There are as many types of cover-ups as there are swimsuits!
Every situation calls for something different. Are you lazing by an elegant pool with drink in hand? Or chasing after kids? Avoiding the sun? Drying off? Or trying to stay modest in view of the neighbours as you walk into the house?
Here are a few cover-up suggestions for different situations:
Sporty, Active, or Avoiding the Sun
May I suggest a rashie? I’ve never worn one, but as far as I can tell, it’s a tight-fitting t-shirt made in swimwear or activewear fabric. Perfect for when you need to chase kids or play volleyball on the beach. Also excellent if, like me, you try to avoid the sun at all costs! I’d use the Cashmerette Concord tee, down a size or two from normal.
If you are looking for sporty bottoms, Jalie does swim shorts which would be great at the beach!
Drying Off
How about this Pinterest classic? Follow this tutorial to add straps to a towel and make it into a wrap-around mini dress. My advice though – practice putting it on an wearing it around in the comfort of your own home, because it seems to me like the wrong size towel or straps could take this from elegant simplicity to a wardrobe-malfuntioning hassle!
Staying modest while you get from point A to point B
Maybe your pool is in full view of the neighbours, or maybe you are swimming at a friend’s house… sometimes it’s handy to have something cute but covered to throw on while you head inside! (Or is this only me?) I’d go for a v-neck tunic with gathered waist, like the Style Arc Summer Cover-up. Cute, classic, and easy!
Lazing Elegantly by the Pool
I’d suggest a diaphanous kimono, like this Patterns for Pirates Summer Kimono or the Seamwork Almada pattern. Alternately, the Hot Patterns Madam Butterfly Wrap Dress would give you vintage glam and drama!
Dressed for the Day
Finally, what to wear over a bathing suit for the day? Especially when on holiday, you might be wearing your suit all day under your clothes. In that case, this Burda jersey dress or a Maria Denmark Signe halter dress would be summery, comfortable and cute.
What are your favourite type of cover-ups? Can you think of any clothing patterns that would make a great layer over a swimsuit?
I bought a cute rayon sarong when I was in Hawaii. It’s green with a nice wax resist print of local flowers and vines in white. I wear it everywhere over a suit and feel just fine, as my suit top isn’t too revealing. Thanks for the suggestions!
Nancy N
I’ve got a couple of Fijian sarongs that I used to wear all the time when I was studying there (Best study abroad ever!). Come to think of it, that’s the last time I spent a whole lot of time in a swimsuit – a bikini, at that! Ahhh, 2003… I need to go somewhere warm again!
A post-swim cover-up here in the UK is most usefully made of a warm, wind-resistant fleece. and be made with a hood and long sleeves …
Ahahahaha – now I’m remembering swimming at cold British beaches! Thermal cover-ups it is! 😉
these are great ideas! I would love to try to make my own, since I can’t really find anything that I like and that’s affordable. Also Do you know of any sewing bloggers who post about swimwear? And is swim wear fabric easy to use? Sorry for all the questions. I’m a new to sewing. 🙂
Hopefully our swimwear month will help you out – and all the guest bloggers we have this month do swimwear from time to time on their own blogs (That’s why we picked them), so maybe follow their blogs for more info?
I’m glad you give a bit of a shout out to Jalie patterns! I love their patterns and I think they are often bi-passed because people don’t realize their potential. I have that swim bottoms pattern and have made lots of shorts with it using a cozy and comfortable bamboo knit (that are about $40 to buy at the shop! and nowhere near that to make out of this pattern) also her “skating dance skirt” is amazing and makes up a lovely unusual skirt that is super comfortable and again something you would see in a fancy boutique for much more $ 🙂 Great post!
I would never have thought of making that short in bamboo – but it bet it’s comfy AND cute! I love Jalie – such wearable basics!
There are two patterns from Hot Patterns available for free on fabric.com: https://www.fabric.com/creativity-headquarters-free-pattern-downloads.aspx
Great list! Thanks, Gillian!
Oooh, excellent! Thanks for the link!
What about the Seamwork Mojave?
Oooh, yes, that would be perfect!
Ah, swimsuit coverups. I’ve never understood why you would put something on that is so hard to take off in public! My favorite pattern for a cover up is Vogue 8806 – only I use a separating zipper that goes the entire length of the front (I make the shorter version, but it would be pretty in the long version as well). I have one in French Terry and one in Ponte – color-blocked. By using a separating zipper I can make sure there are no wardrobe malfunctions when I remove the coverup. 🙂
LOL! I have to admit, I’m most likely to wear a baggy tee-shirt as a cover up… but that wouldn’t make much of a sewing post, would it? Your Vogue sounds much cuter!