The weather outside is still pretty cold here in Chicago, but spring break is close enough to start dreaming about cute beach wear ideas to fill our closets with sunshine. Ready to get planning? From kaftans and cover ups to ladies white sliders and the perfect hot one piece swimsuit, check out the best buys for spring break at the beach.

Bikinis are a great style staple for beach trips.  Sweet, ruffled silhouette like the one on this Sea Level frill bikini top is lady-like and lovely. But this season, the hot one piece swimsuit will rule the shore, thanks to its ability to show just enough skin to be both sultry and mysterious. For a style that recalls those Pam and Tommy beach vibes, try this Billabong High One-Piece Swimsuit.

The scoop neck, low back and cheeky seat coverage are sizzling hot. Then, the mild stretch from the elastane construction makes it easy to jog, play volleyball and swim with no fear of slippage. And the 69% recycled polyester blend? Well, that makes this swimsuit a hot selection for cute beach wear ideas, and a great choice for the planet.

Prefer something with a more classically feminine vibe? The Henley style and pale pink palette of this Float on Classic One Piece Swimsuit from L Space. Plus, with sweet 90s styling, and slightly more coverage than the previous style, this hot one piece swimsuit may be a more comfortable selection for moms traveling with kiddos over spring break. Still, if these one pieces don’t offer enough coverage, adding kaftans and coverups will keep the sun and stares at bay.

Going classic with the cute beach wear ideas? There’s nothing like this Crochet inset long cotton cover up to deliver St. Barth’s vibes, even for travelers going no farther than the local beach club. Unlined and with a front tie closure to allow that cute bathing suit to peek through, the full-length hemline and short sleeves offer just the right amount of coverage. And that 100% cotton construction? It will feel like heaven on a hot sunny day by the ocean.

Of course, for a coverup that lends itself to a sporty seaside day, this Island Calling Long Sleeve One Piece Swimsuit really delivers. Delivering 50+ UPF sun protection and a stretchy blend of recycled nylon and elastane, this one piece makes it easy to move—without stopping to reapply sunscreen. Available in size small through XL, this coverup runs small, so size up for better comfort and fit.

With the suits and kaftans covered, it’s time to add sweet slides to the list of cute beach wear ideas for spring break 2022. Looking for pairs that will go with everything in the suitcase? Grab one of these ladies white sliders—the perfect neutral shoe to pair with anything from resort wear to swimsuits and more.

First up? These go-with-everything Tory Burch Double T Sport Slide Sandals. The sleek leather construction and rubber sole marry elegance with practicality. And, these days, Tory Burch is basically a must for high-end vacation styling. So these ladies white sliders are basically non-negotiable.

Of course, for the sportier traveler, a more rugged design is in order. In this case, Sam Edelman’s Ariane Platform slides are a better choice. The sport-inspired 1-inch razor lugged platform heels offer a nice counterbalance to the slide’s elegant buckle hardware. So, thanks to this combination, the slides work just as well with a rash guard as with a flowy sundress.

Anyone can throw together a swimsuit and slides and tag their beach #OOTD on Insta. But for cute beach wear ideas that truly stand out in a crowd—or on a feed—accessories are non-negotiable. Getting a beach hat online is a great place to start the accessorizing, as it adds instant glamor to any beach look, along with a dose of practicality and sun protection. And this braided straw hat from Madewell would be a perfect choice, since it’s classic styling and neutral color pair well with every vacation outfit.

Sweet shades are also important, and here again traditional silhouettes are always a great choice. Forget the trendy cat-eyes or rainbow bright shades and pack these 51mm Le Specs Bandwagon shades. Delivering oversize elegance in a range of elegant earth tones, they stand out without taking the focus away from other elements of style.

Of course, adding a pop of color is a welcome choice for sunny styles. And the best way to do so is with accessories that are easy to swap out, like these Baby Mushroom drop hoop earrings from Hola Amor Estudios. Made from glass and freshwater pearls—themselves, an ode to the ocean—the pretty pastel palette of these handmade earrings serve up vacation vibes all day long.

Finally, don’t forget to think about toting all that beach gear in style. Throw a pretty beach bag in the suitcase, like the Isabella Tote, or Ryan Tote, both from BTB Los Angeles, and any outfit will feel complete, thanks to the earthy vibes of their woven construction.

Ready to complete that spring break packing list? Never forget the sunscreen…or a signature scent that matches the magic of the getaway. Of course, changing perfumes for vacation isn’t absolutely necessary. But it is a lot of fun, especially when the new scent is as luscious as Chanel’s COCO Mademoiselle. Equipped with two 0.7 oz atomizers—the perfect size for travelers—the combination of orange, jasmine, rose, patchouli and vetiver set a fun and fruity backdrop ideal for sun-seekers.

And while signature scents are far more fun than practical matters such as sun protection, forgetting sunscreen is one sure-fire way to ruin a vacation. Don’t wait until the last minute, and scramble to buy sunscreen at the hotel or by the pool. Instead, pre-order and pack this Supergoop! Glowscreen Broad Spectrum sunscreen. Offering 40 UPF protection, it’s also tinted and moisturizing, so it doubles as a makeup primer too, meaning packing will be so much simpler.

What cute beach wear ideas will make their way onto your spring break packing list? Any hot styling ideas to inspire fellow travelers? Share your ideas in the comments below!