Shana rolls her eyes at me because I am ALLLLLLL about the cover-ups, and could kind of care less about finding cute swimsuits — although I did miraculously find three swimsuits I love this year (this in black with these bottoms, this in red, and this in navy).
But let’s get back to the really important stuff….ALLLLLLL the swimsuit cover-ups. Admittedly, I am pretty old-school prudish when it comes to showing lots of skin, so I like to collect every variation of swim cover-up possible.
Unless I’m on a romantic vacay with the hubs, I’m not so comfortable wearing just my underwear (how I personally see swimsuits). Swimsuit top and pants…fine. Swimsuit bottoms and a shirt (more sizes)…fine. See-through tunic that you can see the swimsuit underneath…fine. Just a swimsuit??? Hmmmmm. Hilarious that now for my job at TME, I’m posting swim selfies on the internet.
If you’re in a hurry, my three top picks for cover-ups are: this sheer white tunic, this navy tie-back mini (similar one), and this jumpsuit (more sizes/colors).
Tunic | Bag | Bikini | Sandals | Mini | Similar Mini | Basket | One-Piece Suit | Slides | Jumpsuit | More Sizes | Bikini | Sunnies
For those of you who rock swimsuits on their own all day long, though…go you! MUCH more practical I recognize in many situations. And I am ALL about everyone rocking what they love and feel great in. For many, it’s a cheeky bikini..for me…it’s a great cover-up.
10 Cute Swim Cover-Ups For Every Summer Occasion
I’ve got a cover-up for everything. Cover-ups for watching my kids surf in the cool early mornings….cover-ups for pool parties…cover-ups for water parks…cover-ups for when I’m with my in-laws…cover-ups for long beach days that end in dinners out…if anyone has any cover-ups for my cover-ups, I’d be interested in that too. You like that, Shana? I’ve got any of you searching for a new cover-up totally “covered” in this post…ridiculous pun — also a test to see if Shana is reading 🙂
1. Best Cover-Up For In + Out Of The Pool: Airy Mini Dress
Tie-Back Cover-Up | Similar | Sunnies | Basket | Slides
Details: This dress (**inclusive sizing)** is super-light and airy, and the perfect cover-up for if you want to feel like you’re NOT wearing a cover-up. Comes in white as well. Organic cotton. It’s fairly sheer in person (which I also like), so you see a hint of the suit underneath, but still feel covered. My hat is sold out, but occasionally comes back in stock, so worth checking…it’s a good one, and I haven’t found any that I like better.
Sizing Notes: Wearing an XS –easily adjustable to make it lower or higher with the tie in the back.
2. Best Cover-Up For Lounging On A Porch: Linen Pants
Pants Tan | Pants Black
Bikini Top Black | Bikini Top Red | Tank | Sunnies | Slides | Similar Bag | Basket
Details: I like wearing pants (**inclusive sizing**) when I’m curled up on a shore-house porch reading a magazine or watching the neighbors walk by — but still want to have a suit on for when we decide to go to the water or my kids decide it’s water balloon fight time in the yard.
Sizing Notes: Wearing a 6 in the tan (hemmed) and a 6P in the black. I’m 5’2. Wearing XS in black bikini top, S in red bikini top, and XS in tank.
3. Best Cover-Up On A Really Hot Day: Sheer White Tunic
Tunic Cover-Up | Bikini Top | Bikini Bottom | Sunnies | Sandals | Bag
Details: Soft and airy…I would still wear tons of sunscreen because it’s not made with sun-protective material, but on really hot days I like to wear white and have fabric covering my shoulders. Although I’m fairly prudish when it comes to showing actual skin, I actually really like the look of a sheer tunic (comes in black too) that shows the outline of the swimsuit underneath.
Sizing Notes: Wearing an XS in the tunic. Wearing S in bikini bottom (I’m usually a medium in swim bottoms) and wearing an XS in bikini top-I’m a 32 B.
4. Best Cover-Up for Morning Surf Spectators: Sweatshirt & Shorts
Sweatshirt | Shorts | Sunnies | Flip Flops | Bag
Details: This set (**inclusive sizing**) is soooooooooooo soft and comfy! I’m not a shorts person, but these shorts are SO comfortable that they’ve entered my rotation. I’ve been wearing them around the house, and my plan is to wear them when I take the kiddos to surf lessons later this summer. It’s sometimes cool and breezy there in the mornings (so I like wearing a sweatshirt), but I like to wade in the surf, so shorts are better than pants in this situation.
Sizing Notes: Wearing a S in the sweatshirt and an XS in the shorts (for lounging around the house and beach mornings ,I actually like them on the snugger shorter side and they’re very stretchy).
5. Best Cover-Up For A Pool Party: Printed Dress
Patterned Dress | Sunnies | Flip Flops | Bag
Details: The dress I didn’t know I needed but have worn for multiple occasions. And swim cover-up is definitely one of them. 100% cotton and feels ah-mazing on! Cool and crisp.
Sizing Notes: Wearing an XS. Note I’m only 5’2, so if you’re tall this dress is going to pretty short.
6. Best Cover-Up For Overall Versatility: Jumpsuit
Black Jumpsuit | More Sizes | Dark Navy Jumpsuit | More Sizes | Brown Jumpsuit | Sunnies | Sandals | Bag
Details: I know many of you may be sick of hearing about this silly jumpsuit, but I’m still wearing it on repeat pretty much everywhere for everything. I have it in navy and black, and am considering getting the brown this year too. Perfect for hot weather, perfect for dressing up or dressing down, perfect for throwing on over a swimsuit, and perfect for preventing sweaty thigh rub issues. LOVE!
Sizing Notes: Wearing an XS, but it’s pretty forgiving and has plenty of room. That being said, though…I also think a bigger size would likely fit similarly if your usual size isn’t available…it’s a generous cut no matter what.
7. Best Cover-Up For Ladies’ Lunch: White Linen Mini Dress
Linen Mini | Other Colors | Slides | Basket Bag
Details: This photo does NOT do this dress (**sustainable pick**) justice…check out more photos of me wearing it here. Another super versatile piece….looks great with sneakers to run errands, with heels for date night, or with flip flops as a cover-up. For meeting up with friends for lunch (at the beach or after the pool) I’d throw on pretty earrings (**Black-owned business**) and some lip gloss…voila! Comes in other colors here.
Sizing Notes: Wearing a size 6 in the dress. Note…I LOVE this linen mini that Shana has too, but even the medium was a little snug in the tush for me…the 6 in the style above though is very comfortable.
8. Best Cover-Up for Going to Dinner Following A Day At The Beach: Black Maxi Dress
Black Maxi-1 | Black Maxi -2 | Slides | Bag | Clutch | Basket
Details: This one was easy….black maxi for the total win in almost any situation for me, but especially thrown over a swimsuit for dinner out. The first maxi is budget-friendly with pretty drape, but too long for me to wear comfortably. The second black maxi is made from cloud-like gauze and is fantastic. You can see more photos of me wearing it here.
Sizing Notes: Wearing XS in both maxis. Both have an oversized airy feel…think: wearing a sack, but more glamorous, of course.
9. Best Cover-Up For A Fancy Resort: Sarong
Veronica Beard Sarong Skirt | More Colors | More Sizes | Bikini Top | Sunnies | Clog Sandals | Bag
Details: So this magical sarong looks like a sarong, but is actually a skirt…with a zipper and everything! And it’s fancy! I’m saving it for “special”, which I will probably regret…but I’m hoping the hubs and I get to go somewhere tropical just the two of us this coming year, and this sarong feels like the PERFECT vacation piece. Or…I’ll change my mind and just start wearing it with flip-flops and a tank top everywhere.
Sizing Notes: Wearing a S in the sarong skirt, and it’s snug without much stretch. For reference, I wear 28 in most denim. Wearing XS in bikini top–I’m a size 32 B.
10. Best Cover-Up For A Water Park: Board Shorts & Rash Guard
Striped Rash Guard | More Sizes | Board Shorts | Sunnies | Flip Flops
Details: This might be a surprise to some folks, but I actually love water parks. I celebrated an adult birthday at one sans children, but it’s always an issue of what the heck do I wear all day long. The answer for me is a long-sleeve swim top for sun coverage, board shorts, a simple bikini underneath, and water-friendly flip-flops that can easily be slipped off and on. The shorts I’m wearing are fine, but not my favorite. I have old Athleta ones (hoping they will come back in stock) that I like better (similar to these) and am considering trying Em’s quick-drying river shorts that she reviews in this post!
Sizing Notes: Wearing XS in this zip rash guard and you can see it’s pretty roomy–I haven’t tried swimming in this particular one yet, but it’s super convenient to take off and put back on with the zipper, and the hood and stripes are super cute. Note: In years past I’ve liked Boden rash guards, but decided to branch out this year and try something new. Wearing size M in the shorts.
Note: I’m anticipating questions about my hat. It is currently sold out (at time of publish), but occasionally comes back in stock, so worth checking…it’s a good one and I haven’t found any that I like better.
Okay, guys…any board shorts you love? I find them tricky. Any other hats you’re loving? Any go-to amazing cover-ups that I missed? You know I’ll be trying more cover-ups next summer, so help me start my list!!!
-Linzi
I am here for your cover ups AND your puns!
I have been wearing swim shorts from Target for a couple of years. They have built in “swim underwear/bikini”. They have a tie at waist and pockets. You can’t beat the price either