Need a lightweight cover-up for the beach or pool? This no-sew DIY beach cover-up is breezy, cool, and ready in minutes.
How to make a swimsuit cover-up from a t-shirt
With beach season approaching, I planned a short getaway with Ellie and realized I didn’t have a comfortable option to throw on over my swimsuit. I didn’t want anything fussy or time-consuming, and I didn’t want to sew. I wanted a relaxed, beachy piece that felt light and effortless. The solution was a simple no-sew cover-up made from an oversized men’s t-shirt.
This project took me about 10 minutes from start to finish. If you have a roomy t-shirt and a pair of scissors, you can turn it into a versatile cover-up or a casual dress suitable for warm-weather days — not just at the beach.
DIY beach cover-up (no sew)
Materials
- Large men’s t-shirt (oversized works best)
- Fabric marker or chalk (optional, to mark cut lines)
- Sharp scissors
Directions
- Put the t-shirt on to decide how low you want the front opening to sit, or lay it flat and mark the desired depth for the neckline.
- Cut along the front mark to create the front neckline opening. Cut the same shape on both the front and the back if you want a symmetrical look.
- After cutting, this is how the front will look.
- Here’s the back after cutting.
- Cut down the center of the back opening to create two straps.
- Tie the front pieces into a knot or bow for a simple, stylish detail.
- Bring the back straps up and wrap them around your neck, then tie them behind your neck to create a halter-style look.
- Trim any excess fabric if you prefer a neater finish, or leave longer straps and experiment with different ways to style the cover-up.
- Try different knotting and wrapping techniques to change the silhouette — you can wear it as a short dress, a tunic, or a loose cover-up.
This quick, no-sew cover-up is perfect for slipping on after a swim or wearing over a bikini at the beach. It’s lightweight, comfortable, and customizable depending on how you cut and tie it.
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