It’s that time for the monthly Signature Style and since it’s July- ( I know can hardly believe it), Cindy and I are sharing our choices and ideas for swimwear and coverups.
By time you reach mid-life you either hate or love swimsuits. It’s a lot to do with our body perceptions. The thing is, we need to embrace the bodies we have and find swimwear that feels good.
In ten years will you care about what you looked like on the beach or will you be more glad you frolicked in the water? I would hope it’s the latter.
Life is short and we need to have fun and love ourselves- as we are. The older I get, the less I stress about my body shape.
I find five years out, I look back at my body and think I looked good, but didn’t think it at the time. Let’s enjoy the now and find what feels good and lets us enjoy vacations, and sunny days.
Yes that’s me, in one of the rare times I grabbed a pool float and chilled a bit. Max snuck this picture!
I love that at the beach and pool, I now see so many women of all sizes embracing their bodies and wearing some very cute swimwear. In Hawaii and in Tahoe, I saw so many lovely swimsuits.
Let’s talk about trends
For 2023, one shoulder, cut-outs, metallics, ruffles and florals are all popular. We are also seeing more versions of swimwear with sleeves and shoulders. The simple suit shapes like maillots of the 90’s are back- as well as the extreme high cut legs of the 1980’s.
I think I told the story before, but I remember working at Bullock’s a very nice department store in college and a woman called the swimwear department ( which I happened to be working in), and demanded we cancel her credit card because of a ‘risqué’ advertisement showing a Norma Kamali high cute swimsuit.. That lady would be flipping out now with the thong suits that are everywhere..It makes me laugh as those suits were scandalous, but Norma still sells them and I think I had a blue metallic one way back. ( All her classic suits can be found here.)
Speaking of classic suits, I also had the good fortune to meet Esther Williams when she was designing suits back in the late 80’s. She came to Nordstrom in Palo Alto and was lovely. Her suits which looked a lot like the Norma Kamali swim dress would still be chic today. I remember my mom being thrilled as she was a synchro swimmer in high school and had shown us all Esther’s fun swimming films. ( Note if you haven’t watched these like ‘ Million Dollar Mermaid’ they are a fun summer binge.
No matter what the trends are, when in comes to swimwear you have to find what works for you and feels comfortable.
My swimsuit favorites
One chic trend that is flattering and I continue to love is the one shoulder or asymmetrical swimsuit. It looks sexy and chic, without too much cleavage. J. Crew started this and they still have the best swimsuit. I love their swimwear and their version holds you in, with some support, but doesn’t feel like an old lady suit. I have this in the safari color and black below…
The one shoulders also give great styling possibilities with beach pants and shorts or sarongs..you can even wear it as resort wear and out to dinner they look so good. I saw this striped version on a gal in Tahoe with nearly identical white beach pants and it looked fab.
I also love their blue floral print in this look. J. Crew ran with this print and has a matching coverup (love that), sarong, and rash guard.. It also comes in a maillot and a two piece in same pretty fabric.
Other great options in the one shoulder look..
I am obsessed right now with The Body Suit Swimsuit – also called a paddle suit or a rash guard suit. In Hawaii I noticed more women than ever were in these suits and they are remarkably flattering not to mention smart to protect your skin. I saw one nearly identical to this version by Johnny Was.. I also adore this one right, by Trina Turk who makes a whole range of these suits.
I appreciate all the options in rash guards also. This by Tommy Bahama is cute..
More pretty offerings..
Bandeau suits are very popular. This ruched bandeau one piece from J.Crew is also one of the highest rated suits and even women with larger busts liked it. I may give one of these a try and they have an extra strap for around the neck if you need extra security. Tommy Bahama also has good bandeau suits and I hear from friends they love them.
I like the classic black.. and this floral, both linked in photos.
Some cute bandeau styles I noticed..
The classic black one piece is always stylish, hides and minimizes and is eternally popular. I always like to have a black one piece and have had many iterations of them. They are the epitome of chic. Pair one with a sarong or a cute white coverup and hat you need nothing more.
More options in classic black..
Coverups & More
You can make you coverups do double duty as a dress or tunic, and visa versa- use what you have in the closet as a coverup as well.
My very favorite is this Sundress by Carve I’ve shared before that is a longish rashguard that doubles as a coverup dress. Feels great in the sun too as it stays cool and has adjustable sides.
Coverup Dresses made of swimwear have entered my radar and I recently shared my first one from Trina Turk on a recent Hawaii trip blog. These are super comfortable, don’t wrinkle, pack well, stay cool while you sit in them on the lounge chair or at the beach bar.
You can also get them wet in the waves and they dry fast. Mine below is sold out, but the one at right is also super discounted and very similar.. More swim tunics here.
I also adore this fun new version of a swim material coverup dress at Trina Turk..
I have two newer cotton coverups – this black long tunic shirt by O’Neil..
…and this white coverup by Robin Piccone which also comes in black. ( I love it’s fringy sleeves and the tassels.)
I’m also carrying my new crochet beach bag from Tory Burch. It’s been my handbag this summer and I’m loving it.
A few other things mentioned or you may need..
If need a cute beach tote, I shared the cutest beach bags I spotted in Hawaii recently.
I will update this post as I see new things throughout the season!
If you missed last month’s Signature Style, we shared Summer Sandals.
Now stop by Cindy’s blog to see what she is sharing. .
Thanks for being here!
Kim
If you’d like to get an email when I publish, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.
Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!
Fabulous post! Thanks. You know how to live dangerously with your phone on a float!
ALL the children at our club wear shirt bathing suits…I got one for our granddaughter. Now I want one.
LOL well it was a rare day doing that! Mary Ann yoou and Louisa need to get matching ones.. I know the kids are well-protected so why shouldn’t we be? I am over showing so much skin too. xo
Hi Kim
I love J Crew’s offerings but have found in my old age they don’t provide enough support in the bust. I have that one shoulder and love the style. I need heavy-duty support at my age ha ha! You still look darling in suits and coverups. I need to get this old body in shape!! I agree about the rash guard tops. I have one that is on it’s way right this very moment. I need the two piece version due to my long torso!
Cindy I am a large cup size and the one shoulder provided a lot of support. I can’t speak for the bandeaus which I think may not.
Yes the rash guards are so cute. I just ordered the one piece version, so I’ll see if it works for me.. and I have a short waist! xo
I love your advocating for enjoying the water and not worrying so much about the bod. I have admired the one shouldered swimsuits I have seen and ordered a well reviewed one but the unstrapped side did not keep the girl covered and is going back. Is there a secret?
Penelope I did not have trouble with that with the J.Crew one. Possibly it’s because it’s a lot higher on the chest than the other asymmetrical versions. Did you try theirs? I have even went boogie boarding in mine and swam pretty far in Hawaii and it stayed up. I can see that might happen with the lower one shoulder ones. xo
No, I did not try the J. Crew. It was a cute and well reviewed Albion. I will check out your suggestion.
I just saw that brand ! Thanks I will check that out too Penelope.
I CANT remember the last time I had a bathing suit on!
Those days are long gone for me but you look GREAT IN A SUIT.
Xxx
I don’t look like I once did, but it’s okay. I’m trying to enjoy the water more and the beach..Plus I have some great coverups! x
I love J Crew suits too. I have an average bust and they do fine for me. I like the Summersalt styles, but the brand just doesn’t fit me well. I have really bad varicose veins, so no suit covers that up! I love sarongs and long coverups for that reason!
Gray, I have a larger bust and they have worked, especially the one shoulder with the higher neck. There’s a lot of support on that one. I haven’t bought Summmersalt, but heard a lot about it. I also have veins.. and cellulite, spots and all that. Sarongs and wraps are so good and I also love a little self-tanner xx
adorable! you look so cute and are having fun wearing the dreaded swimmies!
Aw thank you Dianne. I do what I can try and enjoy even though I have issues too.. xo
Lovely post and the sentiment about getting out there no matter your body type is a good one. And those of us battling a bit of weight it helps to be active and get a bit of color. That said, I agree with Cindy. As one ages sometimes “the girls” need more support!! I was a B cup forever and then slowly creeped up to a D. I need a suit that holds me in and creates the illusion of a better figure. And those suits are harder to find. I so appreciate you guys tackling this subject. And your cute coverups help a lot!!
Thanks Leslie.. I really feel like we all have body issues. I agree a bit of color even from a bronzer or self tanner helps right? I am with you that my cup size has grown as well.. I want to be minimized! And I am also all about cute coverups! x
Oh, Kim! As always your words are like a soothing balm. You could read a jillion “articles” about swim fashion with no mention of just embracing your body and my first thought would always be, “These suits are cute, but”… *some self deprecating thought about my bod!* Here you say, I got you covered… or not covered and it’s all okay- wear these cute suits, embrace fun and love yourself! Lol Thank you and hope summer is treating you well!
Nicole you are the nicest! Thank you for this comment. You made my day. Have fun and get out there!
I hope your summer has been great too! xo
I love those Tory Burch sandals with your black swim coverup! I’m glad you’re enjoying them!
Thanks Jeanne I am so glad I bought them too! Loving them with all my summer clothes. x
Hi Kim,
I embrace everything you said about loving the bod you have and just be at peace with the imperfections that you think you have. Women are so hard on themselves. No one has the so called perfect bod.
The swimsuits you featured and coverups are great.
Your pool float is so cute, great shot Max. Your mobile is living the life on the edge, danger zone.
You look comfortable in your swim suits, No aur brushing either on this girl, yay for you. Some magazine should put you on their cover.
You are the sweetest Katherine. Very true why do we judge ourselves so harshly? Also we need to see more real women.. with all our real selves not airbrushed and filtered. I’d like to see that on some covers.. Not me though. xoxo
Lol I know I stopped the phone after almost dumping over
What great swim suit suggestions. You look great in a suit so enjoy. I haven’t worn a suit in years but love the one shoulder suits you share here. Another good blog. Thanks.
Sheila thank you so much! Try those one shoulders. I swear everyone likes them! Hope you enjoy summer. xo
So glad you two are covering swimwear this month … and I agree we need to move beyond allowing concerns about our bodies preventing us from enjoying sun, sand and splashing around the pool and ocean. After years of not getting into suit and avoiding warm weather vacations I finally tossed that silliness aside and I’m so glad. It’s very freeing. I love the one shoulder suit. And you’re right, J.Crew is the best. After seeing yours I bought one in navy and its my favorite suit. So well made and flattering. I love all the color options and the stripes. But speaking of color, Johnny Was … wow, love their swim collection. And Trina Turk. You on a pool floaty is the best thing I’ve seen in a long time. You look so relaxed and happy. This is how to enjoy summer! xo
Juliet, Really true we have to have fun and not obsess about our imperfections that likely we notice more than others…Good glad you are enjoying life and gosh I bet that suit is darling in navy. Thinking of getting another…They just work well and don’t look matronly.
Aww come over and let’s hang on pool floats!! x
Kim, I just read the first part of your post—about loving our bodies as they are NOW—out loud to my sister as I am visiting her. We loved your words and advice. We all need to embrace our bodies and summer fun. Life flies by and I don’t want to miss out! Loved all the suits you mentioned, too.
Carol thank you! I really feel that way… Much better to dive in than be perfect in your suit. Forget that!! Aw thank you. xo