What to Wear Over a Swimsuit? You Have Options!
Whether you’re on the beach or poolside, hanging in your backyard, or hitting the lake, it’s always a good idea to have some optional extra layers handy.
A cover-up is an ideal piece of clothing to have handy when you’re in your swimsuit. Maybe you want to sidle up to a cabana for a drink, hit a beach-side patio for lunch, or simply protect your modesty (and your skin) when you’re not in the water. A cover-up lets you do just that.
What Is a Bathing Suit Cover-Up?
Cover-ups are items of clothing that are marketed alongside swimwear or period swimwear to be worn on the beach or poolside. Some of them can be elegant enough to transition to dinner or drinks even. They’re ideal items of clothing if you’re spending time at a resort, on a cruise, or just enjoying a hot day by the pool.
Cover-ups are usually sheer garments, made of lightweight fabric. This means they are great for packing and will fit easily in your luggage, beach bag or even your purse.
More than offering warmth, they offer coverage. And while UV rays can penetrate sheer materials, they do at least put an additional layer between your skin and the sun (note: you still need to wear sunscreen.)
Remember when you were a kid and you used to throw a baggy t-shirt on as beach cover when you got out of the water? Consider a cover-up the more grown-up, elegant accessory to your bathing suit.
They can have many different shapes and cuts, but tunics, kimono-style gowns and sarongs are common styles. The thing they have in common is that they’re usually sheer. This means you’ll often catch a glimpse of the swimsuit beneath them (and indeed, they’re not designed to be worn with underwear, unless you want your underwear on display!)
Where You Can Wear a Bathing Suit Cover-Up?
Cover-ups are designed to be worn over swimsuits so they’re most often worn on the beach or by the pool. However, if you’re in ‘vacation mode’ or at a sun resort, you’ll often see coverups make their way into restaurants and bars too. Think of it as ‘beach chic.’
They give a relaxed, beach-side vibe and are light enough for very hot climates. Some bathing suit cover-ups are patterned or highly adorned with sequins, tassel trim, and embroidered patterns. So, depending on the style, they can really blur the lines between beachwear, daywear, and evening wear.
Plus, we like to think there are no real rules anymore and it’s all about what makes you feel comfortable, happy, and confident! So, if you feel like rocking your cover-up long after the sun goes down, we’re not going to stand in your way!
5 Swimsuit Cover-Ups Your Probably Already Own
You can, of course, still throw on a baggy t-shirt and call it a cover-up. But there are more stylish options you might already have at hand:
1. A Sarong or Big Scarf Makes a Cute Cover-Up
If you’ve got a large, lightweight scarf (preferably a light cotton or linen), it can easily turn into a wrap-style cover-up. Tie it around your waist, turn it into a sarong and you’ve got yourself a cover-up. The beauty of this approach is you get a very versatile accessory that is light to pack and that you can wear as a scarf, a sarong, or a wrap (e.g. on a cold plane.)
2. A Shirtdress Will Work Too!
Shirt dresses are often layered over leggings and can be made of light and breezy material like linen. This makes them an ideal cover-up. You can leave a few more buttons undone to reveal a little peek of your swimsuit or bikini and a belt or drawstring or cinched waist will give you both coverage and shape.
3. Drawstring Pants or Shorts for Lower Half Cover
Of course, cover-ups don’t have to cover the entire body. If you love your swimsuit you may opt to wear it as a bodysuit. Or a bikini top as a cropped top. Throw a pair of lightweight drawstring pants or shorts on your bottom half, and you’ve got an outfit you can wear to a coffee shop, lunch spot, or casual restaurant.
Wearing board shorts, jean shorts, or any other loose pants are other options.
The beauty of this approach is you can choose where to cover up. Maybe you love your bust but are self-conscious about your rear once you’re out of the water. This is your perfect solution!
4. A Kimono or Caftan Makes an Easy, Breezy Cover-Up
Kimonos have infiltrated daywear and they make a phenomenal and breezy option as a cover-up. Because they come in truly elegant designs (embroidered and sequined lightweight fabrics), they can definitely be a dressier kind of cover-up that you might transition to evening wear.
Caftans have a bit of a goofy reputation (Golden Girls visions) but they’re lovely, long, flowy garments that will keep you cool and covered. If you’re worried about them appearing shapeless or mu-mu-like, a belt will help define your waist. But if you have one already, you probably don’t need convincing about what a great wardrobe addition they are and how functional they can be as cover-ups.
5. A Tunic Dress Or Sheer Dress Can Become a Wardrobe Workhorse
Tunic dresses come in various lengths and, like shirt dresses, they’re often worn over leggings or thicker hosiery. If you have a light tunic (again think whisper-thin cotton, voile, or linen), it can do double-duty as a fantastic cover-up.
Other dresses that can work as a cover-up include midi and maxi dresses. Indeed, any style of sheer dress will work really well as a cover-up. Plus you don't have to worry about wearing a slip or other undergarments—the sheerness of the dress becomes part of the look! Worn with flip flops, they'll make a truly chic pool or beach cover.
Summer 2023: Cute Cover-Ups from Knix
Maybe you don’t have any of those garments in your closet? Or perhaps you’re just looking for an excuse to purchase something new for the summer. Either way, we have two amazing cover-up options at Knix. Let’s take a look!
The Knix Beach Shirt
Our beach shirt is a relaxed fit 100% cotton button-down that you can wear open, closed, or tied in the front. Perfect for around the pool or beach, or worn casually.
The beach shirt with a collar, chest pocket, a peak-boo slit detail on the back, and the sleeves can be worn long or rolled up. It comes in black or white and in sizes from XS to XXXXL.
The Knix Sarong
If you want an extra layer to protect your modesty but still leave your skin exposed, our sarong is perfect for you! It’s made from the same material as our swimsuits so you can tie your whole look together with the perfectly matched sarong.
Wait, Can I Wear Just a Bathing Suit?
Is a cover-up a swimwear must-have? Absolutely not.
But I’ve found it to be one of those things I continually reach for when I’m on vacation. They take up zero space in your luggage, offer protection from sun or sudden chills, provide modesty if you feel suddenly self-conscious or just prefer more coverage and mean you can stay in your swimsuit for longer, which makes it easy to dip in and out of the water over the course of a long beach day.
Trust me, once you try a cover-up, you’ll probably feel the same!
We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.