There's a moment on every winter getaway that I wait for all year. You step off the plane, the warm air hits you, and by that afternoon you're standing at the water's edge with the sun on your shoulders while everyone back home is scraping ice off their cars. Whether it's a holiday cruise, a long weekend somewhere tropical or a "we deserve this" trip in January, that first warm day is pure magic.
The one thing that makes those days feel effortless? The right cover up. It's what takes you from the sand to lunch, from the pool to the beach bar, and it's what makes every swimsuit look like an outfit. So I picked four very different beach cover ups, each one a different style, so you can find the one that feels like you and pack it for the trip.
Quick picks: Crochet Cover Up if you want that effortless boho beach look, Kimono Cover Up for something light and pretty, Shirt Cover Up for a relaxed beach-to-lunch layer, and Sarong Cover Up for a pop of color you can tie a dozen ways.
The boho one: Crochet Cover Up Dress
If you've been on Pinterest searching "beach cover up," you've seen this look everywhere, and for good reason. This cream crochet cover up dress has an open stitch, long bell sleeves and a scalloped hem, and it looks amazing over a black swimsuit.
Crochet Cover Up Dress
Open-knit cream crochet with bell sleeves and a scalloped hem. Makes any swimsuit look styled.
Check it on AmazonWhy I picked it: it's the cover up that makes any swimsuit look styled. Throw it on and you're ready for a walk on the beach or a casual lunch.
What buyers say: 4.4 stars from over 3,300 ratings, with 300+ bought last month. Reviewers love how flattering the fit is and say it's perfect for the pool and the beach, and many call it good value. Good to know: a few say it runs short, and since the yarn is soft and sweater-like, some find it a little warm on very hot days. It ships from Amazon.
The flowy one: Floral Kimono Cover Up
This is the lightest piece on the list: a sheer white chiffon kimono with soft blue and blush flowers, an open front and short wide sleeves. It floats in the breeze and goes over a one-piece just as easily as over jeans and a tank.
Floral Kimono Cover Up
Sheer white chiffon with soft blue and blush flowers. Light, flowy and packs down to nothing.
Check it on AmazonWhy I picked it: it's the number one best seller in swimsuit cover ups for a reason. It packs down to nothing, and it doubles as a cute layer for dinner on a cruise.
What buyers say: 4.4 stars from over 85,000 ratings, one of the most-reviewed cover ups on Amazon, with 400+ bought last month. Customers say it looks just like the photos, the colors are pretty and the fabric is light, and one reviewer calls it ideal for cruises. Good to know: some say it runs large, and a few find the fabric thin. It ships from Amazon.
The easy one: Oversized Shirt Cover Up
An oversized button-down shirt is the cover up I'd grab most often. This one comes in a soft sand-beige crinkle fabric with roll-up sleeves and two chest pockets, and it looks just as good buttoned at a café as it does open over a white swimsuit.
Oversized Shirt Cover Up
Crinkle button-down with roll-up sleeves. Beach cover up, oversized shirt or plane layer.
Check it on AmazonWhy I picked it: it's the most versatile piece here. Wear it as a cover up, an oversized shirt over shorts, or a breezy layer on the plane.
What buyers say: 4.4 stars from over 3,200 ratings, with 200+ bought last month. Reviewers say it's roomy, lightweight and soft to the touch, and that it's long enough to cover you at the back. Good to know: a few mention it's shorter in the front, and opinions on sizing vary, from perfect to very oversized. It ships from Amazon.
The bold one: Sheer Sarong Cover Up
Every beach bag needs one sarong, and this sheer chiffon wrap in a bright sunset orange is the fun one. Tie it at your hip as a long skirt with a side slit, or wear it as a shawl when the evening breeze picks up.
Sheer Sarong Cover Up
Sheer chiffon wrap in sunset orange. Tie it as a skirt or a shawl.
Check it on AmazonWhy I picked it: it's light, it packs into nothing, and that color looks incredible against a white swimsuit and a tan.
What buyers say: 4.5 stars from almost 1,400 ratings, with 2,000+ bought last month, the highest rated of the four. Customers say it's well worth the price, beautiful, lightweight and versatile, with better coverage than they expected for a sheer wrap. Good to know: a few reviewers don't love the feel of the material. It ships from Amazon.
What they cost right now
| Cover up | Style | Price (checked Nov 4, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Crochet Cover Up Dress | Cream crochet mini, bell sleeves | about $27–30 |
| Floral Kimono Cover Up | Sheer chiffon, open front | about $15–18 |
| Oversized Shirt Cover Up | Crinkle button-down, sand beige | about $27 |
| Sheer Sarong Cover Up | Chiffon wrap, ties at the hip | about $9 |
Prices change with size and color, so check today's price before you buy.
How to pick your cover up
Think about where you're going. Beach walks and boho photos? The crochet. Cruise or resort with lots of in-and-out of the pool? The kimono or the sarong, since they pack the smallest. Want one piece you'll wear the whole trip and at home? The shirt. And if you can't decide, a sarong is so light you can pack it alongside any of the others.
FAQ
What is the best beach cover up for a winter getaway?
The one you'll wear most. A crochet cover up dress gives you the most styled look, a kimono or sarong packs the smallest, and an oversized shirt cover up is the most versatile from the beach to the plane.
Do crochet cover ups show your swimsuit?
Yes, the open stitch is part of the look, so it reads best over a solid swimsuit in a contrasting color, like black under cream crochet.
What should I wear under a sheer cover up?
A simple one-piece swimsuit in a solid color looks the most polished under a sheer kimono, shirt or sarong.
Pack the sunshine
Whatever trip you're dreaming about this winter, pick the cover up that feels like you, and enjoy every minute of that sun on your skin. Embrace your beauty. ✨
Want more ideas? Browse my Travel & Vacation picks or see today's sales on my Black Friday Calendar.
