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Below we have rounded up some of our favorite beach coverups that are perfect for everything, including an upcoming vacation, pool party, or if you are just sick of wearing an oversized tee. These coverups come in plenty of colors and print options that make it easy to mix and match with any swimwear collection.
We have included some bohemian-style crochet options that will keep you looking and feeling cool at the same time, a flirty ultra-sheer number, and a casual tank dress that can do double-duty as the perfect bathing suit coverup.
Our Picks of the Hottest Beach Coverups
Harhay Coverup — Best Overall
This crochet stunner is another beach coverup must-have. With a slightly longer length, this coverup can also function as an apres beach dress (throw on a pair of shorts if it's too open) when you need something to quickly cover up with. It has slits on the side with stylish tassels decorating each side and its v-neck design will show off your latest tan.
Pros
- The 3/4 length sleeves give the dress some style
- It comes in over 30 different colors
Cons
- There is only one size option
Ekouaer Cover Up — Runner Up
Made of a soft, lightweight, and slightly sheer material, this cover-up was made to be seen. It sports a deep v-neck, side slit, and an asymmetrical hem that is longer in the back and will keep you comfortable while lounging at the pool or laying out on the beach.
Pros
- This top provides plenty of coverage for comfort
- The soft, breathable material keeps you cool on hot days
Cons
- This top contains no stretch
Jeasona Crochet Dress — Best Value for Money
Whether you choose to wear as a dress or beach coverup, this alluring polyester dress has an all-over crochet design with a v-neck front and decorative drawstrings on both sides. The material is very soft making this the ideal cover-up when at the beach or swimming pool and it provides enough coverage with its high-low design so you can feel comfortable wearing it to a bbq or pool party without feeling overexposed.
Pros
- The drawstring sides allow you to adjust how high or low you want the opening
- The material is soft and comfortable
Cons
- This dress should be hand washed only
Wander Agio Coverup — Most Vibrant
Another great bohemian-style bathing suit coverup is this crochet one. Similar to our other options, this one has slits on each side with tassels as decor and a flattering v-neck to show off your favorite necklaces or top of your bathing suit. This is a very comfortable, easy-to-pack coverup that will get you through the whole summer.
Pros
- There are over 30 color and print options
- It has a nice length
Cons
- There is only one size option
Longyuan Sundress — Most Comfortable
This is the ideal summer coverup as it does double-duty as a perfect summer dress and an easy swimsuit coverup. Made from soft, stretchy fabric, this is one of our options that is not see-through which makes it easy to wear on its own. This dress is also sleeveless with a round neck, flattering above-the-knee length and an elastic waist gives your figure a flattering silhouette.
Pros
- This dress has two side pockets
- It has a pocket on each side
Cons
- The white colors may be slightly see-through
Yincro Coverup — Most Stylish
This basic swim coverup is a great, universally flattering option. Made from chiffon material, this coverup will keep you cool and comfortable and has tassels on the sides as a unique design option. Wear it on your next vacation, local and afar, to the beach, swimming pool, and any summer parties.
Pros
- There are over 30 color and fun print options available
- The material is lightweight and comfortable
Cons
- The tassels are placed in different areas on certain color options
Avidlove Coverup — Flirtiest Option
This slightly flirtier coverup is made up of a lightweight chiffon material that is just sheer enough to see a bathing suit but can also function as a top with jeans and cami for a night out. It has a deep v-neck, short sleeves, and adjustable straps at the bust/waistline to ensure a comfortable fit.
Pros
- This coverup comes in 16 bright and fun color options
- The material is the perfect amount of sheer
Cons
- If you prefer a less sheer coverup, another option might be better
Buying Guide: Beach Coverups
Just because you’re going to the beach doesn’t mean you should be wearing a bikini from the get-go. Learn more about the convenience of beach coverups in this brief buyer’s guide.
What Are Beach Coverups?
When going to a beach or pool, you ideally want to be wearing some form of swimwear, such as a bikini. Bikinis are comfortable, give you plenty of air, and are great for getting a tan. But wearing only a bikini all the time can be a little bit awkward, especially if you’re wearing the bikini and are still a little shy about it.
With beach coverups, you can wear a bikini without actually wearing the bikini. The coverup will act as your clothing piece until you decide to use the bikini for swimming, tanning, or anything else you have in mind. The coverup is designed to be easy to put on and take off, which is perfect when you’re at the beach or by the pool.
Why Do You Need a Beach Coverup?
They’re convenient to wear at the beach
If you’ve ever gone to the beach in a bikini before, you probably wear your bikini and then put on something casual like some shorts and a shirt over it. Then, when the time comes to wear that bikini, all you have to do is take off your shirt and shorts, and you’re good to go. This is a fairly solid plan, and it does work, but you can make the process a whole lot more efficient.
With a beach coverup, you can easily take off and put on a cover in a matter of seconds. They’re loose and have very open sleeves, so you can remove them whenever you feel like it and put them back on, too. These coverups can save you a bit of time that you could have spent racing to the beach first or preparing for some good photos to post on social media.
They give you plenty of breathing room
Let’s go back to the shirt and shorts example we mentioned earlier. Aside from taking a bit of extra time to put on, it can also feel a little cramped to wear on a hot day. No matter how loose your shirt is and no matter how short your shorts are, they’re still covering up skin that could otherwise feel the cool breeze of the ocean.
One huge advantage that beach coverups have over other types of clothing is how much breathing room you have. They take into account the fact that you’re already wearing a bikini, so they can provide just enough cover to keep your skin safe and certain regions covered while still giving plenty of room for air.
They’re fashionable
If the first two reasons didn’t convince you to get a beach coverup, this one should. Beach coverups are incredibly, and we mean incredibly, fashionable, and they make you look really sexy depending on what you wear to match. They’re like overalls, but made to be even sexier, and some of them even tease a bit of the bikini underneath. It’s a great way to make a statement, and you’ll look far more in style than you would be with some denim shorts and a plain white tee.
Things to Consider When Buying Beach Coverups
Design
Because beach coverups can basically be any piece of clothing that covers the bikini, there are plenty of designs and colors to choose from. These can range from formal-looking dress-like coverups to more casual and summer-ready attire. These coverups vary greatly in looks, and it can be difficult to find a design that really speaks to you, so to make things easier, consider narrowing down your search first.
To narrow down your search, first, think of what mood you want to go for. Do you want to look cute? Sexy? Should it be somewhat formal looking or casual? Ask yourself these questions and jot them down. Later on, when you’re doing some window shopping, return to your answers to help filter out any coverups that you don’t think won’t suit your needs.
Transparency
Bikinis are very pretty on their own, and you may want to show them off even if you’re wearing a coverup. And that’s where transparency comes in. Transparency refers to how much skin and bikini you’re able to see beneath the coverup. Some coverups are completely opaque, preventing you from seeing anything beneath, whereas others are simply made with thin enough fabric that you can see right through.
What you choose is entirely up to you. If you’re more conservative with your looks, then you may only want to show off your bikini when you’re actually swimming. Alternatively, you can still show off that cute bikini you bought with a more transparent coverup. Just remember that you can’t change the transparency of your coverup, so you’ll need to get another one if you want a coverup that shows off less or more.
