A complete beach ensemble goes beyond a bathing suit. Beach cover ups are an important part of beach attire and serve the practical purpose of keeping a suit hidden until its time to swim. There are three main types of cover ups available: short, long and convertible.

- Short options for beach cover ups are perfect for ladies who want to be able to get some sun on their legs while keeping their suits covered. One of the most popular types of short beach cover ups is the tunic, a long, typically short-sleeved top that travels past the waist and skims the tops of the thighs. You can wear a tunic alone or with a pair of leggings or board shorts. Ponchos are another popular short option among beach cover ups. Similar in length to a tunic, a poncho does not have sleeves and instead is designed to pull on over the body.

- Long options for beach cover ups are perfect for women who have fair skin and need added sun protection or who simply like to go less bare until it's time for a dip. Long beach cover ups can easily double as casual summer dresses, making them popular choices for women who want to be able to have lunch or even do some shopping without changing out of beach attire. Popular styles of long beach cover ups include maxi dresses, which travel to the ankles, and high-low dresses, which are typically hemmed to or above the knees in the front and are longer in the back.

- Convertible options for beach cover ups give women the flexibility to change the style of their cover up with ease. With these types of beach cover ups, you can often change the neckline or straps, allowing women to fully cover suits of different styles without having to purchase multiple beach cover ups. You can also find convertible beach cover ups that can be worn both as skirts or sarongs and as dresses.