Top tips on beachwear from Next

Well summer 2012 has sure arrived prematurely and with earlybird holidaymakers taking advantage of some quick-start sun abroad, it's time to start thinking beachwear.

When it comes to summer clothes shopping, UK shoppers tend to get ultra over-excited about the prospect of a spot of sun, buying supremely ‘on-trend’ items which, alas, in real terms - and real British weather - never find a platform, let alone a clear day on which to be busted out. However, if you’re lucky enough to be jetting off on an exotic vaycay you can take the issue of cover-ups and hot weather clothes far more seriously. Indeed, as many of us are unaccustomed to the intense sunlight in countries across the south of Europe and beyond, it’s imperative to have a few good cover-up options; and if they’re going to look super-hot as well, all the better.

Maxi dresses have been an essential warm weather look for nearly a decade now, and have, mercifully, come a long way since the J-Lo slash-front Versace number and WAGs summer World Cup looks way back when. The maxi dress has now matured into a key piece for work, spring wear and casual city weekends. But on the beach is where it comes into its own, doubling as an instant, all-in-one cover-up and a gorgeous option for evening wear (that will cover any sunburn if need be!). This scarf print maxi dress from Next is a case in point – slinky and off-the-shoulder, ideal for the night time, but also perfect dressed down with flat tan sandals and a floppy sunhat.

The maxi dress above showcases another key trend – the retro 1970s print; and it’s not the only area of beach cover-ups that is making the most of inspiration from the past. Playsuits and jumpsuits have come back into their own in recent years – something the fashion critics probably woulda balked at ten years ago.

Short, flirty strapless playsuits are ideal for active holidaymakers who want something to cover a bikini but not flounce about and get in the way. Perfect with flip flops or espadrilles; and a longer jumpsuit, again with a bit of shoulder exposed, is ideal for evening dressed up with wedges or a chunky heel.

Posted on May 28, 2012 at 12:25:02 by The Real Runway