5 Beach-Ready Buys You'll Want to Wear IRL

Look at this style as swimwear, it feels a bit impractical at first—like a cherry colored, off-the-shoulder one-piece? That’s good for maybe two Instagram posts, tops, and then everyone’s going to recognize it as “the same red suit you always wear to the beach.” However, once you start picturing it with a breezy white skirt and espadrilles, the entire context changes: You’re Brigitte Bardot strolling down a cobblestone street in the Rivera! Or, for some serious Carrie Bradshaw vibes, you can swap in high-waisted shorts and strappy sandal heels. I’m pretty sure I could buy this, not take a single vacation, and still wear it all summer. 

Both thin enough to throw over a bikini and rooftop cocktail chic, a floaty boho dress (if this one is not for you, Doen and Ace + Jig have some great options, too) is something you can repurpose a gajillion new ways by swapping in different shoes/bag combos. 

If there was every a time to upgrade your weather-beaten raffia carryall, it would be now. For the last year now, street style stars like Jeanne Damas and Alexa Chung elevated the humble seaside staple to fashion week-worthy status. Pro tip: Pick something with space to fit your bikini and Kindle, but not so massive it will look out of place at brunch.

Before you default to a pair of rubber flip-flops, I beg you to think of A. How much chicer these will look with, well, any swimsuit/coverup combination and B. How easily they’ll translate to sundresses and faded jeans on the weekend. Although really, you can go for any color/pattern/embellishment I’m especially partial to lace because it reminds me of a polished Italian lady on a grocery store run. (If stripes are more your thing, however, this pair from Mango is pretty fantastic, too.)

In theory it doesn’t sounds like the easiest piece to wear—a tank top sweater, huuh?!—but an open weave and loose knit make it ideal for tossing over a bikini. Back at home, it’s just the thing to throw on with your cut-off shorts when you want to look extra cute for your trip to the farmers market, but not like you actually tried to.