The "mom beach style" is the trend of the summer A conscious, fun and above all easy to replicate way of dressing
While Sydney Sweeney is (once again) reigniting the conversation around the sexualization of the female body, others are embracing a decidedly more measured aesthetic. It’s not a revolutionary way of dressing, but rather a conscious choice: we dress for ourselves. We want to be comfortable, look cool, and feel good in what we wear. So, in response to micro-bikinis and ever-shorter mini skirts, a style is making a comeback, one that blends French layering with the relaxed vibes of an Italian summer. They’re calling it the mom beach style, but reducing it to a "mom on holiday" cliché would be a mistake. This new beachside aesthetic knows no age: it's a stylish answer to the desire to feel elegant, authentic, and photogenic, even with (more than) two layers on.
Mom beach style: from Alexa Chung to Kylie Jenner
It all started, ça va sans dire, with Alexa Chung. In June, the it girl's vacation looks from the Amalfi Coast went viral on Instagram: high-waisted swimsuit, linen shirt, scarf in her hair, flat sandals, and raffia accessories. No flashiness, just a perfect balance between body and coverage, all with her signature British charm: slightly undone but always put-together. Hot on her heels came Kylie Jenner - not exactly known (until now) for modest dressing - who, during her Italian getaway with her kids, wore polka dot bikinis with matching capri pants, headscarves, and oversized straw totes. Even Rihanna gave her own cool twist to the trend with jelly flip-flops, a bandana, and a maxi skirt (with a slit, of course).
Layering, scarves and oversized sunglasses: style that also shields
The key remains the same: build your look in layers, and throw in at least one bold accessory. Lightweight shirts, sarongs, lace shorts, oversized sunglasses, straw bags, and wide-brimmed hats don’t just "cover", they tell a story. If the early 2000s bikini was a statement, today it’s all about the opposite: we dress with an eye toward the sun, our skin, and (unfortunately) time. The mom beach style isn’t nostalgic or modest: it’s intentional. It evokes boat trips, reading under a beach umbrella, and slow lunches with sandy feet.
The five essentials of mom beach style
The mom beach style boils down to a few key pieces that blend function and fashion. First up: the one-piece swimsuit. No longer just the “mom suit” in the boring sense. Today, it’s tailored to perfection, with square necklines, thick straps, or retro details. In solid shades (white, red, navy) or geometric prints, it doubles as a bodysuit under shorts or sarongs. Over the swimsuit, the undisputed layering queen: the shirt. Linen or cotton, preferably oversized. White, striped, or in muted tones (sage, terracotta, sand). Wear it open over your swimsuit or tied at the waist: it blocks the sun, dries quickly, and screams Côte d’Azur chic. A strategic accessory? The scarf, of course—wear it in your hair to shield from sun or wind, tie it around your neck or your bag handle for an ultra-chic vibe, even if you’re still in flip-flops. Speaking of bags: the straw tote is a timeless must-have. Roomy, lightweight, and ultra photogenic, especially in oversized format with handmade detailing. And for footwear? Skip the heels. The mom beach style is all about comfort: gladiator sandals, flip-flops, or even bold jelly sandals à la Rihanna. From beach mornings to terrace aperitivos: no outfit change needed. This (old) new aesthetic rewrites the rules of summer, bringing body care and sun protection into the fashion fold, with a timeless look that sparks creativity and invites you into your grandma’s closet. In the best way possible.