Holiday season is upon us, and whether you're journeying somewhere far-flung or enjoying a break closer to home, you'll likely be considering your summer wardrobe. And while swimwear is set to be your most worn piece, packing some clever cover-ups will multiply your outfit combinations – and save some much-needed space in your suitcase.
From billowing shirts to sarongs and crochet dresses, a cover-up transforms your outfit from beach-appropriate to one suitable for the bar, restaurant, gallery or museum in an instant. And with some of our favourite brands offering an array of chic co-ords, linen separates, cotton dresses and tie-up skirts, there's a poolside styling solution to suit everyone.
And from a practical perspective, a cover-up will offer much-needed shade in a heatwave, or add a layer of warmth once the sun has set and you've enjoyed a day at the beach, pool or pond. The Y2K revival has seen the humble sarong trend once again, while trouser and shirt co-ords can be mixed and matched while you're away and easily reworked into a workwear wardrobe once you're home.
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We're now spoilt for choice for swimwear labels, with the likes of Hunza G, Monday and Fruity Booty joining perennial favourites Marks & Spencer, Boden and Heidi Klein to offer a variety of coverage and cuts, from string bikinis and bandeaus to supportive bra tops with underwiring, higher waisted bottoms or something sportier for lengths across the lido.
When searching for a cover-up to wear with your chosen swimwear, look for pieces that can be repurposed for other occasions, and choose light fabrics such as cotton or linen that will easily roll up into a beach bag or tote. And though you may want to adhere to a tonal colour palette for a capsule wardrobe, clashing patterns is part of the fun.
Below, our edit of the most versatile cover-ups and the bikinis and swimsuits to wear them with this summer and beyond.
The Best Swimwear And Cover-Up Combinations For Summer
Pucci Festa Oversized Printed Cotton-Voile Shirt
Hunza G Square Neck Seersucker Swimsuit
Pucci Printed Cotton-Muslin Pareo
M&S Printed Padded Bandeau Bikini Top
M&S Printed Drawstring High Waisted Bikini Bottoms
Gap White Cotton Crochet Maxi Dress
Missoni Fringed Crochet-Knit Halterneck Dress
Monday Swimwear Hanalei Top
Monday Swimwear Hanalei Bottom
Fruity Booty Blue-Green Check Triangle Bikini Top
Fruity Booty Blue-Green Check Bikini Bottoms
Hunza G Bubblegum Short UPF 50 Sarong
Heidi Klein Grasse Beach Shirt
Heidi Klein Grasse Drawstring Shorts
Boden Crinkle Texture Bikini Top
Boden Crinkle Texture Bikini Bottoms
Mint Velvet White Crochet Beach Mini Dress
Hunza G Tina Twist-Front Seersucker Bikini
With Nothing Underneath The Boyfriend Shirt
Mango Denim Shorts With Frayed Hem
Monday Swimwear Cala Roja Top
Monday Swimwear Tamarama Bottom
Mango Flowy Zebra Printed Shirt
Zara Smocked Crop Top
Lido Venti Triangle Halterneck Bikini
Zara Midi Skirt
Uniqlo Premium Linen Shirt
Reiss Fabienne Ribbed Lace Up Swimsuit In Blue
Johanna Ortiz Printed Organic Cotton-Voile Pareo
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Esther Coombes is the Senior Ecommerce Editor at Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE and Esquire, overseeing luxury shopping content across fashion, beauty, travel and homes. She graduated from London College of Fashion with a First Class BA in Fashion Journalism in 2010, and has since worked at Marie-Claire, Easy Living, GLAMOUR and Women’s Health.
She held positions as Senior Fashion and Beauty Executive, Senior Lifestyle Executive and Content Lead during her nine years at HELLO! and HELLO! Fashion, creating editorial and branded content across the lifestyle sector and interviewing talent and experts including Lisa Eldridge, Jo Malone and Katie Jane Hughes for print and digital features.
With exacting standards and a critical eye for editing new launches, she enjoys recommending readers best in class products and experiences, be that a glow-giving skin tint, a boutique hotel stay or the perfect slingback stiletto.
In her spare time you can find her at a spin or reformer class or streaming the latest zeitgeisty podcast or television drama. You can follow Esther on Instagram at @esthercoombes.
