ComScore

The 5 Trendiest Swim Cover-Ups to Wear in 2022

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

Step away from the denim cut-offs—why did we ever think these were an acceptable beach cover-up in the first place? It’s high time you upgrade your poolside attire to something a bit chicer and a whole lot more comfortable. These five trends are easy, cool and sure to bring in tons of compliments. Now all you need is to book that tropical vacation and don’t forget the SPF.

16 Beach Essentials You’ll Definitely Want to Have on Hand This Summer


1. camp Shirts

Short sleeve button-up shirts in vibrant tropical prints, neutral linen or even colorblocked terry cloth are by far the easiest cover-ups to rock this summer. There are tons of options out there—some with matching shorts or skirts—so you can play around with mixing and matching different prints or even trying to coordinate your shirt with your suit. Later on, you can tuck them into some high-waisted jeans or a cute mini skirt for dinner with your vacation buddies.

Shop the trend: Outdoor Voices SolarCool Camp Shirt ($78); Madewell Linen-Blend Shirt ($75); Tombolo ‘¡Gusanito!’ Cabana ($138); Frankies Bikinis Hunter Terry Shirt ($165)

2. matching Sarongs

Classic sarongs, aka a large swath of fabric tied artfully around your body, will never be out of style, but sarongs that match the exact color or pattern of your suit are probably the most popular cover-up option for summer ’22. They instantly make you feel a bit fancier and more put together, which, when combined with some glamorous oversize sunnies and a mocktail with a fun straw, can make any backyard pool feel more like a luxurious hotel getaway.

Shop the trend: Farm Rio Lemon Dream Sarong ($120); Show Me Your Mumu Kiran Sarong ($48); Solid & Striped Pareo ($88); Summersalt Wrap Skirt ($95)

3. crochet Dresses

Crochet is trending right now, so it makes sense that the summery knitwear would also be a hot beach-side option. Because this is a cover-up and not a dress you plan to wear out on the town, you can opt for a more open weave to give a little sneak peek of your suit underneath. Of course, you can also opt for a closer knit that would be appropriate for brunch or drinks to get double the use out of your new frock.

Shop the trend: Cupshe Stripe Cover-Up ($35); LPA Lanita Crochet Mini Dress ($278); Summersalt Crochet High-Neck Dress ($135); Venus Crochet Maxi ($79)

4. boxer-inspired Shorts

High-rise shorts with a loose silhouette offer plenty of coverage on your hips and midsection without feeling dowdy. They also look pretty darn cute with the camp shirts above if you want to make a whole outfit of it. Opt for lightweight fabrics like cotton, linen or terry cloth over heavy sweatsuit materials or silk.

Shop the trend: J.Crew End-on-End Cotton Shorts ($32); AYR Staycation Shorts ($95); Collusion Checkerboard Beach Shorts ($25); Solid & Striped Charlie Shorts ($)

5. caftans

Another fabulous classic, caftans are both wonderfully glam and incredibly easy to wear. And while there are tons of different styles to choose from, we prefer longer lengths for maximum glamour.

Shop the trend: Swim 365 Jeweled Caftan ($95; $38); Michael Stars Farrah Maxi Caftan ($98); Anthropologie Greek Key Kaftan ($140); Emerson Fry Ink Caftan ($188)



unnamed

Editor

Abby Hepworth is an RRCA-certified running coach who has worked in fashion for over 10 years. Want to know what shoes are in this season? She's got you. Need recommendations on...