Occasion guide · Resort
What to wear on a beach holiday?
Quick answer
Resort dressing is a small capsule of linen, cotton and swimwear in your palette: swimsuits that fit, a cover-up or shirt that doubles as a top, loose trousers or shorts, a hat and sandals that can get wet. Sun protection — hats, sunglasses, light long sleeves — is part of the outfit, not an afterthought.
By the You Love Style stylists · Updated · Sep 6, 2026
How to get it right
Swimwear must fit: buy for the support and coverage you are comfortable moving in.
Every cover-up should work as clothing: a linen shirt, a long dress, wide trousers.
Choose colours from your palette that flatter sun-warmed skin — often your accents.
Sandals that survive water and sand; one pair of proper shoes for the evening.
Wear
Swimsuits or trunks in your accent colours
A linen shirt or kaftan as a cover-up
Wide trousers, shorts or a long dress in linen or cotton
Sandals, a woven hat, sunglasses
Avoid
Heavy fabrics and dark heat-absorbing colours all day
Cover-ups that only work over a swimsuit
Leather shoes on the sand
Forgetting an evening layer — coastal nights get cold
Frequently asked questions
How many pieces for a beach holiday?
Two swimsuits, one cover-up, two bottoms, three tops, one dress or evening outfit, two pairs of shoes. In one palette that covers a week without repeats.
What do I wear for dinner at a resort?
A linen shirt or a dress in your palette, trousers or a long skirt, sandals with a proper sole. Add jewellery and skip the flip-flops.
Which colours work at the beach?
Your palette's accents — they look best next to sun-warmed skin — plus one light neutral like sand or ivory for the bottoms.
Your colours, your capsule and 2 ready-made looks for this occasion — from one photo, in two minutes.