Women, Pack These Outfits For The Beach

A beach vacation is the most anticipated plan this year because the last two summers have been spent in an air-conditioned room only. May is marked by mid-summer, of course, and month-long holidays for many that lead to beaches becoming a popular destination. All this said, packing bags make a dreadful way to our to-do list that has us pre-planning for multiple days. Shopping inspiration for beach vacations could be handy if you’re one of the people who feel this way. It begins with some essentials like sunscreen, swimsuits and hats, but longer stays demand more. A dress, you’d think instantly, but with the endless categories fashion has today, there are co-ord sets topping the celeb-approved lists as well as shorts.

1. Short Dresses as Beach Outfit
2. Maxi Dresses as Beach Outfit
3. Sarongs for Beach
4. Shrugs and Overshirts for Beach
5. Co-Ord Sets as Beach Wear
6. Kaftan Dresses as Beach Wear
7. Cropped Tops And Bottoms as Beach Wear
8. Swimwear for Beach
9. Frequently Answered Questions on Beach Dresses

1. Short Dresses as Beach Outfit

An all-time summer favourite, breezy dresses for the beach come as mandatory packing instructions. It’s loved by all women too because it’s feminine, comfortable and versatile.

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Spending off-duty days in the Maldives, Ananya Panday prioritizes dresses. Above, she’s seen in a sunshine-appropriate dress that features a deep V-neck and black and white sunflowers.

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She was also seen wearing an airy short white dress that describes her summer mood. It has narrow straps and smocked detailing along the bust.

Pro tip: Style it how you like it – with beaded flip flops or bright sliders, bracelets or earrings. There honestly is no wrong way to go about wearing dresses as women as mastered it.

2. Maxi Dresses as Beach Outfit

This summer, we’ve grown an obsession for longer fits, including midi or ankle-length dresses. While short dresses remain in a classic position, maxi dresses are appearing trendy. For beach dressing, choose informal options with lace details, floral embroidery or cutwork as they’re topping trend charts.

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Parineeti Chopra’s tiered maxi dress provides ease and elegance. Style it with unique sunglasses and slip-on footwear.

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If bright hues are your current favourite, look for a pleated dress like Kriti Sanon wore. She wore a bright bikini underneath.

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Advani wore it for her sister’s pre-wedding sangeet, but you can wear a similar style if you’re to attend a sundowner party. Be on the lookout for shaded satin, high slits and cutouts.

Pro tip: You might have a floral maxi dress already. This summer lookout for bright colours and minimal fabrics.

3. Sarongs for Beach

Sarongs are a mainstay in our wardrobe that’s pulled out right before summers. Use it by the poolside or sandy beach to cover your swimwear. Any print works!

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Janhvi Kapoor is seen wearing a coordinated set of a bikini top, bottoms and tie-up sarong that’s inundated with maroon roses.

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Contrastingly, Sara Ali Khan opted for an almost-neon set that comprises a strappy monokini and Aztec-inspired sarong.

Pro tip: You can re-purpose a scarf as a sarong. Fold it into half from the center if it’s long or if you have a square scarf, fold it diagonally.

4. Shrugs and Overshirts for Beach

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Ananya Panday recently took to Instagram a picture from her ongoing vacation where she donned a mismatched set (and we still heart it). Her outfit comprises a powder blue bikini set and boxy overshirt featuring orange and white leaves.

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Sonakshi Sinha shared her pictures from her most recent Maldives trip wearing a diaphanous layer. The balloon-sleeved sarong sparkled with countless holographic sequins.

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Earlier in the Maldives, Sara Ali Khan wore a long sleeveless macrame shrug over a vivid orange bikini. It’s a handmade style you can consider too!

Pro tip: On days when you’re living the urban life, look to styling these pieces differently. Ananya Panday’s shirt can be buttoned for casual lounging and Sara Ali Khan’s knotted jacket can be layered over a basic earthy outfit.

5. Co-Ord Sets as Beach Wear

Co-ord sets have been elevated to a must-have position in a woman’s summer wardrobe. They’re vibrant and come in a variety of styles that are sure to suit your purpose. Be it for lounging, formal dinners, official meetings or a walk along the beach.

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Malavika Mohonan wore a beige bustier and skort co-ord that’s printed with yellow-green florals. It’s a one-of-a-kind set to invest in.

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Alaya F was captured seaside in a white tiered mini skirt and bra top that’s patterned with multicoloured wildflowers.

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Nora Fatehi opted for a wilder choice. Her printed set featured leopard skin and included a cropped top with a criss-cross neckline and cut-out and a midi skirt with a center slit.

Pro tip: Pair these printed co-ord sets with neutral jewelry, say gold necklaces, hoops or anklets. To make the colourful look statement, slip onto matching footwear.

6. Kaftan Dresses as Beach Wear

Kaftans are types of dresses that are airy with unique sleeves. They usually come with dainty tie-ups and mood-boosting prints.

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Sonakshi Sinha donned a lemon yellow asymmetric hem kaftan for soaking in the sun’s rays.

Pro tip: Add a short or long kaftan dress to your vacation wardrobe and pair it with boho accessories that have beads, shells or dangling tassels to complete the look. It could be jewellery, a hat, flat sandals or a scrunchy bag.

7. Cropped Tops And Bottoms as Beach Wear

If stylish separates suit your personal style, shorts and cropped tops could make a semi-revealing beachy outfit. Experiment with print on print or contrasting colours to make your set. Take inspiration from these women:

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Shraddha Kapoor paired earthy separates for her nautical look. A sky blue crochet top was paired with sandy paper bag shorts and accentuated with layered pearl-shell necklaces.

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On the other hand, Katrina Kaif put together two different prints from the same colour palette. A sheer zebra-striped shirt was worn with floral print shorts, both in shades of white and olive.

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Jacqueline Fernandes is seen in a white paneled skirt and printed cropped top.

Pro tip: Keep the look casual and carefree if you only plan to dip your legs in the salty water. Leave your hair open and wear flip-flops.

8. Swimwear for Beach

Lastly, pack your swimwear. Apart from wearing it for floating in the water, style it with bottoms for a pre-swim outing.

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Pooja Hedge styled her tan-colored bikini top with earthy pants that feature splashes of dye and macrame pockets.

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Deepika Padukone teamed up her maroon criss-cross monokini with baggy blue denim that might just come in handy for a party look on a vacation when you have nothing dressy to wear.

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Vaani Kapoor, too, wore her flower-like swim top with striped trousers.

Pro tip: Invest in unconventional swimwear that can be worn with different bottoms such as shorts, skirts or pants. Smart styling can transition you from your morning breakfast to a seaside walk.

Frequently Answered Questions on Beach Dresses

Q. What type of clothes do you wear to the beach?

A. A simple capsule wardrobe that can be mixed and matched to create fun looks can consist of linen shorts that can be worn with a crop top or even a swimsuit that moonlights as a top. Alternatively, these can also be worn with sarongs styled as skirts. A mini or a maxi dress is an absolute must-have. Keep simple cover-ups handy or simply switch them with oversized shirts.

Q. What should you not wear to the beach?

A. As a basic rule, it is advisable to not carry winter wear even if it means basic knits and sweatshirts. Avoid tightly-fitted clothes such as skinny denim and black coloured outfits. Suede or leather will damage when exposed to water and even sand, so it is best to switch them out with rubber slides.

Q. What is the best outfit to wear to the beach?

A. An airy maxi dress is the best outfit when it comes to the perfect beach outfit. Wear it with a sun hat, and sunglasses, stack some jewellery, and finish with a pair of snazzy sunglasses.

Also read: These Sunglasses Are Summer Essentials