Beach Dresses

A good beach dress does more than one job: it slips over a swimsuit, keeps the sun off your shoulders and still looks right when you sit down for lunch by the water. Our beach dresses for women are made from airy cotton gauze and breathable linen blends, light enough for the hottest days and easy to roll into a beach bag.

Beach maxi dresses

• The lined Cotton Gauze Maxi Dress with adjustable straps and pockets, in black, sage green or beige.
• The Short Sleeve Empire Waist Maxi Dress in white or black, with a little sleeve for sun cover.
• The Striped Maxi Shirt Dress in soft gauze, which also works open as a long layer over swimwear.

Midi and shirt beach dresses

• The Double Gauze Spaghetti Strap Midi Dress with a high-low hem.
• The backless Halter Neck Midi Dress for sunset drinks.
• The Cotton Gauze Midi Shirt Dress and the Striped Belted Shirt Dress, which button over a swimsuit in seconds.
• The oversized Boat Neck Midi Double Gauze Tunic Dress with side pockets, and the hand-painted Gold Evil Eye Shirt Dress.

Short beach dresses

The Linen Wrap Mini Dress, the lined A-Line Linen Mini Shift Dress and the Oversized Linen T-Shirt Dress with Pockets are cool and easy for beach towns. The Cotton Gauze Beach Cover Up pulls on as a short tunic dress.

White beach dresses

White always looks fresh by the sea. Choose the empire waist maxi, the cotton gauze shirt dress or the spaghetti strap midi in white. Double gauze is two layers, so it has more coverage than single gauze.

How to choose a beach dress

• Pick a fabric that dries fast: cotton gauze and linen dry quickly and do not cling to damp skin.
• Think about sun cover: a sleeve or a midi length protects shoulders and legs.
• Choose easy on, easy off: shirt dresses and pull-on shapes work over swimwear.
• Pack light: gauze rolls small and never needs ironing.

For more, see our beach cover ups, vacation dresses and beach essentials, and read what to pack for a beach vacation. Going to a wedding on the sand? See what to wear to a beach wedding.

FAQ

What is the best fabric for a beach dress?

Cotton gauze and linen. Both are breathable, dry quickly and stay comfortable on damp, salty skin.

Can I wear a beach dress over a swimsuit?

Yes. Shirt dresses and pull-on gauze dresses slip over a swimsuit easily and look finished enough for lunch.

Are white beach dresses see-through?

Double gauze has two layers, so it has more coverage than single-layer gauze, and the Cotton Gauze Maxi Dress is lined. Lighter colours show a little more in bright sun.

What length is best for a beach dress?

A maxi or midi gives sun cover and works for dinner too. A mini is coolest for hot afternoons in town.