Dressing stylishly for the beach can be challenging, particularly if it’s really warm and you don’t want to bare too much. In this article, you’ll find all the best women’s beach outfits that will make you look and feel fabulous.
Of course, you’ll need a flattering swimsuit, and cover-up, but your beach outfits can incorporate so much more. You’ll find everything below to put together casual outfits for lazy beach days, through to ideas on how to go from beach to bar or restaurant, or inspiration if you have a beach event like a party or a barbecue to attend.
How to put together your beach outfits
Before we look at some beach outfit ideas, what should you think about when dressing for the beach and choosing the best women’s beach outfits?
How will you be spending your day
Will you mainly be relaxing on the beach with a good book, or are you planning a walk along the shore, or maybe you’re going from the beach straight for lunch. Think about your activities and how you can alter your outfit to suit.
What do you prefer to cover?
If you are happy to sit on your towel or lounger with your swimsuit, but prefer to cover-up when dining or walking, then you’ll need a great cover-up to add to your beach outfit.
Layering is key
Start with your swimsuit. Then you can layer over a dress or cover-up, or you could add a pair of pants and a shirt or vest so you’re ready for the whole day ahead.
Fly London Bani sandals, similar dress, cover up (here and here) and sunglasses
Massimo Dutti Linen Top – COS Linen Blend Culottes – Massimo Dutti Flat Leather Sandals – Massimo Dutti Raffia Tote – Karine Sultan Imitation Pearl Tassel Necklace – San Diego Hat Ultrabraid XL Brim Straw Sun Hat
Don’t forget your accessories
Just because you’re at the beach, doesn’t mean you can’t accessorize. Your beach accessories should combine practicality and style. A great sunhat will help to protect your face, while a scarf could cover your shoulders, or double as a sarong.
Suzie @suzie.richetti above chooses a tiered dress that you could easily pop over your swimwear.
Get her look with this similar maxi dress, sandals, scarf, sun hat, earrings and necklace.
Massimo Dutti Linen Tie-Dye Kaftan – Summersalt The Wave Swimsuit – Havaianas Slim Flip Flop – Massimo Dutti Raffia Tote – COS Square Sunglasses
beach outfits
Now let’s move onto some clothes, sandals and accessories you could wear to the beach. Thinking about your beach outfits as a whole clothing capsule is particularly useful if you are packing for a beach vacation.
tops
When choosing tops for the beach, a loose shirt can be worn in many different ways, from being tucked into your shorts to wearing over your swimsuit as a cover-up. Vest tops are summery and cool, and you can always layer your shirt over if you want to cover your arms. Plus, if you want to elevate your beach look, then look out for t-shirts that are a little bit of an usual, with details like twists, ties or ruching.
Massimo Dutti Knot Linen Blend Shirt – Massimo Dutti Linen Top – Massimo Dutti Strappy Seam Detail Top – Massimo Dutti Striped Waffle-Knit Shirt
Kylie @kylish_aus above chooses a classic beach outfit of shorts, a tank top and wide-brimmed hat.
Steal her look with this similar tank top, shorts (another option here), hat (another option here), necklace and sunglasses.
bottoms
When it comes to the pants and skirts you choose for the beach, then you’ll want a great pair of shorts. If you prefer pants, choose cropped, cool styles made of natural material. You could also opt for a skirt. A wrap style will be easy to put on over your swimsuit.
COS Linen Blend Culottes – Massimo Dutti Linen Darted Bermuda Shorts – Massimo Dutti High Waist Darted Denim Shorts – Massimo Dutti Linen Striped Rustic Skirt
Massimo Dutti Knot Linen Blend Shirt – Massimo Dutti High Waist Darted Denim Shorts – Tory Burch Miller Leather Sandals – Massimo Dutti Raffia Tote – Badu Seed Beaded Drop Earrings – COS Square Sunglasses
dresses and jumpsuits
A dress or jumpsuit can make a great cover-up for your swimsuit, and can look particularly stylish if you want to give your beach outfit more of a formal look, perhaps because you have a party or you are heading to lunch or dinner after some time at the beach.
COS Asymmetric T-Shirt Dress – Massimo Dutti Pleated Wrap Dress – Massimo Dutti Contrast Strappy Dress – Massimo Dutti Linen Blend Back Split Jumpsuit
Nikki @midlifechic above gives her jumpsuit summer flair with her rattan bag and orange sandals.
Get her look with this similar jumpsuit (other options here and here), sandals, clutch and necklace.
Cover-ups
Unless you’re happy to simply wear your swimsuit all day, you’ll want a stylish cover up. You might want to make sure your arms and shoulders are covered up, or perhaps you’re happy with a sleeveless option. Or, you could choose a sarong to cover up your hips and thighs.
Also take a look at the best bathing suit cover ups for women over 40.
Massimo Dutti Linen Tie-Dye Kaftan – Pool to Party Beach to Street Halter Cover-Up Dress – Elan V-Back Cover-Up Maxi Dress – Elan Print Sarong Cover-Up Maxi Skirt
Pool to Party Beach to Street Halter Cover-Up Dress – Franco Sarto Greta Sandal – Obosoyo Woven Clutch – Bocar Multi Layer Seed Beaded Necklace – Badu Seed Beaded Drop Earrings
swimsuit
Of course, unless you are planning to stay completely out of the water, the most important element of your beach outfit will be a stylish swimsuit.
You can find more inspiration in this article on the best bathing suits for women over 40.
Summersalt The Ribbed Sidestroke Swimsuit – Summersalt The Wave Swimsuit – Boden Bow Detail Halter Swimsuit – Hilor Front Crossover Swimsuit
Nikki @40notfrumpy above opts for a black cut out swimsuit.
Recreate her beach outfit with this similar scallop trim swimsuit, sandals and sunglasses.
shoes for the beach
Of course, you may opt to go barefoot for part of your day. But, you’ll still need a great pair of sandals. Choose a waterproof pair if you want to walk down to the water. Or, opt for a pair of leather flip flops if you want to give your outfit a slightly more formal look.
Tory Burch Miller Leather Sandals – Massimo Dutti Flat Leather Sandals – Franco Sarto Greta Sandal – Havaianas Slim Flip Flop
Massimo Dutti Strappy Seam Detail Top – Massimo Dutti Linen Striped Rustic Skirt – Massimo Dutti Flat Leather Sandals – Massimo Dutti Raffia Tote – Karine Sultan Imitation Pearl Tassel Necklace
accessories
To go with your women’s beach outfits, you’ll want a beach bag to fit your towel, book and essentials in, as well as a sunhat and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes from the sun. If you’ll be going straight out from the beach, or you are attending an event on the beach, you could elevate your look with a rattan or straw clutch, and some statement jewelry.
Massimo Dutti Raffia Tote – Obosoyo Woven Clutch – Karine Sultan Imitation Pearl Tassel Necklace – Bocar Multi Layer Seed Beaded Necklace – Badu Seed Beaded Drop Earrings – COS Square Sunglasses – San Diego Hat Ultrabraid XL Brim Straw Sun Hat
Jas @thefashionstylefile above chooses a wrap skirt with her tank top.
Check out this similar tank top, skirt, flip flops, clutch, earrings and sunglasses.
the best women’s beach outfits together in one capsule
Below, you can see the beach outfits from above together in one capsule. You can easily mix and match the different clothes, shoes and accessories to get different levels of formality and coverage. For example, you could wear the striped shirt with the black pants, and any of the tank tops and t-shirt with any of the bottoms.
shop the women’s beach outfits below:
Continue reading:
- Outfits For Summer: The Summer Capsule Wardrobe You Need This Season
- What To Wear In Summer – Our Top 10 Tips & Tricks
- The Best Bathing Suits For Women Over 40 – Swim Suits That Make You Feel Fabulous!
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Feature image by Kylie @kylish_aus
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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