Freshen Up Your Summer Cover-Ups

BEACHWEAR. No other clothing classification can conjure up a sense of summer like that one can. The sound of thwacking flip flops is music to a Minnesotan’s ears. 

Now, as we approach the hot, sticky, dog days of summer and our overworked passes are put to good use, it seems it's our overworked beachwear that puts the "dogged" in dog days. As much as you relish in the relaxation and recreation of swimming with the kids, throwing on that tired, sun-baked, chlorinated cover-up is almost unbearable.

Let the second half of summer's sun and sand be infused with some easy, breezy, fresh pieces of clothing to throw over the bikini or tankini.

Dresses Double as Cute Cover Up

Tube dresses, maxi dresses, sun dresses and strapless dresses all dress up your beach look. Buy machine washable cotton and you've got a practical, but pretty cover-up that can go from Byerly's to the beach or  to the pool.   

Maxi dresses are all the rage.  store buyer/manager Lyndsey Mallak pointed out a perfect-for-the-pool "parasol print" maxi dress by Tori Richard.

"Summer is not over," Mallak said, smiling. "You still want to look great at the pool."

The fashionistas at suggest a terrrific tube dress to cover up in style. Their Santoori Tube Dress is available in five prints including Mini Flower, Aztec, 70's Boho, Indian, Border Flower and it comes in a maxi length too (Aztec Maxi black or brown). 

feature simple strapless dresses on the floor that could easily double as a swimsuit cover. The vivid print of the Double Zero dress would look sensational with a solid color suit of almost any color.

Stay cool, but covered up as you watch your little ones at the kiddie pool in a long-sleeved, lightweight number from  They offer a summery white, embroidered dress by 3JWorkshop that would be sensational over a swimsuit and paired with an easy espadrille.

Mix Things Up with Summertime Accessories

Hats

Your look will be made in the shade with a skin-protecting beach hat. Nani Nalu is bursting with wide brim hats to add style to an otherwise ordinary beach outfit. 

Headbands

Consider a trendy headband to add a contrast color to your sunkissed tan. Amore and Fede Sales Associate Sheri Andersons said the "brightest ones sell best." At only $10, their little headbands are a smart buy that looks even smarter.

Sunglasses

Yummy, yellow aviators are fun for the beach. has tons for less than $15.

Footwear

Freshen your step with some fabulous new flip flops! Nani Nalu features footwear with fun, flirty, fushia flowers.  

Beach Bags

Not only neccesary to carry your Nook and your Nano, a beach bag is a wonderful way to add a new color, pattern or print to your swim ensemble.  

Terrific Tanks and Short Shorts

If you ride your bike to the beach with a Burley behind, a tube dress is obviously not ideal. Brighten up your overworn, overworked beach clothes with a new pair of crisp white shorts and a terrific tie-dye tank. 

Summer is short. Wear it well. More ideas for freshening up your swim ensembles are shown in the above photo gallery.