Traditionally, when packing for a day at the beach, be it on vacation or just a nearby strip of sand, one would pair their swimsuit with one of two things: a pair of shorts or a cover-up. It’s basically always been this way, and in some ways, I’m in agreement that what’s not broken doesn’t need to be fixed. But then I saw a few cool dressers ditching both of the above options for a slightly more unconventional beach layer. Suddenly, beach pants are a thing, and while your legs might get warm, they certainly look chic, especially when you go the un-subtle route, opting for playful bottoms as opposed to simple white or ecru-colored linen. (Plus, they offer increased sun protection, which is something I’ll always back.)

This is just one of those trends that pops up, then pops up again, and before long, every seaside person you follow has tossed out their long, sheer dresses and denim cutoffs in favor of something a bit more interesting—like, say, a sheer pair of genie pants or some intricately patterned High Sport kick flares. It’s fun to change things up, and honestly, the beachwear space was in need of a shake-up.