A Modern Swimsuit
I’m sure you know that Nora Ephron quote: “Oh, how I regret not having worn a bikini for the entire year I was twenty-six. If anyone young is reading this, go, right this minute, put on a bikini, and don’t take it off until you’re thirty-four,” she says in I Feel Bad About My Neck – incidentally, great summer reading, if you’re in the mood for something like this.
I’m going to ignore the possibly problematic interpretations of this (I’m sure Nora was fully aware of all of them, but she knew that a true feminist can handle a joke) on the grounds that it’s a) very funny and b) the truth. The only part I’m going to take issue with is the sartorial side of the advice: you should in fact wear a one-piece, not a bikini.
For years, swimsuits seemed faintly old-fashioned, no matter how expensive or ‘trendy’ they were. This has changed in the last seasons, partly because of the natural fashion cycle, partly because new emerging brands that have come out with fresh, non-musty designs. There are several reasons why this is good news: if you actually swim, a one-piece is a much more practical option than a tiny triangle bikini. I’m also convinced that even if they are 26, most women feel more confident and comfortable in a swimsuit. And finally, the new options just look so much more exciting in fashion terms.
One of the first brands to launch truly modern swimsuit designs on a larger scale was Solid & Striped and they are still going strong. I especially like their Anne-Marie style in gingham. & Other Stories had a great tropical model that I cannot find any longer, but the coral reef one is also very much on point. If you are in Estonia, Pamela Peepson’s Poodles Club (@poodlesclub on Instagram) does slightly camp swimwear – very summery and fun, but cool. I’m wearing her design on the photos and I’m in love. In case you want something classic and very high quality, there’s Eres. Just be careful with the Cachette style: I usually don’t mind plunging necklines, but when I sit down wearing this, it leaves me waaayyyyy too open to the world.
Bottom line: swimsuits look ‘now’ again and if you haven’t yet, you should give them a try. Posing on concrete optional.
Images: Krõõt Tarkmeel, MUAH: Ellen Walge, swimsuit: Poodles Club, location: Tallinn, Filtri tee.
6 Comments
Add yours+ Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
The world will have to suffer seeing me in a bikini as long as I’m able to swim. I’ve tried them all and even custom-cut one-pieces don’t work. I’m usually a small on top and take up to an XL to accommodate my hips. I’m also very long-waisted so even those that would technically fit my width usually end someplace south of my chest. Those abominable tankini suits don’t work because they hit the top of my hips and ride up or are too short. As a ballet teacher observed when I was about ten, “those lines will never flatter a leotard and it will only get worse.” It will continue to be cute coordinating T-shirts and elegant cover-ups for me, I’m afraid.
I love seeing a chic maillot on somebody with the figure for it, though. In fact, I love seeing people dress well and wear suitable things with nice lines, which is one of the great things about your fashion posts. You are built quite unlike me but I can always imagine your pencil skirt as a-line or your bathing suit as a cute bikini bottom with a coordinating little tee. I love the larger print on that suit and will have to seek out something similar. Perhaps someone makes an adorable rash guard with a nipped-in waist.
All power to you and your bikini! I sort of hope that people who read my posts – at least the ones who have read the blog for a while – know that these texts are never intended to actually prescribe anything. They are about things I find exciting and hopefully reflect also something zeitgeisty, although that is not certain. My underlying philosophy will always be: wear what you want, read what you want, buy what you want. I’m just not good enough a writer to integrate this sentiment into every post in a witty way 🙂
But more to the point: bigger, vaguely tropical prints DO look good at the moment and there are quite a few of them around, worth checking out on whatever shape suits you best.
My goodness, I wouldn’t have known what swimsuit fashion is if it hit me upside the head! I keep thinking that a lot of stuff is “old-fashioned” like when granny panties and mom jeans returned to the scene. I have recently been informed that yes, scrunchies are once again in, and I can breathe a sigh of relief. Why on earth I gave a hoot is beyond me … 😉 It seems to me that pretty much anything goes these days, but of course I know there are certain dictums that I will most likely remain blithely unaware of. There used to be a list in some fashion magazine: “What’s In … What’s Out.” Which naturally meant that what was “in” was actually already “out” and so we should avoid it…
Back during the tanning years, we all wore bikinis. I wonder how much the fashion industry has been affected by our awareness of sun damage …
I love your swimsuit, and your hair! Is it temporary? I’ve been thinking of doing some rose gold highlights, or maybe lavender, or both. I can thank Helen Mirren for inspiring older women to explore pink.
I hope you’re enjoying your vacation – it certainly looks like it. 🙂
I think you should definitely try some fun colour in your hair! Mine is temporary (in fact already gone): I just bought a couple of sprays in different hues and then we experimented with the hairdresser. You can do the same, if you want to try but not commit – you can simply wash it out, I had no issues at all.
I think the fashion industry is mostly affected by its inherent fickleness: the change is encoded into the system, because people need to keep buying things… What I do feel, though, is that there are more options these days – mini trends to suit everyone, to make sure nobody feels left out and excluded from the wonderful opportunity to spend?
The vacation is great, I did some frantic blog stuff in the beginning, but at the moment I’m mostly relaxing and reading. I hope you are having lovely time, too!
Oh, gosh. I love your blog and think you have great taste and would never dream of accusing you of dictating. I’m just hoping I can pull off a similar look with my build. 🙂
Thank you ?