The ritual of summer dressing is a curious thing. We fret over swimsuits, yet spend the bulk of our beach hours draped in something else entirely. The cover-up, historically a modesty garment born from Victorian-era bathing machines, has evolved into a sartorial statement of its own. Today, it's the piece that bridges the gap between salt spray and supper, sand and soirée. The modern cover-up owes a debt to the 1920s, when Coco Chanel popularized the concept of beachwear as streetwear, pairing jersey tunics with espadrilles. Now, brands like LSpace, which emerged in the 2010s as a luxury swimwear label, continue this tradition with designs like the Camille Dress - a double-lined, cutout number that transitions seamlessly from shore to cocktail hour. Magicsuit, a pioneer in the 1990s with its patented tummy-control fabrics, offers an off-the-shoulder dress that echoes the 1950s Hollywood glamour of Esther Williams. And Beach Riot, founded in 2011, channels 1970s bohemian spirit with vibrant stripes reminiscent of Fruit Stripe gum. For those who prefer pants - a concept that would have scandalized Victorian bathers - Amazon's crochet knit two-piece offers airy sophistication. The key is to treat the cover-up not as an afterthought, but as a wardrobe cornerstone. From the terrycloth hoodie for impromptu snack runs to the ruched maxi with a side slit, these pieces honor a lineage of beach-to-boulevard dressing that began over a century ago. Summer 2026 is about embracing that history with style.
Originally reported by US Magazine