Plus-Size Beach Dresses Shopping Guide

Just like any vacation locale, there’s an unofficial uniform for spending a day (or a week, if you’re lucky) at the beach. For Paris or London, you might want to invest in a sleek all-black ensemble. If you’re headed to the desert, a bohemian dress will do the trick. And for anywhere tropical, plus-size beach dresses are a must. The question remains, though—what, exactly, makes a perfect beach dress? (Allow us to investigate.)

First and foremost, a beach dress should be incredibly easy to slip on over your swimsuit—even after you’ve taken a dip in the ocean and gotten yourself covered in sand. Look—no one has time to struggle putting their clothes back on before you head from the beach to dinner. This means that loose silhouettes and light fabrics are your best bet here. Think: flowy maxi dresses or smocked minis. These are pieces that make getting dressed a breeze.

But ease is only one piece of the puzzle. Plus-size beach dresses must (must!) also be comfortable enough to wear all day. Perhaps you’d rather stroll along the shore than sunbathe in your bikini. In that case, your outfit has to cool and comfy. On hot and sunny days, it’s never a smart move to wear anything thick, tight, or itchy—so lightweight dresses that feel almost like you’re wearing nothing are key.

Of course, perhaps the most important aspect of a beach dress is its versatility. These beauts have to go from wadded up at the bottom of your tote bag to looking incredible at beach-front restaurant. Whether you’re taking a break from the ocean to grab a quick lunch or don’t have time to change your ‘fit before dinner, you shouldn’t have to worry. Plus-size beach dresses look just as cute on the sand as they do at the table. And you shouldn’t accept anything less.

From adorable mini dresses to sleek maxis, there’s a beach dress for every kind of tropical vacation—even if that means sitting in your backyard with an inflatable pool. As long as you feel cute, cool, and comfortable, you really can’t go wrong.