How to Wear a One-Piece Off the Beach (It’s Possible!)

1. Flare Jeans + Sneakers

Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise Vintage Flare Jeans

This is one outfit combo I wholeheartedly believe should be worn separately: flare jeans + sneakers.

New Balance 530 Sneakers

Pairing flare jeans with sneakers (especially more technical or athletic styles) truly ruins the whole ‘fit. While flare jeans are definitely more retro, sneakers have a modern feel that easily clashes. Plus, you don’t want to add more bulkiness at your ankles and make your look, well, look sloppy.

We The Free Good Luck Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans

Instead, save your flare jeans to wear with heels or tall boots, and rock your fave walking sneaks with trendier jean styles like mom jeans or barrel jeans.

2. Socks + Sandals

Doublesoul Bekah High Socks

If you know, you know. Socks and sandals can be super cool, but only really when you’re kickin’ it at the campsite. Otherwise, it can make your outfit look conflicting, because while sandals are meant to be breathable, socks add an unnecessary layer of bulk that fully defeats their purpose.

3. Denim + Denim

Mother The Loop De Loop Denim Jacket

Hear me out: denim on denim can definitely be done in a very stylish way. I love rocking a Canadian tux every once in a while, but only when I know for sure that the washes of denim I’m wearing are matching!

BDG Shelly Boxy Denim Chore Jacket

If the shades of denim you’re wearing don’t match or complement each other, your ‘fit can really lack balance, and people won't be able to tell whether you’re wearing it confidently or ironically.

4. Turtlenecks + Shorts

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Turtleneck Sweater

This “weird” outfit combo is weather confusion at its finest. While turtlenecks give off a cozy, cold-weather vibe, shorts scream summertime. This extreme contrast can make your look very bare-bones and generally odd.

Abercrombie & Fitch Sloane Tailored Shorts

If you really want to wear these pieces together, opt for a lightweight turtleneck top to wear with tailored shorts for warmer weather – the less-bulky layers will make more sense together. Plus, you’ll be more polished.

5. Tights + Jorts

A New Day Viney Floral Tights

This throwback look has not aged well – though we used to see a ton of people wearing tights or leggings underneath their jean shorts in the early 2010s, it just looks tacky nowadays.

We The Free Tippi Denim Shorts

The combo can often look outdated and overly layered, as if you couldn't commit to wearing just shorts or just tights. It’s just confusing – opt to wear one or the other!

6. Flip Flops + Cargo Pants

Shade & Shore Palmer Square Toe Flip Flops

It’s giving Justice and Limited Too vibes… but those stores are in our past for a reason! Flip flops and cargo pants also boast a sense of confusion because while flip flops are inherently laidback and beachy, cargo pants are bulky and often made to be more functional (something flip flops are totally not).

Abercrombie & Fitch Baggy Cargo Pull-On Pants

Since cargo pants take up more room on your silhouette, they can also highlight an obvious imbalance if you’re wearing low-profile flip flops.

1. Neutral Beige

Open up TikTok, and you'll find that neutral colors, especially beige, are totally "in" among younger generations. From camel wool coats to tan accessories, these warm hues are considered classic and refined.

However, they also have the potential to make you look older than you are. Shades like beige can wash out your complexion, giving you a flat or lifeless appearance.

To avoid getting bogged down by your own clothing, try mixing beige with bolder and richer tones, like navy or deep jewel shades.

2. Too Much Gray & Black

We all know that black is generally considered the most flattering clothing color. Its darkness helps smooth out our silhouettes and hide imperfections that lighter colors, like white, would immediately call attention to.

But even though both black and gray are extremely versatile and easy to mix and match, wearing too many dark hues can create harsh contrasts and cast sharp shadows on your face that inadvertently highlight fine lines and wrinkles.

The key is to soften your outfits whenever you can by incorporating warmer tones. If you're wearing a black or gray blouse, for instance, layer a brighter cardigan or blazer on top.

Also, the type of black hue you choose does matter. Those with fairer skin tones should opt for a softer charcoal black, which results in a less jarring contrast.

3. Soft Pastels

Now that we're rounding the corner on spring, you may have plenty of pastel garments in your closet just waiting to be worn. Unfortunately, you might want to think again.

Even though pastels give off a fresh aesthetic, they're not always the best choice if you're going for a youthful look. The lighter tones can emphasize eye changes as you get older– such as pigmentation of the eyelids and a duller appearance of the sclera or the white part of your eye– and make your eyes appear sunken.

That's why it's advised that you stick with slightly deeper or richer tones to complement your complexion.

4. Monochromatic Outfits

Finally, monochromatic outfits are also back in style, but wearing the same color from head to toe might make you look more mature.

The key to appearing youthful is being thoughtful about contrast. You can still look sleek while mixing in different shades. Pairing a cream sweater with deeper tones, like a mocha skirt or boots, will add a lot more depth.

And if you ever feel like your outfits are falling flat, remember that accessories are your best friend. A bold scarf, baseball cap, fun purse, or statement necklace will instantly help your look feel more dynamic and lively.

e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner

This is by far the best drugstore eyeliner out there. Designed with a convenient retractable (no-sharpen!) tip, it's super easy to take on the go for any touch-ups. Plus, the color payoff and wearability of each shade is insanely impressive.

If you're looking for an eyeliner that, no matter the circumstances, does not budge, this $5 is the perfect pick-me-up. You can find it in a handful of different colors to suit your makeup needs.

Promising review: "I can’t believe I’ve been trying to make felt tipped eyeliners work for so long. Usually I put on felt tipped eye liner and it barely shows up, maybe my eye lids are watery or oily. So naturally within a hour or two it doesn’t even look like I’ve put on eye liner. This is not the case with this elf eye cream retractable liner. It actually shows up right away, it also lasts for hours. Even after 8 hours there was still some on my eyes, although I did need to re apply in some spots. It also didn’t smudge. For it to last at all and not smudge is amazing for me."

Nivea Body, Face, & Hand Moisturizing Cream

Though some people may see this $10 tinned cream as truly "old school,"many others still hold it near and dear for its ability to moisturize and heal dry skin in need of nourishment.

The thick, non-greasy formula is chockfull of provitamin B5 that really sinks deep into the skin. The best part is it's really gentle, so you can use it on your face, body, and hands.

Promising review: "Nivea is a great product. My parents always had a tin of it around. I've continued the tradition. It is a wonderful thick cream that moisturizes well. Great value for the price, as a little goes a long way. Softens rough skin."

TONYMOLY Petit Bunny Lip Gloss

This adorable bunny-shaped lip gloss is enriched with vitamin E for soft lips and a pinch of pigment so your pout gets a nice wash of color. It comes in a convenient stick form that's super easy to travel with!

Right now, 6 different shades of this gloss are on sale for $6 (originally $8). Snag one before the sale's over!

Promising review: "I am really happy with this product. The tint is very pretty, and not too pigmented. I am very picky about the texture of my lip glosses and lip balms and this one is lovely."

Versed Sweet Relief Night Mask + Face Balm

B+C Affiliate Writer, Meredith, truly cannot get enough of this stuff from Versed. It's a thick, moisturizing face balm that really nails down the 'slugging' skincare trend without totally swamping your skin. It is fairly oily and shiny after one application, so she recommends using it only at night – and you'll wake up with a glowy complexion!

Its $10 (was $18) formula is loaded up with bacuri and kokum butters and apricot kernel oil that are all dedicated to protecting the skin barrier. Though these ingredients may sound intimidating, the product is still wonderfully gentle overall for any skin type.

Promising review: "I have very sensitive skin and LOVE this as an overnight moisturizer. It's thick but a little goes a long way. The winter where I live is very dry. I use it every night before bed, my skin feels great in the morning! It's neutral smelling but I prefer that."

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo

This $7 (was $10) shampoo will set all your hair growth goals so right. It's made with rosemary and mint essential oils that help stimulate the scalp for better growth, along with biotin that ensures your locks don't lose moisture during the washing process. Snag the coordinating conditioner to get the full benefits (read an editor's review here)!

Promising review: "This shampoo is my favorite. It has a nice smell and gives my thinning hair a lot of volume and softness. Lathers well. Packaged well, no leaks. Hair loss has slowed down some. I will definitely continue to use."

e.l.f. Cosmetics Glossy Lip Stain

This $6 (yes, $6!) lip stain is unlike most lip stains in the way that it boasts a fun, glossy formula. Where some leave-on lip stains may dry up and make your lips look crusty AF (hate that), this one nourishes your pout, all the while leaving a nice wash of color behind.

This e.l.f. product stole the heart of B+C Affiliate Writer, Meredith, for its natural look, comfortable wear, and undeniable affordability. Its low price of $6 makes it so easy to try out the lip stain trend without going all-in! There are also so many shades to pick from, so you're sure to find one that suits you perfectly.

Promising review: "This was the first time buying any thing that was being called a lip stain. I didn’t want to spend a lot since I wasn’t sure if I would like them or if they worked the way people said they did. This goes on very easy and I have only used it a few times now, but it did last for a number of hours and did not come off when I ate or drink anything. I have thinner lips, but I like at this at least helps them show up more and when I don’t want to wear a lot of color, this is a soft neutral."

Method Pure Peace Body Wash

This $8 body wash smells like heaven, truly. With notes of peony, rose water, and pink sea salt, it's perfectly feminine and clean and feels like a total treat in the shower or bath. Though fragranced, it's still gentle on the skin and provides a good amount of moisture after each use!

This body wash from Method also boasts a unique biodegradable formula made with plant-based cleansers that contains zero parabens or phthalates to ensure healthy skin 24/7.

Promising review: "I was hesitant to buy this as I was not sure about how the scent would be. I am pleasantly surprised.
It has a simple rose smell, but it's mild and lacks that perfumey, cloying sort of smell that can happen with floral scents. Very simple, like I'm rubbing roses on myself. Not super strong, it lingers but doesn't feel like it's following you around all day either."

Essence Lash Princess Mascara

This $5 mascara definitely doesn't feel like it's $5. It undeniably volumizes and lengthens your lashes in a few simple swipes, all without those pesky clumps you might expect from a more affordable product.

The brush itself features an easy-to-use conic shape that lets you access the entirety of your lashes for a cohesive look, too!

Promising review: "What a little hidden gem this is. I first saw this on a you tube video and decided to try it. The bottle is adorable, but the contents will blow you away. It's probably the best mascara or one of the best that I have ever used. It was very inexpensive so even though the woman on the you tube video was saying how great it was, I wasn't expecting it to be all that great, but was still curious. I'm really glad I bought it, because it is the best mascara from a company no one probably even knows of because it is not mainstream. Buy it! I think you will love it!!"

Cocokind Mymatcha All-Over Moisture Stick

Infused with caffeinated matcha, this one-of-a-kind $9 moisture stick is perfect for combatting everything from dry lips to tried under eyes. Its formula is 100% vegan and super gentle on the skin, so people of any skin type can try it out.

The wide shape of this balm-like moisture stick allows you to cover a good amount of real estate on your face or any dry patches elsewhere. It has a very slight matcha-y scent, too, for all you matcha fiends out there!

Promising review: "I have used these moisturizing sticks since I was pregnant with my son 7 years ago. I used them all over my face in the harsh winter months working at a ski resort and now under my eyes as a sleepy mama to a toddler. Great for preventing windburn and easy for kids to use. I can throw this in my son’s book bag for school when he plays outside in -30 degree weather and don’t have to worry about it getting all over his hands or leaking. No funky ingredients. No synthetic fragrances. We love it."

Wet Brush Original Detangler Hair Brush

The Wet Brush is a team favorite around here. It's gentle, lightweight, and oftentimes comes in the cutest colors and patterns to make our hair care routines more fun.

If you're still using your old, ratty hair brush, the flexible bristles on the Wet Brush will feel like a total treat on your head. They help minimize breakage while still effectively detangling your locks. We're simply obsessed with this $7 rainbow colorway, too!

Promising review: "It glides through my hair effortlessly, detangling without pulling or causing breakage. The bristles are gentle yet effective, making it perfect for both wet and dry hair. Plus, the color is so pretty! If you struggle with knots or just want a great everyday brush, this one is a must-have!"