Is there anything better than a trip to the beach? From working on your tan and getting lost in a great book to splashing in the waves, building sandcastles, enjoying a picnic lunch, and taking long walks, the beach has something for everyone. Whether you live near the ocean or have a beach vacation coming up, stylish beach outfits are essential. In fact, the right ensemble and beach sandals can make your seaside experience even more enjoyable.
At Vionic, we’re big fans of the ocean. Our surf-loving founder, renowned podiatrist Phillip Vasyli, sought out to develop comfortable, supportive, and stylish footwear for all occasions, including all sand-and-sea activities. In addition to offering beach-ready shoes for men and women, Vionic is here to help you look your best from head to toe. Looking for outfits to wear to the beach? Find fashionable, versatile, and practical options below.
8 Cute Beach Outfits to Rock this Summer
When you’re trying to come up with the perfect ensemble, sometimes all you need is a little inspiration. It also depends on what the occasion is. Are you wondering what to wear to a beach wedding or for a casual day on the sand? If you have a tropical getaway or a weekend at the coast on the calendar—or if you just know you’ll be frequenting the beach this summer—you’ll want to plan ahead with some beachwear.
With the right clothes, you’ll feel comfortable, confident, and protected from the various outdoor oceanside elements. If you’re not sure what to wear to the beach—other than a swimsuit, that is—Vionic has your back. Is your vibe laid-back, casual, breezy, boho, flirty, modest, or sporty? We’ve got a look that’ll complement your personal style. Check out these eight cute beach outfits ideas.
Not Your Mother’s Maxi Dress
If you’re going for a breezy, versatile look, a long flowy dress is an excellent choice. Whether you opt for a solid color, stripes, or a floral print, a maxi dress really is the perfect beach dress. You can wear it long or tie the skirt into a knot while you walk or splash in the tide.
Maxi dresses are casual, elegant, and flattering all at once. Plus, they go with any type of beach shoes. Flip-flops, slip-on sneakers, slides, strappy sandals, wedge heels—you name it. Finish the look with a wide-brim hat and a slouchy beach bag.
Dazzle in Denim Shorts
Another one of our favorite summer beach outfits is a pair of denim shorts with a t-shirt, tank top, button-down shirt, or even just a bathing suit. High-waisted jean shorts, denim cut-offs, and dark washes all look great against the blue of the ocean.
For shoes to wear on the beach with this outfit, opt for flip-flops, toe-post sandals, or casual sneakers for the beach. Complete this classic beach look with your favorite baseball hat, a pair of sunglasses, and maybe a hoodie if you’ll be hanging out after the sun goes down.
Impress in a Sundress
There’s no denying that sundresses are a summertime staple, and they’re easy to throw on over a bathing suit. That’s why a sundress is one of the most effortless and flattering beach outfit ideas we can think of. Solid colors, floral prints, and geometric patterns are all perfect for the beach. That being said, if it’s not Labor Day yet, you might want to opt for a white dress, which epitomizes a feminine warm-weather look.
Another option is to wear a short t-shirt dress, which can be rolled up and stashed away in your bag at any time. In any case, short dresses are great for lounging on the beach during the day, walking along the boardwalk, or hanging out at a summer beach party. You can wear them with flip-flops, strappy sandals, espadrilles, wedges, and even sneakers. If you’ll be on the sand at night, be sure to bring some form of outerwear, like a denim jacket.
Make Heads Turn in a Maxi Skirt
Everyone looks good in a maxi dress, and believe it or not, maxi skirts have a similar universally flattering effect. When it comes to beach attire, a long, flowy skirt is ideal. You can wear it with just swimwear—this cute outfit works with either a one-piece or two-piece bathing suit—or throw on a simple tank top or crop.
From sheer paisley and animal print to floral and solid hues, any design goes for this easy-going outfit. We love this boho seaside look with a straw hat, big sunglasses, and a rattan beach bag. To transform the ensemble from a day to night look, put on a pair of flexible beach sneakers or strappy leather sandals, and sport a jean jacket for warmth.
Rock a Romper
Rompers and jumpsuits are on-trend this summer. Although they’re popular streetwear picks, a romper is an excellent option for the beach, too. If you’re going for a playful, flirty vibe, this is the perfect beach outfit for you. Rompers are sportier than sundresses, super comfortable, and chic all at the same time.
We love jersey-knit rompers in solid shades as well as retro striped and tropical-print designs. When you wear a romper, you don’t have to change your clothes to work on your tan, take a walk, get lunch, or splash in the waves. We love rompers with flip-flops, ankle-strap sandals, espadrilles, and wedges. To make a statement while keeping your face and shoulders out of the sun, opt for a wide-brimmed hat.
Sarong and a Swimsuit
A sarong is a large, lightweight piece of sheer or semi-sheer fabric that you can wrap around your waist and fasten into a skirt. When you think of sarongs, you might picture wearing one laying out on a cabana at a resort. However, a versatile sarong is one of the best outfit ideas for the beach. You can wear it over a one- or two-piece swimsuit and create a low-rise or high-waist look, depending on how you tie it. A sarong can also be wrapped into a dress or used as a scarf, and it even works as a beach blanket in a pinch.
Sarongs are a good choice for extra-hot days when you don’t have a lot of physical activities planned. A large sunhat is a perfect complement to this fun, feminine, and effortless ensemble. Flip-flops and strappy types of sandals look best with sarongs. Aside from bringing a beach bag to hold your sunscreen and other essentials, that might be all you need for a blazing-hot day at the beach. Having said that, if you stay after sundown, you might need to pack something a little warmer.
Stay Cool in a Caftan
For a beach coverup that’s a bit more modest than a sarong skirt, consider a caftan. Caftans, which are sometimes called kaftans, are like a cross between a tunic and a robe. They’re lightweight, versatile, and provide lots of coverage. This outfit idea is ideal for those who may not want to bear it all on the beach, as well as those who want extra sun protection.
Similar to sarongs, kaftans are typically made of semi-sheer or light, satiny fabrics, and they come in a wide range of prints and patterns. What should you wear with a kaftan? For head-to-toe sun protection, grab a sun hat or a scarf to wrap around your head. We like how kaftans look with strappy, gladiator-inspired sandals. Other footwear options are flip-flops, wedges, or espadrilles.
Eazy, Breezy Beachy Athleisure
For a sportier summer outfit to wear at the beach, we suggest warm-weather athleisure wear. A pair of spandex or running shorts are easy to throw on over a bathing suit. For your top, opt for a performance tank or a basic tee. If you’ll be staying past sunset, you might want to pack a long-sleeve athletic shirt in your bag in case it gets cold.
The athleisure trend doesn’t appear to be going anywhere, which is why this is one of the best beach vacation outfits. It’s comfortable, it’s practical, and it’s suitable for any oceanside activity. For your shoes, wear a pair of casual tennis shoes, beach-friendly sneakers, flip-flops, or athletic toe-post sandals.
The Perfect Shoes for All Your Beach Outfits
Summer is just around the corner, and for many people, this means lots of trips to the beach. Whether you’re feeling inspired to wear a maxi dress, jean shorts, a sundress, a maxi skirt, a romper, a sarong, a caftan, or warm-weather sportswear to the beach, Vionic has you covered with footwear.
We carry men’s and women’s flip-flops, toe-post sandals, slides, strappy sandals, wedges, espadrilles, and made-for-the-sand sneakers. No matter what your beach style is, we have the perfect pair of shoes. Not only do we carry footwear to go with all of these cute beach outfits, but every pair of Vionic shoes has built-in orthotic soles for optimal support and all-day comfort.
Browse the beach collections from Vionic today! For more inspiration, check out our blog on the best shoes for summer travel.