You’re at the beach or the pool and you’ve got your banging swimsuit on. You want to stay modest out of the water, though, or maybe you don’t plan on swimming at all. Do you reach for a pair of thin, fabric shorts and a white cotton shirt?



I say halt! Put the shorts and the T-shirt down and step away slowly. It’s summer, darling; let’s have some fun! Bring out the chiffon and the beads, the crazy prints and the wild colors. Summer is our chance tease in something sheer or to bare skin in a tube, halter or goddess-cut outfit.

The key to summer dressing is to bring some glamour into the proceedings. Pretend you’re an heiress entertaining guests in your yacht or off inspecting that private island you’re planning to buy.

Here are some ideas:

1. Colorful maxi dress
   Want to look chic and put-together while remaining comfortable in the heat? A light, brightly-colored maxi dress (with or without a wild print) is your best bet. You can wear this from the breakfast buffet to minding the kids at the pool all the way to after-dinner socials with the adults. Just remember: since this is so covered-up, balance the modesty (and stay cool) by picking a revealing top: tube, haltered or one-shouldered. Pair with chunky bangles and some fly shades and people are going to think you own that resort.
    
   
   

   Left, stretchy one-shouldered dress with wooden shoulder treatment, Coco Cabaña (SM Department Store); right, ikat-print halter maxi dress, Terra Nova.

2. Sheer caftan
   Maybe it’s from watching one-too-many Pinoy films from the 1970s, but to me a caftan screams Doña. Don’t you think of Celia Rodriguez terrorizing some poor girl in one of these? 

A caftan is dramatic and will keep you cool and comfortable while covered. Pick sheer fabric to keep that sex appeal intact and avoid having the garment look overwhelming. Play off the drama by wearing it with an embellished swimsuit, chunky necklace or dangly earrings.
    
   
   

   Fuchsia floral caftan with beaded neckline, thrifted from Magarbo

3. Light separates
   Are you the type who wears your swimsuit in the car, jumps out as soon as you get to the beach and runs into the surf whilst peeling your top off? You want separates. Instead of shorts and a tee, why not try pulling a floaty mini and a cotton halter over your two-piece? It’ll keep you cool and fresh while remaining functional. Bonus: a light white cotton skirt dries easily and makes a good alternative to a swimsuit bottom cover.
   

   Cotton halter top, People are People; skirt, bought at a tiangge in Puerto Galera

   

   But if shorts are really, really your thing, choose fun surf shorts that are graphic and swim-able. (Please, no denim cut-offs in the water EVER.) I know sometimes sizing is an issue with surf shorts. Try SPF in Glorietta – found my size 36 surf shorts there. 



   Pair the shorts with the halter or a lightweight cotton tee in a bright color or funky tribal pattern. I got a couple recently at Forever 21 and they are so comfy and beach-perfect!
   
   

   

   One of my Forever 21 finds, a lime-green tribal print shirt

4. All-in-ones
   If there’s any place where a jumpsuit or a romper instantly looks chic and cool, it’s near water. An “all-in-one” should be worn casually and breezily, making it perfect for the beach (and harder to pull off at, say, the mall.) I haven’t gotten one of these myself, but here are some cute ones I spied at Multiply:
   
   

   Trendphile tube/halter jumpsuit, P720

   
   
   

   I Love Dollhouse tribal print romper, P599

Are you excited for summer? Where are you planning to go? What are your summer dressing staples?

Katrina Atienza, writer, wife, mom of two and fashion devotee, blogs at Plus Size Fasyon Mudra. Follow her on Twitter (@iggyatienza).