Beach Dressing Staples: What to Wear to the Beach

A swimsuit with a beach dress on top, sandals, sunglasses, a wide-brimmed straw hat, and a beach tote are all you need for a beach day out, right? Well, yes. That should suffice for lounging on the sand, getting gorgeously tanned while sipping on a pina colada and munching on an artisan burger from a nearby food truck.

However, you can still gussy it up. Essential and stylish are not mutually exclusive. You can wear all of the above and still look (and feel) like a million bucks. When attending special beachside occasions, taking things up one or two notches is also a given.

Need ideas? They’re coming. Read on and for fun and fab beach dressing ideas.

A Leisurely Day at the Beach: Contrasting Complements

Look like you’ve just stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine with the right resort wear. Choose a swimwear and beach cover-up that complement each other.

Read that again. Pick a swimsuit and cover-up that complement each other. Remember that complementing does not mean matching. While getting a bikini with a matching cover-up can be more convenient (read: safe), where’s the fun in that?

For your swimwear, try a bright metallic tangerine crinkle seersucker two-piece bikini with a ruched, wide-strap bandeau top and a moderate bottom. Pair that with a diamond-patterned cerulean blue maxi kaftan with a deep V in the front and back, a ruched high waist and a charming little tie string at the nape.

Accessorise with copper-toned gold hoop earrings and maybe a set of bangles or a cuff bracelet to pick up the metallic sheen of the bikini. Add a wide-brimmed, tasselled sun hat in natural straw for a chic touch, a pair of aviator sunglasses to shield your eyes from the glare of the sun, tan or gold flat sandals, and a woven tote bag in natural straw for a change of clothing, sunblock and other beach essentials.

How about going all pastelicious in a bubble gum pink string bikini and a mint abaya-style beach cover-up?

Just don’t get too carried away with your pastel theme, though. Opt for simple, understated accessories, like white-rimmed sunglasses, silver or white flip-flops, a delicate silver ankle bracelet, and stud earrings. Carry a woven beach bag in a neutral shade and cap the look with a white or natural straw hat.

A Glorious Beach Wedding: Casual Sophistication

Sophisticated and casual don’t normally go together, but they’re made for each other when it comes to beach weddings. The beachside setting – sand in your shoes and eyes, sea breezes that mess up hairstyles, the humidity that can make you feel too warm – asks for (nay, demands) casual togs. It’s a wedding, though, so you really must go for an upgraded version of your typical beach casual.

Unless the wedding invitation explicitly says, “Come in your swimsuit”, don’t even consider showing up in swimwear. You can, however, dress up a sarong, a maxi kaftan or a kimono robe, as long as it fits the theme and the level of formality the wedding invitation calls for.

For instance, you can wear a maxi beach cover-up in chiffon. The fabric you choose and details like lace, embroidery and beading can elevate beachwear to wedding wear. You can also pair a sarong with an elegant bodysuit and a formal skirt or palazzo pants or layer a kimono robe over a sleek dress or a tailored jumpsuit.

Floral dresses are excellent beach wedding wear. Bright dresses (think periwinkle, lemon, coral) are good options. You can go for long, flowy summer dresses, bodycon tank dresses, or swingy midi dresses.

Level up your beach attire with jewellery in mother of pearl, onyx, crystal, and gold, a designer clutch and, of course, some stylish wedges or block heels. Sport a chic updo, put on some makeup and you should be all set.

A Fun Beach Party: Stylish Comfort

What do you wear for a casual gathering at the beach with friends? This time, swimming is not only allowed but expected. You look forward to a day spent playing beach volleyball and other games, going into the water on a whim, and plenty of water sports: jet skiing, kayaking, banana boating, etc.

Go for all-day comfort and beachwear that will remain in place and keep you covered no matter what you do and how much you move. How about a one-piece? No need to keep adjusting waistbands and retying strings for a perfect fit.

You can also go for a two-piece bikini. Choose a balconette, halter or bandeau top and forgo the string, Brazilian, tanga, or minimal bottom for something hipster, full or high-waisted.

For an all-day comfortable beachwear that prioritises function and style, choose waterproof slide sandals or espadrilles, a wide-brimmed sun hat or a sporty visor, durable polarised sunglasses, and a lightweight cotton wrap or sarong that can be quickly tied over your swimsuit. A waterproof watch and a mesh tote or canvas beach bag would complete your look.