What to wear on the beach is a question that has plagued us for years. The answer is not as simple as you think, but with this guide we hope to make it easier for you!
Summer is coming, and it’s time to start planning your beach trip.
Whether you’re going on a vacation or just visiting the beach, there are some things you should keep in mind when choosing what to wear. The type of swimsuit you choose can make a big difference—not only in how comfortable you feel while wearing it (and swimming), but also in how other people react to the way you look.
What to wear on the beach
The beach is the ideal place to relax, unwind and revel in the beauty of nature. It’s also a great opportunity to show off your personal style by dressing up for the occasion. Whether you prefer a simple day at the beach or an evening out on the town, you can always find something that fits your personality and tastes.
If you’re looking for inspiration for what to wear on your next trip to the beach, here are some ideas:
The beach is a place of relaxation, a place where you can let your hair down and forget about the worries of the world. It’s also a great place to show off your best swimwear—and if you’ve got it, flaunt it!
But what should you wear on the beach? Well, it depends on the type of beach you’re going to. If you’re going to a crowded public area like Miami Beach or Santa Monica Beach, then maybe you want to tone it down. But if you’re hitting up your own private beach in Belize or Fiji with just your friends and family, then by all means go ahead and wear whatever makes YOU feel good!
We’re all about summer fun, but it’s not always easy to figure out what to wear on the beach. Sure, you can throw on your favorite swimsuit and be done with it, but there’s so much more you can do to make your time in the sun even more enjoyable.
Here are some tips for what to wear on the beach:
- Don’t forget sunscreen! The sun is strong in the summertime—don’t let it burn you!
- Beach hats are a great way to protect your skin from sun damage, and they look cute too!
- If you’re going swimming, make sure your swimsuit fits well and isn’t too tight or revealing—the last thing you want while lounging on the sand is uncomfortable wedgies!
Terrycloth is the perfect material for the beach because it’s basically just like wearing a towel—any sweat or salt water will be absorbed quickly. Terrycloth also can be dressed down for daytime with casual sandals or spiced up for a fancy dinner with platform shoes.
What To Wear To The Beach: 7 Beach Outfit Ideas That Go Beyond Swimsuits
FacebookPinterestTwitterTumblr0 byMAGGIE GRISWOLD, JULIA MARZOVILLA and OLIVIA MARCUS 116463 SHARES MAY 16, 2022 AT 2:39 PM EDT
What To Wear To The Beach: 7 Beach Outfit Ideas That Go Beyond Swimsuits
Photo: COURTESY OF LPA, NORMA KAMALI, LINE & DOT, ADOBE. DESIGN: SASHA PURDY/STYLECASTER.
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.
Warm weather is nearly upon us, folks, which means—if you’re lucky—there’s an ocean or pool in your immediate future. Whether you’re able to visit the sunny shores once in your lifetime or once a week, you’re bound to come across the ultimate conundrum: Other than a cute bikini or one-piece, what outfits do you wear to the beach?! Seriously—This question has bugged me for years.
Sure, we all don swimsuits and sunnies while sitting on the sand, but sometimes, you’re in need of something a little more. For times when you’re unsure of what the hell to wear while leaping away from (or into, depending on the situation) the incoming tides, it’s always best to turn to the experts—by this, I mean the “vacation edits” on sites like Revolve, Nordstrom and Shopbop. Scrolling through countless sites for inspiration can be very time-consuming so I’ve gone ahead and made a comprehensive beach style guide.
From terrycloth sets and breezy button-downs to Instagram-worthy halter dresses, there have never been so many different options for beach attire. Whether you plan on just laying in the sand or posing a pic (or 10) for the ‘Gram, this beach edit will guarantee that you’ll be the best dressed at the shore. All you’ll need to worry about is which sunscreen to pack!
What To Wear To The Beach
- A Terrycloth Set
Do you remember when the two-piece Juicy Couture terrycloth capri set was everything? Is that too niche? Well only the very best trends come back in style and terrycloth sets is one of them. Terrycloth is the perfect material for the beach because it’s basically just like wearing a towel—any sweat or salt water will be absorbed quickly. Terrycloth also can be dressed down for daytime with casual sandals or spiced up for a fancy dinner with platform shoes. There are so many terrycloth sets available right now from sites like Revolve, Frankies Bikinis and PacSun so you’re bound to find one before you’re bound for the beach.
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of Lovers & Friends.
Lana Crop Top
I love this set because it looks sleek and pulled together when you wear both pieces but the skirt also doubles as the perfect swimsuit coverup!
Lana Crop Top $88.00
BUY NOW
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of Good American.
Coco Terry Button-Up Shirt
The only outfit easier to plan than a two-piece set is a romper. This adorable one-and-done terrycloth romper from Good American comes in four colors and is available in sizes 0-8.
Coco Terry Button Up Shirt $99
BUY NOW
- A Mesh Moment
Mesh was made for the beach because it’s honestly not very appropriate for many other settings (and because of the whole fisherman’s net purpose). Mesh is a fun way to create a layered look in hotter temps—you can add a mesh dress over your swimsuit, bralette or if you’re feeling scandalous, nothing at all. The material comes in a variety of knit sizes so you’ll be able to determine how much skin you want to show.
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of LPA.
Lanita Crochet Mini Dress
This tan mini dress is super versatile—you can wear it as a cover-up, a naked dress moment or as a long cardigan layered over a tank top.
Lanita Crochet Mini Dress $278.00
BUY NOW
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of Zara.
Long Mesh Dress
I’m going to let my personal bias step in because I own this orange mesh dress and love it. I layered mine over a cheeky bikini and felt comfortably covered up when walking through non-beach areas.
Long Mesh Dress $49.90
BUY NOW
- A Classic Button-Down
A good button-down is a shirt that keeps on giving. The style fits every known aesthetic including off-duty model, coastal grandmother, dark academia and the beach-goer. Whether a button-down could be solid or striped, worn with denim shorts or slacks or stolen from your dad’s closet, it will always look good. For the beach, look for a button-down that’s made out of lightweight fabric, like linen and pair it with vintage-inspired denim shorts.
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of Free People.
Rags to Riches Shirt
This striped button-down’s blue and green colorway will look great next to the ocean. The back of this shirt is longer than the front which makes it ideal for a front-tuck situation.
Rags to Riches Shirt $88.00
BUY NOW
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of Universal Thread.
Boyfriend Fit Linen Button-Down
This breezy linen button-down from Target is only $20 and comes in six colors. It’s available in sizes XS-4X.
Boyfriend Fit Linen Button-Down $20
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- A Lightweight Knit
Move over sweater vests, I’m crushing on the sweater dress. It may seem counterintuitive to wear knit sweater material to the beach, but the finely woven material will make you feel (and look) cool. Knit dresses are all about texture which will complement the grains of sand you’ll feel between your toes. They can be long sleeve, cut-out or trimmed with fringe so there’s not a single way to nail this style. The best part about a knit dress is that they’re also a great option to wear to a beach wedding.
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of Line and Dot.
Megan Wrap Dress
This chartreuse wrap dress will look even better with a tan. While the overall shape of the dress is simple, the back has fun criss-cross detail and the side slit keeps it flirty.
Megan Wrap Dress $106.00
BUY NOW
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of Zara.
Knit Peter Pan Collar Dress
Caption idea: gilded glamor takes the beach? I’m kidding. This peter pan collar dress is a unique take on the knit trend and features a slightly-sheer trend as well.
Knit Peter Pan Collar Dress $119
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- A Versatile Scarf
It’s time to pull up the TikTok video you saved about 100 ways to tie a scarf. A large scarf can either be the ultimate beach outfit or accessory. Depending on the size, you can tie it around your waist, twist it into a top or tie it around your head. Scarves also take up virtually no room in your suitcase so they’re an easy way to maximize your packing room and outfit options. I love mixing and matching scarf patterns and tying a small scarf around my bag to match my outfit.
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of Norma Kamali.
Oversized Silk Bandana
This oversized bandana scarf from J.Crew is the perfect example of a scarf that can be worn in a multitude of ways. Wear it as a strapless top with baggy jeans, cargo pants or a mini skirt and pair the look with strappy heels.
Ernie Scarf $39.50 (was $65)
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of J.Crew.
Ernie Scarf
There are two ways to look at this option—it’s either an expensive scarf or a reasonably priced dress. The good news is that you can wear it as both! Wrap this one by Norma Kamali around your shoulders on the plane and then wrap it around your waist when you get to the beach.
Ernie Scarf $135
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- A Halter Dress
Halter tops had their moment and now it’s time to take things up a notch with a halter dress. In my opinion, a halter is one of the most universally flattering silhouettes—the high neck is elongating and everyone looks good when they have a little extra shoulder to shimmy. Plus, it’s a great silhouette to wear for the beach if you want to get a little sun (just make sure to layer on the SPF). Wearing a strapless bra to the beach is annoying so use the halter dress as an opportunity to let loose (if you get what I mean).
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of Eloquii.
Halter Neck Maxi Dress
I love the groovy print of this bodycon maxi dress from Eloquii. It will look just as good at a swanky bar as it will at a beach cabana. It’s available in plus sizes 14-28.
Ernie Scarf $59.99 (was $124.95)
BUY NOW
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of BCBGeneration
Floral Halter Neck Dress
Florals aren’t just for spring, they’re for summer too! This floral halter dress would be perfect for a beach wedding or a nice dinner. Plus, the straps are attached to the back of the dress so you won’t need to worry about a skinny halter tie hurting your neck.
Floral Halter Neck Dress $108
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- Full-On Fringe
If you’re a “pics or a didn’t happen” kind of gal (like I am), you know how important it is to have a ‘Gram ready outfit for every occasion. Fringe is going to be one of the biggest trends this summer and there’s no better place to wear it than on the beach. I’m personally excited to go big with the trend and wear fringe sets and full-length dresses.
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of ASOS Design.
Tiered Fringe Beach Mini Dress
This lime green dress is begging to be paired with a margarita and a night of dancing on the beach. This flirty dress also comes in light pink.
Tiered Fringe Beach Mini Dress $55
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STYLECASTER | Beach Outfit Ideas
Courtesy of Beach Bunny.
Haute Summer Top
If a day party is on your calendar (or there’s a chance for a spontaneous party), this strapless fringe top should be at the top of your packing list. Don’t forget to buy the matching skirt.
What to wear on the beach if you’re fat
If you’re a fat person, the beach can be a pretty intimidating place. You don’t want to show up in a swimsuit that’s too small, but then again, you don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard by wearing a swimsuit that’s too big. And let’s not even get into what happens when sand gets on your belly.
We’re here to help with our guide to what to wear on the beach if you’re fat! Check out these tips for what swimwear and cover-ups will best suit your body type and your personality.
It’s summer, which means you’ll be spending a lot of time at the beach. But what to wear on the beach if you’re fat?
The answer is simple: just wear what you want!
But we all know that sometimes it’s hard to find clothes that make us feel good about ourselves. So, we’ve put together a list of tips to help you find the perfect wardrobe for those hot summer days spent relaxing in the sand.
The beach is one of the most relaxing places to be, but it can also be one of the most stressful. Whether you’re worried about your bathing suit fitting, or if you’re just not sure what kind of swimsuit looks best on a bigger body, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve got some tips for what to wear on the beach if you’re fat—and how to make sure that outfit fits in with your personal style as well.
Your beach body is important.
We all know that. We’ve all been told that, and we’ve all tried to change it in some way—whether it’s with diet or exercise. But what if you’re fat? What does it mean to have a beach body when you’re fat?
If this is something you struggle with, then this article is for you. Here are some tips on how to dress for the beach if you’re fat:
Here’s our Style Guide: How To Dress For The Beach If You’re Fat.
- Wear Dark Colors. Image via Complex Original. …
- Avoid Tank Tops. Image via Complex Original. …
- Longer Board Shorts. Image via Complex Original. …
- V-Neck T-Shirts. Image via Complex Original. …
- Hawaiian Shirts. …
- Wear Undershirts. …
- Make Sure Things Fit. …
- Stand Up Straight.
Style Guide: How To Dress For The Beach If You’re Fat
Jian DeLeon
BYJIAN DELEON
Jian DeLeon is a former editor at Complex.
More info: Twitter
Jun 22, 2012
COMMENT
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Image via Complex Original
Remember six months ago when you were like “I am so gonna hit the gym hardcore and get a six-pack by June.” Well, you instead spent that six months wrapped up in an endless k-hole of Mad Men, Game of Thrones, and Girls (it’s ok dude, we secretly watch that too). Besides, how could you stick to a strict diet of baby carrots, kale, and braised quinoa when you absolutely had to try brand new delicacies like the Doritos shell taco and a bacon sundae?
Trust us. We feel your pain. The last six-pack we ever had was also something we drank while watching the NBA Finals, and the only weight we’ve been pushing lately involved getting our fat asses to lunch. If you feel like your body isn’t quite beach ready yet, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our Style Guide: How To Dress For The Beach If You’re Fat.
Wear Dark Colors
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Image via Complex Original
Wear Dark Colors
You’ve heard it before, and that’s because it’s true: dark, solid colors are your best friend. Does that mean you have to rock all black everything? Not at all. Opt for navy and shades of gray and charcoal too. The point is, you don’t want to draw attention to the pudge, and subtle, solid colors won’t be loud enough to turn your muffin top into a cupcake.
Hurley Phantom 60 Mens Boardshort
Buy It Now at Hurley, $55
Joel Slub Pocket Crew
Buy It Now at Club Monaco, $33
Avoid Tank Tops
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Image via Complex Original
Avoid Tank Tops
Do yourself a favor and just don’t wear one. These look best on dudes with muscle definition in their arms and a slight build. You’ll look like you’re smuggling two Vienna sausages you’ve stolen from some poor boardwalk vendor. Accept the fact that you just can’t wear one without looking like an herb and get on with your life.
Longer Board Shorts
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Image via Complex Original
Longer Board Shorts
Don’t rock swim trunks. The elastic hem is not your best friend. Consider a proper pair of board shorts with a longer inseam of around 9 inches. Make sure they still hit just above the knee so you don’t look like you still live in the ’90s. These seersucker versions are summer appropriate, and the vertical stripes have the opposite effect of horizontal stripes: they’re slimming and will make you appear taller, not wider.
9″ Seersucker Board Shorts
Buy It Now at J. Crew, $70
V-Neck T-Shirts
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Image via Complex Original
V-Neck T-Shirts
Consider ditching the crewneck tees for a slimming v-neck. You don’t want to get a deep v though, those are gross. A v-neck will slim your neckline and also give you a little more room to breathe. Stock up on them in basic white or darker colors like navy and gray.
Joe V-Neck T-shirt
Buy It Now at Club Monaco, $29
Hawaiian Shirts
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Image via Complex Original
Hawaiian Shirts
Yeah, portly guys and Hawaiian shirts have been going well together for years, and that hasn’t changed. You just have to make sure to get one in a modern fit that doesn’t look like it was a hand me down from dad or made by Tommy Bahama. Reyn Spooner’s modern collection offers a variety of fits and fabrics that wouldn’t look out of place off the beach either. This Halu’a Pua shirt has the benefit of a subdued floral pattern and slimming vertical stripes. Consider it a two-fer.
Halu’a Pua Shirt
Buy It Now at Reyn Spooner, $89
Wear Undershirts
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Image via Complex Original
Wear Undershirts
Chances are, you’re gonna be sweating a lot in the summer. You know what really helps? Undershirts. Stock up on a few basic white tees and wear them underneath your button downs (for the beach, that means madras and other lightweight fabrics). They’ll wick away moisture and actually help keep you cool.
Undershirt 2-pack
Buy It Now at Gap, $12
Make Sure Things Fit
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Image via Complex Original
Make Sure Things Fit
Bigger guys often make the mistake of either buying clothes too big thinking it’ll make them look smaller. No, you shouldn’t have to squeeze in to a smaller size, just wear what actually fits you. The shoulder stitches should sit on your shoulders, and yes, your gut might be a little visible, but that’s because you have one, and there ain’t no hiding it. Whether it’s board shorts or a T-shirt, stuff just has to fit right. You don’t want your shorts to be too big that they’ll easily come off in the water, and you don’t want to be swimming in your tee, either.
Stand Up Straight
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Image via Complex Original
Stand Up Straight
Great posture does wonders for the body, in addition to tightening your core muscles (you know, that area where your six-pack would be had it not been for genetics and/or a steady diet of deep-fried Snickers bars), it just feels better, makes you look more confident, and yes, a little thinner.
Keep Your Shirt On ’Til You Hit The Water
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Image via Complex Original
Keep Your Shirt On ‘Til You Hit The Water
Ashamed of your moobs while your buddies are tossing the frisbee by the beach? Are they as bad as Jack Nicholson’s? Feel free to keep your shirt on, but at the very least take it off before you dive in the water. Nothing’s more of a dead giveaway that you’re a dude insecure with his body than the token chubby guys with soaked shirts. It’s the ocean bro. It doesn’t judge you. If you’re that self-conscious, maybe the next tip will help the most.
Embrace It, Or Lose It
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Image via Complex Original
Embrace It, Or Lose It
The point is, there might be a few ways to make you look thinner, but once that shirt comes off and it’s just you and your bathing suit, there’s no hiding anything except the stuff that you’ll probably get a ticket for showing the world. So have fun anyway, or start deciding that you’re going to run a few laps. Alternately, you could just do you, pop open a couple of brews, eat a burger off the grill, and just have a damn good time at the beach. There is no correct body type for partying. So stop being embarassed by your body and instead just start being funny. Zach Galifianakis gets chicks all the time… and he also looks pretty confident in a red swimsuit.
