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The Best Beach or Pool Cover-Ups and Accessories
Easy layers and accessories designed to handle the sun, sand and water
(From left) Get ready for summer with cover-ups and accessories that will make a day at the beach or pool a breeze. Consider the Old Navy Women’s Crinkle Gauze Flutter Sleeve Mini Swing Dress in Peppercorn; Gap Women Canvas Slouchy Tote Bag in Bright Meadow; Madewell The Norah Sunglasses in Dark Tortoise; Crocs Women’s Kadee II Summer Sandals in Leopard; Lands’ End Women’s SunShade UPF50 Long-Sleeve Rash Guard Swim Tee in Turquoise; Madewell Women Handwoven Straw Hat in Dark Carob; Eco Tools Wide-Tooth Detangling Comb; and the L.L.Bean Women’s Cloud Gauze Midi Dress in White.
AARP (Old Navy; Gap; Madewell, 2; Target; Lands’ End; Ulta; L.L.Bean)
Key takeaways
- Cotton gauze cover-ups offer breathable comfort, flexible styling and lower prices than many trend-driven options.
- Sun-smart layers like rash guards, wide-brimmed hats and swim caps protect hair and skin.
- Lightweight, washable totes and a few multitasking extras can ease packing while improving comfort at the beach or pool.
It finally feels like summer. You’ve got a saucy new swimsuit and a best-selling beach read tucked into your tote. What could go wrong? How about the see-through cover-up that shows everything you’re trying to cover? The fancy beach bag that isn’t sand-proof, and the flimsy flip-flops that guarantee achy arches, sore soles and splinters? These day-wreckers can cloud a sunny attitude in a flash. Whether your day at the beach is actually down the shore, at the lake, at a neighborhood pool or on your own deck, here’s what you need.
(From left) J.Crew Factory Women Button-Down Gauze Tunic Cover-up in White; Gap Cotton Gauze Tiered Easy Maxi Skirt in Dark Blue; Old Navy Women’s Crinkle Gauze Flutter-Sleeve Mini Swing Dress in Peppercorn; Quince Women 100% Organic Cotton Gauze Tiered Maxi Dress in Spiced Orange.
AARP (J.Crew Factory, Gap, Old Navy, Quince)
1. A confidence-boosting cover-up
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The cover-up category is strange. It’s become a mix of hip-slung pareos and sarongs, provocative blingy tunics and sheer gowns in trendy crochet, printed chiffon and lace. Women say pareos are hard to tie and come undone, the prints and colors of cover-ups clash with their swimsuits … and don’t get them started on the cost. Prices have crept up, with many cover-ups in the $120–$188 range, which is crazy for something you’re going to throw over a wet swimsuit and a sunscreen-slathered body.
Your best bet is a shirt-style cotton gauze coverup in a belt-free style, like the Shade & Shore Women’s Gauze Swim Cover-Up Shirtdress in White, Black or Blue ($25, target.com); the J.Crew Factory Women Button-Down Gauze Tunic Cover-Up in White or Bright Grotto ($50, factory.jcrew.com); or the L.L.Bean Women’s Cloud Gauze Midi Dress in White or Deep Sea ($39, llbean.com). Why cotton gauze? It’s breathable and easy-care, and in loose, throw-on styles like these, it’s perfect even on the steamiest days. Opt for a go-with-anything neutral like black or white, or a seacoast blue shade for a pop of color. These “shirts” come in a range of lengths from thigh-high to midi, and you can roll the sleeves or leave them unrolled, wear them buttoned or unbuttoned.
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They can also live a double life as at-home leisurewear, paired with equally breezy pull-on pants. Check out the Gap Cotton Gauze Tiered Easy Maxi Skirt in True Black, Cool Brown or Dark Blue ($47, gap.com), which pairs with any one-piece suit for a dress effect; the Quince Women 100% Organic Cotton Gauze Tiered Maxi Dress in Toasted Coconut, Spiced Orange, Artichoke, Black and Wild Cherry ($60, quince.com), with top-to-bottom coverage and day-to-night style; and the Old Navy Women’s Crinkle Gauze Flutter-Sleeve Mini Swing Dress in Black Jack or Peppercorn ($15, oldnavy.gap.com), which keeps the belly, butt and upper thighs under wraps.
(From left) Lands’ End Women’s SunShade UPF50 Long-Sleeve Rash Guard Swim Tee in Turquoise and Coral Rubies; Calypsa Women’s Loose Fit 3/4-Sleeve Rash Guard UPF 50+ Margaux Rash Guard in Black/Black Palms.
AARP (Lands’ End, 2; Target)
2. A save-your-skin rash guard
Once reserved for serious swimmers, kayakers and surfers, long-sleeved tees with a UPF 50 rating have become popular with mature women who want extra sun protection over their swimsuits. The lightweight, sunscreen-infused fabric keeps vulnerable spots like décolletage, shoulders, arms and back protected so you can slack off on constant sunscreen reapplication in those spots while you bob around in the pool, dip in the sea, play sports or lounge around. On chilly or overcast summer days, a rash guard offers enough warmth to take the edge off while still protecting you from UV rays.
Choose a color that complements your swimsuit, or opt for a contrasting color to brighten up a black suit. Good ones include the Calia Women’s Swim 3/4-Zip Rashguard in Fresh Red, Paradise Multi Print, Pure Ebony, Pure White or Pink Burst ($29, dickssportinggoods.com) and the Lands’ End Women’s SunShade UPF50 Long-Sleeve Rash Guard Swim Tee in White, Black, Deep Sea Navy, Turquoise and Coral Rubies ($25, landsend.com), both in a classic, body-skimming fit that follows your natural curves. The Calypsa Women’s Loose Fit 3/4-Sleeve Rash Guard UPF 50+ Margaux Rash Guard in Black/Black Palms ($41, target.com) has a slightly more relaxed fit.
(From left) Old Navy Women Straw Sun Hat in Black Stripes; Madewell Women Handwoven Straw Hat in Dark Carob; Sun Cube Women’s Wide-Brim Ponytail Sun Hat with UV Protection in Black.
AARP (Old Navy, Madewell, Target)
3. A wide-brimmed beach hat
If you think a baseball cap is perfect for a day in the sun, here’s a heads-up: A baseball cap, short visor or any sun hat with a small brim (like most bucket styles) really doesn’t provide enough coverage. Caps leave the ears, sides of the face and neck exposed, as do many visors, which also leave the scalp (which can get sunburned!) and chemically processed hair vulnerable to UV rays.
You can’t lose with an airy, woven straw hat with a brim about 4 inches wide. Take a look at the J.Crew Factory Women Packable Straw Hat in Natural to Dark Khaki Straw Ivory ($25, factory.jcrew.com), which flattens in a tote bag or suitcase and pops back into shape; the Madewell Women Handwoven Straw Hat in Dark Carob or Golden Khaki ($80, madewell.com); and the Old Navy Women Straw Sun Hat in Black Stripes or Neutral ($12, oldnavy.gap.com).
If you want a more casual beach hat or find a broad-brimmed hat annoying when wearing a ponytail or lying back in a lounge chair, the answer is a soft woven cotton hat in a bucket or “crusher” style, with a wide but flexible brim. Good choices include the UV Skinz Wide-Brim Sun Hat in Sandcastle or White ($41, nordstrom.com), with built-in UPF 50 and a flexible wire in the brim for DIY shaping; the Kanut Sports Women Wide-Brim Kenosha Bucket Hat in Seafood or Lilac ($26, macys.com), with an extended all-around soft brim (and an interior sweatband); and the By Anthropologie Frayed Sun Hat in Sand, Coral Red or Black ($48, anthropologie.com), a laid-back crusher.
Ponytail and high-bun fans can try a wide-brimmed visor-style hat with a ready-made ponytail opening, such as the Solbari Wide-Brim Beach Hat UPF 50+ in Vanilla/Beige or Blue Sky/Beige ($69, solbari.com); the Vince Camuto Rollup Tweed Straw Visor Hat in Tan Multi or Natural Multi ($48, macys.com); and the Sun Cube Women’s Wide-Brim Ponytail Sun Hat With UV Protection in Black, White or Beige ($18, target.com). Don’t save your beach hats for the beach. Wear them at outdoor lunches, running errands, on the bleachers at a baseball game, and to a neighborhood barbecue.
Speedo Adult Silicone Caps in Black and Pink.
AARP (Target, 2)
4. A hair-protecting swim cap
If you splash around in a pool, sea or lake and have color-treated hair, a silicone swim cap is a must. Women over 50 spend too much time and money getting their thin, fine, damaged, dry, chemically-treated hair into a healthy state, only for chlorine, seawater and repeated dunking and drying in the sun to turn it brassy, greenish, brittle or snarly.
Caps in a smooth, latex-free, stretchy silicone — like the Speedo Adult Silicone Cap in Black, Pink, White or Yellow ($14, target.com); the TYR Women’s Long Hair Swim Cap in Purple, Pink, Black or Blue ($15, dickssportinggoods.com); and the Sporti Spring Flutter Long Hair Bun Silicone Swim Cap in Spring Flutter ($11, swimoutlet.com), a statement-maker — slip on and off without snagging or pulling, even on fragile hair. Look for a contoured cut around the edges that appears slightly wavy rather than straight for a comfy fit around facial contours, and caps for “long hair” that have a roomier mushroom shape at the crown.
(From left) Gap Women Canvas Slouchy Tote Bag in Bright Meadow; Lands’ End Straw Tote Bag in Natural/Black; Shade & Shore Women’s Packable Cut-Out Mesh Tote in Leopard.
AARP (Gap, Lands’ End, Target)
5. A no-fuss, cool-looking beach bag
An old work tote or plastic shopping bag won’t cut it. Neither will an overloaded canvas beach bag — ask your neck, back and shoulders the next day!
The first thing to do is edit down your stuff and swap in a few multitasking or fast-fix products to simplify packing. Look for a lightweight bag in a large-enough size that cleans with a shake, a sponge wash or a machine wash. There’s the unstructured mesh style, like the Shade & Shore Women’s Packable Cut-Out Mesh Tote in Leopard, Black or Black/White ($15, target.com); the Old Navy Women Mesh Tote Bag in Peppercorn, Amaryllis or Blue Ombre ($27, oldnavy.gap.com), nearly weightless when empty; and the Gap Women Gap Logo Tote Bag in Moonstone Blue, Havana Yellow, Black or Primrose Pink ($49, gap.com), in soft cotton.
(From left) FitVids 1/2-Inch-Thick High Density Yoga Mat With Carrying Strap in Blue; Madewell The Norah Sunglasses in Dark Tortoise; Eco Tools Wide-Tooth Detangling Comb; Johnson’s Aloe & Vitamin E Powder.
AARP (Target, Madewell, Ulta, CVS)
6. Level up your beach-bag extras
A day at the beach requires some minimalist moves. A few multitasking products simplify packing and offer updated solutions. Three game-changing pieces include a wide-tooth comb, like the Eco Tools Wide-Tooth Detangling Comb ($9, ulta.com), for detangling and smoothing wet or sweaty hair back or into a ponytail; a small-size baby powder, like Johnson’s Aloe & Vitamin E Powder ($3, cvs.com), to make brushing off wet or dry sand easy; and a water-resistant yoga mat, like the FitVids 1/2-Inch-Thick High Density Yoga Mat With Carrying Strap in Blue ($20, target.com). It’s comfier than a beach towel or blanket and rolls up for easy carrying. Plus, no one is going to walk off with it while you swim.
Other essentials: SPF 30+ face and body sunscreens — or one for both, like the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Body & Face Sunscreen SPF 100 ($32, walgreens.com) — because a rash guard doesn’t work on the face and legs. A flat claw clip for updos on long hair, like The Hair Edit Gilded Ellipse Flat Lay Claw Clip ($14, ulta.com). Gentle, no-dent ponytail elastics, like the Gimme Extra Fine Hair Bands in Blonde, Light Brown or Dark Brown ($10, nordstrom.com). And, of course, sunglasses with UV-protective lenses, like Madewell The Norah Sunglasses in Dark Tortoise or True Black ($75, madewell.com).
(From left) Lands’ End Women’s Espadrille Beach and Water Shoes in Lily Pad; Crocs Women’s Kadee II Summer Sandals in Leopard.
AARP (Lands’ End, Target)
7. Sand-, water- and feet-friendly beach sandals
Leave your good leather sandals at home, and those fashionably embellished mules and slides, too. No matter how minimal, supportive or stylish they are, they lack the features that matter most: being water-resistant, stainproof and walkable on sand, wobbly, rocky walkways, boardwalks and grass.
Beach-going footwear protects you from hot sand and pavements, sketchy, bacteria-ridden restroom and locker-room floors and random shards of shells, glass and debris. You’ll still get plenty of style in a pair of lightweight slides with contoured, cushion-like footbeds, like the water-resistant Crocs Women’s Kadee II Summer Sandals in Leopard, Black, Quartz/Shimmer or Cobblestone ($30, target.com); the slimmed-down, one-strap, waterproof Birkenstock Women’s Madrid Big Buckle Sandal in Off White ($55, dsw.com); or the waterproof and sleek Reef Water Scout in Oasis or Black ($40, zappos.com).
Want a foot-protecting shoe you can also wear in the water? Rocky, gritty shorelines and riverbeds are no match for the Lands’ End Women’s Espadrille Beach and Water Shoes in Black, White, Navy and Lily Pad ($65, landsend.com), a neoprene version of the fashionable shoe that goes from wet to dry (you can wear them in the water and out to dinner).
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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