When you are going on a beach holiday, you want to make sure you have a good bathing suit or bikini. Check our article on the best bathings suits for women over 40 for that. However, just as important is to find the best bathing suit cover ups.
A great swimsuit cover up can help you to feel more confident on the beach or by the pool as well as ensuring that you can easily head from the beach to lunch. Below, you’ll find my favorite cover-ups as well as ways to wear them.
What to look for to find the best bathing suit cover ups?
Below are some of the requirements to think about when choosing a good bathing suit cover up:
Is it easy to put on?
You want adding your cover-up to your bathing suit to be easy and quick as you may be taking it on and off several times during the day.
Ideally it fits with your bathing suit
Why should coordinating your clothes stop at the beach? You could either choose a matching style of cover-up, or you could always opt for a neutral such as black or white which will go with all of your swimwear.
Or, of course, the other way around – a plain swimsuit and a patterned cover-up.
It needs to be stylish
It goes without saying that you want to feel good about yourself, especially on the beach where you may be more conscious of your body. A great bathing suit cover up will give you confidence!
It’s good for the beach but can also double as a stylish dress
Choose the right cover-up and you can wear for lunch or even dinner. Or, you could even style your cover-up as a long duster jacket for another outfit idea. Of course, not all bathing suit cover ups need to comply with this, but it’s nice to have a few options that can do this.
It needs to protect you from the sun
Bathing suit cover ups shouldn’t just cover up the parts of your body you perhaps aren’t so confident about. They should also cover your shoulders and back to protect you from the sun and its aging effects
No matter which beach destination you choose, there is likely to be plenty of sun and beautiful beaches so coverups (and lots of sunscreen) are essential. Below are some of the best tunics and caftans for the beach this season.
The best bathing suit cover ups to choose this season
Now that you’re thinking about the style and type of cover-up you might like, below you will find some of the most stylish swimsuit cover-ups to choose this season:
Short swimsuit cover-up
A short swimsuit cover up that covers the most important areas is fabulous for strolling on the beach and would also look lovely worn over leggings with sandals for evening.
Sheree @shesheshow above chooses a beautiful turquoise cover up and teams it with white accessories.
Recreate her outfit with this similar cover-up, sun hat, sunglasses (another option here) and earrings.
I like the asymmetrical hem of the navy caftan below by La Blanca and the gold hardware at the neckline. You could wear this with your white jeans for an evening away from the beach.
Another well-reviewed choice is the chiffon cover-up below, which comes in a choice of 20 colors and prints. Many reviewers describe it as their favorite cover-up.
CPOKRTWSO Crochet Chiffon Swimsuit Cover Up
tunic cover-up
Gauzy and lightweight, the tunic style cover-up (below) will keep you covered up stylishly.
Another tunic option is the Robin Piccone cover-up (below). The tie neckline and stripe detailing will add interest to your bathing suit outfit.
Robin Piccone Michelle Tunic Cover-Up
hoodie cover-up
For a warmer and more casual cover up, how abot the striped cover-up (below) which could be ideal for cooler vacation spots or to pop over your shorts when the sun goes down.
La Blanca Slouchy Hooded Sweater Cover-Up Tunic
wrap cover-up
Wrap dresses are incredibly flattering for women of all body shapes. So, why not a wrap style cover-up? The Boden wrap (below) is super easy to slip on over your swimsuit and is usually released in different colors and prints each summer season.
Plus, you could easily wear it with leggings or pants for evening.
Boden Lefkada Wrap Beach Dress
blue cover-up
You can match your cover-up to your bathing suit, or opt for a contrasting color. If you’re looking for blue, how about the sheer cover-up (below) which would look good over your swimsuit.
Avidlove Chiffon Sheer Cover up
printed cover-up
Prints are always a great option for a carefree beach look. The Yincro cover up (below) comes in a huge range of colors and prints so you should find one you prefer.
Yincro Tassel Swimsuit Cover up
romper
Of course, you don’t just have to choose a top to cover up with at the beach. You could choose an all in one to wear over your swimsuit. Then if you’re heading for lunch, you can pop your sandals on, or some sneakers for sightseeing.
dressses
Now, let’s take a look at some longer dresses you could choose to wear on the beach.
long cover up
Dawn Lucy @fashionshouldbefun above (read her style interview here) looks glamorous in her maxi cover-up.
Steal her look with this similar long dress, flip flops and sunglasses (another option here). I like the way the long cover-up (below) drapes. Reviewers say it is flattering and hangs well.
maxi dress
A maxi cover up dress is a lovely chic option for the beach. This one doesn’t cover your shoulders so be sure to add plenty of sun protection, but it will be super stylish when you go for dinner on the beach in the evening.
Elan V-Back Cover-Up Maxi Dress
midi cover-up
Midi lengths are very of-the-moment, I like the asymmetrical hemline of this dress below.
L Space Kenzie Cover-Up Midi Dress
Another midi, but this time with a print, is the Karen Millen kaftan below which would look great dressed up with metallic sandals and statement jewelry for lunch.
Karen Millen Beach Patchwork Print Woven Midi Cover Up
printed cover-up dress
I like the graphic print on the v-neck cover-up below and the fact it ties at the waist to add shape to your silhouette.
Georgette @grownandcurvywoman above (read her style interview here) looks beautiful in her bright one-piece and black and white cover-up.
Check out this halter swimsuit that you can wear with this similar cover-up (another option here), sunglasses and earrings.
Bsubseach Tie Dye Long Kimono Swimsuit Cover up
wrap cover-up
For a glamorous option that would look lovely worn on the beach or with gold jewelry away from it, the Elan cover-up (below) is perfect.
off the shoulder
Tiered dresses are on-trend at the moment, but some aren’t flattering because of where the waistline sits.
The off-the-shoulder styling and the way the cover-up below skims the belly would make it a good tummy-hiding option.
GOSOPIN Geometric Print Off The Shoulder Beach Dress
crochet dress
The crochet style (below) drapes across the body. Like many cover-ups, it is see-thru though, so this is one to keep for the beach rather than doubling as a dress. Unless, of course, you add another layer underneath.
Melanie @melanie.rae.miller above shows how a crochet cover-up can look super stylish when you can see your swimsuit underneath.
Get her look with this similar swimsuit, cover-up, sandals, straw tote and hat.
long sleeve dress
Many beach cover-ups are sleeveless. But, if you prefer to cover-up your upper arms because you don’t feel confident about them or you want to avoid sunburn, a longer sleeves style like these ones below could be the answer.
The long sleeve cover up below has a sporty, casual feel and offers UPV protection.
Swiss Alps Hooded Moisture Wicking Swim Cover-Up Dress
Or you could choose a very glamorous option that will definitely take you from beach to bar. The print on the maxi cover-up (below) has an on-trend 70s feel. There is a good choice of colors and different grahical or boho prints in this style so you’re sure to find a favorite.
Ailunsnika Rayon Multicolor Swimsuits Cover Up
white cover-up
A neutral cover-up will never go out of fashion, and will go with all the swimsuits in your suitcase. So if you aren’t sure what color to opt for, white is always a nice choice.
caftans
I couldn’t resist adding some extra caftans as they are one of the easiest styles to wear at the beach.
This provides the best coverup and you can potentially feel like and look like a goddess in one of these. It feels exotic and glamorous to wear one.
You could easily wear for the beach during the day and then add some heels and jewelry for dinner.
Lizzy @whatlizzyloves above (read her style interview here) looks carefree and stylish in her tassel cover-up.
There are more stylish caftans below that you could choose.
Check out these kaftans from CUPSHE, Bsubseach and RanRui that you can wear with this similar pair of sandals and sunglasses.
BLEU by Rod Beattie Sun, Sea & Sand Chiffon Cover-Up Caftan
sarong
If you just want to add a little extra coverage while you’re on the beach – perhaps because you aren’t so confident about your hips or thighs – then a short wrap or sarong can be the perfect option.
Suzanne @asksuzannebell above (read her style interview here) chooses a knee-length sarong with her cut-out swimsuit.
Get her look with this similar bathing suit (another option here), sarong (another option here), hat and sunglasses.
Ekouaer 2 Pieces Swimwear Sarongs
wrap skirt
You could also try a wrap style skirt that you can simply wrap around your swimsuit when you want to leave the beach and go get a drink or a meal.
Summersalt The Beach to Brunch Wrap Skirt
Cover-up pants
Prefer to cover up your lower body too? Then these cover up pants are for you.
They are easy to combine with some of your tunics and kaftans too!
Trina Turk Pacheco Wide Leg Cover-Up Pants
Summersalt The Palazzo Pant With Ties
What to wear with your cover-ups or caftans
Now that you’ve chosen your favorite cover-up style, how exactly will you wear it?
The obvious way (with your swimsuit)
Of course, your beach cover-up is designed primarily to be worn over your swimsuit. You can choose a cover-up in matching or contrasting shades.
Karen Millen Beach Patchwork Print Woven Midi Cover Up – Sea Level Cross Front One-Piece Swimsuit – Cushionaire Luna Cork Footbed Sandal – Ayliss Straw Woven Tote – Oakley Drop-in Cat Eye Sunglasses
Add some leggings for evening
Leggings are perfect too. So comfortable and easy to wear on holiday. You can pop your leggings under your cover-up so you’re ready for lunch or for sightseeing. And they’re easy to pack in your suitcase as they don’t take up much room at all.
Karen Millen Beach Patchwork Print Woven Midi Cover Up – ZELLA High Waist Studio Lite Pocket 7/8 Leggings – Vionic Perk Sami Strappy Sandals – Cult Gaia Eos Rattan Box Clutch – RIAH FASHION Glitter Rhinestone Statement Earrings
Check this article for the best leggings for women over 40.
With jeans
Your swimsuit cover-up doesn’t have to be kept only for the beach. You can wear for day-to-day too by adding over the top of your t-shirt and jeans. If you choose a lowercut top you could always add a camisole.
Robin Piccone Michelle Tunic Cover-Up – NYDJ Teresa Ankle Wide Leg Jeans – Vionic Perk Sami Strappy Sandals – Cult Gaia Eos Rattan Box Clutch – RIAH FASHION Glitter Rhinestone Statement Earrings
With shorts
I love wearing my shorts on vacation. They make for a great relaxed look while combining them with kaftans and kimonos.
La Blanca Slouchy Hooded Sweater Cover-Up Tunic– Wit & Wisdom Ab-Solution Cuffed Denim Shorts – Cushionaire Luna Cork Footbed Sandal – Ayliss Straw Woven Tote – Oakley Drop-in Cat Eye Sunglasses
With glamorous accessories
Dorrie @seniorstylebible above (read her style interview here)
Recreate her outfit with this similar one piece bathing suit, cover-up, sun hat, sunglasses and earrings.
Elan Wrap Maxi Cover-Up Dress – Vionic Perk Sami Strappy Sandals – MOSSMON Crystal Clutch Purse – Karine Sultan Elise Minimalist Cuff
Beach pants and kaftan together
If you’re looking to put together a full outfit that will look lovely for lunch, you can easily add your kaftan over your beach pants.
Moss Rose Beach Cover up – Hilor One Shoulder Swimsuit – Summersalt The Palazzo Pant With Ties – Cushionaire Luna Cork Footbed Sandal – Ayliss Straw Woven Tote
For more guidance check our article on how to wear shorts over 40.
As a lightweight jacket for evening
Even if you’re heading on vacation somewhere warm, you’re likely to want a lightweight cover-up. Your beach kaftan can do double duty as a cover-up for your shoulders in the evening.
Moss Rose Beach Cover up – Nordstrom V-Neck Tank Top – NYDJ Teresa Ankle Wide Leg Jeans – Vionic Perk Sami Strappy Sandals – Cult Gaia Eos Rattan Box Clutch – PAVOI 14K Gold Plated Huggie Earrings
Layered over a t-shirt
The maxi dress (below) would look great layered over a plain white t-shirt.
ATM Anthony Thomas Melillo Schoolboy Cotton Crewneck T-Shirt – Elan V-Back Cover-Up Maxi Dress – ECCO Soft 7 Sneaker – Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack – PAVOI 14K Gold Plated Huggie Earrings
wrap dress
If you’ve chosen a wrap style, you could wear off the beach too over your leggings or jeans.
Boden Lefkada Wrap Beach Dress – ZELLA High Waist Studio Lite Pocket 7/8 Leggings – Fly London T-Bar Sandals – Ayliss Straw Woven Tote – PAVOI 14K Gold Plated Huggie Earrings
Top brands for caftans and tunics
Your beach cover ups together in one capsule
shop some of the items above here:
I hope you have been able to find the best bathing suit cover ups for your needs.
If you need something to wear underneath, be sure to check out the best bathing suits and swimwear.
Have you find the best bathing suit cover ups yet for your style?
Continue reading:
- The Best Bathing Suits For Women Over 40 – Swim Suits That Make You Feel Fabulous!
- What to pack for a beach vacation
- 20 Of The Best One-Piece Bathing Suits For Women Over 40
- Stylish Travel Clothes For Women That Are Stylish AND Comfortable
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Feature image by Lizzy @whatlizzyloves
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I love a sporty coverup. While on my last vacation I found Coolibar. Stylish. I can wear with leggings
https://www.coolibar.com
I love a midi length caftan or kimono – so graceful. xo