Firstly, cover-ups like a kimono are very lightweight and easy to carry on vacation. It also takes up very less space in the suitcase. Cover-ups are a type of clothing sold with swimwear that is worn at the pool or beach. Some might be classy enough to go from lunch to supper or perhaps drinks. They make the perfect outfits for vacationing at a resort, going on a cruise, or just spending a hot day by the pool.

Cover-ups are often lightweight, sheer clothing. They offer coverage more so than warmth. And even though UV rays can pass through transparent textiles, they at least give another layer of protection between your skin and the sun (note: you still need to wear sunscreen). When you first got out of the water as a child, you used to throw a loose-fitting t-shirt on as a beach cover. Think of a cover-up as more sophisticated addition to your swimsuit.

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The two primary reasons you want to cover up while wearing a swimsuit:

Beach cover-ups are a source of protection from the sun- You might be spending a lot of time in the sun when on a beach vacation. Therefore, you must continue using enough sun protection. Despite using a lot of sunscreens, it may occasionally be preferable to additionally have a physical shield from the sun. Cover-ups like sarong or tunic are a chic way to protect your skin from the heat while maintaining that gorgeous sun-kissed hue.

They are also a great source of comfort- Additionally, we think cover-ups are crucial because they might put you at rest. If you are having breakfast at a beach resort and are at the buffet line wearing a skimpy bikini, you can get some unwanted attention. In particular, if you are not at an adult-only resort, this is true. In these situations, you can wear the cover-ups outside of the beach to make yourself feel more at ease moving around. A cover-up can be beneficial to throw over without having to change into completely new clothing because some resorts have dress codes and forbid bikinis in particular sections.

What is a swimsuit cover-up?

Dressing for a beach does not mean simply carrying your two-piece or a swimsuit. An entire ensemble is required which includes a hat and a swimsuit cover-up. The latter is a piece of clothing that essentially covers up parts of your body exposed to the sun. It can be a kaftan, a sarong, a tunic, or a light kimono. Swimsuit cover-ups are not just required to protect your skin from too much sun but also to cover up when you feel too conscious about exposing your body in front of people. This is a must-have piece of clothing on a trip to the beach.

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Our favorite cover-ups for wearing over a swimsuit

Tunic beach cover-ups

A tunic beach cover-up resembles an enormous shirt in appearance. It’s a loose-fitting dress with short sleeves that normally ends just above the knees. Lightweight materials like chiffon, cotton, polyester, silk, or rayon are used to make tunics for the beach. They are available in a range of hues, prints, and designs. The plunging V-neck of many tunics will reveal your swimsuit underneath. Tunics have a loose fit and are typically not belted, however, some do feature drawstrings at the waist.

Tip: Learn what to wear under a woman’s swimsuit

Sarong

The most adaptable beach cover-up of all the choices is a sarong. A sarong is a length of fabric that may be wrapped and tied to create a variety of garments, including a skirt, halter dress, strapless dress (either short or long), one-shoulder dress, etc. With this beach cover-up, your creativity is the only restriction on the possible combinations. You may even use it as a towel and lay it directly on the sand to get a tan, depending on the fabric.

Kimono

This design of beach cover-up has an open front and is shorter or longer than conventional cardigan sweaters. Additionally, kimonos may have long or short sleeves. These beach cover-ups are excellent if all you’re doing is going to and from the beach—not dining out or exploring a coastal town. Given that your bikini is on display, they are more attractive and comfy.

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Things to keep in mind while choosing a beach cover-up

Keep an eye on the fabric type

Look for airy fabrics that are simple to clean when selecting your beach cover-ups. We suggest lightweight kaftans, cotton, rayon, or viscose beach dresses or cover-ups for your bikini.

Think about the length

Choose the beach cover-up that best fits you from the variety of lengths that are offered. Choose short cover-ups to show off your legs if you think they are your best feature. Try the knee-length and maxi styles that are fairly fashionable this season if you’re searching for something modest.

Select Your Style

Try to include elements of your individual flair when selecting beach cover ups. Then, just go for it, and never be afraid to choose cover-ups that suit your personality.

Do not be frightened by the volume

It’s all about the gorgeous, flowy effect of cover-ups. Since the fabric is usually translucent, your shape or contour will be seen. So make the most of your curves by flaunting them!

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Frequently Asked Questions about what to wear over a swimsuit

What is the best material for a beach cover-up?

Beach cover-ups are usually made of light fabrics. You can consider purchasing materials like linen, cotton, silk, georgette, rayon, or voile.

How do you wear swimsuit cover-ups?

You can wear swimsuit cover-ups in many different ways. For example, you can wrap a sarong around your lower body or style it like a dress. A kaftan is another style of swimsuit cover-up.

Can you wear a sarong with a one-piece bathing suit?

Yes! Sarongs are meant for the very purpose. You can style it in many different ways, such as a skirt or a dress.

Summing up

Summers are a great time to visit the beach, requiring a whole set of clothes; beach cover-ups are an important part. There are various cover-ups to choose from, like the sarong, kaftan, tunic, kimono, and others. So get your beach essentials ready and hit the road!

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