The Best Modest Swimwear, Kaftans, and Cover-Ups to Wear to the Beach

Like a painting you might see hanging in the Museum of Modern Art, this striking abstract suit turns heads for all the right reasons. Available in sizes XS to 3X, the long-sleeve swimmer has a fully lined bodice, moderate coverage on the bum, and no shortage of conversation-starting sparks.

The genius color blocking on this high-neck suit falls in the exact right place—at the trimmest part of the torso. It comes in sizes 2 to 22 and a range of colors, including a frisky leopard print, and would look chic beneath a rumpled Oxford shirt and wide-legged paper bag waist pants.

Have you ever seen a more va-va-voom suit that leaves so much to the imagination? This full-coverage, cap-sleeved wonder packs a big polka-dotted punch. Waist-cinching panels produce a nice hourglass shape and the U-shaped zipper pull lets its wear reveal as much (or as little) as she wants. And like most of the swimsuits on Meet.Curve, it’s available in sizes M through 4XL.

This vintage-style swimsuit romper is playful and sweetly innocent—like something Sandy from Grease might have worn before she fell in with Rizzo and Frenchy. The jumbo buttons are just a decorative accent, but the straps are adjustable and there’s a smart tie at the waist.

This delicate, coppery-coral UPF 50+ suit brings peplum into the 21st century. The frills around the waist are playful, not dowdy, and the princess-cut panels sculpt a nice hourglass shape. A wetsuit-like zipper, meanwhile, gives the wearer control over just how much she reveals (or doesn’t).

Draw as much or as little attention as you like with this versatile swim dress, available in colors both muted (dusty blue or seagrass) and loud (hello, flamingo pink). Thumbholes keep sleeves in place and hands protected from the sun, while the drawstring sides can be cinched up or let out depending on your mood. Also notable: The UPF 50+ material is made from discarded fishing nets, along with other pre- and post-industrial waste, and the YKK zipper is recycled from PET bottles.

Meet the little black dress of swimsuits. Sewn in a Los Angeles studio, this sleek one-piece is made with recycled UPF 50+ swim jersey and won’t budge no matter how hard you surf, spike, or cannonball into the hotel pool.

Nobody does surfer-girl chic like Cynthia Rowley. To wit: a long-sleeved, Hokusai-inspired number with a fitted silhouette and zip-back closure. At just 0.5mm thick, the UPF 50+ neoprene-nylon blend is well suited for water 70 degrees or warmer—making it ideal for hanging 10 in the tropics.

Lands’ End is a goldmine for conservative swimwear, selling a wide range of rash guards and cover-ups in regular, petite, long, plus, and mastectomy sizing. The UPF 50+ fabric on this chlorine-resistant one-piece comes in a bold blue palm print or graphic Havana floral. The leg openings are cut low enough that they won’t ride up and a high zippered neck ensures everything stays in its place.

Inshellíne is one of the internet’s best resources for Italian-made modest swimwear. This high-necked, asymmetric swim tunic is long enough to cover the rear and can be worn with high-waisted swim leggings and a complementary swim hijab for additional coverage. Little details like oversized mother-of-pearl buttons give it personality, while the neutral color combo makes it adaptable enough to pair with all of your favorite sandals and statement sunglasses.

Women who want to enjoy the water without worrying about accidental exposure will appreciate that Lanuuk’s knee-length swim dress includes an inner button tab to attach the tunic to the slim-fit swim tights. The UPF 50+ fabric is lightweight and fast-drying, and the outer thigh slits allow for freedom of movement while swimming. The U.K. brand also sells stylish swim turbans and scarves.

The feminine silhouette of this surfer-inspired swimsuit screams Kim Kardashian—if Kim Kardashian knew how to shoot the curl. The contoured leaf-print bodysuit cuts a retro look with its detachable swim skirt, ankle-length swim leggings, and knotted swim turban. The garments are UPF 50+ and available in sizes XS to XXXL, depending on the print. 

Prepare to stop traffic in this getup from luxe French swimwear label Madamme BK Paris. The four-piece set is cut from fine Italian fabric and includes a long-sleeve swim dress, swim tights, a belt, and a pleated water turban with two tails to wrap and style as you please.

Italian designer Chiara Taffarello launched her high-fashion modest swimwear line in 2016, after living in Pakistan and learning more about Muslim culture. Made with UV- and chlorine-resistant fabric, this full-coverage, three-piece set includes a long-sleeved mini dress in a colorful Mayan-inspired pattern, ankle-length swim leggings with a matching bow detail, and an elegantly ruched swim turban. The top is fixed to the pants with hidden tape too, so wearers needn’t worry about it floating up unexpectedly in the water.

Brazilian fashion line Farm Rio is known for its eye-popping prints, and this brightly patterned V-neck kaftan with beaded tassels and fringed kimono-inspired sleeves is no exception. Tossed over a swimsuit or tank top, it’s the life of every beach party.

This loose-fitting, lemony-fresh kaftan falls mid-calf and barely grazes the body. The fabric is handwoven in Ethiopia and has a sweetly boho twisted fringe hem. And despite the lightweight material, it’s opaque enough to throw on over a swimsuit for a meal at a beachside restaurant.

This billowy, tunic-length silk blouse is a staple of indie designer Ameera Hammouda’s core collection, which is sewn entirely by hand in her New York City atelier. Not only is the silk washable, its easygoing luxuriousness makes it a breeze to transition from poolside cover-up to polished evening look—particularly when paired with matching silk slacks.

Forget a Hawaiian-print muumuu—it takes even more confidence to pull off a print this bold. With its large pleated bell sleeves and flowy fit, it’s the perfect duster to wear sashed up over a swimsuit. The matching head scarf is included, too.