Summer is drawing nearer, which means that if you're lucky, a holiday somewhere gorgeous and warm will be imminent.
Generous scoops of gelato, picturesque skylines and frothy seafronts are all within touching distance – only first you need to refine your warm-weather wish list and get your packing situation in order.
Dressing for sand and sea seems simple enough, but for guaranteed easy-breezy beachside elegance, we've put together some options to help you refine your choices.
How we chose:
- Style and beach-appropriate: When combing through the internet's top fashion sites for the best summer pieces, we made sure that each of our picks were chic, flattering and lent themselves to a beach setting.
- Price: Whether you're planning on splashing out or bagging a bargain, we've got a piece in your price range. We've curated our beach outfits using a mix of high-street brands and luxe designer labels.
Hello! Fashion shares the cutest beach outfits to recreate this summer:
The Y2K romantic
Red dominated the runways for AW23, and we're bringing a splash of vibrancy into our SS24 beach 'fits. Punchy and passionate, the hue delivers on impact every single time. The two-piece by Oséree combines glimmery red with another key trend, three-dimensional roses. If you're leaning into the noughties vibe, Anastacia would totally approve of these tinted Fendi shades, complete with a rhinestone-embellished logo at the temples. These platform slides by Mango have a playful, slightly sculptural appeal, and to top it off, this gold belly chain by Free People is steeped in nostalgia.
Oséree Lumière Appliquéd Metallic Triangle Bikini, £225.00, Net-A-Porter; Fendi FE4075US Oval-Frame Metal Sunglasses, £400.00, Selfridges; Maxi Platform Sandals, £99.99 £49.99, Mango; The New Classic Belly Chain, £24.00, Free People
The elegant one-piece
If vintage Hollywood starlet is more your vibe, a chic one piece is worth its weight in holiday gold. This piece by H&M is a total steal - the cut-outs and decorative hardware make it look far more expensive than it actually is, and I love the slight moodiness of the dusty blue. I'm all for the drama of a wide-brim sunhat, and this piece by Etro is just dreamy, the print on the silk-satin tie feels really timeless. Complete the look with Aspinal's cat-eye sunglasses for a retro air, and the easy-breezy elegance of Christian Louboutin's espadrille platform sandals.
Padded-Cup High-Leg Bandeau Swimsuit, £32.99, H&M; Etro Floral-Print Silk-Satin Trimmed Raffia Sunhat, £530.00, Net-A-Porter; Athena Sunglasses, £175.00 £87.50, Aspinal of London; Christian Louboutin Mariza du Desert 130 Gabardine Espadrille Platform Sandals, £735.00, Net-A-Porter
The bright bikini
Intent on making a statement? Maygel Coronel is a new designer swimwear find for me, and I can't get enough of its flouncy detailing - think ruffles, voluminous flowers and the like. This two-piece is so joy inducing, I love the vividness of the green and the ruching on the top is super flattering. The right shade of green alongside cream can look beautifully luxe for summer and I'm currently eyeing up these shades by Cos. Created in collaboration with Linda Farrow, the two-tone colourway feels fresh, and I'd team them with Dear Frances' buttery leather flip flops and Muuñ's elegant mini Sophie bag.
Maygel Coronel Melao Ruched Appliquéd Bikini, £330.00, Net-A-Porter; Muuñ Sophie Mini Canvas-Trim Woven Basket Bag, £140.00, Matches Fashion; The Rectangle Acetate Sunglasses, £110.00, Cos; Wrap Sandal, £380.00, Dear Frances
The out-of-office literalist
For a serious dose of holiday spirit, Zimmermann's Alight bikini delivers lighthearted chic. The vintage-esque tropical print is so vibrant, and I love the how the ties resemble a luxe silk scarf. I'd pull out some of the green and team the two-piece with Prada's cult-adored tote in a creamy pistachio. These oval sunglasses by Parfois are high impact and would look great with a tan, and I'd tie it all together with these ballet flats by Mango. They look really expensive for high street footwear, and I love the delicacy of the ankle strap with the mesh. Granted, they're probably best kept for a non-sandy beach, or a waterfront bar, but I'm here for them.
Zimmermann Alight Tie-Detailed Printed Bikini, £350.00, Net-A-Porter; Crochet Tote Bag, £1,500.00, Prada; Ballerinas With Mesh Bracelet, £49.99, Mango; Oval Sunglasses, £17.99, Parfois
The tomato girl summer one
Still hooked on last year's viral Tomato Girl trend? We can relate. If your default summer aesthetic revolves around flouncy broderie anglaise and splashes of red, this is the look to beat. House of CB's cropped take on a summer classic feels cool, and I love the flattering cut of the square neckline. Escvdo's Safi skirt is a great option if you're wanting something pretty and lightweight to throw on over your beachwear, without it feeling like an afterthought. No holiday footwear arsenal is complete without a handy pair of neutral slides - and I'm loving the woven texture on this design by Arket. For a final hit of Mediterranean energy, I'd team the look with this super cute beach bag by Dolce & Gabbana, complete with colourful scarf-wrapped handles.
Escvdo Safi Crocheted-Cotton Midi Skirt, £574.00, Net-A-Porter; Woven Leather Slides, £135.00, Arket; House of CB Federica Top, £89.00, Selfridges; Dolce & Gabbana Kendra Woven Small Tote Bag, £1,318.31 £700.66, Cettire
The cool-girl co-ord
For an effortless feel, consider tapping into the, somewhat unexpected, boxer shorts trend. This elasticated, pinstripe pair by River Island, cut from a breathable cotton-polyester blend, feels timeless in a pretty cornflower blue, and would team well with its shirt counterpart. Closed-toe mules have been doing the rounds over the last couple of summers since the renaissance of Birkenstock's Boston clogs, and this raffia pair by JW Anderson is extremely chic and boasts an easy-breezy slip-on fit. For the finishing touch, I'd choose these sunnies from the Oliver Peoples and Khaite collaboration: playful, retro and categorically high-impact.
Blue Stripe Long Sleeve Crop Shirt, £25.00, River Island; Blue Stripe Pull On Shorts, £25.00, River Island; Leather-Trimmed Raffia Mules, £375.00, Net-A-Porter; Oliver Peoples x Khaite 1966C Oversized Rectangular-Frame Acetate Sunglasses, £450.00, Net-A-Porter
The boho babe
This style of contrasting embroidery I've only previously seen on scarf coats, Toteme and imitations, but I love the idea of transporting the trend into summer territory. This bikini by cool-girl-approved label Faithfull The Brand has a sexy, 70s feel and I love the boho-esque rings and tie detailing. Inspired by traditional Jamaican craftsmanship, this crochet skirt by Diotima, a new label discovery for me, would layer beautifully over the top. The ruffled trims add drama, arguably calling for a minimalist shoe silhouette to balance it out such as these Mango leather flats. I've been coveting a Brinker & Eliza treasure for years now, and think the Love Note necklace, in all its quirky, vintage glory, would make for the perfect accessory accompaniment.
Faithfull The Brand Alani and Delia Stretch-ECONYL Triangle Bikini, £202.00, Net-A-Porter; Diotima Web Ruffled Crocheted Cotton Maxi Skirt, £1,325.00, Net-A-Porter; Leather Strap Sandals, £59.99, Mango; Brinker & Eliza Love Note Necklace, £450.00, Koibird
Why you should trust me:
Orin Carlin is Hello! Fashion’s SEO Content Writer. Promising to leave no stone unturned in the name of fashion and beauty journalism, she is the proud creator of our ‘Try The Trend’ series. With a particular interest in formula innovation, microtrends, royal and bridal beauty, perfume, rituals, treatments, fashion history and vintage icons, she can either be found interviewing major industry names (previous subjects include Georgia May Jagger, Mary Greenwell and Sam McKnight) or scouring the internet for must-have pieces. It's not just a job; it's a personal quest to unearth noteworthy pieces that resonate with style and beauty enthusiasts.
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