Easy Breezy Beach Vacation Outfit Ideas
This article is all about beach vacation outfit ideas.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. See our full disclaimer here.
Are you planning a beach getaway later this year?
Especially in the cold winter months, nothing keeps us going like the fantasy of a warm, tropical vacation.
There’s something so refreshing and restorative about soaking up the sun by the pool, taking a dip in the ocean, and of course, taking long walks along the beach.
Of course, on your beach vacation, you want to look cute, but you also don’t want to spend your precious vacation time fussing in the mirror over an overly complicated outfit.
We’ve rounded up our favorite beach vacation outfit ideas, each of which perfectly capture the carefree vibe of a tropical oasis!
Beach Vacation Outfit Ideas
Fisherman Sandals
We’re obsessed with fisherman sandals because they’re super cute, but more importantly, they’re also super versatile.
They transition easily from the pool to the beach to the sidewalk, and look just as cute styled with a bikini as they do a sundress or a breezy chambray two piece set, like the one in this inspo photo!
Mermaid Aesthetic
If you’ve got a beach vacation coming up, it’s the perfect time to lean all the way into your dream beachy mermaid aesthetic.
We love the super flowy, feminine, gauzy vibe of this mermaid inspired outfit.
The ruffles, sheer floral fabric, and pastel tones will make you look like Botticelli’s Venus!
Matching Sets
If you’re on the market for a cute new outfit for your beach vacation, but you don’t have the energy to come up with a super elaborate idea, you really can’t go wrong with a matching set.
Matching sets are like a secret cheat code to looking super cute and put together without exerting any effort at all!
As an added bonus, the breezy linen fabric and subtle stripes on this matching set can easily take you from the beach to dinner.
Boho Crochet Vibes
Hippie inspired crochet outfits have been super trendy lately, especially now that the boho trend is coming back full force.
This breezy crochet mini dress is gorgeous and super versatile—it works just as well as a swim coverup as it does as a daytime dress!
If you’re feeling extra crafty, you can even try crocheting your own dress!
Boho Sarong Outfit
This monochromatic earthy brown outfit is another amazing way to incorporate the boho aesthetic into your beach vacation outfit.
If you’re planning on spending a ton of time at the beach or by the pool during your vacation, a sarong is a must—they’re super cute, and they’re the perfect quick and easy coverup to pair with your favorite swimsuit!
Cozy Sweater Outfit
Even if the weather is super hot during the day, the beach is known to get a little chilly after sunset.
If you’re headed to the beach after dark, or even during the off-season, this cozy sweater outfit still captures the beachy vibe while still keeping you warm and comfy.
A baggy, oversized sweater pairs perfectly with a boho inspired long, flowy skirt for a cute, yet casual finished look.
Oversized Button Down Outfit
If you already own an oversized linen or cotton button down shirt, have you tried repurposing it as a swim coverup?
This beach vacation outfit idea is the perfect way to repurpose an article of clothing you may already have hanging around in your closet.
We love the way this outfit pairs an oversized white button down with a matching pair of shorts, some summery straw accessories, and of course, sunglasses and a pair of sandals for a look that’s equal parts put together and casual.
Summery Sundress
Every year, we look forward to the warm summer months specifically so we can bust out our favorite sundresses again.
A flowy, flirty, summery sundress is an absolute must for any beach vacation.
Plus, sundresses make for super easy outfits—all you have to do is throw the dress on and pair it with some simple accessories, and you’ll get a finished look that seems a lot more elegant and effortful than it actually is!
Sporty Mini Dress
If you prefer a sportier aesthetic in your everyday life, you can still rock a dress on your beach vacation without looking too frilly or girly!
The halter neck and mini length hemline of this dress give it a sleeker, more streamlined look.
Plus, the multicolored stripes give the look some visual interest without resorting to flounces or ruffles.
Bikini Top & Maxi Skirt
The combination of a bikini top with a maxi skirt is a beach vacation classic, equally perfect for lounging on the sand as it is for strolling down the boardwalk!
We love the way that the crocheted texture of this maxi skirt adds a summery vibe that fits perfectly with the overall beach vacation aesthetic.
Finish off the look with some beach appropriate accessories, like a straw hat and tote and a delicate body chain!
Coastal Grandmother Aesthetic
The preppy, East Coast coastal grandmother trend is a cool, unexpected, and interesting spin on the beach vacation aesthetic.
As an added bonus, it’s perfect for slightly cooler days at the beach or people who prefer to dress a little more modestly.
To embody your inner coastal grandmother, look for breezy pieces like linen pants or button downs, as well as lightweight knits in lighter neutral colors, like this super cute cotton sweater draped over the shoulders!
Jean Shorts Outfit
Jorts have been a huge summer trend for the past couple of years, and we predict that they’ll still be going strong this year!
There’s nothing more classic than the combination of a pair of cutoff jean shorts with a crisp button down shirt.
Pair it all with some minimalistic jewelry, a classic pair of sandals, and some classic wayfarer sunglasses, and you’ll look sophisticated and elegant, but still summery and carefree!
Beachy Shirtdress
A beachy shirtdress is another endlessly versatile wardrobe item that can do double duty as a normal dress and as a swim coverup.
We love the slightly nautical inspired white and navy stripes of this mini length shirtdress, which coordinates perfectly with classy neutral accessories and a string of pearls for a perfectly sophisticated effect.
Nautical Vibes
Alternatively, you can lean all the way into the vintage nautical aesthetic for a cheeky, preppy take on the beach vacation aesthetic.
Classic colors like navy blue, white, bright red, and cerulean are all perfect choices for any nautical inspired outfit.
We’re especially obsessed with the jaunty red scarf tied around the neck, which evokes the look of old school sailors’ uniforms.
Bold Tropical Prints
Nothing screams “beach vacation” like a bold, colorful, tropical inspired print.
We absolutely love the lush green hue and tropical leaf print of this dress.
If you don’t ordinarily wear bold prints, a beach vacation might be the perfect opportunity to experiment and try something new!
Delicate Pastel Tones
On the other hand, if loud colors and prints are too far outside your comfort zone, you can still incorporate color into your beach vacation wardrobe with some delicate pastel tones.
We think the colors of this dress are so gorgeous—the blend of delicate pastel pinks, greens, yellows, and blues reminds us of a watercolor painting!
Funky Crocheted Hat
Many of our favorite beach vacation outfit ideas involve a wide brimmed straw hat.
However, if you’re looking to branch out and try a different kind of beach that’s a little funkier and more colorful, why not try rocking a crocheted bucket hat?
They add a little more color, texture, and visual interest to your outfit, but they still protect your skin and eyes from the sun!
Whether you’re planning on spending hours reading by the pool, building sandcastles, taking long walks on the beach, or strolling the sidewalks of your favorite beach town, the perfect beach vacation outfit is an absolute must.
These beach vacation outfit ideas are the perfect inspiration for anyone who’s planning their next beach trip, regardless of whether their aesthetic is more preppy or girly, sporty or boho.
