You do not have to wear a swimsuit to the beach. Neat, classic-looking alternatives include white shirts, garments with lace detail, and pretty summer dresses or jumpsuits. However, good swimsuit alternatives include rash vests, printed shorts, or a pretty sarong over biker shorts if you want to swim.
What Can I Wear To The Beach Instead Of A Swimsuit?
No rule states that you must wear a swimsuit on a trip to the beach, but it is essential to dress to be comfortable and confident. You want to feel ready no matter what comes up, whether it is a volleyball game, fun teambuilding games, or a stroll along the shoreline.
- What To Look Out For When Choosing Beachwear
We have selected some swimsuit alternatives for the beach that look so good you will wonder why you never thought of them. However, before diving into our list, there are some essential prerequisites for choosing a beach-friendly outfit.- Fast drying – Swimsuit material is specifically made to be quick drying. That is why regular underwear is not the best choice for swimming.
- Moisture wicking – sweat needs to evaporate away from your skin quickly.
- Lightweight and cool fabric.
- Nontransparent if it gets wet.
- Provide the necessary bust support – ladies, don’t be caught holding back because of your outfit when you want to play an enthusiastic return serve during a beach volleyball match!
- Loose fitting and comfortable – you don’t want to look shapeless, but avoid hard materials or garments with many buttons or belts for the beach.
- Make the most of your best features – Not everyone has a Baywatch figure, but plan your beachwear with your best features in mind. This can include a detailed halter neckline, an outfit with a plunging back, or a shorter-length dress to draw attention to your legs.
- Don’t forget your sunhat and sunglasses – No beach outfit is complete without these essential accessories. Sporting a stylish wide-brimmed sunhat and sunglasses is practical and gives all beach outfits a finished appearance.
Remember that if you have an existing swimsuit, you are no longer comfortable wearing as outerwear, it may work well as a first layer under a sundress or white shirt. Tops and bottoms of two-piece swimsuits also don’t have to match, so if you have one half you love, there are plenty of ways to glam up, replace or disguise the other half. You may not have to replace the whole thing.
Now that we have covered the beachwear basics let’s explore eight single-item garments you can wear instead of a swimsuit on your next trip to the beach.
- 1.Lace Coverups
Lacey beach coverups or kimonos can hide a lot of faults and cover up if you don’t want to show too much skin. It’s an edgy, unexpected breathable material that provides an instant beach look and feels.
One of the best things about lace coverups is that they come in many designs and lengths. So, you can even choose a pretty, long-sleeved version to cover your upper arms without looking like a lost desert explorer.
Although lace coverups are available in various colors, the most popular beach color is white or slightly off-white. Most lace coverups are loose, one-size-fits-all designs, but if you want something a little more fitting, choose a style with a drawstring waist.
- 2.Solid Color Vests
For an effortless yet slinky beach look that won’t have you worrying about revealing any accidental side-boob or belly rolls, team up a solid color vest with your favorite shorts or beachy skirt. Vests are inexpensive and, unlike many other beach-specific garments, are versatile enough to be worn again as daywear in different settings.
A solid color vest can look great, especially if you choose a color that compliments your skin tone. However, if you think this is a boring, unsexy option, choose a backless, slinky, or halter neck style.
When opting for a tight-fitting vest, keep bust support top of mind, especially if your beach outing may involve games and fun activities. Don’t be left out of the fun because you feel self-conscious; just opt for a vest-style design with plenty of support.
A simple solid color vest can be dressed up or down. It is a good option if you already have a large-brimmed sunhat you want to show off or wear a highly patterned sarong or skirt. Add a detailed, beach-safe feature necklace if you need a more tailored look.
- 3.Beach Dresses
Even if you prefer chic corporate fashions during working hours, a trip to the beach is an ideal time to slip into a comfortable, loose-fitting cool beach dress. Dresses provide an instant feminine touch and come in a range of lengths, from short mini-length styles to romantic ankle lengths that are ideal for creating timeless beach photoshoots.
Imagine spending a day reclining in a beach chair, reading a book, with your toes in the sand – without snaggy zippers, tight belts, or comfortable underwear. Although a dress is not the best alternative to replace a swimsuit if you want to swim, it is a modest, cool choice if you only intend to wade and get your legs wet.
Although most beach dresses have billowing skirts, there is no need to look shapeless. Many pretty summer dresses feature detailed fitted tops or eye-catching top sections. They can even be strapless so you can catch some rays on your shoulders.
A dress is an excellent way to look elegant at the beach without needing to wear a skintight, clingy outfit. Likewise, a loose coverall beach sundress is a good way to create a timeless look at the beach without needing a swimsuit.
- 4.White Shirts
White reflects light and stays cooler. Of course, this makes sense when you are on a trip to the beach, but traditionally wearing white reflected social status and was a subtle way to let everyone know that you were on a sort of permanent vacation and didn’t need to engage in manual labor.
Crisp white shirts are always in style at the beach. White will keep you cooler than a dark color and provide a fresh, elegant look that blends perfectly with the surroundings.
An oversized white beach shirt can look stylish, ultracasual, or elegant. Choose a long or short style to cover any areas you want to keep under wraps without looking like you are hiding.
One cautionary note about wearing a white shirt instead of a swimsuit at the beach is that it may become see-through if the fabric gets wet. To be safe, wear one of your tired bikini tops or a cute crop top under your white shirt in case any group activities include water games.
- 5.Printed Shorts
An uncomfortable or ill-fitting swimsuit bottom that constantly rides up can make or break a beach outfit. Avoid the potential discomfort and move about confidently by opting for cute, printed board shorts.
Board shorts are synonymous with outings to the beach. Team up a pair of bright surf tropical-theme printed shorts with a vest top and pretty sandals; you will instantly be beach-ready! No need to dig through your stock of long-forgotten swimsuits at the back of your drawer or stress about squeezing into a skintight nylon and Lycra outfit.
Printed shorts are a trendy alternative to swimsuits. Since they are usually made from fast-drying fabric, they are excellent for anyone who may want to enjoy the waves or even try out activities like paddleboarding or bodyboarding.
One important point worth noting if you plan to wear board shorts instead of a swimsuit for water activities is to ensure that your underwear is quick drying. Board shorts are best teamed up over an old bikini bottom – using regular underwear will feel uncomfortable when you get wet because the inside layer will stay damp long after your swim.
- 6.Jumpsuits
Look at a fun beachy one-piece jumpsuit for a unique, modern look. Instead of needing to select a top with separate matching pants, a jumpsuit ties both parts together perfectly and provides a finished, coordinated look. In addition, design details can be carried through and flawlessly unit the outfit’s top and bottom half.
Jumpsuits are perfect minimalist garments that can be worn confidently in place of a swimsuit for a trip to the beach. Styles come in various formality levels. Some, like this cute mini playsuit style strapless jumpsuit, are perfect for a fun day with friends.
For anyone who doesn’t want the hassle of wearing a bra, check out styles like this smocked top that will keep everything in place without needing a tight bra. The outfit looks neat and feminine – perfect for casual walks, relaxing, and enjoying a day.
- 7.Rash Guards
Rash guards are the modern-age solution to swimsuit avoidanceThese pretty one-piece beach outfits offer all the versatility of regular swimsuits without showing as much skin.There is plenty to love about rash guards:- The fabric is quick drying
- The designs are flattering and offer good support in the required areas
- Cool is the most important
- All beach activities can be done in a rash guard, including sports, board sports, or swimming.
- Rash guard fabric is UV resistant, so it is also a smart sun-wise option
- Many styles are available, and some even include cute feminine skirts.
Although rash guards fit snuggly against your skin, they tend to provide a sporty feel as your body feels supported rather than exposed. This is definitely a top choice for anyone who wants to ditch their uncomfortable swimsuit, feel like a beach goddess, and keep their options open about participating in beach activities.
- 8.Sarong
Squeezing into a swimsuit is not everyone’s cup of tea, but having fun on the beach most certainly is! One of the best beach trip hacks is to use what you already have to create a beach-ready look rather than buying things you may never need again.
If you have a pair of regular short biker or yoga shorts, all you need to do to get a casual, summery beach look is add a pretty, flowy sarong. Since sarongs are just large strips of beautiful light fabric, you don’t have to worry about them not fitting or being too long or short.
Sarongs are the ultimate all-in-one versatile beach necessity. It can be styled as a halter neck dress or worn casually around your waist. A pretty sarong can deliver a variety of looks, and this is one item that must always be included when packing for a beach vacation.
A good tip is to wear a solid color vest the same color as your shorts to give a uniform appearance at skin level. Then grab a gorgeous, colorful sarong to take the outfit to the next level and give it an instant boost of pretty. The sarong over quick-drying shorts is also a good option if you want to get wet at the beach.
Beach sarongs dry in a flash as they are made from ultra-fine, romantic-looking fabric. No swimsuit will be required; you can enjoy all the beach activities or spend the day reclining in the beautiful beach setting.
- Conclusion
Beach trips are a time to relax and not worry about what you look like in a swimsuit. In fact, there is no need to wear a swimsuit to the beach since many trendy alternatives exist that provide the versatility of function and comfort you need. So long as you have a suitable outfit, sunscreen, and a smile, you can look forward to feeling confident and creating many happy memories at the beach – no swimsuit required!
With warm summer weather on the horizon, many of us are starting to look forward to spending lazy days on the beach. However, choosing an appropriate bathing suit can feel like an insurmountable mountain that may make you wish it would stay winter throughout the year. Luckily, plenty of swimsuit alternatives allow you to keep cool, look trendy, or even swim at the beach.
If you hate wearing swimsuits or find yourself without one before a visit to the beach, don’t panic. There is no need to invest in an item that you may only need for a short trip and will never wear again. Plenty of versatile alternatives exist to have you enjoying the beach confidently without looking frumpy.