The 28 Best Beach Cover-Ups for Sun Protection (and Style Points)

Best Overall

Express Dippin' Daisy's Deep V-Neck Swim Cover-Up

View On Express.com

As far as design specs are concerned, swimsuit cover-ups aren’t a one-size-fits-all matter. That makes finding an overall best pick a challenge, but we are up for it. For this category, we researched styles that flatter most body types, offer a good amount of coverage while still showing some skin, and are available in black and white, making it easy to pair them with any suit. The winner is this V-neck cover-up dress from Dippin’ Daisy’s. The short-sleeve style and V-neckline keep things breezy while the cinched waistline gives a flattering appeal. On top of that, it’s available in three solid colors—black, white, and pink—for easy pairing with your favorite swimsuit style.

Price at time of publish: $48

Material: 100% rayon | Size Range: S-M

Best Maxi Dress

Madewell Double-Gauze Cover-Up Maxi Shirtdress

View On Madewell.com View On Shopbop.com

Maxi dresses are great for covering up at the beach or pool and this shirtdress maxi is a must. We love the softness of the gauzy cotton material, the blend of clean lines and slightly oversized fit, and the button detailing—it’s so chic, you’ll want to wear it with and without a swimsuit underneath.

Price at time of publish: $85

Material: Cotton | Size Range: XXS-XXL

Best Designer

Missoni Stripe Plissé Cover-Up Maxi Skirt

View On Nordstrom View On Intermixonline.com View On Net-a-Porter

If you’re looking for the best designer swimsuit cover-up, we found it. This maxi skirt from Missoni features a fresh sheer striped print in classic Missoni multicolor with a flattering slit up the side to keep you covered and cool.

Price at time of publish: $850

Material: 100% viscose | Size Range: XS-L

Best Long Sleeve

Icon Swim Cover Your Basics Coverup

View On Iconswim.com

For a quick and easy long-sleeved bathing suit cover-up, go for an oversized button-up shirt. This one made our top list because, despite its sleeve length, it’s quite breathable thanks to its lightweight fabric material. You can wear it on its own with the sleeves rolled up or down, or rock it with a pair of cotton shorts for added coverage.

Price at time of publish: $38

Material: 85% nylon, 15% spandex | Size Range: XS-4X

Best Romper

Isabella Rose Villa Cover-Up Romper

View On Bloomingdales

Romper cover-ups are great for jetting from the beach to lunch, giving an effortless style that still feels put together. We love this one for its loose and lightweight design, flattering fit, and added tassel detailing, giving it a touch of bohemian flair.

Price at time of publish: $84

Material: 92% rayon, 8% metallic fiber | Size Range: S-L

Best Kaftan

Pink City Prints Green Safari Pintuck Kaftan

View On Pinkcityprints.com

Pink City Prints creates gorgeous hand-worked dresses in Jaipur, India. We fell in love with this bright green kaftan that has been screen-printed by hand and features intricate pin-tucked details. Flowy and light, it’s the perfect summer companion, whether you’re throwing it on over your swimsuit for the beach or pool or wearing it to al fresco brunch.

Material: Organic cotton | Size Range: XS-XL

Best Sarong

Monday Swimwear St. Tropez Sarong

View On Mondayswimwear.com

Sarongs are a classic swimsuit cover-up and are great for throwing something on real quick. While they come in all sorts of variations, we love this one from Monday Swimwear for its timeless silhouette and variety of solid color options—making it easy to pair with bold prints and colors.

Material: 65% modal, 35% linen | Size Range: OS

Best Pants

Trina Turk Pacheco Wide Leg Cover-Up Pants

View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales

When shopping for a pair of pants to cover up with, sheer is always the way to go as it not only flatters but also keeps things breezy on a hot day. We are obsessed with these drawstring cover-up pants for their billowing design, slit leg style, and sheer pattern.

Material: 60% cotton, 40% nylon | Size Range: XS-XL

Best Matching Pants Set

Lulu’s Grab Your Passport Two-Piece Swim Cover Up

View On Lulus

Whether you’re looking to cover up at the beach or need a fun poolside look, this two-piece pants set is a great choice. We chose this set for our top pick because the pants are fully lined, making it possible to wear them sans swimsuit, and loose enough to keep it cool on a hot summer day. On top of that, we love the contrast between the billowing pants and crop cinched top.

Price at time of publish: $66

Material: 85% rayon, 15% nylon; 100% rayon lining | Size Range: XS-XL

Best Matching Shorts Set

Free People Fresno Set

View On Freepeople.com

This set screams versatility—which is a must when frolicking in warm weather. You can wear the cozy pajama-like shorts and button-up top as separates or pair them together (with the top either open or buttoned up for extra coverage) depending on what you’re feeling at the moment. Another reason to love this set? It’s made from a terry fabric, so it has ultra-plush vibes.

Price at time of publish: $88

Material: 4% elastane, 56% cotton, 40% polyester | Size Range: XS-XL

Best Sheer

Forever 21 Billowy Sheer Swim Cover-Up Dress

View On Forever21.com

Many swimsuit cover-ups have a sense of sheer to them, but if you’re on the hunt for something a little more revealing, this is our top pick. The ultra-sheer fabric and high-slit design provide a veil of coverage, allowing for your swimsuit to still peek through. This would be great for ultra-warm and humid environments as it covers up while still allowing for airflow and breathability.

Price at time of publish: $28

Material: 95% nylon, 5% spandex | Size Range: XS-3X

Best Terry Cloth

O’Neill Poolside Terry Romper Cover-Up

View On Oneill.com

We swoon hard for this terry cloth romper cover-up. Featuring a lounge-worthy loose fit with button closures, the relaxed swimsuit cover-up offers an excellent outer layer when you want to cover up poolside.

Price at time of publish: $50

Material: 60% cotton, 40% polyester towel terry | Size Range: XS-XL

Best Tunic

Lauren Ralph Lauren Button Sleeveless Tunic

View On Bloomingdales View On Zappos

Tunics make for a preppy approach to swimsuit cover-ups, and no one does prep quite like Ralph Lauren. This straight-cut sleeveless tunic dress features a scoop neckline with a V-neck slit with button detailing on the sides, giving it a nautical appeal.

Price at time of publish: $96

Material: 100% cotton rib | Size Range: 0-20

Best Shorts

Summersalt The Silky Wrap Shorts

View On Summersalt.com

When wearing shorts as a cover-up, something loose-fitting and airy is a must—especially if you need a quick cover-up while still a little damp from swimming. We love this pair of wrap shorts because they have a sarong-like design, giving them a nice and flowy fit. On top of that, they're made of recycled charmeuse, making them a great sustainable option.

Price at time of publish: $65

Material: 100% recycled polyester charmeuse made from plastic water bottles | Size Range: XS-2X

Best Shirt

Dos Swim Isla Shirt

View On Dosswim.com

Button-down shirts make for ultra-cool swimsuit cover-ups and the key is to go for something slightly oversized and breathable. This shirt from Dos Swim is our top pick for its relaxed boyfriend-style silhouette, 100 percent cotton material, and fun block printed design.

Price at time of publish: $89

Material: 100% cotton | Size Range: XS-XL

Most Versatile

Rielli Antibes

View On Riellibrand.com

When it comes to versatility in swimsuit cover-ups, we’re all for something that can be taken from the beach to the restaurant, and this dress is it. Also known as a “beach dress,” this halter mini dress is made up of lightweight, spongy fabric that is ultra-soft and ultra-breathable. It can be worn over a swimsuit or on its own, making it as versatile as it is stylish.

Material: Spongy crinkle fabric | Size Range: XS/S-M/L

Best Jumpsuit

Becca Ponza Strapless Cover-Up Jumpsuit

View On Nordstrom View On Bloomingdales View On Zappos

Similar to dresses, jumpsuit cover-ups are another quick and easy way to throw something over your swimsuit. Our top pick for this category is this strapless cover-up featuring an adjustable waist tie and is made of lightweight rayon material. The jumpsuit is available in classic black or white, plus a fun bronze for an added touch of earthy color.

Material: 100% rayon | Size Range: S-L

Best Kimono-Style

Icon Swim Take Cover Kimono

View On Iconswim.com

Kimono-style cover-ups are another way to cover up without sacrificing comfort—especially when you’re in a more tropical and humid environment. We love this floor-length kimono for a little extra coverage in the back while remaining open and flowy in the front.

Price at time of publish: $28

Material: 100% polyester | Size Range: S-4X

Best Scarf

Asherah Swimwear Nyx Tortoise Scarf

View On Asherahswimwear.com

Cover-ups are also a fun way to style a swimsuit and this scarf tie adds some major flair. You can belt it up around your waist or open it as wide as it goes and wrap it around your hips for added styling.

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: 100% polyester chiffon | Size Range: OS

Best Pattern

Icon Swim Effortless Shine Coverup-Smokey Abstract

View On Iconswim.com

Like swimsuits, cover-ups come in all sorts of fun patterns. A printed cover-up is an expressive way to style a solid swimsuit, and we love this sheer bodycon-style dress for its abstract print and added crop top detailing. But, another great reason to love it is the cover-up dress comes with a matching bikini bottom so you can achieve this head-to-toe poolside look in one purchase.

Price at time of publish: $28

Material: 95% nylon, 5% spandex | Size Range: XS-XL

Best Wrap Dress

L*SPACE Daydream Tunic

View On Nordstrom View On Lspace.com View On Revolve

Wrap dresses are an easy and chic way to cover up and head to lunch or dinner. We are obsessed with this one from L*SPACE for its ultra-flattering silhouette, collared design, and slightly sheer style.

Price at time of publish: $145

Material: 85% viscose, 15% cotton | Size Range: XS-L

Best Off-the-Shoulder

Lemlem Sisu Beach Dress

View On Fwrd.com View On Revolve

This designer cover-up dress is our top pick for best off-the-shoulder thanks to its versatile design, lightweight cotton material, and effortless silhouette. If you’re looking for the best swimsuit cover-up for a beach vacation, this is it. Its fringed hem and flowing midi skirt will transport you from the seaside to an afternoon of shopping with ease.

Price at time of publish: $345

Material: 95% cotton, 5% acrylic | Size Range: XS-L

Best Crochet

Summersalt The Crochet Halter Dress

View On Summersalt.com

Crochet has always been in style when it comes to swimsuit cover-ups. Our top pick for a crochet cover-up is this dress from Summersalt. We adore the simple wide stitching of the yarn paired with the sleek halter tie and low scoop back, giving it extra breezy vibes.

Price at time of publish: $145

Material: 100% certified U.S. combed cotton | Size Range: XS-2X

Best Colorful

Trina Turk Rio Cover-Up Tunic

View On Nordstrom View On Trinaturk.com

If you’re looking for something bright and colorful, we found the ultimate pick. This tunic cover-up from Trina Turk features bright pops of color in a retro printed pattern with a slim-fit skirt and billowing sleeves for a statement-making swimsuit cover-up.

Price at time of publish: $152

Material: 83% nylon, 17% spandex | Size Range: XS-XL

Best Wrap Skirt

Summersalt The Beach to Brunch Wrap Skirt

View On Summersalt.com

Wrap skirts are another easy and stylish way to cover up while at the beach or pool, and they are one of the most flattering silhouettes around. This one from Summersalt features a flirty fringed hem that slits up the side and is available in a range of fun patterns, including polka dot, leopard, and paisley.

Price at time of publish: $95

Material: 100% polyester/charmeuse | Size Range: XS-2X

Best Maxi Skirt

Melissa Odabash Alessia Eyelet Cover-Up Maxi Skirt

View On Nordstrom View On Saks Fifth Avenue View On Shopbop.com

When covering up with a maxi skirt, you want to find something that is light and airy and can be paired with a matching shirt or worn with your bikini top. This one makes all of our beach dreams come true with its dreamy cornflower blue hue, eyelet lace detailing, and flattering silhouette.

Price at time of publish: $294

Material: 100% cotton | Size Range: XS-L

Best Midi Dress

Cala de la Cruz Nane Dress

View On Anthropologie

Linen dresses are another fantastic way to cover up at the pool or beach as they boast breathability and comfort. This designer cover-up from Anthropologie is cut to flatter the body with its midi-length skirt, more fitted bust, and puff sleeves—not to mention the stripe design has major yacht sailing vibes.

Material: Cotton | Size Range: XS-XL