Its a Cover-up: Beach Style

I am on a new mission - the beach cover-up look. In all honesty, with three very young children, I am not exactly at the beach on a regular basis, but we are going to be at least poolside ... and its good to feel you have just the right amount of exposure!

Before children you could arrange yourself in all the right positions and stay there without interruption, as well as taking along lots of tiny bits of clothing to match your bikini. Now I'm not saying that it is impossible with kids to feel good, but they're a lot more active, and you have a lot less time for yourself! I've noticed I'm not 100% comfortable roaming the beach/pool in just the cossie - for a number of reasons, not the least being a child pulling too hard on my top ... so I'm looking at a few options.

Kaftan top or Mini dress: Especially in low-end stores like Supre. There are a great selection of cute dresses which work well for the beach (or dinner afterwards with capris or jeans and flats).
Shirts: The long-sleeved voile, muslin or cheesecloth shirt which comes thigh length and this year, may have a drawstring on the hip. These fabrics are often a bit sheer and lighter than cotton. This style works well on narrow hips, or over some drawstring pants in a similar fabric.
Shorts: If you're confident showing a bit of leg, shorts are a fantastic option. Alternately, longer shorts are great too. Ben Sherman and Jeans West have some great possibilities.
Sarongs: We love sarongs! They are very versatile and come in a huge variety of prints and colours.
Pants: Drawstring sheer fabric pants either full-length or 3/4 are great too as they can be worn off the beach. If you have longer legs 3/4 pants look good, but an ankle length pair is best if you are shorter.
Denim Mini: If you feel a bit overexposed at the shopping mall, the beach or pool is where the denim mini is a great option. This summer there a variety of lengths and styles to choose from and the effect is very cool - literally- and a little bit funky especially if worn with bright coloured tank or even a kaftan style long sleeved top.

Big hats, big glasses and big beach baskets are de riguer!

Just a thought- if your swimming costume is a printed design go for a solid colour skirt or top- ie don't mix prints. Of course if your cossie is for eg brown, then you can choose some great prints.
From upmarket to budget the following stores will provide you with some great finds.

David Jones has a wide range of various cotton shirts and sarongs, as well as beach bags.

General Pants have mini skirts and currently a very fun tote bag with skull and cross bones prints and cane handles.

Witchery have great long sleeved cotton shirts with V-neck in orange white or blue.

Target have great 3/4 sleeved cotton shirts to mid-thigh, drawstring mini dresses and some very groovy designs in the Hot Options brand.