How to Dress for the Beach Without Buying a Coverup

30+ swimsuits and the no-coverup beach edit

This is my go-to for functional, hot (but not too hot) beach looks - with a million swim picks, sarong recs, and styling tips.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, baby! A lot of my clients are prepping for summer and I’ve been getting a ton of questions about what to wear to the beach that feels functional but still styled.

I don’t believe in coverups and I never loved the word ‘uniform’ but this is a formula I keep coming back to:

bathing suit + lightweight button-down + sarong tied at the smallest part of your waist + a beaded necklace

U + ME = US

My favorite button-down to wear with a swimsuit is from Kule. It’s lightweight, airy, and not too precious. You can throw it in the washing machine without worrying it will lose its shape. I also love a striped version or something in a solid neutral—white, khaki, or a soft denim-y blue that’ll work with pretty much any bathing suit. The key is to avoid anything too stiff or structured. Light cotton is best.

You can let the button-down hang open over the sarong, sleeves rolled to the elbow.

Orr wrap the sarong over the shirt so it looks tucked in. Both the buttondown and the sarong are super versatile. Which is key when you're crouched down making sand castles and suddenly need to pee. you won’t have to completely reassemble your outfit.

*You can also wear the sarong as a mini skirt if that’s more your vibe. It just means folding it a few more times.

My client Dani graciously let me share a peek at our session together and she fucking mastered the button-down and sarong formula better than I could have taught it. Side note: Dani is also an incredible fertility specialist with her own practice. If you’re navigating anything related to fertility, she’s thoughtful and brilliant and worth checking out.

Chan Luu sarong on the left, toteme sarong on the right

The second white-based sarong is styled with a Bode button-down (only one left in a L). The Chan Luu scarf shows up on the right and in the center top photo.

You can also tie the button-down around your waist and wear it as a skirt when you get up to grab a spritz:

I got a little carried away with the links, but here we are. Swim picks and sarongs below.

Sarongs / Pareos / Scarfs

Abstract prints or cool neutral color ways work really well. They are just so versatile! I have a video here on how to tie it into a groovy top as well.

Here are some options based on your color preferences:

One, Two, Three, Four, Five (my fav in all the colors it comes in both dip dye and solids), Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten (expensive but there is so much you could do with it), this one is also great not pictured! and so is this one!

Let’s be clear, a sarong is not just for the beach. I support taking it straight to the gala. or wherever.

Bathingsuits are hard! For so many obvious reasons. Some of my favorite brands that offer a range of fits based on shape are Matteau, Left On a Friday and Monday Swimwear. They all have lots of tops and bottoms to choose from, so you can mix and match depending on how much coverage or support you want.

I prefer solid swimsuits or ones with texture (I recommended about 1 zillion below, it’s too many but I did it and I couldn’t turn back).

Onepieces!

When you are shopping for a one piece, look for one that is a good square neck with thinner straps and doesn’t ride up your butt too much.

One, Two, Three, Four, Five and my client sent me this one which I love but not pictured below:

Bikinis!
I’m a fan of solids in neutral or soft tones. They make me feel a little more sophisticated. And then I can fuck it up with some colorful necklaces. If you’re going for a print, I love a ditsy, small-scale one like this Matteau.

Fit is the most important thing. My boobs currently touch the floor, so a scoop neck top (like this) works best for my situation lolz. I also go for a high-waisted bottom because after two kids my fupa ain’t what it used to be.

Point is we all know what works best for our bods. I wanted to offer a range of shapes that either hide or highlight your favorite features.

One (on sale woo), Two (and bottom), Three (and bottom), Four, Five:

All of these have great fabrics that are thick in a good way and make you feel held and a little bit sucked in. One (love the shape of this top), Two (subtle color blocking I’m into), Three, Four (the bottom), Five, Six (really like the shape and mauve tone):

Numbers 1 and 2 are offered in a range of colors:

One (mid rise bottom, high rise bottom), Two (mid rise bottom, high rise bottom), Three (bottom)

I love a bikini with a subtle detail. Like this pearl one from Sara Cristina featured in One (the back isn’t adjustable on the top, so size down if you’re in between sizes) and Three below. I am also into the contrast piping on number Two:

Here are some great printed suits.

One (I love a leopard suit and its on sale), Two (the bottoms on 2 and 3 are skimp daddy so don’t click if you’re trying to be more subtle), Three, Four (my fav print but sizes are limited), Five, Six (great ditsy but not too sweet), Seven (retro geo i’m into it)

Expensive but so pretty I didn’t want to leave out:

The accessories take it home.
Either a beaded necklace on its own or layered with a leather cord adds a lot. It’s such an easy way to really UP the lewk.

One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven. This is one of my favs (I like how the shell goes in the middle of the bead instead of hangs down) but not pictured because I had already completed my diagram when I found it and DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG THESE TAKE TO MAKE?!

Also how cute is this bag?

Hats: wide-brim straw hat, or a bucket hat is the final touch. Also is necessary to protect our skin which is always confusing because a tan looks so much better but then its fleeting blah blah whatever. Trust science, wear a hat.

If you made it this far, I’m proud of you. Now go roll up a button-down, tie something around your waist and drink something delicious for me.

Love youss

xx Kelly