Today's Beach Cover-Ups Are More Functional

Now that you know what type of bathing suits to look for, don’t forget your cover ups. No longer are shorts and T-shirts your only choice for covering up your swimwear. Nowadays you can wear a cute cover-up from the beach to go out on the town.

Beach cover-ups are typically made in breezy, lightweight fabrics so your skin can breathe in the warm weather. Some of these fabrics include terry cloth, chiffon, cotton, rayon/spandex, silk and linen. They’re embellished with everything from simple beading to jewels to sequins.

Remember, your cover-up is the first thing people see when you step foot on the beach or pool, so it’s important to choose the right cover up based on fit, style and color. Your choices are pretty limitless. Whatever style you’re looking for, you’ll certainly find it this season.

As with all fashion items, cover-ups can range from inexpensive to breaking the bank. The best part is that there are cover ups to suit every budget and taste.

Here are some options:

• Cover-up dress styles include halter, strapless, empire waist, racerback, pullover, V-neck, tube dress and, of course, your infamous maxi dress.  Here are some examples:
  
  1. A Marshall’s Chocolate Brown, jeweled halter dress for $19.99.
  2. A V-neck: Make and Model “Bermuda” Cover Up at Nordstrom’s on sale for $18. 
  3. A terry cloth halter at Target or an Apt. 9, strapless, bandeau cover up dress for $22 at Khol’s.
  4. An Old Navy, Jersey Cross-Front Maxi Dress for $29.50.  

• Tunics:  Try a Becca Cover Up Cap Sleeve Sheer Tunic for $58 at Macy’s. Khol’s has a Croft $ Barrow Hooded Cover Up Tunic on sale for $16. For a more expensive brand try the Nautica Cover-Up, Sleeveless Zip Hoodie for $72 at Macy’s.

• Hoodies: You can choose to cover up with a comfy terry cloth, hooded sweatshirt or try an L.L. Bean cotton a-line hooded cover up for $29.95 

• Sweater Cover Ups: A comfy, light cardigan sweater would be perfect to cover up your bathing suit. Or you could try a cotton crochet tunic sweater at Victoria Secret for $59.50 or their Striped Linen Cover-Up Sweater for $49.50. (A crochet sweater can go from day to cool nights.  Just try pairing with jeans or cute shorts.) 

• Sarongs/Pareo: Try a Dotti Cover-Up, Long Wrap Pareo for $28 at Macy’s or an INC Cover Up, Tie-Dyed Pareo for $69.50 at Macy’s (obviously on the pricier end).

• Shorts: If you are more comfortable in a pair of shorts, perhaps you may consider board shorts or terry cloth, cover-up shorts at Nordstrom Rack for $28. There are also fun Arizona Brand lace shorts on sale for $17.99 at Khol’s.

Almost anything goes this summer for your cover up. Since cover-ups can be found in a plethora of styles and colors, one of the hardest decisions you may have to make is how to choose just one.

Actually, I would suggest having several different cover ups. This allows you to change the style depending on your bathing suits but also on the look you are going for that day. For example, you may want to save your revealing Victoria Secret low cut cover up for a weekend away without the kids or choose a simple terry cloth halter dress from Target for the Wayland Town Beach.

Let a great cover-up help you transition from the beach to town in one easy step. Just add jeweled sandals, raffia wedges, or simple leather flats to your cover up and off you go.