What's ironic about putting beach outfits together is that it's a very different, far more stressful experience than the beach day itself. You're running around the house trying to gather supplies and locate where you stored that straw summer hat you bought on a whim last year. Your list of beach essentials feels a mile long: you need your best bikinis, flip-flops, and a cover-up that protects your skin but still allows you to get some color—oh, and don't forget your best sunscreens, of course. You can actually relax that moment when your toes hit the sand, the sun beams down on your shoulders, and you hear the waves crashing.
The solution to streamlining a beach outfit is obvious: preparation. And as any fashion-inclined friend will tell you, the best way to prepare for any occasion—including laying out on the beach for five hours straight—is to check the Fashion Month runways for inspiration. The Spring 2024 shows, in particular, were filled with a slew of cute summer outfits ideal for sitting in the sand.
Michael Kors's runway was a lesson in dressing up one-piece swimsuits (belts and the sheer skirt trend are key), while Gabriela Hearst demonstrated how to layer bikinis and high-waisted briefs under your best beach dresses. Relaxed, unbuttoned suiting paired with triangle tops was a common theme. Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini styled a top-to-toe brown color palette for the combo, and Valentino opted for all-white outfits.
Pick any of the eight outfits below, and getting beach-ready will be a breeze. Keep scrolling to discover a curated selection of beachwear and ideas on how to style each sand-proof piece.
A Black One-Piece With Bijoux
Sticking to basic black is a fashion rule of thumb. On his Spring 2024 runway, Michael Kors accessorized an ink-colored one-piece with a see-through sarong, a statement belt made of metallic hardware, and a pair of flat strappy sandals. Recreating the combo with the items below will do the trick for the next time you don't know what to wear to the beach.
A Breezy Button-Down Shirt Dress
Take a cue from Alberta Ferreti with a white beach outfit that's crisp and clean but not boring. To start, style a broderie-style bikini with a relaxed button-front shirt dress. Flat, strappy, and caged sandals in brown leather will complete the look.
Go Fish!
Gabriela Hearst sent out beach-primed models in maxi dresses made of netted macramé. Jennifer Lopez wears sheer beach cover-ups. So, what's stopping you from trying the look? To start, find an open-work beach dress and a high-waisted bikini set. Alternatively, this outfit works well if you test-drive the tankini swimwear trend with a more full-coverage style.
Pops of Color
Red is not typically a color you want to see on yourself when you're at the beach—it means your sunscreen application was less than stellar. But here, Hermès does ruby right. Recreate the luxury fashion house's colorful co-ord with a red scoop-neck top and matching separates.
Ready for Business, Beachside
While Valentino's take on summer suiting used a crisp cotton twill, feel free to try more relaxed textiles when recreating the above look. A linen blend, for instance, is always a good idea—especially when your plans involve direct sun exposure. For footwear? Mesh flats, of course.
A Center-Stage Cover-Up
The plus side to beachwear is that a one-and-done, throw-on-and-go cover-up can do the bulk of an outfit's heavy lifting—as Chanel showed in its Spring 2024 show. Start with a one-piece swimsuit as your base, but then allow a playfully printed caftan or sarong to steal the show. On the accessories front, any of your best beach bags and flip-flops will do.
Prepster Off Duty
Behold the beauty of board shorts—Summer's athletic short trend, only with a waterproof and marine-inspired slant. In Miu Miu's Spring 2024 show, models wore orange swim shorts with navy polo shirts (secondary colors are always a foolproof combination). Mrs. Prada's final touch was rope-tied sandals, which would blend in on any boat in a coastal marina. This look would go great alongside the seashell jewelry trend.
Breeze-Friendly Summer Separates
For those who find black too austere for summer, brown will tick the neutral box but offers neutral tones. Take a color cue from Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini and build a beach outfit from mahogany-colored basics, like a button-down shirt and Bermuda shorts (or linen pants, for those who'd prefer a longline look). Rafia slip-on sandals and a chocolate brown bikini are the finishing touches.
