Question: what is beachy to you? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Question: what is beachy to you?

Joy

Veteran

The type of invitation that specifies a beachy setting is what makes me the most anxious. Having lived most of my life far from any beach makes it harder. I should put together some beachy looks while it's summer and I can find them, but what does an over-70 who can't wear sandals look for? Ideas?

Dressing

46 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

DonnaF

Veteran

Espadrilles, sky blue and coral colors, broad brimmed hat, semi-boho style?

rachylou

Veteran

Ya, ok, being in No Cal nothing says beach to me like a Puffy, Scarf, and Woolen Hat... Lolol.

Otherwise: capris, thong sandals, and a front-tied gingham shirt... Carribean preppy...

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Dear Joy, I would say the colours should do it. Blues, white, sandy or rock or coral colours. I feel sad to think of you being anxious about it xx

L'Abeille

Veteran

Espadrilles for sure; in fact sandals can be annoying on an actual beach, because the sand gets in your toes.

Real beach wear may consist of swimsuits with cover-up or short shorts with flip flops, but when I hear "beach vibe" I have a different picture in mind. Breezy flowy separates, like linen wide-leg trousers and tunic, in white or pale earth tones; wide-brimmed hats; casual maxi dresses. I'm sure you have the pieces to pull it off.

Sal

Veteran

I think either nautical looks or slightly boho looks can look beachy. A striped Breton top and sneakers or slip on shoes, or an embroidered blouse over jeans ( white) . Sometimes a nod to a theme is enough. Even just a wide brimmed hat.

True Story: my cousin had a beachy theme for her 21st party. I was a 20 yr old university student. I was going in a Hawaiian grass skirt with flowers and I think a swimsuit. On the morning of the party I was heading to a university pub crawl - it was a bike pub crawl. I fell off my bike- landed on my chin and had 11 stitches soon after. I never made it to the pub!! But I had to go to the party - but with a huge bandage on my chin I couldn't be a Hawaiian dancer..... so I borrowed a wetsuit and a surfboard and went as a surfer that was attached by a shark...... wetsuits are NOT comfortable party attire - I do not recommend this at all!!

Diana

Veteran

Light, breezy fabrics. Light or bright colors. Flat/low shoes or wedges. Minimal/natural hair and makeup. Accessories like straw hats or straw bags go a long way toward giving off a beach vibe.

I think one of your lovely kimono toppers would work perfectly!

Joy

Veteran

Thank you for these suggestions. I had not thought of espadrilles. I suppose my anxiety come from thinking of baring skin. I like the idea of wide leg linen trousers and maybe a Breton shirt, or boho top, Carribean preppy, maybe under a puffy with a hood or woolen cap under a straw hat. Sal, I loved your wet suit solution. Lots of possibilities.

Lucy

Veteran

I spend a lot of holidays at the beach and to be truthful too much skin is a pain - the Australian sun is not kind ! I think white linen is very Beachy. Maybe a white linen flowy too and pants ? I also like a nautical vibe. Sneakers are good beach attire - they don't call them "sand shoes " for nothing ! I'd think white, blues, sandy colours.

jussie

Veteran

I think any of your white outfits from the “rule-break” challenge the other day could work. Also your orange dress too.
I agree no need to bare too much skin if you don’t t want, light cotton print pants or linen pants are great for the beach. Or a midi skirt/dress with canvas sneakers.
Thin chambray is nice too.
Beach dressing is actually fun! Tommy Bahama is a good quality brand that I think you might like.

Astrid

Veteran

Yes, no need for a lot of bare skin! I think breezy outfits, nothing too dressy or tailored. Dressy casual outfits that could work on a windy day. Flat shoes, maybe some culottes, a boho top. Or a chambray shirt over white denim. Knitwear instead of blazers. Soft natural colors instead of bright loud ones (but that’s probably because when I‘m thinking of beach I think of the North Sea and not the Carribean).

Katerina

Veteran

Joy, I understand your concerns. I live by the coast, but the beach look/vibe is still difficult for me too. I would go for some flowy thin wide leg trousers, perhaps with some ocean evoking pattern and a thin, flowy top and light sneakers. Straw bag and/or hat are great ideas. I think you got really good suggestions here in this thread, It has been very useful to me too. Thank you for starting it.

cindysmith

Veteran

I vote nautical or boho. Boho would read California beachy, nautical would read more east coast beachy to my eyes

Joy

Veteran

So many great suggestions here.
Lucy, sneakers!! They should be good protection from sand and rock.
Jussie, good ideas. I actually have a Tommy Bahama swim suit.
Astrid and Cindy, good point about beaches in different places having different vibes.
Katerina, thank you for understanding. Ocean evoking pattern!
Can black be beachy? How about patterns of tropical plants or palms on dark backgrounds?
What brought this all on was a photo dredged up by Facebook of a beach wedding of a niece 5 years ago. I hated the way I looked. This same neice may be headed for a second wedding, and I want to be better prepared.

Liz

Veteran

Is this for an event at an actual beach, or just an event that has a theme? If you're actually on the beach, I'd dress for the sand, wind, sun, and weather first. Wide-leg trousers, flowy top, shift dress, etc. If you're actually at the beach, I'd ask, "Would I feel good wearing this standing next to the water and on sand, with the wind blowing?"

always trying

Veteran

hite sneakers,, just any plain ones as they go with almost everything.

kkards

Veteran

to this east coast girl, nothing says beach like Lilly Pulitzer....and here she is looking all beachy and no skin....anything floral especailly if paired with pink, beachy...i think of cons and keds as the ultimate summer shoe, so to me beachy....Espadrilles, 100% beachy....topsiders aka boatshoes, cann't get more beachy than that...

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like the others have you sorted, Joy. No need to reveal skin at all and plenty of closed shoe options.

Sal, that costume sounds hilarious! You were a good sport about it.

Bonnie

Veteran

I'd probably look at Anthro for a dress like this one.

Akemi + Kin | Anthropologie Shiloh Embroidered Tunic Dress

View Info

Top Pick

5

Joy

Veteran

Bonnie, that is a beautiful tunic. Maybe over the full white linen pants?
Suz, yes, lots of good ideas here.
Kkards, those prints do sing and I like the coverage.
Always trying, high sneakers to keep the sand out?
Liz, you are wise to consider wind, and that's a great question to consider.
Real beach or just beach theme, my closet is unprepared

Cardiff girl

Veteran

All good suggestions above.l totally agree that the vibe can come from colour and pattern.You don’t have to wear a bikini and I was laughing along with Sal. I too once thought that it would be a great idea to wear a wetsuit to a beach themed party.After 10 minutes I was ripping it off and I didn’t smell too good either!Howyou stood it ,Sal,in the Australian climate I cannot comprehend .

Jenni NZ

Veteran

NZ climate Cardiff girl, we are across a sea from Australia and we are not usually quite as hot.
Joy, I like the ideas including black background top with little palms or tropical flowers. Only thing I don't like is the third pic of Lilly Pulitzer. She totally, totally looks like she is wearing pyjamas there and just hopped out of bed and put on some pink shoes and a cardi over her shoulders. Please no for our elegant Joy!

Aquamarine

Veteran

I skimmed most of the suggestions and agree with them. For a dressy beach event, like a wedding, I’d consider a breezy maxi dress, which you can wear with espadrilles. I live close to the ocean, and that’s what a lot of women wear to dressy and casual summer events.

The Cat

Veteran

Some ideas:
● A casual maxi dress or a kaftan
● A casual cotton skirt (perhaps wraparound, or pareo) or cotton crops
● A casual, but romantic cotton blouse or a simple tank top
● Espadrilles or canvas sneakers
● If you need a topper over your sleeveless dress or top: a big white button-front shirt
● Straw hat
● Purse materials: straw, cotton (perhaps quilted), or macrame
● Sunglasses
● Colours: beige, blue, torquoise, sea green, white, light grey, sun-bleached shades
● Prints and patterns: Stripes, shells, sea stars, boats, sails, waves, seabirds, suns, clouds, palms, parasols, sunglasses, ice cream ...

● Jewellery:
● Shells
● Pearls worn in a casual way, like tiny ones in twisted beads or one chunky one worn as a pendant necklace
● Turquoises
● Amber
● Glass
● Motifs like fishes, sea stars and shells

jussie

Veteran

One of my absolute favorite labels has a very beach theme to it. It’s winter at the moment but they’re still quite beachy: https://www.augustine.co.nz/pr.....2980p.aspx

Alicewonderland

Veteran

White flowy linen shirt tied at the waist, paired with light colored crisp pants rolled at ankle or a skirt. Add straw hat and sunglasses for sun protection.

Scarlet G

Espadrilles, straw hats, capris, long, loose skirts, dresses made of breezy fabrics... they all speak summer to me.

Staysfit

Veteran

I would probably pick a maxi wrap dress and espadrilles. A straw hat and bag.

Joy

Veteran

Scarlet and Staysfit, you describe lovely outfits. I do not fill out wrap dresses, so avoid them but a wrap skirt ( do they still make them?) is a different story. I am adding a big straw bag to my shopping list. I have some hats, although they are too big to stay on with wind. Espadrilles and/or boat shoes go on the list too.

Like the Season

What about one of your column of white outfits with turquoise or cobalt blue jewelry? You have a number of beautiful EF pieces, as I recall. Flowy natural fabrics would work, wouldn't they? How about your orange EF dress? That might be lovely with sky blue accents.

12