Everyone who knows me knows I love the beach. I would live among the waves if I could, and trade my entire wardrobe for swimsuits [1]. I am constantly thinking about booking my next holiday [2], and you can bet it'll be to some place warm. I think you probably get the picture, but just to drive my point home, in an ideal world I live makeup free with salt in my hair and zero knowledge about things like blow dryers and hairspray.
So, after my Caribbean cruise in May and my annual family trip to Hilton Head Island, SC in August, I solemnly called out to Summer, "Wait, hang on! Don't go!" As a fashion editor, there was only one way I could extend my getaway, while also still showing up to work: keep my swimsuits on rotation. For one week, I challenged myself to style a swimsuit [3] over/under all my clothes. It felt great. I was comfortable, and every time I looked down at myself, I was graced with a memory of the time and place I last wore the bikini or maillot in question.
While this was fun for me at first, and I instantly dreamed up a few separates I could coordinate with my favourite two-piece (that new oversize blazer I just bought!), I was running out of ideas by day three. I had to get a little inventive, but hopefully you'll be able to take these styling tips to task one day of the week, at the very least. If not, you can just shop the designs I love so much — as most of them are still available — and wear them alone next time you're poolside or hanging under the palm trees.
Yours truly,
Sarah the Mermaid
How I Wore It
OK, so I didn't wear the blazer unbuttoned to work, obviously. I probably would've been called into the HR office immediately. (This snap is just so you believe I'm wearing a bikini top underneath.) I knew I wanted to style my new Babaton blazer from Aritzia [5] ($225) with the matching shorts [6] ($68), which are slightly darker in shade. My Ash Addict dad sneakers [7] ($275) happen to have a colourblock effect in the same grey-ish tones, so I swept up my hair, added some hoops, and kept those buttons closed.
How I Wore It
The striped belt is totally my favourite part of The Nina suit. I think it gives the look retro flair, so I wanted to spotlight that element. I layered my one-piece over an H&M bateau top with similar ribbing, and wove the sash through the belt loops on my Madewell denim skirt [8] ($50) to put it on fully display. The tortoiseshell buckle on these Nine West mules [9] ($90) mimic the shape of my geometric earrings, so that brought the outfit full circle.
How I Wore It
You have no idea how old this polka-dot midi skirt from Forever 21 is. And that's because I have no idea how old it is either. I feel like I've owned it since birth, but I love the way it looks with a denim jacket — always have, always will. The dots on my Kate Spade bandeau are a little larger in size, but these pieces still coordinated well, and I gave the outfit Western flair [10] with my Dolce Vita cowboy boots [11] ($100), which I've kept on heavy rotation this Summer and don't plan to retire any time soon.
How I Wore It
OK, this is the ultimate "I wish I was still on vaca" set. I scored it from Asos at the beginning of the Summer, thinking I'd wear it as a cover-up. (You can still buy both the Hawaiian print shirt [12] ($32) and frill hem skirt [13] ($32) on sale.) To oomph up the fun combo with the ultimate '90s shoe, I rocked my Steve Madden Block sneakers [14] ($130) and added extra aloha vibes with my new floral resin earrings from BaubleBar [15], which drew attention to the confetti across the neckline of my swimsuit.
How I Wore It
The crochet material of this H&M halter swimsuit is the exact same shade of ivory as my Zimmermann crop top [16] ($245). I went perhaps a little too boho for my usual taste, elongating the top by layering my one-piece under the belly shirt, thereby keeping this look appropriate for the office. I wore my Mother Denim bootcut jeans [17] ($268) and completed with The Lizza sandal by M.Gemi [18] ($248), which is the most comfortable Summer block heel ever. I feel like Kourtney Kardashian would totally wear this outfit [19], but definitely without the swimsuit underneath. And that just defeats the purpose.
