Best Swimsuit Cover Ups: 12 Top Picks for Every Beach Day

A swimsuit is only half the outfit. The other half is what you throw on the second you step off the sand — and that’s where a good cover up earns its keep. The right one should shield your shoulders from the sun, keep you decent on the walk to the poolside bar, and still look like you planned it. The wrong one bunches up, clings when wet, or gets left in a beach bag because it never actually got worn.

We pulled together twelve of the most popular swimsuit cover ups on the market right now, tested against fit, fabric, breathability, and how well they layer over different swimsuit styles. Whether you’re pairing one over a one-piece swimsuit, a two-piece set, or a tankini, there’s a cover up on this list built for it. For the full swimwear lineup this collection pairs with, see our guide to the best swimsuits overall.

What separates a cover up you actually wear from one that sits folded at the bottom of your beach bag usually comes down to three things: how it feels against damp skin, how quickly it can go on and off, and whether it still looks like an outfit rather than an afterthought. A stiff, heavy fabric that clings the moment it touches wet skin gets abandoned fast, no matter how flattering it looked on the hanger. That’s why every pick on this list was evaluated with actual beach conditions in mind — humidity, sand, sunscreen, and the reality that you’ll probably be wearing it over a still-damp swimsuit more often than a dry one.

It also helps to think about your cover up as part of a system rather than a single purchase. The swimsuit underneath, the cover up on top, and any accessories in between all work together, which is why we’ve linked out to complementary swimwear categories throughout this guide — so you’re not just picking a cover up in isolation, but building a beach wardrobe that actually goes together.

Quick Comparison: Best Swimsuit Cover Ups at a Glance

How to Choose the Right Swimsuit Cover Up

Fabric and Sun Protection

Cover ups fall into two camps: sheer, breezy fabrics like chiffon and gauze that are all about style, and tighter-knit UPF-rated fabrics built to actually block UV rays. If you burn easily or you’re spending hours poolside, a UPF 50+ piece like a sun hoodie does real work beyond aesthetics. If you’re mostly using the cover up for the walk from the pool to the cabana, a lighter woven fabric will feel cooler and dry faster.

It’s worth noting that not all “lightweight” fabrics behave the same way once they’re wet. Rayon and viscose blends tend to go semi-transparent and cling noticeably when damp, which is fine for a quick photo but less comfortable if you’re wearing the cover up for an extended stretch. Cotton and linen blends breathe well but take longer to dry, so they’re better suited to cover ups you put on once you’re mostly done swimming for the day rather than pieces you’re constantly getting wet and dry again.

Coverage and Silhouette

Think about how much coverage you actually want. A kimono or sarong gives you an open, adjustable silhouette you can dress up or down. A dress-style cover up gives full coverage and can double as a going-out piece later in the day. If you tend to gravitate toward more coverage in your swimwear itself, it’s worth browsing modest swimsuits alongside a longer cover up for a matching level of coverage throughout the day.

Silhouette also affects how a cover up photographs and how it feels to move in. Open-front styles like kimonos flutter in ocean breeze and photograph well in motion, while more structured shirt-dresses and wrap skirts hold their shape better in windy conditions and are easier to walk, sit, or bend over in without adjusting constantly. If you’re headed somewhere with consistent wind — a beach with real surf, a boat, a windy resort deck — a slightly more structured silhouette will save you from spending the day readjusting fabric.

Sizing and Fit

Cover ups are usually cut generously, which is great for layering over any swimsuit shape, but it also means sizing charts matter more than usual. Oversized knit styles are forgiving and flattering across a wide range of body types, which is part of why they pair so well with everything from plus-size swimsuits to fitted competitive cuts. If you’re shopping for a swim team member or a lap swimmer, a simple wrap or hoodie layered over competitive swimsuits is usually the most practical combo, since it goes on fast between sets.

When in doubt between two sizes, most people are happier sizing up rather than down for a cover up. Unlike swimwear, where a snug fit is often intentional, a cover up that’s slightly too tight tends to look unfinished and feels uncomfortable the moment you sit down on a lounge chair. A little extra room in the shoulders, sleeves, or hemline rarely looks wrong, and it means the piece will still fit comfortably if you’re wearing it over a slightly bulkier swimsuit style like a padded one-piece.

Occasion: Poolside, Beach, or Resort

Not every cover up is built for the same trip. A crochet piece or embroidered tunic reads more “resort” and photographs beautifully, which is part of why styles inspired by Sports Illustrated-style swimsuits tend to lean toward statement cover ups rather than basic ones. A button-down shirt style, on the other hand, is the most versatile for a beach day that turns into lunch afterward.

Think through your actual itinerary before you buy. A single-day pool visit rarely needs more than a simple wrap or basic dress. A multi-day resort trip benefits from having at least two different cover up styles in rotation — one casual, breathable option for daytime lounging, and one slightly dressier piece that can transition into an evening look without a full outfit change. Packing both gives you flexibility without doubling your luggage.

Care and Packing

Lightweight wovens pack down small and shake out wrinkle-free, which matters if you’re traveling with a carry-on. Knit and crochet styles take up more room but hold their shape better over repeated wears. Either way, hand-washing or a gentle cycle in a mesh bag will extend the life of embroidery and crochet detailing significantly longer than a regular machine wash.

Chlorine and salt water are both harder on delicate fabrics than fresh water, so rinsing a cover up in clean water after a swim, even if you don’t do a full wash right away, meaningfully extends its lifespan. Sunscreen residue is another common culprit behind premature fading and staining — letting a cover up air dry fully before folding it away, rather than balling it up damp in a beach bag, prevents both mildew smell and set-in stains.

Rounding out your beach bag, it’s worth checking a couple of adjacent categories while you’re at it — a great pair of swimming goggles for anyone doing laps, and if you’re shopping for the whole family, our best swimsuit for women and best swimsuit for men guides cover the swimwear itself in depth.

How to Style a Swimsuit Cover Up

A cover up doesn’t have to be a one-note piece you only wear one way. A few small styling choices go a long way toward getting more mileage out of each item you pack.

Layer With Purpose

Knotting an open kimono or button-down at the waist instantly changes the silhouette from shapeless to fitted, and it’s a quick way to make a single piece work for both a casual beach walk and a slightly dressier lunch afterward. Leaving it open and flowing, on the other hand, reads more relaxed and works well over a swimsuit you actually want visible underneath.

Add a Belt or Sash

Many oversized cover ups and dress-style pieces come without a built-in waist definition. A simple tie belt, whether it’s the sarong itself repurposed or a separate accessory, adds shape without changing the piece’s basic silhouette, which is especially useful with drapier knit fabrics like the ANRABESS oversized style.

Match Footwear to the Fabric

Structured pieces like the Bsubseach button-down pair naturally with simple sandals or espadrilles for a put-together look, while breezier chiffon and crochet styles lean into a more barefoot, beach-club aesthetic. Matching the formality of your footwear to the cover up keeps the whole outfit feeling intentional rather than mismatched.

Use Accessories to Bridge Day and Evening

A dress-style cover up like the RUMIA sundress can go from beach to dinner with nothing more than a swapped bag and a pair of earrings. Packing one or two versatile accessories alongside your cover ups means you don’t need a completely separate evening outfit for every day of a trip.

General Cover Up Sizing Reference

Sizing varies by brand, but this general reference reflects how most of the styles above tend to run based on bust, waist, and hip measurements in inches. Always check the specific listing’s size chart before ordering, since embroidered and crochet styles in particular can run differently than basic knit or woven pieces.

Oversized and ribbed knit styles, like the ANRABESS and Ekouaer picks above, are generally designed to run roomy at every size on this chart, so sizing down is common if you prefer a closer fit. Structured pieces like the Bsubseach button-down and the Eicolorte wrap skirt tend to run closer to true-to-size.

Cover Up Styles Compared: Which Type Actually Fits Your Trip

With so many silhouettes on the market, it helps to zoom out and compare the broad categories rather than just individual products. Each style below solves a slightly different problem, and most people end up owning more than one type once they figure out which situations each one is actually good for.

Kimono and Open-Front Styles

Kimonos and open cardigans are the most forgiving option for anyone who doesn’t want to think too hard about fit. Because they’re never buttoned or belted by default, they work over any swimsuit shape and any body type without needing precise sizing. The tradeoff is coverage — an open front means sun exposure along the torso, so this style works best as a style layer rather than a sun-protection layer. It also tends to be the first thing people reach for on a quick trip to a hotel lobby or elevator, since it requires no adjustment to throw on.

Sarongs and Wraps

Sarongs offer the most flexibility per item, since a single rectangle of fabric can become a skirt, a dress, or a shawl depending on how it’s tied. That flexibility comes at the cost of convenience — there’s a learning curve to tying one well, and it requires a bit more effort each time compared to a piece you simply pull on. For travelers who prioritize packing light, though, a sarong often replaces two or three single-purpose cover ups.

Button-Down and Shirt Styles

Shirt-style cover ups strike a practical middle ground. They button closed for full coverage or open loosely for a breezier look, and because they’re structured like an actual garment, they tend to hold up the best to repeated wear and washing. They’re also the easiest style to justify wearing off the beach entirely, since they read as a regular shirt rather than swimwear the moment you step away from the water.

Dress-Style Cover Ups

Dress-style pieces, whether a sundress cut or an oversized maxi, offer the most complete coverage and the most “finished” look without any additional styling. They’re the best choice if your day includes stops beyond the beach — lunch, shopping, a hotel restaurant — since they don’t read as beachwear once you’ve dried off and brushed the sand away. The main tradeoff is warmth; a longer, fuller silhouette traps more heat than an open kimono or a short wrap skirt.

UPF Hoodies and Sun-Protective Knits

This category exists for a different reason than the others. Rather than solving for style or versatility, sun-protective hoodies solve for actual UV exposure, which matters most for long swim sessions, watersports, or anyone with heightened sun sensitivity. They’re less likely to double as an evening outfit, but for the specific job of blocking UV rays during hours spent in direct sun, nothing else on this list comes close.

Most people end up building a small rotation rather than committing to just one style — a breezy kimono or sarong for casual days, a structured shirt or dress for anything that extends past the beach, and a UPF piece reserved for longer stretches in direct sun.

1. Floral Sleeve Kimono Cardigan — Best for Sun Protection Layering

This kimono cardigan is the cover up equivalent of a good throw blanket — you put it on the moment the sun starts to feel like too much, and it just works. The open-front cut means you never have to fuss with buttons or wriggle it over wet hair, and the flowy sleeves add just enough drama to make a plain black one-piece look intentional.

The floral print is busy enough to hide a little sunscreen residue or sand, which is a small but real perk for anyone who’s ever ruined a plain white cover up in one trip. It sits at hip length on most frames, so it layers cleanly whether you’re wearing a fitted tankini or something from our best tankini swimsuits roundup.

The sleeve length is one of the more underrated details here — most kimono cover ups on the market go with a short flutter sleeve, but this one runs closer to three-quarter length, which means it actually covers a meaningful amount of the arms and shoulders during peak midday sun rather than just adding visual flair. It’s also one of the easier pieces to throw over a swimsuit while your hair is still wet, since there’s no fabric to pull over your head.

Floral Sleeve Kimono Cardigan Easy layering piece for sunny afternoons.
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2. Vicarly Shoulder Vacation Festival Swimsuit Cover Up — Best for Vacation Style

If your beach trip doubles as a vacation photo op, this is the pick. The off-shoulder neckline and thigh-skimming length are built for resort pools and festival grounds as much as sand, and the lightweight rayon blend keeps it from feeling like a costume the moment you sit down.

It runs a little more fitted through the body than most cover ups on this list, so it flatters an hourglass or athletic frame especially well, and pairs nicely over a fitted one-piece swimsuit for a coordinated look.

The elastic shoulder detailing is designed to sit securely without needing constant adjustment, which matters more than it sounds like it would — a lot of off-shoulder styles slip during the first hour of wear and end up being fussed with all day. This one stays put through normal movement, making it a genuinely wearable option rather than a strictly photo-only piece, and it comes in enough colorways to match most swimsuit palettes without much searching.

Vicarly Shoulder Festival Cover Up Resort-ready style with an easy fit.
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3. Bsubseach Button-Down Cover Up — Best Shirt-Style Versatility

This one earns its spot for pure practicality. It’s cut like a men’s-style button-down but sized and shaped for women, which means it does double duty as beach cover up and actual shirt the second you tie it at the waist. Bsubseach makes this in a couple of colorways, including a second button-down cut with a slightly different print, so you can grab whichever palette matches your existing swimwear.

The adjustable buttons let you control exactly how much skin shows, which makes it one of the more office-trip-adjacent options here — useful if your “beach day” is actually a work retreat with a pool.

Because it’s cut with actual buttons rather than a pullover neckline, it’s also one of the easiest cover ups on this list to get on and off over sunscreen-slicked shoulders or a wet swimsuit top, which sounds minor until you’ve fought with a fitted tunic in a crowded changing area. The relaxed, slightly boxy shoulder fit also means it works reasonably well as a loose layering piece even outside of swim season, extending its usefulness well past summer.

Bsubseach Button-Down Cover Up A shirt-style cover up you’ll actually reach for.
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Bsubseach Button-Down Cover Up (Second Colorway) Same relaxed fit in an alternate print.
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4. Pieces Sarong Wrap — Best Instant Wrap Styling

A sarong is the most flexible cover up you can own, and this one proves why. It’s just a long rectangle of sheer, lightweight chiffon, but that simplicity is the whole point — tie it around your waist as a skirt, knot it over one shoulder as a dress, or drape it loosely for sun protection without heat. It takes about thirty seconds to learn two or three ways to wear it.

Because it’s not sewn into a fixed shape, it’s genuinely one-size-fits-most, which makes it an easy gift or a backup cover up to keep in a beach bag for whoever forgot theirs.

The tradeoff for that flexibility is that it takes a minute or two of practice to get the knots looking intentional rather than accidental. Watching a couple of quick styling tutorials before your trip is worth it, since once you’ve learned two or three ties, you’ll be able to reproduce them from memory in under a minute — including the classic waist-wrap skirt look and a simple over-the-shoulder dress tie that works over almost any swimsuit shape.

Pieces Sarong Wrap One wrap, endless ways to style it.
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5. HARHAY Summer Swimsuit Cover Up — Best Budget Pick

Not every cover up needs to be an investment piece, and HARHAY’s version proves that a basic cotton-blend dress can still look put together. It’s a simple, mid-thigh silhouette without a lot of embellishment, which actually works in its favor — it goes with practically any swimsuit print without competing for attention.

It’s a smart starter piece if you’re building out a beach wardrobe from scratch, or if you just want a reliable backup that won’t be a big loss if it gets a little sun-bleached over a season of wear.

It’s also a practical choice for families packing multiple cover ups at once, since the price point makes it reasonable to buy in a couple of different colors rather than agonizing over a single “best” option. The relaxed mid-thigh cut works fine over most swimsuit bottoms without riding up, and there’s enough room through the body to comfortably wear it over a light layer if the evening turns cool.

HARHAY Summer Cover Up A reliable, budget-friendly everyday option.
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6. Eomenie Contrast Embroidery Cover Up — Best Boho Detailing

The embroidery here does a lot of visual work. Contrast stitching along a plunging neckline gives this cover up a handmade, boho feel that reads more expensive than it is, and the tunic length is generous enough to wear as a standalone top over shorts once you’re off the sand.

It’s a good pick if the rest of your swimwear collection leans simple and you want the cover up to be the statement piece rather than the swimsuit itself.

The contrast stitching is dense enough to hold its shape wash after wash, which isn’t always true of embroidered pieces at this price point — cheaper embroidery tends to pucker or loosen after a few washes, while this one holds its structure noticeably longer. The tunic length also means it’s genuinely wearable as a top with jeans or shorts well after beach season ends, stretching the cost-per-wear further than a piece you’d only reach for in summer.

Eomenie Embroidered Cover Up Boho detailing that doubles as a top.
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7. Lilosy Crochet Cover Up — Best Textured Beach Look

Crochet cover ups have a way of making even a basic black swimsuit look like a whole outfit, and this one leans into that. The open-knit texture creates natural ventilation, which is a real advantage on humid beach days when a solid fabric would feel stifling.

Because crochet is semi-sheer by nature, most people wear this over a matching or contrasting swimsuit rather than alone, which makes it a great excuse to browse our best two-piece swimsuits guide for a set that peeks through the open stitching nicely.

Crochet also tends to age gracefully compared to printed fabrics — there’s no dye to fade or pattern to distort, so a well-made piece like this one can realistically last several seasons with proper care. Just be mindful around rougher surfaces like wicker furniture or splintery dock boards, since the open weave can catch and snag more easily than a solid knit fabric would.

Lilosy Crochet Cover Up Textured, breathable, and effortlessly stylish.
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8. Eicolorte Cover Up Skirt — Best Bottoms-Only Coverage

Sometimes you don’t need a full dress or tunic — you just want your legs covered while your swimsuit top stays visible. That’s exactly what this wrap skirt solves. It ties at the waist over any bikini bottom or one-piece, giving you the coverage of shorts with the breeziness of a skirt.

It’s a smart pick for anyone who likes their swimsuit top to stay the focal point, especially if you’ve invested in something from our Sports Illustrated-style swimsuits list and don’t want to hide it under a full cover up.

It’s also one of the more practical picks for anyone who runs warm, since it leaves the entire upper body uncovered while still solving the “am I decent for the walk to the snack bar” problem below the waist. The wrap-tie construction means one size genuinely fits a wider range of waist measurements than a sewn-shut skirt would, and it rolls up small enough to stash in a beach tote without taking up much room.

Eicolorte Cover Up Skirt Cover your legs, keep your swimsuit visible.
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9. Gradual UPF Protection Hoodie — Best for Sun-Safe Swimming

This is the one cover up on the list built for actual sun defense rather than just style. The UPF 50+ knit blocks the vast majority of UV rays, and the hood adds coverage for the scalp and ears — spots that sunscreen application tends to miss.

It’s the natural pairing for anyone doing longer swim sessions or open-water training, and works especially well thrown on right after stepping out in competitive swimsuits, when you want warmth and sun protection without changing completely out of your gear between sets.

Beyond the swim-specific use case, this is also a smart pick for anyone with a family history of skin cancer, sun sensitivity from medication, or simply a preference for minimizing sun exposure without slathering on sunscreen every hour. The thumbholes on the sleeves, common on this style of sun hoodie, keep the backs of the hands covered too — a detail often overlooked but genuinely useful during long days outdoors.

Gradual UPF Protection Hoodie Real sun protection built for the water.
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10. RUMIA Vacation Sundress — Best Dress-Style Versatility

This one blurs the line between cover up and actual sundress, which is exactly its appeal. The flowy woven fabric and knee-to-midi length mean it holds up as a real outfit for dinner after the beach, not just a throw-on for the walk back to the car.

It’s a strong option if you’re packing light for a trip and want fewer, more versatile pieces rather than a separate cover up and a separate evening dress.

The neckline and cut are designed to look intentional rather than beach-only, which means you can genuinely wear this to a casual dinner without anyone clocking it as swimwear. For travelers trying to fit a week’s worth of outfits into a carry-on, being able to count one item as both a cover up and a dress meaningfully cuts down on how much you need to pack.

RUMIA Vacation Sundress One piece that covers beach and dinner.
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11. ANRABESS Oversized Cover Up — Best Relaxed Fit

The appeal of an oversized ribbed knit cover up is that it genuinely fits almost everyone comfortably, without the guesswork of a fitted silhouette. This piece drapes rather than clings, which makes it forgiving over any swimsuit shape and any body type — a big reason it consistently pairs well with plus-size swimsuits as well as smaller frames who prefer a relaxed, oversized look.

It also transitions easily from beach to café, since the ribbed knit reads more “loungewear” than “swim cover up” once you’re off the sand.

Because it’s a knit rather than a woven fabric, it also has a bit of natural stretch, which makes it comfortable to sit, stretch, or lounge in for hours without feeling restrictive. Reviewers consistently point to the versatility of the tunic length as its biggest selling point — long enough to feel like real coverage, but not so long that it drags or feels like a full dress when you just want a casual layer.

ANRABESS Oversized Cover Up A relaxed fit that flatters every body type.
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12. Ekouaer Oversized Cover Up Dress — Best Maximum Coverage

For anyone who wants the most coverage on this list without sacrificing comfort, this maxi-length cover up dress is the answer. The soft knit fabric is roomy through the body and long enough to fully cover the legs, making it a strong pick for anyone prioritizing sun protection or simply preferring more coverage in general.

It’s a natural companion piece if your swimwear preference already leans toward more coverage — pair it with something from our modest swimsuits guide for a fully coordinated, coverage-first beach look.

The maxi length also makes this a practical choice for evening beach walks or boat rides, where temperatures drop and more coverage becomes genuinely comfortable rather than just a style preference. The soft knit fabric doesn’t wrinkle much in transit either, so it’s a low-maintenance option to throw in a suitcase without worrying about how it’ll look after being packed for a flight.

Ekouaer Oversized Cover Up Dress Full-length coverage without the bulk.
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Frequently Asked Questions