Eve Dawes is a fashion and lifestyle editor and founder…
Last Updated on July 9, 2024 by Eve Dawes
The most stylish swimsuit cover ups for the beach or pool
Swimsuit cover ups have been getting a major upgrade and are sexier and more stylish than ever before. So forget your basic bikini cover-ups and denim shorts and earn major style points with these more fashionable and chic beach cover ups this season. Whether you’re wanting to try the sheer skirt trend, a crochet swim suit coverup or a matching cute women’s swimsuit cover up set, these are the best women’s beach cover ups you’re going to want to wear for your next vacation or pool day.
This post contains affiliate links.

Why wear beach cover ups
Jean shorts and denim are always uncomfortable on hot, sticky days versus flowy, lightweight breathable fabrics. Cover ups are no longer just something to throw on over your swimwear. The latest styles are all about resort wear chic and comfort.
No one wants to deal with having to change on the beach which is why sarongs and easy beach cover up styles that are easy to slip over swimsuits and let you relax in comfort or pull up a chair at the beach bar are so popular.

The best women’s beach cover ups
I’ve been hunting down the best women’s beach cover ups for our trip to Rhodes and the day club in Ibiza from designer to affordable styles. As I wanted something that looks both stylish for the day but also practical for the beach and pool. These are the very best I came across for all body types and budgets, and the cute swimsuit cover ups that ended up in my closet.

Summersalt are the flattering swimwear expert so there’s quite a lot of their beach coverups on this edit. As well as in my wardrobe! This crochet maxi dress also comes in white and is pretty heavyweight for a swim coverup but that means less chance of snagging it than with more fragile crochet materials. I tend to pack the mini not the maxi for vacation as it’s less bulky.

What beach and swim cover ups are in style
The most on trend beach cover ups this year include:
- Pretty floral prints and 3D flowers.
- Tassels.
- Polka dot prints.
- Matching shirt and shorts sets.
- Bold stripes.
- Loose neutral women’s swim coverup dresses.
- Crotchet dresses.
Polka dots were everywhere last year and are still in style this season and one of the most classic swimsuit coverup options! Logos are also still in style with Versace and Balmain offering some of the best swimwear collections for that.
Glam, mirror disc dresses were a major trend last year but aren’t as prevalent this year. You can still wear them as they look beautiful when they catch the sun and scream golden goddess but just be careful they don’t get too hot!
Matching sets are also having a moment and are great for throwing on for breakfast, sightseeing or cute swimsuit coverups. Just be careful they don’t end up looking like PJ’s. I got this green linen shorts and shirt coord set as it’s breathable, has pockets and an elasticated waist. It also gave me more sun protection. It just doesn’t look great done up as the shirt’s so oversized, it looks sloppy and shapeless but I love it for a versatile, on trend coverup.
Best bikini cover ups
Mirror disc dresses AKA chainmail dresses work really well as a bikini coverup and are still one of my favorite looks this Summer. Just be warned, don’t sunbathe or stay in the sun too long in them.
They’re better for arriving and leaving in or for sunset cocktails as they heat up fast but are so stunning in the sunlight! A lot of them are one size so look for details like halter neck straps that you can adjust the length of them with.

I love beach coverup styles that I can step into or button up so I don’t have to worry about my sun hat or hair. Which is how I ended up with this halterneck crochet mini dress as it’s easy to step into.

Chic beach coverup pants are also perfect for islands breezes, boats and extra coverage like this ones which are another Summersalt find.

Shop the best women’s swimsuit cover ups
From long sleeve coverups to barely there sheer styles, kimonos, classic sarongs, matching sets, breezy maxi dresses and coverup pants. Whether you’re looking for a forgiving and effortless style, fitted and sexy silhouette, or elegant style coverup dress I have you covered in this best swim and bikini cover up edit. Including a striking PatBo dress and lots of other designer finds!

What is a swimsuit cover up
A swimsuit cover up is considered any piece of lightweight clothing designed to be worn over your swimsuit. Beach cover-ups include but aren’t limited to dresses, sarongs, kimonos, rompers, shirt dresses, matching shorts and tops and pants set.
Obviously the main point of them is to coverup your swimsuit. Whether that’s for eating lunch, when you feel like you’re getting to much sun, or for getting to and from the beach and pool.
Follow
Eve Dawes is a fashion and lifestyle editor and founder of Glamour and Gains, the number one luxury fashion and lifestyle magazine in Las Vegas. With over 15 years of industry experience spanning professional performance, fashion styling, beauty formulation and fitness, Eve brings a level of genuine expertise to her content that goes well beyond standard publishing. Beauty and skincare expertise: Eve's beauty device coverage is backed by direct brand access that most independent reviewers don't have. She has had one-on-one training with Melanie Simon, founder of ZIIP Halo, giving her a deeper technical understanding of microcurrent and nanocurrent technology than any spec sheet can provide. She has had in-person education with CurrentBody directly and attended an exclusive Zoom masterclass with Dr Jason Diamond on the launch of his Metacine Eyelift. She is also the founder of Dawes Custom Cosmetics, a triple award-winning cruelty-free luxury cosmetics line - winning Best Custom-Blended Cosmetics Business USA and the LUX Customer Service Excellence Award Las Vegas, which gives her professional beauty formulation training that informs every product review she writes. Every recommendation on this site is based on genuine long-term personal testing, before and after photos included. Fashion and styling credentials: Originally from England, Eve trained as a ballerina at Central School of Ballet and London Studio Centre before touring internationally as a professional dancer with the Vienna Festival Ballet, in musicals, on TV, in music videos, theatres, casinos and cruise lines, and in films including Burlesque and Burt Wonderstone. This performance background gave her a unique eye for style, fit and how clothing moves on the body - which underpins everything she writes about fashion. She has collaborated with Revolve, Faviana, and designer Debbie Carroll, and has over 50 designer bags in her personal collection, making her designer handbag and luxury fashion coverage genuinely authoritative rather than aspirational. Fitness and wellness credentials: Eve is a NASM and REPS certified Personal Trainer, Sports Massage Therapist, Yoga and Spin instructor, a graduate of Premier International London, and a WBFF Professional Athlete who won her Pro card competing at the highest level of women's fitness competition. She is also Mrs. England World 2020 and Mrs. Nevada United States 2017, placing Top 15 at Mrs. United States, and was awarded the Nevada Community Service Award for two consecutive years. She studied the Art of Rhetoric and Persuasive Speech at Harvard. Press and media: Eve has been featured in Vogue, Rolling Stone, LA Times, Modern Luxury Magazine, Huffington Post, Oxygen Magazine, Iron Man Magazine, Strong Magazine, Fit and Firm Magazine, E!, BodyBuilding.com and Beast Games, among others. She has appeared in commercials, music videos and films, and previously worked as a content creator for Google Web Stories and is a Mediavine publisher. What you'll find on Glamour and Gains: Glamour and Gains is a luxury fashion and lifestyle magazine covering beauty devices and skincare, designer bags, travel and wellness - all through the lens of someone who has worn, tested and lived with everything she recommends. Nothing on this site is written from a press release.







