French Girls Don't Go to the Beach Without This One Accessory

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Dressing for a beach day can be tricky. I've experienced a few battles with insecurities throughout the years but can finally say I feel more confident than ever when I head out to the beach. It was an overnight change that I'm so grateful for, and I still remember the first day I wore a swimsuit without feeling nervous. And who do I have to thank for this transformation? I attribute a lot of it to quite a few self-love rituals that helped me learn to love my body. But something that very much sped up the pace was finding chic cover-ups that made my look feel more styled and made me feel confident. 

French girls are my style icons, so of course, I am always turning to them for inspiration, and you will very rarely see them at the beach without a chic and effortless cover-up draped over their bikinis. All you really need for your swimsuit collection is one or two good styles and a bin filled with cover-ups that make them each feel brand-new every time you wear them. I love that with many of these style options, for example, a good button-down shirt or a barely there dress, you can easily wear them with more than just swimwear. Bring the South of France to your backyard with the fun bathing suit cover-ups below.

1. Le Button-Down Shirt

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(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

My absolute favorite item to pack for any vacation is an oversize button-down shirt. It looks so cool over a swimsuit and can also be worn to dinner, on the flight home, or to explore the destination of choice. No pool day is complete without this in my bag.

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2. Barely There Dresses

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(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

The sheer trend is all over the runways, and while I am loving it, I tend to shy away from such a risky fashion move with my everyday NYC wardrobe. However, a trip to the pool or beach is the perfect opportunity to have some fun with a see-through item. I'm kind of obsessed.

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3. Bottoms Up

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Sometimes, when the bikini is so good and the sun is relentless as can be, covering up is not ideal. In this case, it's fun to try a pair of shorts or pants that still show off that bikini top. This is a great time to wear linens or knits.

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4. Pareo Party

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(Image credit: @emmanuellek_)

A good pareo definitely brings the party to whatever beach or poolside you land on. I think this is the chicest add-on to any bikini or one-piece look that just needs a little something to take it to the next level.

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And now, shop the swimsuits we'll be pairing these cover-ups with: 

Up Next: I Spent Hours Researching Swim Trends—These 5 Will Go Viral

Associate Editor

Sierra Mayhew was always destined to work in fashion, but she didn't know it at first. Growing up with no choice but to wear a rotation of school uniforms and activewear, her love for fashion really blossomed when she moved away for college and was able to finally define her very own personal style. Shortly thereafter, she interned at Elle magazine and instantly knew that editorial was for her. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, she worked for ShopBazaar, contributing regularly to Bazaar.com, and finally made her way to Who What Wear, where she is an associate editor. When she’s not working, you can catch her always trying to catch a flight, rollerblading through New York City traffic, or exploring the latest luxury vintage boutique.