A perfect beach day calls for the perfect beach outfit. Choose the wrong clothes on a hot summer day, and you’ll spend the day overheating under the shade of your beach umbrella. Forget your sweatshirt on a windy fall day, and you’ll end up wrapped in your beach towel instead.
To help you find the best beach outfit for any weather, we’re breaking down what to wear at the beach for every temperature. From women’s bathing suits and men’s swim trunks to all-weather essentials for your beach bag, we’ve got everything you need to soak up the sun — even if it’s hidden behind the clouds.
Beach Outfit Essentials
The most important part of any beach outfit is sunscreen, no matter the weather. But a few more beach day essentials should always be in your bag, including:
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Swimwear (either women’s swimwear or men’s trunks)
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Cover-ups, like men’s t-shirts or women’s active dresses
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Sun protection, including sunscreen, sunglasses, UPF clothing and a hat or visor
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Lightweight men’s outerwear or women’s pullovers
When the weather turns beach-ready, it’s a good idea to keep a beach bag in your car — just in case you find yourself at the shore! Tote bags make great beach bags, especially if they’re made with enough netting to keep sand out (and all your belongings in).
Best Beach Outfits for 80 Degree Weather
Though you’ll likely be spending the majority of the day in a swimsuit, you’ll want to stick with breathable fabrics and breezy silhouettes in terms of clothing. When the temperatures are high, tank tops, activewear dresses and technical shorts in breathable natural materials like linen and cotton or a quick-drying performance fabric can make all the difference.
Pair short-sleeve button-downs made in performance fabrics with men’s swim trunks, while women’s bathing suits underneath tanks and tees are a great choice when you’re out of the water.
Best Beach Outfits for 70 Degree Weather
A basic t-shirt and shorts are the perfect combo for beach weather forecasts in the 70s. On sunny days, men can go with UPF clothing, such as a short-sleeve tee or sailboat-ready polo shirt, while a women’s beach outfit can include a comfortable blouse and shorts.
Opt for a long-sleeve tee in breathable fabric, or layer on a lightweight button-up shirt when the temperature is hovering in the low 70s on a cloudy day. Be sure to pack a sweatshirt to toss on for your morning beach walk or late at night as you curl up in front of the campfire to toast marshmallows.
Best Beach Outfits for 60 Degree Weather
You’ll need to start dressing in layers as soon as the temperature dips below 70 degrees. Beach weather in the mid-60s can change in an instant depending on cloud cover and wind speeds. While at times you may feel fine in just a short-sleeve tee, one gust of wind later, you’ll be glad you packed your favorite pullover.
Temperatures in the 60s also mean you should wear pants to the beach instead of shorts. Consider wearing men’s casual pants or women’s pants with a relaxed and looser fit throughout the leg, making it easy to cuff to keep them from getting wet or sandy.
Best Beach Outfits for 50 Degree Weather (and Below)
Once the forecast dips into the 50s, you’ll need to pack layers that can withstand any weather conditions. Start with a sweatshirt or long-sleeve tee as your base layer and throw on a zip-up pullover, windbreaker or quilted jacket.
Knit accessories are also a great way to keep warm in fluctuating beach temperatures. Beach outfits for women can include a comfortable sweater or cardigan to keep those coastal breezes out.
Beach Ready for Every Season
Choosing what to wear to the beach is easy when you’ve got a versatile wardrobe. Whether you’re planning a summer trip to the Caribbean or taking an off-season beach vacation, wearing the right beach outfit can be the difference between the best trip ever and an uncomfortable day in the sand. Keep these beach outfits in mind when finishing up your vacation packing list — and when choosing new summer clothes for the season!
