Kaftans

What do you reach for the moment you step off the beach? For so many women, it is that one beautiful, flowing piece that makes the transition from shoreline to seafront café feel completely effortless. Beach kaftans and cover-ups are more than just something to throw on - they are a considered part of your beach wardrobe, as carefully chosen as the swimwear beneath. At Simply Beach, we have been hand-picking the most elegant, flattering and beautifully made kaftans and beachwear for over 25 years, and this collection reflects everything we know about what women truly want when they step onto the sand.

What do you reach for the moment you step off the beach? Beach kaftans are that effortless, elegant layer that transforms a swimsuit into a complete look - and our hand-picked collection brings together the most beautiful styles from designer brands we trust. From flowing silhouettes to vibrant prints, find your perfect cover-up here.

Beach Kaftans and Cover-Ups: The Art of Effortless Elegance

There is something quietly luxurious about a kaftan that works as hard as the swimwear underneath it. The best beach cover-ups offer a silhouette that feels relaxed without looking thrown together - a fluid drape here, a thoughtful neckline there, a print that catches the light in exactly the right way. Whether you are heading to a sun-drenched pool terrace, a clifftop restaurant for lunch, or simply settling in for a long, golden afternoon by the water's edge, the right kaftan makes every moment feel more considered.

Our collection spans everything from lightweight tunics and beach dresses to longer, more dramatic styles that billow beautifully in a sea breeze. You will find pieces in soft, breathable fabrics designed for warm-weather living, with details that speak to quality - embroidery, jacquard weaves, tonal prints, and thoughtful trims. Brands like Iconique offer wonderful pieces that bridge the gap between resort wear and relaxed elegance, while Pitusa and Greek Archaic Kori bring a more bohemian, artisanal feel to the collection.

Choosing Your Perfect Kaftan: Style, Length and Occasion

One of the most common questions we hear is: how do I choose the right beach cover up dress for my shape and style? The answer, as with all great swimwear decisions, starts with thinking about how and where you plan to wear it. A shorter kaftan or tunic works beautifully over bikinis for poolside days when you want ease of movement, while a longer, more sweeping style offers that resort-chic feel that takes you seamlessly from beach to bar.

• Longer kaftan styles pair beautifully with a one-piece swimsuit beneath - the length adds drama without competing with your swimwear, and the result feels polished and complete. Browse our swimsuits for elegant options that work beneath a flowing cover-up.
• Tunic-length kaftans work especially well over high-waisted bikini bottoms or a classic black swimsuit - the proportions feel balanced and flattering for a wide range of figures. Our black swimsuit collection offers plenty of sleek styles to pair with.
• Kimono-style cover ups and open-front pieces layer effortlessly over both swimsuits and bikinis, offering that breezy, open feel that is perfect for warmer climates or evening terraces when the temperature drops just slightly.
• Crochet and woven styles add texture and artisanal character - worn over a bright bikini set, they create a beautiful contrast that feels fashionable and relaxed at the same time.

For those who love to coordinate, consider pairing your kaftan with one of our sarongs for a fully considered, resort-ready look. The combination of a flowing kaftan and a softly tied sarong is a timeless beach formula that never feels overdone.

Women's Beach Cover Ups: What We Look For When We Buy

With over two decades of experience sourcing swimwear and resort wear from the world's finest brands, we are deliberate about what earns a place in our women's beach cover-ups collection. Fabric quality is non-negotiable - pieces that wash well, hold their shape, and feel as beautiful at the end of a holiday as they did on the first day. Fit and drape matter enormously, which is why we look for styles that flatter across a broad range of figures without relying on being overly fitted or structured.

We are also drawn to pieces that carry a sense of personality - whether that is a bold animal print, a refined monochrome jacquard, or a hand-finished crochet edge. A beach kimono or kaftan should feel like an expression of your own style, not an afterthought. It is the piece you are seen in as you walk across a sun-bleached terrace, and it deserves the same care and consideration as everything else in your beach bag.

For those looking to complete their beach wardrobe beyond the cover-up, our range of kaftans sits alongside a wider world of beautiful resort pieces, including beach trousers and relaxed summer separates that carry the same commitment to quality and style.

Beach Cover Ups UK: Designed for Real Life, Real Holidays

We know that a beach holiday - or even a long afternoon by a garden hot tub - is one of life's genuinely wonderful moments. The right beach cover up plays a quiet but important role in how confident and comfortable you feel throughout that day. It is the piece you pull on for a poolside lunch, the layer that keeps you warm as the sun begins to dip, and the outfit you wear for that long, golden walk back to the villa.

Our beach kaftans are chosen with all of this in mind. We stock pieces from brands we genuinely believe in - designers who understand fabric, colour, and the particular demands of resort dressing - and we make sure every style in this collection has been considered from the perspective of real wear, not just the lookbook. If you have questions about fit, fabric, or which style might suit your particular trip or occasion, our team is always happy to help with personal advice by phone or email.

Whatever your destination - a Mediterranean coastline, a UK spa break, a rooftop pool, or your own sun-warmed garden - there is a kaftan in this collection that will make you feel exactly as elegant, relaxed, and beautifully dressed as the moment deserves.