Women’s beachwear: what to wear on the beach this summer

Ah, summer holidays. Not since ‘chocolate’ and ‘chip’ have two words been so perfectly paired. Yes, here at the Fashion & Style Directory we’re getting a little gooey-eyed over summer holiday plans – and more importantly what we’ll be packing in our bags.

When it comes to women’s beachwear, we’re all about working a capsule wardrobe – because lugging an overstuffed bag through the airport terminal is never going to win prizes for style. So here’s everything we think you’ll need:

1. A 2-in-1 dress/skirt

Women’s beachwear has a lot to live up to – it needs to be light, quick to dry, and stylish all in one go. It’s a hard act to follow so you need to get clever. For this reason, we love a skirt that can double up as a dress. Look for shirring at the top so it stays up when it’s being worn as a dress, and sits snug on the hips as a skirt.

2. A sarong

A sarong definitely deserves a place in every woman’s holiday capsule wardrobe. Wear it as a beach cover up, by the pool, or out in the evening. Get creative and learn how to tie it properly and it’ll soon be your go-to holiday item.

3. Swimwear

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that no women’s beachwear collection is complete without swimwear.

The trend this season is for 1950s-style pieces. Cue big bikini bottoms, polka dots, and long-line bikini tops. These are all fab in a fun and flirty way, but the word among the fashion pack is that it’s the 1970s look you should be channelling. So swim against the tide, and add a one-piece to your summer holiday capsule wardrobe.

4. Accessories

Sunglasses, hats, a few key pieces of jewellery that aren’t of the expensive variety, a couple of bags, and your favourite pair of sandals – that’s your holiday capsule wardrobe all set to go. In terms of style, big round sunglasses are bang on trend, but don’t suit everybody – so try before you buy.

It’s the same with hats – those wonderfully wide-brim straw hats look super glam in magazines but not everyone can pull them off. They usually work best with long hair as opposed to short, for instance. As for bags, bring a day bag and one for the evening – no one wants to traipse round with a sandy beach bag when they’re hitting the bars.

5. A smile

Let’s set the record straight… So you’re not a size 10. You’ve got cellulite. Spots. A scar you hate. A birthmark you rather wasn’t there. Whatever it is you don’t like about your body, for this one week forget about it – we’ve all got hang ups.

However much you decide to splash on women’s beachwear, it’ll fall a little flat if you don’t wear it with a smile. So grin and bare it girls!

Pictured items are from the Debenhams Beach Collection, where you can stock up on a fabulous range of summer clothing including swimsuits and bikinis, sun dresses and kaftans, as well as accessories including sunglasses, bags and hats.

Left to right: dark blue ikat shirred 2-in-1 skirt dress (£21); khaki metallic striped beach bag (£19.50); and blue polka dot bandeau tummy control swimsuit (£30.00).

Prices quoted are all correct as of 23 June 2014, but may be subject to change.