What to Wear for a Day at the Beach? 🏖️

Would you like to look stylish during your summer holiday? Are you on the hunt for the perfect outfit to wear to the beach over your swimsuit?

I'm here to help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I absolutely love summer fashion, which showcases a variety of fabrics and prints.

Today, I invite you to explore a variety of beach outfit ideas, whether it's for long morning strolls, an afternoon of lounging around, or enjoying a lovely holiday evening by the beach.

To make the most of your day by the sea, I recommend wearing comfortable, light, and easy-to-put-on clothing. Whether you choose a short dress, a maxi dress, a playsuit, or a pair of denim shorts, opt for bright and cheerful colours. This is also a great opportunity to wear white, which will highlight your tan, or to sport some lovely colourful prints. You can even wear striped tops, especially if it's a bit chilly. Finally, don’t forget to carefully select your accessories: a hat, sunglasses, and a tote bag...

Want to know more? Keep reading to discover:

• Fabrics and materials to choose for staying cool in summer,
• Comfortable and stylish outfits featuring beach dresses,
• How to wear a kimono at the beach,
• Examples of practical and trendy outfits for moving around the beach,
• A heap of tips and tricks to mix up your outfits and have a fantastic summer!

Bright Colours and Flowing Fabrics

When the warmer days arrive, it's common to put away winter clothes to make room for summer attire. Unlike the heavy winter garments, summer clothes are characterised by a wide variety of light fabrics and bright, airy colours.

The same applies to the clothes you can wear by the seaside: it's at the height of summer, during the holidays, that you can indulge in the lightest and most comfortable outfits.

So, beach outfits are often characterised by:

• Bright colour gradients,
• Patterns like Tie and Dye,
• The constant presence of white, contrasting beautifully with your tan,
• Styles that show off your curves and figure: a split skirt, crop top, backless top…

👉 Since you're not at work or in a place where you need to wear smart attire, it's the perfect time to pick out a comfortable and light outfit that you love and makes you feel good! The great thing about the beach is that everyone dresses however they like and can show off their bodies as they please, without fear of judgement. You can finally brave wearing that slightly low-cut top or those somewhat short shorts that have been sitting in your wardrobe for ages! 😉

3 Perfect Beach Dress Ideas for a Day by the Sea

Easy to slip on and lightweight, this dress seems to be the perfect outfit for your trip to the beach and for enjoying strolls along the shore. In the following lines, I’ll share some inspirations to help you find the ideal dress to pack in your suitcase!

A White Bohemian Beach Dress to Showcase Your Tan

A subtle tan is starting to enhance your skin? It’s the perfect time to wear a lightweight, flowing white dress. Indeed, pristine white is the ideal colour to contrast and highlight your tan. This colour evokes a sense of freedom, and when paired with a slightly loose fit, it gently accentuates your curves while remaining very comfortable.

To mix things up from the classic white dress, I recommend playing with patterns and textures by wearing different fabrics, including those with cut-out designs. Dresses featuring lace details, in a bohemian style, are a great option for accentuating parts of your silhouette. For instance, a lace collar will beautifully highlight your neckline, while a lace trim on a slip can elongate your legs and enhance their shape.

👉 Looking for a stunning bohemian chic maxi dress this summer? Don’t wait any longer and check out our collection by clicking on the banner below:

bohemian white beach dress summer

A lovely short dress with a print

The short dress, sitting above the knee, is perfect for the beach as it allows you to wade in the water without worrying about getting your clothes wet. It's also quite handy for changing, as you can slip it on before putting on your swimmers, giving you a bit more privacy when getting dressed again.

If you’d like, you can opt for a dress featuring a lovely print or a bright colour that will give you a radiant look.

➡ If you have a more curvy figure, I recommend opting for a looser dress that you can cinch at the waist with a slim belt.

➡ Are you petite (under 5 feet 3 inches)? If so, you can wear a dress that fits closely to your body and flares out a bit at the bottom.

➡ If you're tall, a backless dress will be perfect for showcasing your figure!

😊 If you've got some sunburn, I'd recommend steering clear of dresses in warm tones, particularly reds, as they could make the redness more pronounced. Instead, opt for a blue or green dress.

chic bohemian dress for beach holidays

A vibrant long dress

We often think that a long dress is not at all suitable for the beach, as it can indeed get in the way when you're walking in the water or on the sand. However, it can actually be quite handy for avoiding sunburn and sitting on the sand without getting it all over your clothes.

If you're planning to walk in the water, you might want to opt for a dress that isn't too long, ideally one that falls above the ankles, or simply hike it up.

To do this, all you need is to put a safety pin in your beach bag and use it to lift the front of your dress slightly. It's that simple!

👉 In a similar bohemian spirit, a long, brightly coloured skirt that fits snugly at the waist will also be perfect for a beach outfit. I recommend pairing it with a cropped top to enhance and accentuate the proportions of your silhouette.

A practical and comfortable jumpsuit

Are you keen on going for long walks along the beach or through the dunes? Planning to get a bit of exercise? A wetsuit is just what you need. This all-in-one outfit is perfect for maintaining your freedom of movement at the beach while looking stylish. You can choose it in prints or a solid colour.

It’s also perfect for new mums who need to feel comfortable in their clothes while looking after a baby or small child at the beach.

👉 Are thigh chafing bothering you while you're walking on the beach? Consider opting for a slightly longer swimsuit that will prevent this discomfort and allow you to enjoy your holiday!

A pair of denim shorts with a kimono, perfect for an active day at the beach

Like the jumpsuit, this outfit combines comfort and simplicity. It's perfect if you're looking to take a stroll, do some exercise, or simply want to feel at ease in your movements. You can pair your denim shorts with a tank top, a light blouse, or a cropped top, depending on your style preferences.

To add a touch of elegance, you can wear it with a long kimono, which will shield you from the sun without making you feel too warm.

Canvas Pants for Cooler Days and Long Walks

You’ve decided to take a stroll along the beach, but it’s a bit chilly? In that case, you might want to opt for a pair of ankle-length chinos (or cropped pants). Their loose fit will enhance your figure, especially if you’re a bit taller.

If you're petite, I recommend teaming it up with a belt, which you can tie to draw attention to your waist and enhance your figure.

Depending on the weather, these types of trousers can be styled with a blouse, a t-shirt or a slim tank top, or even a long cardigan or kimono.

A sailor's top to celebrate the maritime spirit and holidays

For many of us, a trip to the beach is synonymous with the classic striped top, which is timeless! Whether it features predominantly white or blue stripes, its iconic pattern is easily recognisable and evokes fond memories for many. Comfortable and practical, it is easy to match and pairs especially well with jeans.

👉 If you fancy, you can also wear vertical stripes. It’s not a sailor top, but if they’re in blue, it still brings to mind a coastal vibe while flattering your figure at the same time!

Beach Accessories

To wrap things up, I’ve put together a selection of perfect accessories to wear at the beach and complete your summer outfit!

A Hat to Protect You from the Sun

Stylish and essential for protecting yourself from sunburn, a wide-brimmed hat will add a holiday vibe to all your summer outfits. I recommend choosing a light colour, which will be easy to match and bright, without making you feel hot. A hat made from a woven material, such as straw, will be breathable and prevent your head from sweating.

Finally, I recommend choosing your hat directly in-store or making sure to measure your head size to select the right fit. If the hat is too small, it might easily fly off, while if it's too large, it could obstruct your vision.

Trendy Sunglasses

Along with a hat, sunglasses are an essential accessory for enjoying a great day at the beach. The ocean can be extremely reflective, and staring at it without protection can damage your eyes and lead to fatigue.

Today, there is a wide variety of unique sunglasses frames available: opt for wide lenses to ensure maximum comfort and protection. When it comes to the frame, you can have fun in summer with colourful and quirky frames, or you might prefer a slender gold frame, which is very much in vogue right now.

A Colourful Tote Bag

Nothing beats a beach tote for carrying your beach gear! If you’re going for a stroll, you might also consider a small bag to keep your fragile and important items safe: wallet, car keys, smartphone…

The trending materials for summer are straw, as well as natural fabrics like cotton and linen. To achieve a stylish look, make sure to match your bag with your clothing. You can also get it embroidered to give it a personal touch! It's a perfect gift idea for a holiday keepsake.

Costume Jewellery

To elevate your outfit, you can adorn yourself with stunning jewellery, which you can either buy at beachside markets or make yourself. Take advantage of it, summer is the season for woven macramé bracelets, seed beads in all colours, as well as colourful and natural costume jewellery.

💍 Avoid taking precious jewellery, whether it's gold or silver, to the beach. It's so easy to lose it in the sand, and that would be such a shame.

Proper footwear... or no shoes at all!

When it comes to footwear, you have several options: thongs, sandals, canvas sneakers... but the simplest and most enjoyable way to walk on the sand is definitely to go barefoot. To avoid being weighed down during your day at the beach, it’s best to bring along some lightweight shoes that can easily fit in your bag once you hit the sand! 😉

I hope this guide has helped you find the perfect outfit for heading to the beach so you can make the most of those lovely moments.

While we wait for the return of sunny days, let me share a bit more about the kimono, which has been mentioned several times in this article. For that, I invite you to check out this other blog post, which is completely dedicated to the topic. You can also find kimonos in our online shop, dedicated to bohemian fashion!