For years, I struggled to reconcile my love for fashion with the modesty I valued. Swimwear, in particular, felt like a battleground. I wanted coverage, but I also wanted to look good. Spoiler alert: you can absolutely have both.
Modest swimwear isn’t a style sacrifice,it’s a canvas. With the right styling hacks, even the most covered-up looks (yes, including a burkini) can be effortlessly chic. Ready to level up your beach game? Here’s how I do it, one wave at a time.
1. Accessorize to Elevate Your Look
Why it Works: The right accessories instantly turn your swim look from basic to bombshell.
My Go-To Move: I once wore a plain navy swim set on a beach trip to Santorini. Alone, it was simple. But with a wide-brim straw hat, oversized black sunglasses, and a gold waterproof watch? Total head-turner.
Styling Hacks: Reach for statement sunglasses, layered delicate necklaces (opt for waterproof materials), and yes, a dramatic hat never hurts. If you’re rocking a burkini, accessorizing can give your covered-up style an extra dose of glam.
2. Mix and Match for Effortless Style
Why it Works: Personal style thrives on creativity,and mixing different swimwear pieces helps you stand out.
Tried and True: I paired a bold geometric-print top with a solid high-waisted swim skirt at a family barbecue, and it was the most complimented outfit of the day.
Styling Hacks: Try floral swim tops with sleek black burkini bottoms, or play with tonal contrast, like pairing a blush tunic with navy leggings. Mixing textures or patterns is a great way to express your style without breaking modesty boundaries.
3. Layer with Purpose
Why it Works: Layering isn’t just stylish, it’s practical. It lets you glide from ocean dip to dinner date without a wardrobe change.
Fashion Win: I once threw on a pastel rash guard under my black zip-front swim top. It added a pop of color and kept me sun-safe and stylish all day.
Styling Hacks: Add a mesh cardigan over your burkini or layer a swim dress over leggings for extra coverage and flair. The key is in intentional contrasts, different colors, fabrics, or lengths that make the outfit feel styled, not just worn.
4. Experiment with Patterns and Prints: Make Your Burkini a Style Statement
Why it Works: When your silhouette is modest, prints become your power move.
My Favorite Look: A floral burkini I wore in Bali became my go-to swim outfit. Not only was it beautifully modest, but it was a full-on style statement.
Styling Hacks: Don’t shy away from bold. Tropical leaves, abstract art, watercolor patterns, your swimwear is your canvas. Prints also photograph beautifully, making your beach pics pop.
5. Choose Swimwear with Thoughtful Details
Why it Works: It’s the little things, ruching, slits, mesh inserts,that make an outfit memorable.
My Detail Moment: I wore a ruched olive-green swim tunic with side slits during a coastal getaway. It flattered my figure without compromising coverage, and yes, strangers asked where it was from.
Styling Hacks: Look for burkini designs with wrap tops, peplum hems, or subtle embroidery. These details add dimension, shape, and just the right amount of sophistication.
6. Balance Your Silhouette
Why it Works: Proportion is everything. Creating balance makes your outfit feel intentional and stylish.
What Worked for Me: I love pairing a flowy tunic with fitted leggings, it makes me feel streamlined but still modest.
Styling Hacks: If your top is loose, keep the bottoms sleek. If your leggings have volume or a flare, balance with a cropped or structured tunic. Even in a burkini, silhouette control is key to looking pulled together.
7. Personalize with Cover-Ups and Sarongs
Why it Works: Cover-ups aren’t just for function, they’re an extension of your aesthetic.
My Favorite Beach Trick: A bold red sarong turned my swim jumpsuit into a café-ready look in seconds. It gave me flair, function, and a serious dose of drama.
Styling Hacks: Kaftans, kimono wraps, and sarongs in luxe fabrics and vivid colors instantly elevate your outfit. Even a solid-color burkini can transform with a patterned wrap or knotted sarong.
Final Thoughts: Fashion Meets Modesty, And Thrives
These styling hacks changed my relationship with modest swimwear. No longer a constraint, it became a creative playground. I felt stylish, seen, and me. Whether you prefer minimalism or prints that scream personality, modesty and fashion are not at odds, they’re allies.
Got a favorite burkini look or a go-to hack that always works? Share it in the comments or tag me on social, I’d love to see how you style your covered confidence.
Image Credits: Julieverse
