Up the oomph quotient: Beat the heat this year with breezy beachwear

While the perfect swimsuit is your best friend when hitting the sand, great beachwear is a must for staying laid-back yet stylish at all times.

While the perfect swimsuit is your best friend when hitting the sand, great beachwear is a must for staying laid-back yet stylish at all times. That long-running beach staple, the sarong — usually worn tied around the hips — should be banished to the back of wardrobe for 2016, as floaty dresses, tunics and playsuits are hot looks this season.

This ‘Malibu’-print pink and blue beach dress is made from sheer fabric and has a split at the thigh. It has beaded detail on the chest and crisscrosses the neck and back with straps for a glamorous touch. (AFP)

Sarongs are certainly practical beach cover-ups for hiding a multitude of sins when strolling on the sand, but they can’t match beachwear garments on style and sophistication.

This season, beach dresses flirt playfully with sheer fabrics and sport details that nod to catwalk style. With a definite boho vibe, they’re perfect for days at the beach. Plus, unlike sarongs, beach dresses are a great way to change looks on different days of a holiday.

Made from imported Italian silk, this tunic is great for the beach or for a chic summer look about town. It can be worn as a standalone garment or over a swimsuit. (Shan)

The playsuit is another popular option for 2016, seen in plenty of beachwear brands’ collections. These all-in-ones are easy to put on, and can take you from beach to town with comfort and style in the blink of an eye.

As well as being this year’s hottest beachwear items — ready to accessorize as much as you like — playsuits and dresses are a great way to stay chic when retreating to a restaurant or grabbing a cocktail.

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