14 Beach Vacation Outfits Vogue Editors Swear By

August is when life truly slows down: Summer Fridays are put to use, that long-awaited vacation is (finally) here, and a thoughtful reset before fall becomes a necessity. Our editors have spent the summer making the most of their time away from New York: Greek island-hopping, Texas road trips, Canadian hikes. But the most popular travel itinerary? A white-sand beach, an 8+ UV index, and a new novel cracked open before noon.

Crafting the perfect vacation look, though, takes a thoughtful eye. So for anyone squeezing in one last escape before summer clocks out, we asked our editors to break down their go-to beach uniforms. Do you lean minimalist, focusing on sleek silhouettes and elevated essentials? Chloe Malle, Vogue’s head of editorial content, favors a colorful mini dress from Matteau, layered over a black bathing suit and finished with T-strap sandals and a raffia hat—proof that simple does not mean boring. Or are you more of a maximalist, looking for prints and statement accessories? For a trip to Spain, fashion market editor Andrea Zendejas reached for a lime green tank, printed bloomers, and a red beaded necklace—a sweet playful statement for touring cobblestone streets.

No matter your style niche, discover your next vacation essentials below as 14 editors break down their beachside uniforms.

“I love a T-shirt dress over a swimsuit with waterproof sandals and a big sun hat!”

“Beach and pool days for me require a versatile wardrobe that are a riff on my preppy/classic style: I like a linen shirt, sleeves rolled up past elbows, over a one-piece (this one from Lido is the new colorway of the blue one I love). Shorts that aren’t too short or too long always work well for my height, and—while I’m not a flip-flop girlie regularly—a jelly flip-flop for ease. I love the idea of anklets in the summer. I plan to stack a couple of them when I finally take my vacation at the end of August.”

“I just got back from two weeks in Greece where I alternated most between pieces from Suzie Kondi, Comme Si, and Matteau. I always feel more carefree on vacation and love dressing up at night after hours in the water. Accessories are a great way to make the clothes I rewear feel fresh—Juju Vera’s Olympia cuff was one of my favorite things I packed.”

“Earlier in July I took my holiday in Formentera. These were the pieces I wore most: a long sarong from Chan Luu, a lightweight cotton shirt from Skall Studio, and my trusted black string bikini and rubber flip-flops. Accessories wise, I always have a sun hat to cover my face and I usually start the day wearing some iteration of summer jewelry, but it likely comes off later on in the day. When worn together, it’s the most versatile. With the shirt tucked in it’s enough coverage for a beachside lunch or village stroll, and without it’s laidback enough for wet hair, sand, and sunscreen.”

“This summer, my beach look has revolved around a perfect pair of tie-dye Bather swim trunks. I’ve been wearing it with colorful tees and leather flip-flops; I always want to be in a beach look that I could also wear, like, to a restaurant afterwards. My netted Lemaire bag and A$AP Rocky-designed Ray-Bans help add to the polish factor.”

“My vacation wardrobe doesn’t stray too far from my everyday styling ethos—I’m not fond of color, can you tell? I like to pack things that mix and match, and with neutrals, the combinations are endless! Anemos makes my favorite one-pieces, and Janessa Leone makes my favorite hats! New on the list is Underwater Weaving baskets, for the beach and beyond.”

“My vacation essentials always include a straw hats and bag, and of course, a swimsuit! I personally love this strapless Eres bikini to wear under sheer or netted cover-ups; it’s a good option for tanning, too (no tan lines!). I love colorful separates to add pops of color to the rest of my neutral vacation essentials.”

“I’m heading off to Greece this week for a quick summer holiday. My carry-on is already packed and waiting by the door (can you tell I’m excited?). After a panic splurge I leaned into minimalist silhouettes with a playful twist to build out my vacation wardrobe.”

“I love going out right after a long beach day which means that I want to make sure that my beach look is cute enough to take me from sand to bar without a whole shower and routine in between. I have some great vintage Pucci and vintage Marc by Marc Jacobs caftans and coverups that I’ve collected over the years which make for the perfect fit. Hunza G makes my favorite bathing suits and I’ve had the ones in my closet for years and years although I may invest in this new yellow colorway I spy on MyTheresa. A flip-flop is a classic for a reason and Havaianas are my go-to summer shoe brand. I have a bunch in different colors because they’re so easy and fun to wear with whatever!”

“It’s always some variation of a swimsuit conducive to tanning and a pareo to wear to lunch, plus my trusty pair of Birkenstocks to navigate rocky terrain. (I’ve lost many a Havaianas in pursuit of a remote beach.) All other essentials, like books and sunscreen, go in my big jute market bag.”

“My beach look is consistent trip after trip. I normally do a classic black bikini, but I’ve been loving a good one-piece lately—paired with a comfortable flip-flop and a flowy kaftan cover-up. I like to wear a crochet cap (if I’m not wearing a proper sun hat) and am always on the hunt for new colors. Anything else I take with me, I throw in a netted or raffia tote. Oh! I also do not vacation without an anklet. How cute is Ana Lucia’s?”

“My summer vacation style is fairly similar to my summer in the city style: a little Posse baby doll dress with the Jimmy Fairly Emmy sunglasses (the only sunglasses I wear!), but I swap out my ballet flats and work tote for a pair of slip-on sandals and colorful beach tote!”

“Whenever I’m vacationing by the beach, I make it my mission to prioritize ease—I pack items that are comfortable, lightweight, and a breeze to style in a number of different ways throughout the trip. My Janessa Leoné hat and a Hunza G swimsuit always make the cut. New to the mix for me are mini cover up dresses from Minnow, which are ideal for beach days thanks to their soft cotton fabric. I often opt for a pair of A. Emery sandals, and my red Celine sunglasses. I never leave my SPF behind, and right now, I’m loving the Barefaced Sheer Protection SPF. I toss it in my favorite raffia bag by Sézane.”

“My vacation look doesn’t stray too far from what I’d wear on a weekend in the city, minus the swimsuit. My lazy summer day uniform is tank, slip skirt, and flip-flops. I love this Charlie Beads skirt because it adds a touch of whimsy to an otherwise quite minimalist outfit. Like everyone, I’ve been loving teal this season, so I had to find the color in bikini form. I like it in contrast to my pale yellow Havaianas. And city or beach, rain or shine, I will always have a ridiculously large pair of sunglasses on, for the sun protection, sure, but mostly for the drama.”