Skip to content

Top Navigation

InStyle InStyle
  • News
    • All Fashion
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
    • Future Of Fashion
    • All Celebrity
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
    • All Beauty
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
    • All Hair
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
    • All Natural
    • All Lifestyle
    • Astrology
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
    • Well, Well, Well
    • All Politics & Social Issues
    • President Joe Biden
    • Dr. Jill Biden
    • Vice President Kamala Harris
    • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Moms
    • Equal Pay
    • Badass Women
    • Career
    • Charity
  • About InStyle

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore InStyle

InStyle InStyle
  • Explore

    Explore

    • If the Coastal Grandmother Trend Isn't for You, How About Its Alternative, Fancy Grandma?

      If the Coastal Grandmother Trend Isn't for You, How About Its Alternative, Fancy Grandma?

      It's just as comfy but a tad more exciting. Read More
    • It Seems Like Everyone Has False Lashes These Days — Here's Why

      It Seems Like Everyone Has False Lashes These Days — Here's Why

      There's a reason why they're trending. Read More
    • 8 Ways to Wear a Sheer Lace Dress, According to Stylists

      8 Ways to Wear a Sheer Lace Dress, According to Stylists

      The pros are weighing in on this trick, celeb-loved trend. Read More
  • News
  • Fashion

    Fashion

    See All Fashion
    This Easy Guide Is the Trick to Finding Your Signature Fashion Color

    This Easy Guide Is the Trick to Finding Your Signature Fashion Color

    It's all about your skin's undertones.
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
    • Future Of Fashion
  • Celebrity

    Celebrity

    See All Celebrity
    The Best Beauty Looks From The 2022 Met Gala Scream Gilded Age

    The Best Beauty Looks From The 2022 Met Gala Scream Gilded Age

    Big hair, tiaras, and gold lids — oh my!
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See All Beauty
    The Dos and Don'ts of Mixing Skincare Ingredients

    The Dos and Don'ts of Mixing Skincare Ingredients

    Plus, when and how to use them.
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair

    Hair

    See All Hair
    How to Get the Wet Look Without Making Your Hair Feel Crunchy

    How to Get the Wet Look Without Making Your Hair Feel Crunchy

    It's really quite simple.
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
    • All Natural
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    See All Lifestyle
    The One Nail Polish Color Your Zodiac Sign Should Wear for Taurus Season — and Why

    The One Nail Polish Color Your Zodiac Sign Should Wear for Taurus Season — and Why

    Leos should wear glitter, of course.
    • Astrology
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
    • Well, Well, Well
  • Politics & Social Issues

    Politics & Social Issues

    See All Politics & Social Issues
    50 Badass Change Makers

    50 Badass Change Makers

    The world may feel heavy at the start of 2022, but this list of change makers has us optimistic for brighter days to come.
    • President Joe Biden
    • Dr. Jill Biden
    • Vice President Kamala Harris
    • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Moms
    • Equal Pay
    • Badass Women
    • Career
    • Charity
  • Pop Culture

    Pop Culture

    See All Pop Culture
    17 Unforgettable Rachel Green Outfits You Could (and Should) Still Wear Today

    17 Unforgettable Rachel Green Outfits You Could (and Should) Still Wear Today

    From plaid skirts to slip dresses, we're ready to copy it all.
  • About InStyle

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Fashion
  3. 5 Beach-Ready Buys You'll Want to Wear IRL

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

By Alison Syrett Cleary Updated Jun 12, 2017 @ 6:30 pm
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Beach Buys Lead
Credit: Courtesy

My approach to new clothing is like your thrifty grandmother’s thoughts on last night’s dinner: I’m going to keep using it until I can’t anymore.The idea that something I spent money might waste space in my wardrobe makes me bonkers-crazy, and basically dictates everything that I buy. So new swimsuits and caftans for a one-off trip? A pretty tough sell.

But versatile, sand-to-street options like the 5 pieces below tell a different story. These are all styles I’d happily wear throughout my city-centric summer plans; the fact I’ll also be ready for weekend away is just a nice bonus. Allow me to walk you through my thought process, starting with…

Start Slideshow

1 of 5

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Malliot that Doubles as a Bodysuit

A Malliot that Doubles as a Bodysuit
Credit: Courtesy
$290
shop it
net-a-porter.com

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. 

1 of 5

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 5

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

 A Cover-up Disguised as a Dress

 A Cover-up Disguised as a Dress
Credit: Courtesy
$465
shop it
lemlem.com

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. 

2 of 5

3 of 5

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Straw Tote You Can Take Anywhere

A Straw Tote You Can Take Anywhere
Credit: Courtesy
$275
shop it
modaoperandi.com

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.

3 of 5

Advertisement

4 of 5

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Espadrille Slides

Espadrille Slides
Credit: Courtesy
$545
shop it
mytheresa.com

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.)

4 of 5

5 of 5

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Knit Cami

A Knit Cami
Credit: Courtesy
$30
shop it
zara.com

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.

5 of 5

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Alison Syrett Cleary

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 5 A Malliot that Doubles as a Bodysuit
    2 of 5  A Cover-up Disguised as a Dress
    3 of 5 A Straw Tote You Can Take Anywhere
    4 of 5 Espadrille Slides
    5 of 5 A Knit Cami

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    InStyle

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Accolades Licensing
    • Content Licensing

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithInStyle is part of the Meredith Beauty Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. InStyle may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright InStyle. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.instyle.com

    View image

    5 Beach-Ready Buys You'll Want to Wear IRL
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.