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 over your swimsuit at the beach?

I will help you.

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

Today, I’m excited to share with you a variety of beach outfit ideas, whether it’s for a long morning stroll, a relaxing afternoon by the beach, or even a delightful evening during your holiday.

To make the most of your day by the beach, I recommend wearing comfortable, lightweight, and practical clothing. Whether you opt for a short dress, a long dress, a jumpsuit, or denim shorts, go for bright and cheerful colors. It's a great opportunity to wear white to highlight your tan, or even pretty colourful prints. You might also want to wear a Breton stripe top, especially if the temperature drops a bit. Lastly, don't forget to choose your accessories carefully: hat, sunglasses, tote bag…

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out:

• Fabrics and materials to opt for to stay cool during the summer,
• Comfortable and stylish outfits featuring beach dresses,
• How to wear a kimono by the sea,
• Examples of practical and trendy outfits for beach activities,
• A ton of tips and tricks to mix and match your outfits for a fantastic summer!

Bright Colours and Flowing Fabrics

When the warm days arrive, it's often customary to pack away winter clothes and make way for summer outfits. Unlike the thick winter layers, summer clothing is characterized by a wide variety of light fabrics and bright, cheerful colours.

It's the same for the clothes you can wear by the beach: during the peak of summer, especially while on holiday, you can indulge in the lightest and most comfortable outfits.

So, beachwear is often characterized by:

• Bright colour gradients,
• Patterns like Tie and Dye,
• The prevalence of white, which contrasts nicely with your tan,
• Styles that showcase your curves and body: slit skirts, crop tops, backless designs…

👉 Since you're not at work or in a place where you need to dress up, it's the perfect time to choose a comfortable and light outfit 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 being judged. You can finally dare to wear that slightly revealing top or that slightly 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, this dress seems to be the perfect outfit for heading to the beach and enjoying strolls by the seaside. In the following lines, I'll share some inspirations to help you find the ideal dress to pack in your luggage!

A White Bohemian Beach Dress to Highlight Your Tan

A slight tan starting to enhance your skin? It’s the perfect time to wear a light and flowing white dress. In fact, pristine white is the ideal colour to contrast and accentuate your tan. This colour evokes a sense of freedom, and when paired with a relaxed fit, it gently highlights your curves while keeping you very comfortable.

To mix things up from a classic white dress, I recommend playing with patterns and textures by wearing different fabrics, including those with cut-out designs. Dresses with lace details, especially in a bohemian style, are a great way to accentuate certain parts of your figure. For instance, a lace neckline will beautifully highlight your décolleté, while a lace trim at the bottom of a skirt can elongate your legs and enhance their shape.

👉 Looking for a stylish bohemian maxi dress this summer? Check out our collection by clicking the banner below:

bohemian white beach dress summer

A lovely short dress with a print

The short dress, which is 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 convenient for changing as you can put it on before slipping on your swimsuit bottoms, giving you a bit more privacy while you get dressed.

If you like, you can opt for a dress with a lovely print or a cheerful colour that will brighten your look.

➡ If you're on the curvier side, I recommend a loose-fitting dress that you can cinch at the waist with a thin belt.

➡ Are you petite (under 1.6m)? If so, you can wear a dress that fits close to your body and is slightly flared at the bottom.

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

😊 If you have sunburns, I recommend avoiding 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 holiday

A Colourful Long Dress

People often think that long dresses are not suitable for the beach, as they can indeed be a hassle when walking on sand or through water. However, they can actually be quite practical for avoiding sunburn or 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's not too long, ending just above the ankles, or simply, you can hike it up.

To do this, just pop a safety pin into your beach bag and use it to lift up the front of your dress a bit. It's that easy!

👉 In the same bohemian spirit, a long, colourful skirt that fits snugly at the waist would be perfect for a beach outfit. I recommend pairing it with a cropped top to enhance and highlight your silhouette's proportions.

A practical and comfortable jumpsuit

Feeling like going for some long walks on the beach or through the sand dunes? Planning to get a bit of exercise? A jumpsuit is the perfect solution for you. This all-in-one outfit is ideal for keeping your freedom of movement at the beach while still looking stylish. You can choose it in prints or solid colours.

It's also perfect for new mums who need to feel comfortable in their clothes while taking care of a baby or young child at the beach.

👉 Are your thighs chafing when you walk on the beach? Consider opting for a slightly longer swimsuit; it will help prevent this discomfort and let you enjoy your holiday to the fullest!

Denim Shorts with a Kimono: Perfect for an Active Day at the Beach

Just like a jumpsuit, this outfit combines comfort and simplicity. It's perfect if you're looking to go for a stroll, engage in sports, or simply feel at ease while moving around. You can pair your denim shorts with a tank top, a light blouse, or a crop top, depending on what you prefer.

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

A pair of canvas pants 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 can opt for a pair of cropped trousers that end above the ankles (or a pair of capris). Their loose fit will enhance your figure, especially if you're a bit tall.

If you're on the petite side, I recommend pairing it with a belt. You can tie a knot that draws attention to your waist and enhances your silhouette.

Depending on the weather, you can wear this type of pants with a blouse, a t-shirt, or a lightweight tank top, or even with a long cardigan or kimono.

A sailor's striped shirt to celebrate nautical spirit and holidays

For many of us, the striped shirt is synonymous with seaside holidays and is simply timeless! Whether it’s predominantly white or blue, its iconic pattern is easily recognisable and brings back fond memories for many. Comfortable and practical, it’s easy to match and pairs especially well with jeans.

👉 If you like, you can also wear vertical stripes. It's not quite a sailor shirt, but if they're in a shade of blue, it still gives off a nautical vibe while flattering your figure at the same time!

Beach Accessories

To wrap things up, here’s a curated list of perfect accessories to wear at the beach, so you can complete your summer outfit!

A hat to protect you from the sun

Both stylish and essential for avoiding sunburn, a wide-brimmed hat will give your summer outfits a holiday vibe. I recommend choosing a light colour, which will be easy to match and bright, without making you feel hot. A hat made from woven material, like straw, will keep it airy and help prevent your head from sweating.

Lastly, I recommend that you choose your hat in-store or make sure to measure your head circumference to pick the right size. If it's too small, it could easily blow off, while if it's too big, it might obstruct your view.

Trendy Sunglasses

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

There are plenty of unique designs for sunglasses these days: opt for wide lenses to ensure maximum comfort and protection. When it comes to the frame, you can go for colourful and unique frames in the summer, or a fine gold frame, which is very trendy right now.

A Colourful Tote Bag

Nothing beats a tote bag for carrying your beach essentials! If you're just going for a stroll, you can also choose a smaller bag to keep your delicate and important items safe: wallet, car keys, smartphone…

The trendy 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 outfit. You can also get it embroidered for a personal touch! It's actually a perfect gift idea as a holiday keepsake.

Costume Jewellery

To elevate your outfit, consider adorning yourself with beautiful jewellery, which you can either buy at beachside markets or even make yourself. Take advantage of the season—summer is the time for macramé woven bracelets, beads of all colours, as well as vibrant and natural costume jewellery.

💍 Avoid bringing valuable jewelry, whether in gold or silver, to the beach. It's really easy to lose them in the sand, and that would be such a pity.

Proper footwear... or perhaps no footwear at all!

When it comes to footwear, you have several options: flip-flops, sandals, canvas shoes… but the simplest and most enjoyable way to stroll on the sand is definitely to walk barefoot. To keep things hassle-free during your day at the beach, make sure to pack some lightweight shoes that are easy to toss into your bag once you're on the sand! 😉

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

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