The Best Swimsuit Coverups
Why do women wear coverups over their bathing suits? Are they necessary, or just an accessory for fashion purposes only? A swimsuit coverup is a popular addition to many women’s wardrobes as it’s such a versatile piece of clothing. Coverups can be a simple sarong to wrap around the waist area, but they can also include kaftans, kimonos or full-length dresses for extra coverage. They’re a great way to protect yourself from the hot sun and take you from the beach or pool to running your everyday errands. Take a look at our top picks from Amazon below that include a range of coverups to suit your personal style!
Buyer’s Guide
Comfort, Fit and Style
The swimsuit coverup comes in many different styles – the first thing that comes to mind may be a simple sarong, but there are also kaftans, rompers or dresses that fit into this category. It’s essentially any piece of clothing that “covers up” your swimwear, whether only from the waist down or a full-body coverup. The most versatile and easiest to wear is the kaftan, but I’d recommend anything you can throw over your suit that won’t wrinkle or wear after too much sun exposure.
Your coverup should be comfortable enough to wear to and from the beach or pool, and ideally it will give you some sun protection. You’ll find that some coverups only come in one size, but these often have adjustable ties so you can tighten it or loosen to suit your figure. Most of the styles I own are either kaftans or short dresses, as these are the easiest to wear in public if I’m going for coffee or a quick shopping trip before a beach day. Anything that doesn’t look like it’s designed for the beach is a win in my book, as I’m all about buying versatile pieces that you can wear on many different occasions.
Material
The best materials for swimsuit coverups are anything that incorporates lightweight, breathable fabrics. Cotton is good, rayon or linen is even better. Since you’ll likely be throwing yours in your bag while at the beach or in the water, go for these materials that prevent wrinkling. Although mesh or crochet kaftans look great over your bikini, these don’t do well in the sun-smart department. It all depends where you’re planning to wear your coverup – if it’s mostly indoors, the amount of coverage for your shoulders and arms won’t matter so much. But, if you plan to throw yours over a suit when sitting in the sun for longer periods, it may be worth investing in a kaftan that protects you from the harsh sun’s rays.
Maintenance and Care
It goes without saying that your beach or pool coverup will most likely get wet. Whether it’s from your wet swimsuit or getting into the ocean with you, you’ll need one that’s machine washable and won’t get damaged by saltwater or chlorine. Most coverups that are washable should be put through a gentle, cold cycle separately or with like colors. I’d also recommend air drying rather than tossing yours in the dryer. As with any other clothing in your wardrobe, it’s safest to take a look at the label and see what the cleaning instructions are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top 5 Best Swimsuit Coverups
Model
Rating
Colors
Sizes
Material
Pricing
Reviews
Editor's Choice – Ekouaer Women’s Swimsuit Beach Cover Up
53
S-3xl
100% Rayon
Customer’s Choice – Wander Agio Beach Swimsuit Cover Up for Women
38
One Size
Cotton And Lace Polyester
Best Plus Size – Fadalo Plus Size Spaghetti Strap Cover Up
25
S-5xl
Breathable, Lightweight Spandex
1. Editor's Choice – Ekouaer Women’s Swimsuit Beach Cover Up
This Ekouaer shirt coverup ticks almost every box – it’ll keep you protected from the sun, it’s breathable, and did we mention it comes in 53 colors? If you’re looking for a classic coverup to throw over your swimsuit, but also something that’s appropriate to wear while out and about, this may be the one for you. Available in 53 different colors and prints, this shirt is one of the most versatile out there. It’s made of 100% rayon which is one of the most breathable fabrics you can find, so even though your shoulders and arms will be covered, it’s lightweight enough that you won’t overheat.
A staple beach shirt can be styled to suit your personal taste – throw on a belt to accentuate your waist, or wear it over leggings for those cooler summer nights. Keep in mind that this is a mullet style (shorter in the front and longer in the back), so if you’re not a fan of this cut, go for a beach shirt that has even lengths on each side. I’d also recommend sizing up to get a looser fit – when you’re ready for a dip, the easier it is to take off, the better!
Pros
Cons
2. Runner Up – Ekouaer Women’s Short Sarong Beach Wrap
If you don’t already have a sarong in your wardrobe, it’s time to get your hands on this classic style from Ekouaer. As you’ll see on the Amazon listing, you can style a sarong in many different ways. Wear it as a top tied around your neck, as a scarf, a belt for your loose beach shirt (like our pick from Ekouaer above) or wrapped around your waist as a simple beach wrap. It’s super affordable and comes in 43 colors including fun prints like leopard print, cow print or cute palm trees.
With sizes ranging from Small to 3XL, you’ll be sure to find your perfect fit. Sarongs are also adjustable as they simply tie at the waist, so you can tighten or loosen yours depending on your preference. The only downfall is that it’s not sun-smart whatsoever, particularly compared to fuller coverage options out there. But if you’re just looking for a simple coverup for the waist area, this is one of the best beach wraps you’ll find.
Pros
Cons
3. Customer’s Choice – Wander Agio Beach Swimsuit Cover Up for Women
Look stylish at the beach or pool in this crochet-style coverup from Wander Agio. If you’re after a bohemian-chic dress that you can quickly throw over your swimsuit yet still look put together, this may be the perfect option for you. Although it comes in a huge range of colors and patterns (38 to be exact), it’s only available in one size. Wander Agio specifies that it fits sizes Medium through XL, but this is difficult to measure since there’s no size chart available. If you like your beach dresses to be loose and oversized, this coverup may fit you perfectly.
It offers far more coverage than a half sarong and is made of cotton and lace polyester, which are among the most breathable fabrics you can find. This is super important for swimsuit coverups, since the last thing you want is something that traps your body heat while you’re laying in the sun. Some of the color options are completely different designs, which gives you a ton of freedom to choose your favorite style.
Pros
Cons
4. Best Versatile – Bsubseach Long Kimono Swimsuit Cover Up
With 36 colors and patterns ranging from tie dye to leopard print, The Bsubseach Kimono Cover Up will keep you cool and protected from the sun. The tie closure cinches your waist and can be tightened for more of a dress style, or kept undone as a traditional kimono or cardigan. It’s made from 100% breathable rayon so you’ll never overheat while laying by the pool or beach.
This long kimono is also one of the most versatile of our picks – if you want to mix it up a bit, why not lay it on the sand as your beach towel? I’ve purchased a few of these and they’re ideal when you don’t want to lug around a heavy towel (and all you need is something to lay on if you don’t plan to get wet!). It’s important to note that there’s only one size available, but Bsubseach makes up for this by providing a clear size chart to ensure a great fit. It’s recommended to hand wash this kimono and hang to dry for best results.
Pros
Cons
5. Best Plus Size – Fadalo Plus Size Spaghetti Strap Cover Up
This wouldn’t be a roundup of the best swimsuit coverups without a plus-size option, and you can’t look past this maxi dress from Fadalo. It’s offered in sizes ranging from Small to 5XL, so Fadalo gets brownie points for being inclusive of the many shapes and sizes of all women. This spaghetti-strap dress can be worn as a traditional maxi, but also folded down into a long sarong. It wraps around the whole body and tightens at the waist to suit your preference, and the stretchy yet breathable spandex is perfect for those days in the hot sun.
While suitable for the beach and pool parties, it’s important to mention that sizes do run small, so sizing up is recommended to make sure it fits you perfectly. This kimono is super affordable and comes in a range of fun colors and prints, with standouts being the floral, leopard and snakeskin print.
