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 throw on over your swimsuit for the beach?

I will help you.

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

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

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

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

• Fabrics and materials to choose to stay cool in the summer,
• Comfortable and stylish beach dresses,
• How to wear a kimono at the beach,
• Examples of practical and trendy outfits for active days at the beach,
• Plenty of tips and tricks to mix up your outfits and enjoy a fabulous summer!

Bright Colours and Flowing Fabrics

As the lovely weather arrives, it’s often customary to pack away your winter clothes to make room for your summer wardrobe. Unlike the thick winter layers, summer garments are characterised by a wide variety of light fabrics and bright, vibrant colours.

The same applies to 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.

Beach attire is often characterised by:

• Vivid colour gradients,
• Patterns like Tie and Dye,
• The prevalence of white contrasting beautifully with your tan,
• Cuts that showcase your curves and body: a split skirt, crop tops, backless styles…

👉 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 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 fear of judgment. You can finally dare to wear that top that's a little too plunging or that skirt that's a tad too short, which has 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 along the coast. In the following lines, I'll share some inspirations to help you find the ideal dress to pack in your bags!

A white bohemian beach dress to showcase your tan

A light tan starting to enhance your skin? Now is the perfect time to wear a light and flowy white dress. Indeed, pristine white is the ideal colour to contrast and highlight your tan. This shade evokes a sense of freedom and, when teamed with a slightly loose fit, it subtly accentuates your curves while staying very comfortable.

To switch things up from a classic white dress, I recommend you mix up the patterns and textures by wearing different fabrics, especially those that are lacy. Dresses with lace details, in a bohemian style, are a great way to highlight certain parts of your silhouette. For instance, a lace neckline will beautifully accentuate your décolletage, while a lace-trimmed hem on a skirt 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, which 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 is very practical for changing as you can slip it on before putting on your swimsuit bottom, giving you a bit more privacy while getting dressed.

If you wish, you can opt for a dress with a lovely print or a cheerful colour, which will enhance your appearance.

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

➡ Are you short (under 1.6m)? In that case, you can wear a dress that fits closely to the body, slightly flared at the bottom.

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

😊 If you have any sunburns, I recommend avoiding a dress in warm tones, especially reds, as they will only highlight the redness. Instead, opt for a blue or green dress.

chic bohemian dress for beach holidays

A Colourful Maxi Dress

We often tend to think that a long dress is not at all suitable for the beach, as it can indeed be bothersome when walking in the water or on the sand. However, it can be quite practical for avoiding sunburn or sitting on the sand without getting it all over your clothes.

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

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

👉 In the same bohemian spirit, a long, vibrant skirt that cinches at the waist is also perfect for a beach outfit. I recommend pairing it with a cropped top to redefine and highlight your silhouette's proportions.

A practical and comfortable jumpsuit

Are you keen on taking long walks on the beach or through the dunes? Planning to get in some exercise? A onesie is the perfect solution for you. This all-in-one outfit is ideal for maintaining your freedom of movement at the beach while still looking stylish. You can choose it in various prints or in a solid colour.

It’s 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.

👉 Are the thigh chafing bothering you while you're walking on the beach? Consider opting for a slightly longer swimsuit, which will help 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 combo, this outfit combines comfort and simplicity. It’s perfect if you want to go for a stroll, exercise, or just feel at ease in your movements. You can pair your denim shorts with a tank top, a light blouse, or a crop top, depending on your style preferences.

To add a stylish detail, you can wear it with a long kimono, which will protect you from the sun without feeling too hot.

Canvas Trousers for Chilly 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 canvas pants that fall just above the ankles (or a pair of capris). The loose fit will enhance your figure, especially if you’re a bit taller.

If you’re petite, I recommend wearing it with a belt, which you can tie to draw attention to your waist and enhance your look.

Depending on the weather, this type of trousers can be worn with a blouse, a t-shirt or a light tank top, or paired with a long cardigan or kimono.

A sailor top to celebrate the maritime spirit and holidays

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

👉 If you prefer, you can also wear vertical stripes. It’s not a sailor outfit, but if they are in blue, it still brings to mind that seaside vibe while also flattering your figure!

Beach Accessories

To wrap things up, I have put together a selection of perfect accessories to take to the beach, to complete your summer outfit!

A hat to protect you from the sun

Stylish and essential to prevent sunburn, a wide-brimmed hat will add a holiday vibe to all your summer outfits. I recommend opting for a light colour that will be easy to match and bright without making you feel hot. A hat made from a woven material, like straw, will be breathable and help keep your head cool.

Lastly, I recommend choosing your hat in-store or measuring your head circumference to select the right size. If the hat is too small, it can easily blow away, while if it's too large, it might obstruct your view.

Trendy Sunglasses

Along with a hat, sunglasses are an essential accessory for enjoying a great day at the beach. The ocean is very reflective, and gazing at it without protection can damage your eyes and cause fatigue.

There are many unique styles of sunglasses available today: opt for wide lenses to ensure maximum comfort and protection. When it comes to the frame, you can afford to go for bold and colorful frames in summer, or a fine gold frame, which is very trendy at the moment.

A Colourful Tote Bag

There’s nothing quite like a tote bag for carrying your beach essentials! If you're going for a walk, you might also consider a smaller bag for your fragile and important items: wallet, 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 to your outfit. You can also have it embroidered to personalise it! It's actually a great gift idea for a holiday keepsake.

Costume Jewellery

To elevate your outfit, you can adorn your body with stunning jewellery, which you can either buy at beachside markets or make yourself. Enjoy it, 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, whether gold or silver, to the beach. It's so easy to lose them in the sand, and that would be quite a shame.

Proper footwear... or no shoes at all!

When it comes to shoes, you have several options: flip-flops, sandals, canvas sneakers… but the simplest and most enjoyable way to stroll on the sand is definitely to go barefoot. To avoid being weighed down during your day at the beach, make sure to bring along some very lightweight shoes that can easily fit into your bag once you arrive on the sand! 😉

I hope this guide has helped you find the perfect outfit for your day at the beach so you can make the most of those good times.

While we await the return of sunny days, I’d like to share more about the kimono, which has been mentioned several times in this article. To do this, I invite you to read this other blog post that is entirely dedicated to the topic. You’ll also find kimonos in our online store, which is focused on bohemian fashion!