Over 50 Style: Lowdown on Beach Cover Ups

The weather report for Memorial Day weekend in the New York area is iffy at best—chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday. Not great weather for the beach weekend I’ve got planned. However, Monday is supposed to sunny and in the 80s. In anticipation of my seaside weekend, I went online looking for a swimwear cover up last week. I was tickled to see how many of the current designs embrace 2011 fashion trends. Case in point: the lovely V-neck Jen Kao Drifter Slip Dress ($495) at the top of this post. I love its feminine draped sides and handkerchief hem. It covers, but in a light, breezy way, making it a perfect choice for steamy summer days at the beach or by the pool. Below is a sample of other current trends popping up in cover up designs. I've chosen cover ups for women over 50 from the collection at Shopbop, but you'll find trendy cover ups at all the online major department stores.

ROMPER ROOM AND MORE
Rompers and jumpsuits are in the fashion magazines, but I’ve yet to see them on the street. I'm more than a tad skeptical about rompers on over 50 women for everyday styling. But I like it as a comfortable beach or poolside cover up. Here's one from my idol Diane von Furstenberg. What do you think?



Diane von Furstenberg Cori Cover Up Romper (was $210, now $147).



Or how about a trendy long, flowing cover up?




Thayer Sophisticate Cover Up (was $207, now $144.90)


WHITE WONDERS
White is everywhere, including swimwear, this season. Here are two all-white cover ups...




Diane von Furstenberg Mya Cover Up (was $195, now $136.50)



I saw an over 50 woman in a lace top last weekend and she looked smashing. Here's a lovely Milly Vallarta Crochet Cover Up (was $258, now $180.60). Sorry, only sizes Petite and Small are available.





TUNIC TURNS
Tunics are a classic cover up style. However, tunics are also a trendy street look for 2011. Here's a couple of the latest tunic cover ups...




Diane von Furstenberg Zuza Cover Up ($195.00)






Joie Joie a La Plage Embroidered Bahamas Tunic ($198)