A tan line is worth a thousand words. It reveals the shape of those few teeny scraps of fabric that make up your summer swimsuit. What will yours say about you? Will you go retro in high-waisted bottoms and an underwire top? Will you get girly with rows of ruffles? Or will you go the road less traveled with quirky cool one-pieces? No matter what your style is, our picks for this summer’s chicest swimwear are bound to make a statement so beautiful it may even distract from a killer sunburn (but, for real, don’t forget the SPF!).
1.UNDERWIRE
For those of you as obsessed with J.Crew as we are, this is your go-to top. Underwire tops are a staple in the brand’s swim collection and are the perfect way to add a little “oomff” to your beach look. To avoid looking like you swapped your bathing suit for your bra, try a fun bold pattern. Dip into this season’s tribal print trend with this little ikat number from J.Crew or go flirty in this floral piece from O’Neil
2.BANDEAU
Forget strap tan lines in a sweet bandeau top. Bare shoulders makes this style flirty, but the rectangular cut keeps cleavage covered up. It’s the ultimate balance of sweet and sultry. Black and white gingham gives this Shoshanna top the perfect touch of retro.
3.RUFFLE BOTTOMS
Layers of ruffles will accentuate certain, uh, assets and leave you looking as cute as a cupcake. For a small dose of this trend, try bottoms with a ruffle trim. Add sum pinstripes, like those in this Marc by Marc Jacobs suit for a punch of prep. Or, go all out in full on ruffles for an extra girly vibe. How chic will this coral miniskirt-esque Juicy Couture bottom look peeking out from an over-sized denim button down on the beach?
4.HIGH WAISTED BOTTOMS
Trust us on this one: high waisted bottoms can be sexy and chic! Just turn down the grandma factor by sporting the trend in a print she would never wear (unless, of course, she’s a “glam”-ma). Leopard print adds the perfect dash of edginess to these Motel bottoms.
5.QUIRKY ONE PIECES
If you’re going to cover up that smokin’ hot body in a one piece, you should make all that fabric worth it in a head-turning graphic print. Rihanna looks fierce in her We Are Handsome feline suit. If you’re looking for something on the sweeter side, suit up in a fruit print like this Delia’s pineapple suit. And, seriously, just try not to smile when looking at these poppy butterflies fluttering all over this Nanette Lepore cut out one piece.
So,Chictopians, what swimsuit style do you feel chicest in?
by Missy Steinberg
Cover image via Marloes Horst for Seafolly
