Oh, how I long for a beach vacation. I miss walking barefoot along the beach and relishing the sensation of waves caressing my skin and sand massaging my feet. I long for the salty breeze as it flirts with my beach cover-up and strokes it like a crashing wave. Oh, the carefree days of summer are within the horizon.
As the days grow longer and warmer, we begin to think of summer and delightful moments by the water, whether it be the beach, a lake, or a pool. And we envision ourselves strolling around the pool and beach in light summer outfits and beach cover-ups, often not thinking of why we truly need to wear them!
So why do we need beach cover-ups?
You can rock the perfect hippie style in summer simply by wearing beach cover-up pieces like a caftan dress, a sarong, a boho skirt, or a dress. But that’s not the only reason why you need to wear them while lounging by the water. Beach cover-ups protect you from the sun or excess sun exposure that accelerates the effects of aging and increases the risk of skin cancer. You can read more about sun damage here. Health experts recommend spending a minimal amount of time in the direct sun while relaxing outdoors. However, who doesn’t like to bask under the warm rays and be kissed by the sun? As much as women realize the potential harm of a sunburn (been there and done that), some still desire a nice tan without burning their skin. For that reason, we wear beach cover-ups while strolling across the beach line or while enjoying a glass of Pina Colada on a lounge chair.
When you walk through common areas like the lobby or a bar, you want to wear a cover-up. Also, cover-ups are a must if you want to go inside a restaurant or decide at the last minute to visit a retail store across the street! That’s another reason why you want to stock up on beach cover-ups while on vacation.
Things to look for when shopping for a cover-up
The first thing you want to look for is the quality and type of fabric when buying a cover-up. Will it dry fast? Is it light and breathable? The best cover-ups are made from Polyester, Nylon, Cotton, silk, and linen because the material dries fast and packs light. Your choice of fabric will depend on your budget. A silk cover-up will cost more than polyester, but you may want to consider investing in a silk cover-up because you can wear it indoors too and style it with a staple wardrobe piece like a pair of jeans or a dress.
The second thing you want to consider is how to coordinate the cover-ups with your swimwear. Make sure the cover-up goes well with multiple pieces of swimsuits so you can wear it more frequently.
There are various beach cover-up styles, so pick something that reflects your style and comfort level. I wear caftans and rompers because I prefer to be fully covered when stepping into a lobby or a restaurant. But if I’m strolling along the beach, I usually go with a sarong or a tunic. Whatever you buy, always ask yourself if you’ll be comfortable wearing it in public.
Five trendy styles of beach cover-ups
Let me show you my favorite picks of the latest trends in beach cover-ups with the above in mind.
Tunic beach cover-ups
A tunic look like an oversized shirt that ends at the knees or above it. They are made with different types of fabrics and colors and are very versatile. You can wear them as dresses with a pair of sandals and colorful accessories.
Caftan dress
Caftans are my favourite types of dresses to wear in summer. You can read more about wearing kaftan here.
Sarong beach cover-ups
A sarong beach cover-up looks like a shawl, and you can style it in so many ways. It’s the most versatile of all the options. You can wrap it around your waist as a skirt or around your body as strapless or a halter dress.
Dress beach cover-ups
This cover-up type is self-explanatory! Unlike regular summer dresses, a beach dress is made with lighter and transparent fabrics. Take a look at these options:
Long cardigan beach cover-ups
Cardigan cover-ups feature an open front and are made with light and transparent fabrics. They can have short or long sleeves and are fun to wear at the beach or pool. I like wearing them with swimwear with matching or contrasting colors.
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