If you think your boyfriend’s oversized t-shirt makes a great swimsuit cover-up, I beg of you – think again!  A swimsuit is one of the sexiest things a woman can put on.  Why toss a big shirt over it when you have so many cute, sporty, sexy options? 

If you are a fun-lovin’ sporty gal that plays volleyball on the beach and doesn’t worry about her hair and nails while she’s out loving the sun, check out the Atlantica from instyleswimwear.  It is cute and athletic but still fun and flirty. 

For a touch of the exotic, go for a kimono style cover-up.  Evoke an air of the Orient with long, draping sleeves; a short, swinging skirt; and a banded, cinched waist.  In the right fabric, a kimono cover-up can also double as a cute shirt to wear over jeans (a smart move for the budget conscience fashionista!)

Perhaps your daydreams involve being swept off your feet by a handsome stranger as you stroll down the beach with the sun is setting over gently rolling waves.  If you are a wistful dreamer, a strapless dress cover-up is the one for you.  A personal favorite of mine is the Abstraction by Sunflair.  Check it out at swimwearboutique.  A cover-up like this takes you from strolling on the beach to dinner at an ocean side restaurant without having to run home to change in between.

Do not overlook the classic cover-up – the sarong. A sarong is a square piece of fabric that can be draped and tied around the body in a variety of different ways. From the smaller ones that are tied around the hips to the larger ones that can be tied into a complete halter dress, a sarong is the ultimate cover-up when it comes to convenience.  Easy to pack, easy to wear, and always flattering, a sarong should be staple item in your beach bag.  They also make handy blankets for warming up or sitting on when the sun goes down on the beach and the bonfires come out!

The swimsuit cover-up gives you a whole other fashionable dimension to play with.  When else can you get away with wearing something super short or very sheer in public?  When else can you toss on something strapless without worrying about what kind of bra to wear underneath?  The cover-up gives you a chance to express your personal style in a fun, casual way.  So go ahead!  Toss the t-shirt and give your swimsuit the opening act it deservers!