What to Wear for a Day at the Beach? 🏖️

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

I will help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I really enjoy summer fashion, which beautifully showcases a variety of fabrics and prints.

Today, I'm excited to share with you a variety of beach outfit ideas, whether you're going for a long morning stroll, spending a lazy afternoon, or enjoying a delightful evening during your holiday.

To make the most of your day by the sea, I recommend wearing comfortable, lightweight, and easy-to-put-on clothing. Whether you choose a short dress, a long dress, a jumpsuit, or denim shorts, opt for light and cheerful colours. This is also a great opportunity to wear white to enhance your tan, or lovely colourful prints. You might also consider wearing stripes, especially if it’s a bit chilly. Lastly, don’t forget to carefully select your accessories: hat, sunglasses, tote bag…

Would you like to learn more? Continue reading to discover:

• Fabrics and materials to opt for to stay cool during the 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 at the beach,
• A wealth of tips and tricks to mix up your outfits and enjoy a fantastic summer!

Bright Colours and Flowing Fabrics

When the lovely days arrive, it is often customary to put away winter clothing to make way for summer attire. Unlike the heavy winter layers, summer clothing is characterised by a wide variety of light fabrics as well as bright and vibrant hues.

It's the same for the clothing you can wear by the sea: it's at the height of summer, during the holidays, that you can indulge in the lightest and most comfortable outfits.

Beachwear is often characterised by:

• Bright colour gradients,
• Patterned Tie and Dye,
• The omnipresence of white, in contrast to your tan,
• Styles that showcase your curves and figure: a slit skirt, crop top, open-back…

👉 Since you're not at work or in a place where you need to wear formal attire, now is the perfect time to choose a comfortable and lightweight outfit that you enjoy and that suits you! The great thing about the beach is that everyone dresses as they please and can show off their body as they wish, without fear of judgement. You can finally dare to wear that slightly low-cut top or that slightly short skirt that have been sitting in your wardrobe for ages! 😉

3 Ideal 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 along the shore. In the following lines, I’ll share some inspiration 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 light and flowing white dress. Indeed, pristine white is the ideal colour to contrast your tan and make it stand out. This colour evokes freedom, and when paired with a slightly loose fit, it gently highlights your curves while remaining very comfortable.

To add a bit of variety to a classic white dress, I recommend mixing up the patterns and textures by opting for different fabrics, including lace. Dresses with lace details, in a bohemian style, are ideal for accentuating parts of your silhouette. For instance, a lace collar will beautifully highlight your neckline, while a lace trim at the hem of a petticoat will elongate your legs and enhance their shape.

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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 walk in the water without worrying about getting your clothes wet. Additionally, it is very convenient 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 wish, you can opt for a dress with a lovely pattern or a cheerful colour that will brighten your appearance.

➡ If you have a more curvy figure, I recommend a loose-fitting dress that you can cinch at the waist with a thin belt.

➡ Are you petite (under 5'3")? In that case, you can wear a dress that is fairly fitted with a slight flare at the bottom.

➡ If you are tall, a backless dress will be perfect to enhance your silhouette!

😊 If you have some sunburn, I recommend avoiding a dress in warm tones, particularly red, as it would only accentuate the redness. Instead, opt for a blue or green dress.

Chic bohemian dress for seaside holidays

A colourful long dress

It is often thought that a long dress is not suitable for the beach, as it can indeed be a hindrance when walking in the water or on the sand. However, it can be very practical for avoiding sunburn and also for sitting on the sand without getting it all over your clothes.

If you wish to walk in the water, you can opt for a dress that is not too long, one that falls above the ankles, or you can simply hike it up.

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

👉 In the same bohemian spirit, a long, colourful skirt fitted at the waist will also be quite suitable for a beach outfit. I recommend pairing it with a cropped top to redefine and highlight the proportions of your figure.

A jumpsuit, practical and comfortable

Do you fancy taking long walks along the beach or in the dunes? Are you planning to do a bit of exercise? A rash vest is just what you need. This all-in-one outfit is perfect for keeping your freedom of movement at the beach while looking stylish. You can choose it in prints or plain colours.

It is also perfect for young mothers who need to feel comfortable in their clothes while looking after a baby or a small child on the beach.

👉 Do the thigh rubs bother you when you’re walking on the beach? Consider choosing a slightly longer swimsuit, which will prevent this discomfort and allow you to enjoy your holiday!

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

Like the jumpsuit, this outfit combines comfort and simplicity. It is perfect if you want to go for a walk, do some exercise, or simply feel comfortable 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 chic touch, you can wear it with a long kimono, which will protect you from the sun without making you too warm.

Canvas Trousers for Cooler Days and Long Walks

Have you decided to go for a stroll along the beach, but it's a bit chilly? In that case, you might consider wearing some ankle-length chinos (or cropped trousers). Their loose fit will enhance your figure, especially if you're tall.

If you are petite, I recommend wearing it with a belt, which will allow you to tie it in a way that draws attention to your waist and enhances your figure.

According to the weather, this type of trousers can be worn with a blouse, a t-shirt or a thin vest, or even paired with a long cardigan or kimono.

A Breton top to celebrate the maritime spirit and holidays

The striped sailor top is synonymous with seaside holidays for many of us and is timeless! Whether predominantly white or blue, its iconic pattern is instantly recognisable and brings back fond memories for numerous people. Comfortable and practical, it is easy to pair and particularly goes well with jeans.

👉 If you wish, you can also wear vertical stripes. It's not a sailor's top, but if they are blue, it still evokes a nautical vibe while also flattering your silhouette!

Beach Accessories

To conclude, I would like to share a small selection of perfect accessories to wear at the beach, to 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 opting for a light colour, which will be easy to match and bright without being too warm. A hat made from woven material, such as straw, will be breathable and help prevent your head from sweating.

Finally, I recommend that you choose your hat directly in-store or be sure to measure your head circumference to select the right size. If the hat is too small, it might easily blow away, while if it’s too large, it may obstruct your view.

Trendy Sunglasses

Along with a hat, sunglasses are a must-have accessory for enjoying a lovely day at the beach. Indeed, the sea is highly reflective, and staring at it without protection can damage your eyes and lead to fatigue.

There are now numerous original styles of sunglasses available: opt for wide lenses to ensure maximum comfort and protection. As for the frame, during the summer you can indulge in colourful and unique frames, or go for a fine gold frame, which is very much in vogue at the moment.

A Colourful Tote Bag

Nothing quite beats a tote bag for carrying your beach essentials! For a day out, you might also consider a small bag to keep your fragile and important items safe: purse, car keys, smartphone…

The trending materials for summer are straw, as well as natural fabrics such as cotton and linen. To achieve a stylish look, make sure to match your bag with your outfit. You can also have it embroidered to personalise it! This is, in fact, a perfect gift idea for a holiday keepsake.

Costume Jewellery

To enhance your outfit, you can adorn your body with stunning jewellery, which you can even buy at beachside markets or make yourself. Take advantage of it; summer is the season for macramé woven bracelets, seed beads in every colour, as well as vibrant and natural costume jewellery.

💍 Avoid bringing valuable jewellery, such as gold or silver, to the beach. It's all too easy to lose them 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: flip-flops, sandals, canvas trainers… but the simplest and most enjoyable choice while strolling on the sand is undoubtedly to wander barefoot. To avoid carrying unnecessary weight during your day at the beach, make sure to bring along some very lightweight shoes that can easily be packed away in your bag once you arrive on the sand! 😉

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

While we wait for the return of sunny days, I'd like to 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 entirely dedicated to the topic. You can also find kimonos in our online shop, which is all about bohemian fashion!