Styling swimwear in Miami, FL

I don’t know about you, but I am LAZY when it comes to beach vacations – I refuse to wear any kind of makeup or jewelry and will absolutely not plan outfits that don’t already include swimwear.

My essentials for the beach have become: SPF, water, headphones… that’s about it.

Pushing through all the laziness and desire to just relax and unplug from the world, I still manage to get creative with layers and easy-to-wear summer pieces to get to-and-from the beach, easily go to grab lunch or cocktails at the pool bar, go for a nice walk on the boardwalk, lounge on a boat, or any other vacation activity.

So having a carefree vacation style gave me an idea for this post – how to style your swimsuit to quickly and seamlessly transition from hotel room to beach time to lunch time.

And when it comes to sustainability – this beach style requires absolutely nothing new to be purchased, no special beach cover-ups, no tie skirts you’ll wear once, no random “beach only” dresses – I style my swimsuits with all the pieces I already own! No shopping necessary.

Button downs

Yes. The same ones you’d normally pair with jeans or slacks. Oversized neutral-tone button-downs are a staple in my wardrobe, I wear them during all seasons and for a variety of different occasions, and let me tell you, there’s nothing more comfortable than an oversized cotton shirt thrown over your swimsuit at the beach. Perfect for the heat when thrown over shoulders, it’s also perfect buttoned-up and possibly belted for an afternoon lunch outdoors.

The one I’m wearing here is a men’s shirt purchased at a thrift store as part of a collaboration about 2 years ago and I love how long and voluminous it is – not only adding comfort but also that masculine edgy silhouette, making the look fashionable with literally zero effort.

Shorts

I’m Captain Obvious with this one, but shorts and a one-piece are just such a great easy option for so many occasions. The 100% organic cotton retro shorts in this look are from Everlane, are held up by an elastic band, and include pockets. Literally a dream for any lazy vacationer.

Neutral or light denim shorts are extra perfect for the beach, but black shorts would also work with a more edgy or surfer-style suit.

Also, did I mention how I don’t like beach bags either? And basically, carry everything I need in a pile in my hands? Yes. So pockets are a necessity.

Blazers

This is more of an edgy option, but an oversized blazer in lighter fabrics can look very cool over a darker-tone one-piece at the beach. This look definitely has a less relaxed vibe, but it’s also low-effort and doesn’t require any shopping to look like you stepped off the runway onto the sand.

I own a thrifted oversized white blazer with nude sequin lapels that so effortlessly complements the sky blue shade of the suit as well.

I think blazers that won’t work for the beach are ones with very distinctive structured details – padded shoulders, extra long sleeves, or an hourglass silhouette. The ones clearly meant for a city environment. But a lighter, more relaxed version, paired with classic swimwear and sunglasses – chefs kiss.

Slides

Flip-flops – a popular go-to for any kind of beach environment. Not for me. I dislike flip-flops with a red hot passion and haven’t worn them since I was a teenager. An alternative I highly recommend is – slides.

In my opinion, they’re way more comfortable, but also much more versatile. I own 2 pairs of slides – from Everlane and Matt & Nat – with distinctive criss-cross details and buckles. These kinds of shoes are great for airports, casual daytime and evening looks on vacation and so many more occasions. Also a low-effort, easy option for the beach.