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Thursday, January 16, 2025

The 9 Greatest Swimsuit Cowl-ups, Examined and Reviewed


For any journeys involving a pool or seaside (or a lake, a river, or a day spa), a flexible swimsuit cover-up is an absolute packing important. It’s the wardrobe must-have that permits you to transition seamlessly from lounging by the water in your swimsuit to heading right into a restaurant or store, all with no need an entire outfit change.

As a frequent traveler to tropical locales, I keep stocked with cover-ups which might be each sensible and trendy — generally even versatile sufficient to double as a gown for a jaunt away from the water. Whereas looking for a cover-up, search for consolation, high quality, quick-dry supplies, and match.

From breezy clothes and fashionable sarongs to eye-catching crochet items and splendid caftans, we’ve gathered prime suggestions from Journey + Leisure editors — who examined them in real-life journey circumstances for a interval of a number of months to a 12 months or longer — to carry you this curated checklist of the easiest cover-ups to raise your trip wardrobe.

Amazon CupShe Crochet Mini Dress

PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It

  • Snug, breathable, cute, and affordably priced, this one has all of it.

This piece is every thing we need to see in a swimsuit cover-up: it’s flattering, comfy, breathable, fashionable, and really easy to throw on and go. It’s out there in 18 colorways, so there’s sure to be one (or extra!) that works together with your journey wardrobe. And regardless of its inexpensive worth level, this short-sleeve gown is solidly made, with high quality development that may maintain as much as rugged journey utilization.

Made from one hundred pc polyester in a mesh weave, this cover-up is totally breathable. Which means we had been by no means uncomfortable tossing it over a moist swimsuit when it was time to go as much as the room or go to lunch in a resort setting. We additionally love the cinch-waist silhouette, which is tremendous flattering. Somewhat little bit of stretch means you may want to measurement down for a extra body-con vibe. We examined the pink coloration, which is so vibrant, with a superb pop on digital camera for journey images.

It has a V-neckline with a half-button placket (however we do want the ornamental buttons had been useful as a substitute). And the holes within the crochet-like weave present sufficient protection that we by no means felt uncomfortably uncovered whereas in outlets or in any other case away from the seaside or pool.

The Particulars: XS to 2XL | Polyester

Tommy Bahama Cotton Clip Jacquard Cover-up Shirt Dress

PHOTO: Tommy Bahama

Generally, you want the flexibility to go straight from the pool into a correct meal or meetup. And we love a packing powerhouse that serves a number of features. That’s why we love that this selection is dressy sufficient to move for an everyday gown once you transfer away from a waterside setting — and even simply to slide on for an outing when there’s no swimsuit concerned.

We wore this flounce-sleeve jacquard quantity to the pool, sure — and in addition to the workplace throughout a New York Metropolis summer season as a result of it’s simply that versatile. It additionally has two layers of cloth within the development, so it’s not as see-through as many cover-ups. Nonetheless, we wore bike shorts beneath the gown for a bit extra protection after we weren’t sporting a swimsuit beneath.

Made from one hundred pc cotton, this gown is tremendous light-weight and it dries shortly when it is moist. It is also simple to clean and didn’t keep wrinkled for lengthy after we pulled it out of our suitcase.

The Particulars: 2XS to XL | Cotton

Lake Coco Cover-up

PHOTO: Lake

As a result of this beautiful piece of linen clothes is made with thicker cloth than conventional light-weight cover-ups, it additionally works nice as a correct gown. Nonetheless, you may need to layer it with a slip or bike shorts for extra protection and not using a swimsuit beneath.

The female and flirty shoulder ties give it a fancier look, too, constructing on the flexibility of this gown to go straight to dinner — no swimsuit or pool required. And did we point out it has pockets? We love a useful pocket for stashing a room key and lip coloration for a hands-free night stroll.

This gown hits simply above the knee, making the size pretty beneficiant in comparison with among the different brief types on our checklist, with a sq. neckline and a little bit of delicate pleating sewn in. Given the roomy match, measurement down if you’re between sizes or for those who like a extra body-skimming feel and look.

The Particulars: 2XS to 2XL | Linen

Tommy Bahama Harbour Eyelet Cover-up Shirt Dress

PHOTO: Tommy Bahama

This maxi cover-up is destined to be your warm-weather packing go-to due to its large versatility with tons of various methods to type it: you possibly can put on it totally open over a swimsuit, or loosely bow the waist tie for a robe-like match with the swimsuit peeking by way of beneath. Then, in case your seaside day extends into the night, you possibly can button all of it the best way up and rework it into a beautiful eyelet gown for dinner on the resort. We particularly just like the lengthy sleeves, which make this piece nice for locations the place temperatures drop after the solar goes down.

Made from one hundred pc cotton, this gown has thread tassels dangling from the adjustable waist tie, and facet pockets full the superbly wearable, sensible, versatile piece. A few notes: it’s higher handy wash this garment for the longest-lasting look, and select a measurement up if you’d like extra protection.

The Particulars: XS to XL | Cotton

Alicia Bell Angel Caftan Mini

PHOTO: Alicia Bell
Why We Love It

  • This elegant silk caftan is light-weight, polished, and rich-looking, with a shapely match and fairly sample.

We subscribe to the caftan life-style generally, and this silk cotton voile hand-blocked flutter sleeve mini-dress caftan is a dreamy selection. It’s our favourite caftan to put on to a poolside lunch as a result of it’s light-weight to put on whereas eating but in addition totally covers a swimsuit beneath. Not solely is the printed sample colourful sufficient, however the brief flutter sleeves and slim match set it other than extra shapeless, sleeveless options.

This one rings in at an funding worth level, and it’s nicely well worth the splurge, particularly for those who plan to put on it extra typically than simply a few instances a 12 months. It’s appropriately rich-looking, with delicate tassel ties fitted with golden beads.

The Particulars: XS to XL | Silk cotton voile

Monday Swimwear South Beach Sarong

PHOTO: Monday Swimwear
Why We Love It

  • That is so light-weight and ultra-compact, plus it’s not possible to wrinkle, so it’s a dream for packing.

This brief sarong with a rounded hem makes packing oh really easy: it’s tremendous light-weight and compact, so it takes up subsequent to no room in a suitcase or seaside bag, which is a big purpose why we by no means journey with out it now. The crinkled linen materials is almost not possible to wrinkle, so you possibly can ball it up in a tiny pouch if it’s essential.

Made from one hundred pc linen, it’s not totally opaque — however not too sheer both, so it offers sufficient protection. It is available in two sizes and has an adjustable tie waist so you may get a bespoke match each time you put on it. It is available in eight strong coloration choices, plus a geometrical print.

The Particulars: P to VVV (roughly U.S. gown measurement 0 to 18) | Linen

SKIMS Swim Sarong Skirt

PHOTO: SKIMS

We love this lengthy sarong, product of a stretchy and quick-drying materials. The waistband of this sarong mimics shapewear in that it sucks you in and offers you that sculpted, snatched look;  sure, it’s from the model recognized for compression shapewear in spite of everything. You possibly can regulate the slit and put on it on both facet. It’s also possible to hike up this sarong for a high-waisted look, or put on it decrease in your hips for those who choose. Any method you put on it, it’s excellent for including a bit extra protection whereas sporting a two-piece swimsuit.

Due to the compression issue, it may be a little bit of a struggle to slide on this piece, particularly when you have a curvier body. When you choose a cover-up you possibly can slip on or off simply, chances are you’ll be higher off with a basic wrap-style sarong as a substitute.

The Particulars: 2XS to 4XL | Recycled nylon, elastane

Carve Designs Blair Dress

PHOTO: Carve Designs

Consider this one as a basic collarless button-down with a tiered skirt and ruffle detailing for a female vibe — it seems completely easy however polished on the identical time.

We love how this gown works equally nicely as a swimsuit cover-up or as a flowing summer season gown. It is excellent for going from the seaside or pool to a restaurant with out having to vary, and with out wanting sloppy. The cotton materials is thick and plush, so water from damp swimsuits does not bleed by way of as a lot as it will lighter cover-ups — and it truly offers some heat, too.  The entire buttons are useful, so you possibly can change the type relying in your wants. It comes virtually to the knee so it offers loads of protection for solar safety and modesty. It’s a long-sleeved gown, however there are facet buttons, so you possibly can roll the sleeves and cuff them on hotter days making it superversatile.

The Particulars: 2XS to XL | Natural cotton

Blooming Jelly Crochet Cover-up

PHOTO: Amazon

This budget-friendly cover-up will set you again lower than the price of an airport cocktail, however it’s superstylish and well-made. We discovered it paired equally nicely over one-piece and two-piece bikinis. There is a deep cutout within the again, which we discover so stylish, and it is available in a wide selection of coloration choices. We examined it in white and felt the look was applicable to put on from the seaside straight into lunch.

The crochet materials is gentle, mild, and stretchy for a comfortable match, with lengthy sleeves, a spherical neckline, and a thigh-skimming size. Nonetheless, the material might really feel a bit a lot for sweltering days, for which you may want one thing a bit lighter and breezier as a backup.

The Particulars: XS to L | Polyester, rayon, spandex

Our Testing Course of

All of our picks for the very best swimsuit cover-ups come advisable by T+L editors, who’ve packed them to put on on journeys from the Caribbean to Europe. Our testing staff has owned these items for wherever between a number of months and several other years, which is loads of time to completely vet them in real-world circumstances to make sure that they’ve options which might be pleasant for the seaside, pool, and extra, like quick-dry and light-weight supplies. We additionally sought to advocate numerous cover-ups which might be versatile sufficient to be worn over swimsuits in waterside environments or as common journey clothes in different environments, a versatility characteristic that’s ideally suited for packing and touring.

Ideas for Shopping for a Swimsuit Cowl-up

Select the precise type

Cowl-ups are available quite a lot of types, and a few of these types are extra versatile — and extra sensible — than others. A wholly mesh possibility most likely can’t be worn a lot exterior the seaside or pool space, whereas a extra basic gown type will be worn extra incessantly, even and not using a swimsuit beneath. The suitable search for you all comes down to non-public type preferences and utilization plans.

Search for quick-drying and light-weight supplies

Fast-drying and light-weight materials are key options for consolation and practicality when looking for swimsuit cover-ups. After a dip within the pool or ocean, moist cloth can really feel heavy and clingy, so supplies like polyester, nylon, or light-weight cotton blends are ideally suited materials for drying quick and protecting you comfy. Light-weight choices are particularly essential in sizzling climates that can assist you keep cool, and lots of now include UPF safety to protect pores and skin from UV rays.

Regularly Requested Questions

  • Can I swim in a swimsuit cover-up?

    Sure, you possibly can swim in a swimsuit cover-up so long as it’s light-weight and constructed from quick-drying supplies that may deal with the water — resembling polyester or spandex. Keep away from swimming in a cover-up made of fabric that absorbs water like cotton or something that’s too voluminous — as it might turn into heavy and prohibit motion, making swimming uncomfortable (and even harmful). As an alternative, toss cover-ups like these to your towel earlier than hitting the water.

  • How do I wash a swimsuit cover-up?

    Swimsuit cover-ups require totally different washing strategies relying on the fabric, so be sure you learn the care directions in your particular garment earlier than washing. Most cover-ups will be hand-washed, and that is typically a secure methodology. Handy wash, refill a basin with cool water, add detergent for delicates, and gently agitate earlier than rinsing and squeezing out extra water. (Don’t wring it out, as this may stretch the material.) If the cover-up is machine cleanable, achieve this on a delicate cycle in chilly water, ideally inside a mesh laundry bag for cover. Skip the dryer (except the tag says it’s secure), and lay flat on a clear seaside towel to air dry. For canopy-ups with gildings like tassels and beads, spot clear to keep away from damaging these delicate items.

Why Belief Journey + Leisure

T+L contributor Alesandra Dubin is a veteran journey and life-style author {and professional} product and journey type reviewer. She’s visited tons of of the world’s greatest seashores and swimming pools for work and leisure, and for many of her travels, packing swim garments is a should. For this story, she referenced her personal experience alongside the detailed real-world testing outcomes for dozens of cover-ups, then cross-checked product descriptions and buyer critiques to compile a complete checklist of the very best swimsuit cover-ups available on the market.

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