What to wear for a day at the beach? 🏖️

Would you like to look stylish during your summer holidays? Are you searching for the perfect outfit to wear to the beach over your swimsuit?

I will help you.

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

Today, I’d like to share a variety of beach outfit ideas, whether you’re planning a long stroll in the morning, heading out for a relaxing afternoon, or enjoying a lovely holiday evening by the sea.

To make the most of your day by the seaside, I recommend wearing comfortable, light, and easy-to-wear clothes. Whether you opt for a short dress, a long dress, a jumpsuit, or denim shorts, go for bright and cheerful colours. It’s also a great opportunity to wear white to highlight your tan, or to sport some lovely colourful prints. You might also consider wearing striped tops, especially if it’s a bit chilly. Lastly, don’t forget to choose your accessories wisely: a hat, sunglasses, a beach bag…

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

• Fabrics and materials to favour to keep 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 about at the beach,
• Loads of tips and tricks to mix up your outfits and have an amazing summer!

Bright Colours and Flowing Fabrics

As the warmer days arrive, it's common to put away winter clothes to make room for summer garments. Unlike the heavy winter layers, summer wear is typically made from a wide variety of lightweight fabrics and features bright and cheerful 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 attire is often characterised by:

• Bright colour gradients,
• Patterns like Tie and Dye,
• The prominent use of white, contrasting beautifully with your tan,
• Styles that highlight your curves and body: split skirts, crop tops, backless dresses…

👉 Since you’re not at work or in a place that requires formal attire, it’s the perfect time to choose an outfit that's comfortable and lightweight that you love and that flatters you! The great thing about the beach is that everyone dresses as they please and can show off their bodies without fear of judgement. So go ahead and dare to wear that slightly low-cut top or that short skirt that’s been sitting in your wardrobe for ages! 😉

3 Perfect Beach Dress Ideas for a Day by the Sea

Easy to slip on and lightweight, the dress seems to be the perfect outfit for heading to the beach and enjoying strolls along the coastline. In the following lines, I’ll share a few inspirations to help you find the ideal dress to pack in your bags!

A white boho beach dress to show off your tan

Got a slight tan starting to enhance your skin? It's the perfect time to wear a light, flowing white dress. Indeed, pure white is the ideal colour to contrast with 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 incredibly comfortable.

To switch things up from a classic white dress, I recommend mixing patterns and textures by wearing different fabrics, including those that are sheer. Dresses with lace details, in a bohemian style, are perfect for showcasing a part of your silhouette. For instance, a lace collar is ideal for accentuating your neckline, while the hem of a petticoat in this material will elongate your legs and enhance their shape.

👉 Looking for a beautiful bohemian chic maxi dress for this summer? Don’t wait any longer, 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 that sits above the knee is perfect for the beach, as it allows you to wade in the water without worrying about getting your clothes wet. Additionally, it’s very handy for changing, as you can slip it on before putting on your swimsuit bottoms, giving you a bit more privacy while you get dressed.

If you like, you could choose a dress with a lovely print or a bright colour that will really lift your spirits.

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

➡ Are you petite (under 1.6m)? If so, you can wear a dress that's fitted but slightly flared at the bottom.

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

😊 If you’ve got some sunburns, I recommend steering clear of dresses in warm tones, especially reds, as they will only highlight the burns. Instead, opt for a blue or green dress.

chic bohemian dress for beach holidays

A colourful long dress

We often tend to think that a long dress isn't really suitable for the beach, as it can indeed be cumbersome when walking in the water or on the sand. However, it can be quite handy for avoiding sunburn or sitting on the sand without getting sand all over your clothes.

If you want to wade in the water, you can opt for a dress that isn’t too long, reaching just above the ankles, or simply hike it up.

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

👉 In keeping with the bohemian spirit, a colourful, fitted maxi skirt would be perfect for a beach outfit. I suggest pairing it with a cropped top to accentuate and highlight your silhouette's proportions.

A practical and comfortable jumpsuit

Are you keen on taking long strolls along the beach or through the dunes? Planning to get some exercise? A jumpsuit is the perfect solution for you. This all-in-one outfit is great for maintaining your freedom of movement on the beach while still looking stylish. You can choose it in printed designs 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 a young child at the beach.

👉 Do the thigh chafing bother you when walking on the beach? Consider opting for a slightly longer swimsuit, which will help prevent this annoyance and let you enjoy your holiday!

Denim shorts with a kimono, perfect for an active day at the beach

Similar to the jumpsuit, this outfit combines comfort and simplicity. It's perfect if you want to take a stroll, do some exercise, and feel at ease while moving. You can pair your denim shorts with a tank top, a light blouse, or a crop top, depending on your preferences.

To add a touch of style, you can wear it with a long kimono, which will keep you protected from the sun without making you too warm.

A pair of chinos for cooler days and long walks

Have you decided to take a stroll along the beach, but it's a bit chilly? In that case, you might want to opt for some cropped canvas pants that hit just above the ankles. Their loose fit will complement your shape beautifully, especially if you're on the taller side.

If you're petite, I recommend wearing it with a belt that you can tie into a knot. This will draw attention to your waist and enhance your look.

Depending on the weather, these types of trousers can be worn with a blouse, a t-shirt, or a thin tank top, as well as a long cardigan or kimono.

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

For many of us, the striped shirt is synonymous with a seaside holiday and is timeless! Whether it's predominantly white or blue, its iconic pattern is instantly recognisable and brings back fond memories for many. Comfortable and practical, it is easy to style and pairs particularly well with jeans.

👉 If you prefer, you can also wear vertical stripes. While it’s not a classic sailor shirt, blue stripes still give a nautical vibe and can help enhance your silhouette at the same time!

Beach Accessories

Lastly, I’ve put together a selection of perfect accessories to take to the beach, so you can complete your summer outfit!

A hat to protect you from the sun

A stylish and essential accessory to protect against sunburn, a wide-brimmed hat will give a holiday vibe to all your summer outfits. I recommend opting for a light colour, which will be easy to mix and match and keep you cool. A hat made from a woven material, such as straw, will be breathable and help prevent your head from getting sweaty.

Finally, I recommend choosing your hat in-store or making sure to measure your head circumference to select the right size. If it’s too small, it could easily blow away, whereas if it’s too large, it may obstruct your vision.

Trendy Sunglasses

Along with a hat, sunglasses are a must-have accessory for enjoying a day at the beach. The sea can be highly reflective, and staring at it without protection can damage your eyes and make you feel fatigued.

There are many unique styles of sunglasses available today: opt for wide lenses to ensure maximum comfort and protection. When it comes to frames, you can indulge in colourful and original designs this summer, or choose a fine gold frame, which is very much in vogue at the moment.

A Colourful Tote Bag

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

The must-have materials for summer are straw, along with natural fabrics like cotton and linen. To achieve a stylish look, make sure to match your bag with your outfit. You can also get it embroidered for a personal touch! This is also a perfect gift idea for a holiday keepsake.

Costume Jewellery

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

💍 Avoid taking valuable jewellery like gold or silver to the beach. It's all too easy to lose them in the sand, and that would be a real shame.

Proper footwear... or no shoes at all!

When it comes to footwear, you have several options: flip-flops, sandals, canvas sneakers… but the easiest and most enjoyable way to stroll on the sand is definitely to go barefoot. To avoid weighing yourself down during your day at the beach, consider bringing along some very light shoes that can easily fit into your bag once you’re on 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 great moments.

While we wait for the beautiful days to return, I’d like to share more about the kimono, which I’ve mentioned several times in this article. For that, I invite you to check out this other blog post, which is entirely dedicated to the topic. You can also find kimonos in our online store, which is dedicated to bohemian fashion!