Fashion and functionality are becoming more and more blended with every season, and we're all here for it - especially when it comes to choosing a beach outfit. The perfect beach outfit is airy, light, offers sun protection and lets us carry all of our necessities with us - and all of that while matching your Pinterest board for Beach Vacation Outfit for 2026. It sounds like an impossible task, but it's easier than you might think as all of the functional elements are already a part of the pieces you've been wanting to grab.

Let's jump ahead and get you your dream outfit for your 2026 vacation.

Chic and Protective Sun Hats

When choosing your beach outfits, find a way for sun-protecting elements to find their way onto the beach with you. UPF sun hats will protect you from sun rays and elevate any beach look. However, when looking for a hat to accompany your beach visits you should look for the one you'll actually want to wear.

Some of the trending styles for 2026 include bucket hats. Bucket hats have become popular over the last few years, and we're sure they're here to stay, as they're one of the most versatile hat styles.

The bucket hat is also one of the easiest styles to dress up or down. A raffia hat with a dark leather detail and a lightly frayed brim brings a polished, intentional feel to even the simplest of outfits.

The example below is a masterclass in matching different materials and colors to create the perfect look. It effortlessly combines the easy elegance of a white linen shirt worn open as a cover-up with the bold pop of a red swimsuit underneath, letting the two pieces play off each other rather than compete. What ties it all together is the wide-brimmed straw visor. Its natural tan tone sits right between the white and red, grounding the whole look without dulling it.

For something softer, a cream cotton bucket hat with a frayed edge has that effortless quality that belongs in a slow beach morning. If you'd like to avoid an all-white look, simply choose a colorful swimsuit and accessories to pair with your hat.

Straw hats can be an accessory to any beach look, but wearing them with a straw bag will beautifully tie in all of the straw elements and make the look feel complete and elevated.

A casual beach day calls for a casual outfit. What better way to achieve that than with a baseball cap? Perfect for sightseeing, walking around the beach and cities, as well as for playing beach sports.

Last but not least on our list of trending sun hats for 2026 is the classic and timeless fedora.

When choosing the right sun hat for 2026 you should consider the following:

• Your face shape: shopping for hats online can be difficult, as you can't try the hats on before buying them. However, considering your face shape can help you find the hat that will be the right match!
• Your lifestyle: When deciding which hat to shop for you also need to consider the activities you'll be doing in your sun hat - will you be playing beach games, lounging in the sun, traveling or sightseeing?
• What does the rest of your wardrobe look like? Find the hat that will complement the rest of your beach looks for easy mix and matching.

Travel-Friendly Packable Hats

Traveling with a hat can be quite a hassle. If you know you're looking for a hat to travel with, keep in mind that folding and packing can wrinkle your favorite sun hat and damage it. Packable hats, however, can withstand being folded and packed into a suitcase, and will pop into their original shape when unpacked in your destination.

Besides suitcases, they also come in handy when you're packing your beach bag, so you can have yours ready on the go.

The Art of Coverups

A backbone to every beach outfit is a good cover-up, and the good news is that the definition of a beach cover-up is far wider than just a simple beach dress. Anything that layers seamlessly over swimwear and carries you from the water to the rest of your day counts as a cover-up.

• Material: we believe cover ups should be made of breathable and light fabric, but there are more options on the market to consider when looking for a cover up for yourself. Do you want it to be sun protective, or is your priority being super light and airy?
• Style: what do you think of when you think of a coverup? Are you envisioning a summer dress or is it more of a kaftan? Are you going for a mini or a maxi length?
• Lifestyle: Just like with any other piece of clothing, think of when you are planning to wear it. If you're planning to wear it as a dress when you're out and about as well as on the beach, make sure it's not see through (if that's not what you're about), and if you want to wear it to the beach before going for a swim, make sure it's easy to dress and undress in seconds.

Here are three styles we keep coming back to in 2026.

The Beach Shirt Cover Up

The first of the three is the classic beach shirt in various patterns and colorways. It is the ultimate multitasker accessory! You can wear and style it unbuttoned over your swimsuit for a breezy, sun-protective and versatile look. Or, you can button it and tie at the front for a more tailored silhouette, making it the perfect piece to gravitate towards for a fresh-out-of-the-sea look, roaming the city streets or evening cocktails. It's the only cover-up you'll need! In our online store you can even pair it with a matching sarong for a look with more coverage.

Sarong Cover Ups

Speaking of sarongs, there's a reason they remain one of our most-reached-for beach cover-ups. Sarongs are the absolute most versatile beach cover-up out there, because the way you wear them is entirely up to you. You can style a sarong in infinite different ways:

• As a midi or maxi skirt — wearing it this way allows you to cover up your legs and get more sun protection, but also lets you quickly dress and undress if you're going to the beach for a quick dip before breakfast or dinner. This style encourages you to be creative in the way you tie your sarong or style it. You can tie it up in a knot on the side of your hip, in the front, or you can gather the fabric to make the skirt more asymmetrical and add more visual appeal. Or, simply wear it flat and accessorize with other items.
• As a mini skirt — fold it to wear it shorter. The way you style your sarong will mostly depend on what you're looking for in your outfit. While the midi skirt sarong will look flowy and romantic, a mini skirt will look more structured as there is less fabric left to play with the wind. Mini won't be as sun protective, but it might match with the rest of your look better than the midi version.
• As a halter top — this method will allow you to cover your bust area, while also highlighting your shoulders to create an hourglass silhouette illusion to your body. First, you drape the sarong lengthwise behind your shoulders, then you bring the top corners over your shoulders, crossing them in front to form a V shape. Lastly, you secure the corners with a double knot at the back of your neck. This way will allow you to wear your sarong as a top with your favorite linen pants on a black mini skirt.
• As a dress — drape the sarong lengthwise behind your back, then bring the top corners forward and cross them firmly over the chest, twist the ends to form straps of sorts and knot the ends at the nape of the neck to complete the look.

The mini skirt look can be easily styled with a swimsuit, a chic hat and a straw bag for the perfect beach-ready look, which can also carry on into the city evening.

Beach Throws and Turkish Towels

Another item that can be incredibly versatile and act as a multipurpose accessory is the beach throw. Sure, they're perfect for lounging in the sun or as a mat for playing cards on the beach, but have you ever thought about wearing them as a maxi skirt? Now, especially with the trendy and bold motifs, you can do so and no one will doubt that what you're wearing is actually a really beautiful and intentional accessory. Talk about multipurpose and practical!

(Spacious) Beach Bags

Beach bags aren't just accessories; they are also an essential part of making any beach or pool trip a success. However, not every bag serves the same purpose:

• Mini bags are more of a fashion statement than a functional bag that can carry multiple items - they might only be big enough to carry some chapstick, your phone and a card which doesn't make them ideal for a day-long beach lounging session. That said, the crochet envelope is the perfect middle way between a mini bag and a large beach tote: it's small enough to carry around or tuck under your arm, but it has enough room for your essentials when you're out and about at a dinner or at a bar for drinks. Its woven texture also makes it follow the beachy feel, while the envelope shape keeps it looking sleek and put together.
• Crossbody bags are, just like mini bags, not the ideal beach bag for long beach sessions, but they can make a great accessory and are also strapped onto your waist or chest for easy carrying and access!
• Beach totes are perfect for beach days, and we love them even more if they have lots of pockets and compartments to carry all of our necessities for the beach.
• Net bags are a more relaxed and effortless option. They're lightweight, which makes them the perfect alternative to a structured tote, and have a feel that makes even the simplest beach outfit seem super thoughtful.

Once you've chosen the perfect bag for your beach outings, it's time to style it to elevate your beach look. Here are some tips to elevate your beach look:

• Mix and match textures: experiment with textures and see which look matches the vibe you are going for the best. Try out a straw bag with a woven cotton cover-up dress, or a linen shirt and pants. Another way to match your bag to your outfit is by finding a hat that has the same material and texture as the hat.
• Tie a ribbon on your bag. If you feel like your bag is missing a pop of color, tying a ribbon or a scarf to it is a fun and stylish way to make your outfit more colorful.
• Day to night: if you're heading straight to the town after your night out, opt for a beach bag that can double as a stylish tote.

Stylish and Functional Cooler Bags

Beach bags are all fun, but have you seen the cooler bags disguised as beach bags?! These have the look and feel of a regular beach tote, with the 'cool' of including insulation on the inside of the bag, which will keep your drinks and snacks cool and fresh throughout your beach lounging day. Stay hydrated and stylish!

Beach essentials are becoming a part of our beach outfits, and we're loving how the trends are becoming more and more practical over the years. In 2026, don't forget to include UPF protection, cool drinks, and a stylish cover-up in your beach vacation outfit.