There’s nothing better than a day spent at the beach, especially when the sun is high and all your worries can be forgotten. You finally get the chance to dress up in your best swimwear and accessories to rock the beach look. You want something that is both stylish and comfortable, but can be dressed up and down as needed, but this can be a little tricky to nail perfectly, every time. In this post, we’ll give you our best tips on how to choose the perfect beach outfit to give you a mix of everything you need.

What to Wear to the Beach

When heading to the beach, there’s always a lot to remember. You need a big bag, the right towel, the perfect swimsuit, but you also need to consider what you’ll wear to and from the beach, like if you’re planning to enjoy the bar or have lunch with a few friends before/after swimming. And if you want to look your very best for these occasions, it can be tough finding the right kind of versatile outfit to suit all your plans.

We recommend keeping a kimono at your side for all beach occasions. It’s the perfect throw-over, even if you’re just planning to go straight from the beachside to the car. It helps keep you protected from the sun, but it also showcases your eclectic and stylish personality without constraint.

But for general beachwear? Here are just a few tips to styling your outfit:

  • Wear flowy styles that make it easy to change in, like loose skirts or, better yet, a wrap dress that you can easily wrap around your swimsuit, avoiding constricting items like jeans or tight, form-fitting dresses or shirts
  • Shorter dresses or skirts are ideal as they ensure you can get your feet wet, without having to worry about ruining your outfit
  • Find a bathing suit that fits you perfectly: if you find a style that’s a little baggy or you need to adjust often, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise after you catch a big wave…
  • Bright patterns are always a great feature for any beach-side activity, but if you do want to opt for darker colours, make sure you keep those colours for your swimwear or accessories only – a black dress on the beach in summer is never ideal
  • Avoid suede shoes, excessively jewellery (unless you own durable, waterproof pieces), and anything else that may get damaged. Our best recommendation is to wear some sandals, rock a lightweight outfit, and keep the jewels stored well if you do want to don them after you’ve finished strolling the beachside.

Here are our favourite ways to rock your beach outfit:

This simple strapless Becky Dress is great for popping over the top of any swimsuit, while staying light-weight and comfortable enough to keep your style on-point!

This Emerald Kimono is perfect for staying comfortable and covered, while keeping you beach-ready at all times. If you want to swap the denim skirt for a pair of loose-fitting shorts, you’ll love your versatile beachside outfit.

This Peach Wrap Skirt and Bandeau Top is our go-to beach outfit. Though form-fitting and elegant, these items are easy to slip over any swimsuit and will keep you both stylish and comfortable!

How to Dress for the Weather

When choosing an outfit to wear on the beach, it’s important to consider the weather conditions. Most of the time, you’ll be running to the beach through warm weather, when the sun is high and the rays are #onpoint.

It’s always good to consider donning a hat and some sunglasses to achieve a super stylish beach look, but especially through extremely hot conditions. It’ll help to protect you from any harmful rays, while also establishing a stunning look. For added protection? A throw-over, like a kimono, will do a great job of protecting the rest of your body when you’re out of the water.

Just keep in mind: a tan is great but skin cancer? Not so hot.

On windy or more overcast days, we’d still recommend sun protection so that, if the sun does come out, you’re not left stranded. However, you can get away with flowing dresses or even a bohemian knit to keep you warm once you’re out of the water, or just strolling the beachside, without compromising on style.

Just check out these beach outfits for staying comfortable no matter the weather:

Want an outfit for any occasion? This Venus Green Dress is a winner for the beachside!

When you want a little coverage with the added bonus of a killer look, take inspiration from this decadent Lush Cardi look!

Want to vibe the beach through the worst of winter? This Ember Wrap look is a must-have!

Accessories for the Beach

When you’re hitting the beach, it’s important to have the right accessories to complete your look.

Yes, we all know a hat and sunglasses are crucial for any beach look. Any sunglasses will do, but when it comes to your choice of hat it’s a good idea to choose one made of a breathable material, like straw. This will help to keep your look aligned with the beachy-vibes, while also allowing you the proper amount of sun protection.

But it’s not just these…

You’ll also need to find the perfect bag to carry all the necessities for the day’s activities inside. That can sometimes be the hardest part, as you really do need to find the right size (and no bag is ever big enough for those beach days… am I right?). Luckily, we’ve got a good selection of boho beach bags, designed specifically for these kinds of trips.

You’ll also need to remember a towel, shoes, and you might even want to consider a headscarf or some reliable, waterproof jewellery for the occasion.

To make things easy, we’ve picked some of our favourite beachside accessories:

This Panama Hat is the perfect beach accessory, available in three stunning colours to help you protect yourself from excessive sun exposure, while staying #onpoint in your look! Whether on the beachside or by the bar, you’ll love this addition!

We LOVE this Spring Garden Scarf, especially for the beach! If you’re not willing to opt for a hat, this headscarf is great for keeping the top of your head protected, while giving a flowing and elegant feel to your look. If you’re just bar or restaurant crawling? This accessory is perfect for you.

Need a Mary Poppins bag that’s both cute and functional? This Large Velvet Bag is the perfect addition to your beach outfit! It’s an ideal size for beach use and features gorgeous embroidery and beading with an added inside pocket!

 

 

When spending your day by the beach, there’s nothing better than an outfit that can handle all the different settings you’ll find yourself in, while giving you a stylish look and feel. We hope this beach outfit guide will help you make the best choice for your beach trip, no matter the weather. Cienna Designs have endless options when it comes to boho resort wear for year-round, explore the full range to make the most of your beach trip here.

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