Spilling ocean waves, sand-caked 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 a great novel; lie horizontally underneath a striped umbrella in Liguria until the glittering waters beckon, or have plans to go on an epic 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.
