Modest Swimwear for the Summer Heatwave

posted on: Jun 25, 2025

By: Katie Beason / Arab America Contributing Writer

As temperatures across the Northeast hit record highs, thousands of people are flocking to beaches and pools to escape the heat. This can present a challenge (and an opportunity!) for women looking for more modest swimwear options, which the fashion world isn’t always quick to provide. 

As the Summer heats up and the sun’s rays get stronger, women prefer more coverage at the beach for a variety of reasons. It may be a matter of modesty, a fashion statement, or just looking for a little bit extra sun protection, more and more women are looking for long-sleeved, swim skirts, or full coverage burkinis.

Here’s some outfit inspiration and brands recommended by Arab America contributing writers, no matter what your preferred level of coverage!

Mix and Match Swimwear

It’s helpful to have a trusty cache of swim shorts and skirts to add to swimsuits that don’t offer enough coverage. If you prefer the pattern of a suit but don’t like the cut, try adding a matching skirt. You could consider a swim shrug, which can cover the shoulders, neck, and bust. Often, mixing and matching can get you to your preferred level of coverage while offering flexibility and creativity.

Brands like Geode Swimwear and Coolibar offer a wide variety of swim shorts, skorts, leggings, and rash guards, including UV protection, which bring elegance and personality to your beach day outfits.

Left: Geode High-Waisted Swim Shorts | Center: Coolibar Kaycos Shrug | Right: Lyra Dana Set

Try UV-Protective Brands

Swaths of women have been looking for UV protection in their swimwear, as anti-aging efforts become increasingly in vogue on beach days. This offers more styles for women looking for more coverage for any reason, especially from brands that traditionally cater towards less modest swimwear trends and can provide some long-sleeved or high neckline alternatives to more revealing trends.

Coolibar, Land’s End, and Niswa Fashion all include UV resistant and protective technology in their swimwear, and offer a variety of styles for different levels of coverage. Land’s End, a tried and true brand for all things outdoors, offers a variety of patterns and colors in one-pieces, shorts, skirts, and dresses to find your level of coverage.

Niswa Fashion offers elegant full-coverage outfits, which look classy and timeless as a set or offer options for mixing and matching. They also offer swim caps that match their sets.

Left: Land’s End Swim Dress | Center: Niswa Fashion Mira Swim Set | Right: Coolibar Aire Sleeve Swimsuit

Retro Swimwear

One guaranteed way to find more options for modest clothing is to wind back the clock. Consider taking a more retro route to find new summer styles! Sheila brings silhouettes iconic of the 80s back as sustainable swimwear in bold colors.

Jessica Rey offers a variety of styles and patterns straight out of the 50s and the 60s, as well as inclusive sizing for people of different body types.

If you’re looking for something less form-fitting, try the A-line dresses of the ’60s and ’70s. Pair with leggings for some extra coverage.

Left: Sheila’s Mina One Piece | Center: Jessica Rey Marie Swim Dress | Right: Land’s End High-Neck Swim Dress

The beach should be accessible to everyone who wants to beat the heat, regardless of what someone chooses or chooses not to wear. Exploring different levels of coverage can help many women feel more comfortable and confident. Other brands to consider include Modefa (recommended by other Arab America contributing writers), Modanisa, Hazel Blues, and Swimsuits for All.

Note: This article does not endorse the linked products, nor does Arab America derive a profit from the sale of these items.

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