A cover up dress is a lightweight, easy-to-wear dress designed to be worn over a swimsuit. It provides a little more coverage between the pool or beach and wherever you're headed next — whether that's a casual lunch, a walk through a resort, or just relaxing in the shade. Most styles are made from quick-dry, breathable fabrics that feel comfortable over wet swimwear.

Cover up dresses are typically made from more lightweight, sheer, or open-weave fabrics that are designed to be worn over a swimsuit rather than as standalone pieces. That said, many summer cover up dresses are styled well enough to wear on their own for casual warm-weather occasions. It really comes down to fabric weight and how you style it.

Many cover up dresses double beautifully as casual summer dresses, especially in more opaque fabrics or relaxed silhouettes. Pair with sandals and simple jewelry and you have an effortless warm-weather outfit that works well beyond the beach.

A flowing maxi or midi cover up dress is a versatile choice for beach vacations — it offers comfortable coverage for long days in the sun and looks polished enough for casual dinners or resort settings. For more active beach days, a shorter casual cover up dress gives you freedom of movement while still looking put-together.

A strapless cover up dress pairs naturally with a strapless or bandeau bikini top underneath. Keep the rest of the look relaxed — flat sandals, a woven bag, and minimal jewelry work beautifully. If you're heading somewhere a little more dressed up, add wedges and a simple earring to elevate the look without overcomplicating it.