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If you’re headed to a resort or beach vacation, versatile dresses that can work on and off the sand are perfect, especially if you’re headed to a hot destination! I live in a light and floaty beach dress in Playa del Carmen and prioritize breezy fabrics that will keep me cool and ready for anything, from day to night. Here are my top picks!
One of the biggest mistakes I see travelers make when traveling to hot and humid beach destinations is that they mostly pack or wear denim shorts with tees. While I love this classic beach outfit, dresses are so much easier to pack and they are much more comfortable than a fitted t-shirt. Trust me on this one!
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Below I’ve compiled a range of easy to wear beach dress options including styles that are available in a range of sleeve lengths and sizes or mini and maxi. Hope my list helps you create your perfect vacation wardrobe.
Don’t overpack for a beach trip! Read my packng tips on how to pack kight stylishly!
Best Beach Vacation Dresses
Ekouaer Swimsuit Beach Cover Up
Ekouaer White Beach Cover Up Dress (Available in Plus Size)
My favorite beach dress is one you can wear on and off the sand such as a classic shirtdress cover up! Wear it over your bathing suit at the beach or layer it over a slip dress with strappy sandals in the evening. For bonus points, wear it as a top tucked into denim shorts topped off with a sun hat to complete the casual chic look!
The Ekouaer Shirtdress Cover Up shown above is under $30, available in over a dozen colors, and offers sizes S-3XL.
For more plus size beach cover up dresses in a similar style to the above, take a look at this and this! And if you’re looking for other brand option, here’s a similar style from Tommy Bahama!
Beachlunchlounge Stripe Linen Cotton Beach Dress
I’m currently obsessed with the brandBeachlunchlounge!This is one of the first beachwear brands that I see get it right. Most of their clothing is well-priced and made from fabrics that are breathable like linen, cotton, or rayon vs. the majority of overpriced beach cover ups on the market that are made from polyester – the worst fabric in the heat! The above Alina linen-cotton dress is available in sizes XS-XL.
Take a look at the full Beachlunchlounge collection atNordstrom!
Madewell Black Short Sleeve Beach Dress Cover Up (Available in Plus Size)
This button front Madewell sleeved beach dress is perfect to wear on and off the sand as it’s made of cotton and is super breathable and airy! It’s ideal to show off your cute bikini and light enough to be layered over a cropped cami and jean shorts for an afternoon adventure. The style shown above is available in three colors and sizes XXS-XXL and plus sizes 1X-3X.
J Crew is another brand that I love for chic yet comfortable vacation clothing. Check out their beach swim cover ups!
Carve Designs Stripe Tank Beach Casual Dress with Pockets
Whether you’re at the beach, on a boat or just around the house this Carve Designs Nellie casual beach dress is perfect! Lightweight and airy with good coverage, it’s sure to become your summer uniform for home and beach trips, too. The style shown above is available in six fun colors and sizes XS-XL.
Here’s a full list of Carve Design’s summer dresses to wear on beach and beyond!
Lula Stripe Linen & Cotton Tiered Midi Sundress
Splendid Tiered Linen Long Beach Dress
If you’re looking for long flowy beach dresses, you’re in luck because they’re everywhere this season! This beautiful Splendid linen and cotton tiered midi-dress is perfect for sunset strolls by the sea. The loose tiered design of a dress like this is heaven sent when the humidity hits record breaking highs. Available in five prints and sizes XS-XL.
These are more linen dresses that are our top recommendations for resort and beach trips!
Organic Cotton Smocked Midi Dress
Quince Smocked Womens Beach Dress
It’s easy to see why thisQuince smocked cotton dress is a hit. It has an easy to wear fit, sleeveless has ruffle detailing, flattering A-line cut with smocked elasticated top and tiered poplin skirt, all in breathable, made with natural 100% organic cotton poplin for a comfortable seaside look.
Layer it with a light cardigan or throw a denim jacket over it for a look you can wear at home or on vacation. If you’re looking for cute beach dresses, consider a midi-length as a fresh and airy option. Available in standard sizes XS-XL.
Quince is another brand with awesome beach dresses for summer vacation. Take a look!
Elan Maxi Length Beach Dress Cover Up
The Elan cover up above is made from rayon, which is incredibly cool and refreshing in the heat. As a bonus, the classic cut is elegant and can easily be worn as a slip dress to be used as a beach evening dress, too. Also available in gray color too!
For more Elan cover ups, take a look at these!
L Space Blue Long Sleeve Beach Dress Cover Up
This pretty and versatile knit style by L Space is just the thing if you’re looking for a little arm coverage. Great for moderate, less humid beach destinations! Also available in white and black, sizes XS-XL.
L Space is a popular brand for beach clothing and swimwear. They have so many cute options, take a look at all their entire beach dress collection!
Asos Curve Long Sleeve Maxi Dress
Black Plus Size Beach Dress Cover Up
Maxi beach dresses plus size options tend to be offered in polyester or other uncomfortable fabrics. This Asos Curve black maxi beach coverup is a soft, lightweight viscose that can double as a sassy dress too! Comes in sizes 18-28, and this is an excellent budget option at $50! If your looking for a short sleeve of this cover up, here’s a good option too!
Here are more Asos swim cover up from petite to plus size in many colors and prints too!
Faherty Isha Blue Beach Dress
For an easy transition from pool to beach to dining on your next Hawaii vacation, these Faherty beach resort dresses can also be worn as a cover up. They’re available in a range of colors, sizes XXS-XXL, and are made of a soft organic cotton!
Take a look at more dresses from Faherty!
Columbia Women’s Freezer Iii Swing Dress
Columbia Short Tropical Beach Dress (Available in Plus Size)
The Columbia Freezer swing dress looks SO comfy for hot weather, it’s just the type of thing I’d love to wear in Playa del Carmen! I’d wear it at home, to run errands, as a beach cover up, and as a casual outfit to meet up with friends for coffee. This relaxed, lightweight dress is definitely on my wishlist! When the heat and humidity go up in the Caribbean, the lighter, looser, and more breathable the dress the better! Available in XS-3X.
These ultra-versatile styles will keep you cool and comfortable on the go due to their moisture wicking fabrics!
Boho Floral Printed Summer Dress
Qearal Budget-Friendly Floral Amazon Beach Dress
For easy breezy cheap beach dresses up you can wear from the beach and beyond, this fabric is the best! Rayon is super lightweight and will take up no space in your luggage at all. Plus, it will also keep you cool in the heat. The Qearal Floral Dress shown above is available in over a dozen prints and sizes S-XXL.
If you prefer sleeves, take a look at this version and for a long lengths, this is the version for you!
Riviera Sun White Summer Dress
Riviera Sun Purple Beach Dresses Plus Size
Loose and airy, the Riviera Sun plus size summer beach dresses are made out of rayon and make the ideal cover ups for hot destinations. Wear it on and off the beach, you can easily sightsee and dine in this comfy dress! Available in over a dozen colors and sizes S-3XL.
Elan Sleeveless Cover-Up Slip Dress
Elan White Beach Dress Cover Up
NOT A DRESS, the Elan Sleeveless Cover-Up Slip Dress is incredibly popular but note that it’s see-through so you’ll need to wear it over a tank and shorts for a boardwalk stroll. Available in four colors and sizes XS-XL. Also available on Nordstrom Rack!
If you’re an Elan fan, check out all of their cute beach dress options!
V-Neck Backless Mini Swing Dress
Ecowish Backless Sexy Beach Dress
If you prefer something above the knee and flowy, Ecowish has a range of cute short beach dresses such as the V-Neck Backless Mini Swing Dress shown above. This one’s backless so it’s perfect as a cover up and also to wear off the sand. Comes in many gorgeous colors and is S-XL sizes, but note that it runs a little loose.
If you’re a Ecowish fan, check out all of their cute beach dress options!
L Space Long Elegant Beach Dress Cover Up
This L Space maxi cover up makes a chic option to be worn at your resort, a seaside beach club, or add a pretty wrap and pair with wedges at night. So versatile and breathable, this lightweight classic dress is must-have!
Tip: when shopping for maxi dresses beach cover ups, avoid heavy fabrics to save room in your luggage and also to avoid having the material absorb sweat and moisture.
Versatile Beach Dresses Comparison Chart
| MODEL | BRAND | RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Ekouaer White Beach Cover Up Dress (Available in Plus Size) | My favorite beach dress is one you can wear on and off the sand such as a classic shirtdress cover up! Wear it over your bathing suit at the beach or layer it over a slip dress with strappy sandals in the evening. | Check Price |
| Beachlunchlounge Stripe Linen Cotton Beach Dress | I’m currently obsessed with the brand Beachlunchlounge! This is one of the first beachwear brands that I see get it right. Most of their clothing is well-priced and made from fabrics that are breathable like linen, cotton, or rayon vs. the majority of overpriced beach cover ups on the market that are made from polyester - the worst fabric in the heat! | Check Price |
| Madewell Black Short Sleeve Beach Dress Cover Up (Available in Plus Size) | This button front Madewell sleeved beach dress is perfect to wear on and off the sand as it’s made of cotton and is super breathable and airy! | Check Price |
| Carve Designs Stripe Tank Beach Casual Dress with Pockets | Whether you're at the beach, on a boat or just around the house this Carve Designs Nellie casual beach dress is perfect! | Check Price |
| Splendid Tiered Linen Long Beach Dress | If you’re looking for long flowy beach dresses, you’re in luck because they’re everywhere this season! This beautiful Splendid linen and cotton tiered midi-dress is perfect for sunset strolls by the sea. | Check Price |
| Quince Smocked Womens Beach Dress | It’s easy to see why thisQuince smocked cotton dress is a hit. It has an easy to wear fit, sleeveless has ruffle detailing, flattering A-line cut with smocked elasticated top and tiered poplin skirt, all in breathable, made with natural 100% organic cotton poplin for a comfortable seaside look. | Check Price |
| Elan Maxi Length Beach Dress Cover Up | The Elan cover up above is made from rayon, which is incredibly cool and refreshing in the heat. As a bonus, the classic cut is elegant and can easily be worn as a slip dress to be used as a beach evening dress, too. | Check Price |
| Topanga Sweater Knit Cover-Up | This pretty and versatile knit style by L Space is just the thing if you’re looking for a little arm coverage. Great for moderate, less humid beach destinations! Also available in white and black, sizes XS-XL. | Check Price |
| Black Plus Size Beach Dress Cover Up | Maxi beach dresses plus size options tend to be offered in polyester or other uncomfortable fabrics. This Asos Curve black maxi beach coverup is a soft, lightweight viscose that can double as a sassy dress too! | Check Price |
| Faherty Isha Blue Beach Dress | For an easy transition from pool to beach to dining on your next Hawaii vacation, these Faherty beach resort dresses can also be worn as a cover up. | Check Price |
| Columbia Short Tropical Beach Dress (Available in Plus Size) | The Columbia Freezer swing dress looks SO comfy for hot weather, it’s just the type of thing I’d love to wear in Playa del Carmen! I’d wear it at home, to run errands, as a beach cover up, and as a casual outfit to meet up with friends for coffee. | Check Price |
| Boho Floral Printed Summer Dress | For easy breezy cheap beach dresses up you can wear from the beach and beyond, this fabric is the best! Rayon is super lightweight and will take up no space in your luggage at all. Plus, it will also keep you cool in the heat. | Check Price |
| Riviera Sun Purple Beach Dresses Plus Size | Loose and airy, the Riviera Sun plus size summer beach dresses are made out of rayon and make the ideal cover ups for hot destinations. Wear it on and off the beach, you can easily sightsee and dine in this comfy dress! | Check Price |
| Elan White Beach Dress Cover Up | NOT A DRESS, the Elan Sleeveless Cover-Up Slip Dressis incredibly popular but note that it’s see-through so you’ll need to wear it over a tank and shorts for a boardwalk stroll. | Check Price |
| Ecowish Backless Sexy Beach Dress | If you prefer something above the knee and flowy, Ecowish has a range of cute short beach dresses such as the V-Neck Backless Mini Swing Dress shown above. This one’s backless so it’s perfect as a cover up and also to wear off the sand. | Check Price |
| L Space Long Elegant Beach Dress Cover Up | This L Space maxi cover up makes a chic option to be worn at your resort, a seaside beach club, or add a pretty wrap and pair with wedges at night. So versatile and breathable, this lightweight classic dress is must-have! | Check Price |
Thigh Society The Cooling Shorts| Sizes XS-6X
Shorts to Wear Under Dresses
If your looking for a shorts to wear under your dresses Thigh Society is a reader favorite! The Cooling anti-chafe shorts from ThighSocietyare raved about by TFGers for so many reasons, especially their silky, hi-tech performance fabric. These shorts pull heat and moisture away from the body, keeping things cool, fresh, and chafe-free on even the hottest of days.
They’re tagless, don’t roll or bunch, and are ultra-thin and lightweight yet stretchy and durable as can be. Plus, they come in a wide range of colors and lengths and range in sizes fromXS-6X!
How to Pack Beach Dresses
Packing dresses are the perfect way to create a fresh outfit every day. If you’re going on a seven-day trip, pack seven dresses. It’s as easy as that!
Then, use slimpacking cubesto save space in your suitcase and travel carry-on only.
Learn our hacks with packing cubes in thevideoabove!
We put together afive-part YouTube series showing the different methods to use packing cubes for travel. If you use this specific packing strategy, packing cubes can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!
Buy Compass Rose Packing Cubeshere!
What are your favorite beach dresses? Share your thoughts below!
For more on women’s dresses, please read these posts:
- Summer Maxi Dresses
- Best Travel Dresses
- Breezy White Dresses
- Stylish Swim Coverups
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