What do you wear to the beach?

[brokenshoes]

I'm thinking British bucket-and-spade type beaches, not anywhere exotic!

I've never been very good at this. I always end up feeling very overdressed, but I'm not comfortable wearing swimwear.

Want to get a bit of an idea so can go shopping when the spring/summer stuff is in the shops.

I live on the South coast so go to the beach a lot - tend to wear stuff like a kaftan over a swimsuit and cropped leggings/trousers or skirt and tea shirt - I don't like wearing maxi dresses as they are not practical but I do wear a lot of cotton sundresses and cropped cardis if I am going somewhere like Brighton/Southsea/Bournemouth which may involve a nice walk along the pier/pint in a pub/fairground rides etc

I too south coast nr beach - sundress, cozzie underneath - I also take a big sarong /scarf round my neck - does for laying on, covering food, quick wrap up after jumping out of sea if a big self conscious, make shift shade - big sarong/scarfy thing is a must

and a hat

I have a cowboy hat :)

this is my favourite sundress I have had it for years

Ooh yes big scarf a must - in fact my mumsnet scarf is just right size!

I tend to wear shorts with a bikini under, then a hood, teeshirt or denim shirt on top (depending how warm it is). Then you can remove various layers depending on the sun.

Hoody, not hood (must adjust this over-zealous autocorrect).

just above knee board shorts (nothing underneath, soggy bikinis are uncomfortable) and bikini top/tank top. Rash vest if I will be swimming for a while to keep the sun off.

means I can swim and dry off afterwards, and happily move about without worrying about clothing slipping.

I am nearer fifty than forty. Quite happy to dress like that.

Thanks for these. I hate my legs, but like the sound of cropped leggings/sundresses/big scarves/hats.

I'm moving to the coast soon, so hoping to spend more time at the beach. What I wear needs to be practical too as I'll also be running around after a toddler.