What is a swim cover up?
A cover up is the light layer you wear over swimwear on the way to and from the water, and it is the piece that turns a swimsuit into a full poolside outfit. Our beach cover ups range from breezy kaftans and a classic sarong to cover up dresses, tunics and beach pants. A good swimsuit cover up does two jobs at once: it gives you a little shade and modesty when you leave the sand, and it looks intentional enough to keep on for lunch, drinks or the walk back to your room. That flexibility is why a cover up earns its place in any beach bag: it protects your shoulders from the midday sun, saves you sitting in a wet swimsuit at lunch and photographs beautifully against the water. The best ones feel almost weightless yet still read as a proper outfit.
Cover up styles compared
There are several ways to layer over a swimsuit, and each suits a different setting:
- Kaftans are loose and flowing, great for full coverage and a relaxed resort look
- A sarong wraps around the waist as a skirt or ties as a dress for easy versatility
- Cover up dresses slip straight on and read polished enough for a beach bar
- Crochet and mesh styles are light and airy, made for lounging rather than sun protection
- Beach pants and shirts suit anyone who wants more coverage without the heat
Who beach cover ups suit
A cover up works for every kind of trip, from a busy family pool day to a quiet spa afternoon. If you want easy sun cover, a longer kaftan or a beach shirt keeps more skin shaded. For photos and dinners by the water, a fitted cover up dress feels dressier. Anyone who likes to pack light will love how a bathing suit cover up folds down small and doubles as a light layer for travel. Our swimsuit cover ups come in sizes through our core range and into plus size, and they pair naturally with pieces from our swimwear edit. Parents at a busy pool often want quick, easy coverage they can throw on between activities, while anyone on a resort holiday leans into flowing kaftans and cover up dresses that carry from sun lounger to cocktail hour. There is a weight and length here for every kind of day by the water.
How to style a cover up
The trick is choosing a cover up that matches the moment. A few easy pairings:
- Poolside: a sheer kaftan over a bikini with flat sandals and a straw bag
- Beach to bar: a cover up dress with wedge sandals and gold jewelry
- Boardwalk: a sarong tied as a skirt with a simple tank and flip flops
- More coverage: light beach pants with a linen shirt and a wide brim hat
Fabric and fit
Fabric decides how a cover up feels in the heat. Cotton and linen breathe and dry fast, chiffon and gauze float and pack light, and crochet reads boho but offers little sun protection, so add sunscreen underneath. Fit is usually forgiving since most styles are loose, but check the length you want, whether that is a mini tunic or a floor skimming kaftan. If you are choosing a fitted cover up dress, compare measurements on our size and fit guide so it sits the way you expect. Rinse cover ups after the beach to remove salt and chlorine, then air dry in the shade to protect the colour. For flowing resort pieces beyond swim, see our boho edit. Colour and print matter for the beach too, since white and pastel shades feel fresh and holiday ready, while bold prints hide the odd splash of sunscreen. Packing one neutral cover up and one statement piece usually covers a whole trip without taking up much room in your case.
Shop beach cover ups at Fashorio
From a breezy sarong to a polished cover up dress, browse the full beach cover ups collection above and finish your poolside look. Free shipping over $75.
