I love dressing up for the beach and styling swimsuits with that special combination of retro, boho, and elegance. They are hard to come across, but that just makes them all the more unique. Throughout this article, I’ll share my 10 favorite retro swimwear brands. I hope these nostalgic prints and playful shapes inspire you to hit the beach in style soon!
Before we begin, there’s something that I’d like to clarify, and confess in a way: I believe that all female bodies are beach-ready. The problem is that we’ve fallen prey to the idea that physical perfection is not only possible but desirable. False. Truth be told, every single woman I have ever met has had insecurities around the body parts you’d least expect! Some think their legs are too short, others think they’re too long; some feel like their belly isn’t flat enough, others complain because their chest is too flat. At the end of the day, your “bikini body” has more to do with confidence and comfort than it does with weight or muscles. Bottom line: nobody looks good in a swimsuit that isn’t the right fit for their body!
So, as you go through this list, please keep in mind that it’s the girl’s attitude what makes the swimwear and not the other way around 🙂
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1. Mara Hoffman
No one does prints like Mara Hoffman! This particular one-piece reminds me of retro technicolor movies.
Price: $225
2. Agua Bendita
If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you know that I’m a full-on #BenditaGirl. Everything about their fabrics and styling is a boho chic dream. Bendito Suiza, for example, combines charming blue stripes with a scalloped white eyelet fabric.
Price: $214
3. Seea
Seea’s unique touch is the brilliant combination of simple patterns like stripes and free-flowing objects from nature. Find their stunning bikinis at Anthropologie.
Price: $70 (bottom) and $80 (top)
4. Beach Riot
While this label sells many 2-piece swimsuits, I think their showstoppers are deep plunge one-pieces featuring retro patterns like this one.
Price: $175
5. She Made Me
Artisan handmade crochet. Need I say more? Again, if you follow my adventures on Instagram my love for crochet swimwear isn’t new to you. This Wrap Triangle Black Bikini is the perfect combination of retro and sexy, without looking vulgar.
Price: $121
6. Betsey Johnson
American designer Betsey Johnson needs no introduction. Her fresh perspective on color and prints comes together in lively, never boring pieces. I also find that her fabrics are comfortable and she thinks about different body sizes in creating swimsuits like this one-piece.
Price: $100
7. Maaji
Maaji creates bikinis for #RealMermaids. They recently got acquired by the fashion house that owns Louis Vuitton, meaning you can expect to see even more of their unique brand of bohemian elegance. This particular 2-piece features vintage-inspired lace details and a woven bandeau top.
Price: $69 (bottom) and $68 (top)
8. Reina Olga
Reina Olga’s Showpony Swimsuit evokes South Beach’s Art Deco era with a pastel colorblock and body-hugging shape.
Price: $195
9. Solid and Striped
The name says it all. This label has mastered the combination of solid colors and stripes in combinations I didn’t even know possible. The Anne-Marie is a great example of vibrant stripes.
Price: $168
10. Tommy Hilfiger
If there’s a brand that has truly embraced its roots and heritage this year, it’s Tommy Hilfiger. They’ve taken contemporary trends and combined them with Tommy’s classic aesthetic. This one-piece is a great example of that mix.
Price: $106
Know any other brands that are designing amazing retro swimsuits? Let me know in the comments below!
The perfect pair of shades can frame your face and bring out the very best of your unique features. Inspired by the vibrant spirit of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, retro sunglasses are a great addition to any closet or travel suitcase. While there are many retro styles to choose from, these are the 8 most popular frame shapes from the past that new brands are bringing back.
Popular Types of Retro Sunglasses
Butterfly: These resemble the shape of butterfly wings, with oversized frames with a gentle upsweep in the outer edges.
Aviator: Originally created by Ray-Ban in the 1930s, Aviators evoke pilots’ goggles and a sporty feel.
Cat-eye: Similar to Butterfly frames, but the upsweep is much more dramatic and sharp — as in a cat’s eyes.
Round: Circular lenses usually paired with thin, metallic rims and temples. John Lennon immortalized the small round sunglass look, reminiscent of reading spectacles.
Wayfarer:Â Wayfarers feature trapezoidal lenses with thick plastic frames, and were initially conceived by Ray Ban’s parent company as a mid-century classic in 1952.
Pantos: Pantos sunglasses look like round models with a slight elongation and tilt at the bottom of the eye. The top is flatter than in round lenses, and both bridges and temples are placed higher than usual.
Browline: The bold upper part of the frames frame the lenses in the same way that eyebrows frame the eyes — hence the name “browline”. They first emerged in the 50s and 60s. Clubmaster, by Ray-Ban, became one of the most popular browline models in the 1980s.
Pilot: Similar to Aviators. Pilot sunglasses, however, tend to be oversized and have a thicker bridge. The top bar and bridge are usually united to form a single piece, which makes these sunglasses look like goggles.
To help you visualize these shapes, I paired them with chic examples from 10 affordable brands that are doing an amazing job at reviving these timeless frames. None of the sunglasses listed below are above and the cheapest pair starts at $9.99.
I hope these 8 retro sunglasses and the brands behind them have gotten you excited about trying something new. I know just putting this roundup together turned out to be more expensive than I expected — sorry, credit card! What are your favorite retro sunglass brands these days? Let me know in the comments section below.
Finding online vintage clothing stores with great taste can be a hassle. To begin with, you’ll find many different types of shops that range from those who sell new items that look vintage to those who offer genuine, pre-owned actually vintage pieces that have been repaired, refurbished, or modernized. Both types of stores will help you add a retro touch to your wardrobe, but you need to be careful in that too much of a vintage look can quickly cross the line to costume. There’s a delicate and fun balance in mixing modern garments with vintage accessories or a retro pair of jeans with an edgy new shirt. Mix and match!
I’ll share a list of my go-to online vintage clothing stores in three categories: those that sell new garments with a vintage style, those that sell affordable pre-owned vintage pieces, and those that handle the more luxe end of the spectrum: valuable designer pieces whose value has increased over the years.
I’m actually part of the crazy group of brides that got #MarriedinModcloth. This online store carries everything from retro chic sundresses to cute peep toe shoes. What they’re best at, in my opinion, is formalwear. If you like lace, embroidery, and embellishments, this is the site for you. While we’re at it, here’s a shot of that time I eloped at San Francisco City Hall. The dress, called Gilded Grace, is still available at Modcloth and is one of their most popular garments by far.
Anthropologie is the type of store where you go in thinking you’ll buy one, maybe two, things and end up praying the credit card will pass for your absolutely-necessary 560 items. Like Modcloth, Anthropologie conveys a cute chic vibe: the type of retro outfit that gets you compliments from every woman around. They are not shops where you’ll find more rebellious looks with a grunge feel, for example. Anthropologie makes retro chic feel effortless. Take this easygoing floral top:
They also carry Mara Hoffman, one of my absolute favorite swimwear designers. She does other things, but it’s in swimwear where her magic textile design skills really shine.
Free People is for the boho chic vintage lovers that need something a little more laid back. Light cottons and raw details is what they’re most known for, but they cover a wide range of styles these days. In my opinion, no one competes with their loose beachwear that still makes you look like you own the place. It’s gypsy meets fancy resort in ways that I can’t explain. See for yourself and you’ll understand.
I’ll admit that I only learned about Madewell very recently. I had heard about the brand, mostly from people living in the US West Coast, but had never felt intrigued to learn more about it. A few months ago I started looking for a pair of jeans that would really last. I guess I was just exhausted to see my favorite pair look unusable just when the fit and wear had reached that awesome point. You know what I’m talking about: the point where it’s basically an extension of your body. And that’s how I found Madewell, and their incredibly well-produced garments, and fell in love.
Another brand I learned about not so long ago. (In hindsight, how on Earth had I not bumped into them before?!). Planet Blue is similar to Free People in that it caters to us gypsies who prefer something loose and only subtly revealing in the right places. Comfort and style go hand in hand with a retro bohemian piece like the Rorey Romper.
6. Nasty Gal
While no longer owned by the original Nasty Gal, Sofia Amoruso, we have every reason to believe that the brand will preserve its loud, confident 1990s voice. Nasty Gal is not for the faint of heart: there are transparencies, bold necklines, and utter defiance to be found in every single outfit. It’s what you wear when you’re feeling daring and feminine, excited and powered up. If you’re anything like me, and like the delicate/bold mix, this is the kind of Nasty Gal dress you might fall for.
Where to find affordable pre-owned vintage clothing
7. Etsy
Etsy is a fantastic place to find repaired vintage clothing at an accessible price. Because it is home to many global sellers, you will find fashion geniuses transforming vintage denim in places as remote as Russia. I say transforming because these artisans really do breathe new life into these pieces. Sometimes they end up looking better than the original! Here’s a pair of high-waist Levis from a shop I love and have ordered from before.
Again, another incredible marketplace where you’ll find global sellers hunting and refurbishing vintage garments. Asos classifies the vintage pieces by brand, so it is really easy to find what you’re looking for. Unlike regular, new Asos items, products in the marketplace are sold and fulfilled directly by sellers. Stella Blasi’s Collection, for example, is all about handmade reconstructed jackets like this one.
Look no further than Rue La La for dreamy designer garments from decades ago that have now become 10 times more valuable. Here’s the catch: vintage clothing is sold in exclusive, time-limited events. That means you need to sign up as a member and stay on top of their emails to catch the right piece just in time.
Because Vestiaire allows direct peer-to-peer selling of pre-owned items, it is the perfect marketplace to get that special designer piece you fell in love with from an old collection. Vestiaire Collective is in the luxury resale business, so you’ll find brands as exclusive as Dior, Fendi, and Gucci. This site is particularly great to grab luxury vintage accessories like purses and jewelry — items that are timeless and age well.
Know and love any other vintage clothing stores?
I’d love to take a look. Leave a note in the comments below.
If you’re sitting in front of an empty bag wondering what on Earth to wear on your trip to Tulum, this article has got you covered. Beach destinations are always challenging because they involve sand, water, and heat. Those three elements call for an entirely different wardrobe — especially if you live in a cold city to begin with.  Even if you do live in a city with hot weather year-round, there’s a high chance you’re not normally concerned with how fast your clothes dry up or whether they’ll take dirt gracefully. See? I told you. 🙂
What to Wear in Tulum
What you’ll find below are my recommendations as far as what to wear on your next trip to Tulum and how to style each piece to have the most comfortable, exciting, and (why not!) fashion-forward stay possible.
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Shorts & Other Bottoms
Shorts are a no-brainer for hot climates, but I do have a few suggestions around the types of shorts that you’ll want to bring with you. To begin with, avoid thick denim because it just adds to the heat you’ll experience anywhere in the Caribbean. Go for thinner fabrics and looser fits. Something about 100°F just makes clothes feel stickier, and pants that are too tight just make the entire thing worse. These “mom shorts” by Urban Outfitters are retro, comfortable, and flexible at the same time.
Color-wise, I suggest sticking to blacks, browns, greens, and denim. White shorts are some of the most unpractical items to pack for a trip to… anywhere really. I am not just saying this because an entire bottle of Mezcal broke inside our bag and my husband’s white bermudas got horribly stained. I am not even saying this happened. But if you think there’s a chance it did, and there’s a chance it could happen to you too, avoid all-whites.
Now, if you’re more of a skirt type of person, the loose fit advice remains. Go for wrap-around skirts that can be easily turned into cover-ups. Versatility is incredibly important when you pack for beach trips. Because you’ll (hopefully!) be jumping from restaurants to streets to shorelines all day, you’ll find that flexible garments are priceless.
Swimming Suits and Cover-Ups
Swimwear is where you’ll know exactly what suits you best. As long as it is made with light Lycra, highlights the best parts of your body, and doesn’t cause awkward tan lines, go for the style you like best. I do have one suggestion that will make your suit a bit more versatile for all those events we just talked about: bring at least one piece that can double as a shirt. This is probably the weirdest recommendation you’ve read, but I found that the one swimming suit I could wear with high shorts or a high-waist skirt was, by far, the one I wore the most. It dried up quickly, looked tropical, and still allowed me to catch some sun — this garment just got the work done.
The one swimming suit I wore a million times
Blouses, Dresses, and Tunics
This leads me to tunics. Those laid-back, light mini dresses that you could spend days wearing. Take this advice from someone who lives and works in 100°F weather over 200 days/year: beach-to-city is what you want to aim for. Forget day-to-night, the type of garment you need is something that will dry up fast enough to let you catch that reservation within an hour. Don’t assume that you’ll have time to change clothes before you hit the next stop on your trip, and please don’t add that kind of pressure to your itinerary. Instead, try to find pieces that can transform with a few changes here and there.
Lastly, and this advice goes for every single thing you pack: avoid clothing that needs to be ironed aka wouldn’t look great while entirely wrinkled. Just do it.
Accessories for Tulum
But how can you create that whole beach-to-city look without carrying an entire new outfit in your bag? Accessories are the answer. Headpieces like bandanas and jewelry can get you there in 5 minutes. Let’s look at a few ways to do this.
Statement earrings that can get wet
I brought all four earrings in the Nostalgiosity Tulum Collection and enjoyed alternating them during the entire trip. Since they are made of gold-plated bronze, they’ll take a significant amount of humidity and sand without losing shine. You can always take them off while diving into the water and put them back on for some effortless beach glam.
Bandanas
Get a bandana. It will deal with horrible hair days so that you don’t have to. Even if you have the best hair in the world, humidity and dirt have immediate consequences. The so-called beach hair is nice for a day or two, but there’s only so much of that crazy volume that you can stand without feeling uncomfortable for the entire trip. So get a headband, bandana, or scrunchy to put it away whenever you want to.
Don’t make this more complicated than it needs to be: bring one pair of sunglasses that works well with everything. If not, bring one pair that works with blacks, one that works with browns, and something that doesn’t really go well with anything but is an outfit in and of itself. A classic pair of Ray Bans will do the trick.
Weekend bags
If you’ve never felt the need to find an incredible weekender bag, this is your sign. These are the types of totes or duffles that simply carry it all: clothes, shoes, passports, food. Getting a neutral one makes it much easier to pair with everything else you own. Beige, black, and military green are all great options.
Ideal Shoes for Tulum (and any other beach trip, really)
Generally speaking, there are only two types of shoes during a beach trip: dirty and clean. That’s all there is. Clean shoes include the sneakers you travel with (to and from) and one pair of heels in case there is somewhere that fancy you need to go to. I found that the best type of heels to bring (if you really, really need to — like I do) are high wedges made with natural fibers. They dry up quickly, look well even with a little sand all over, and generally have great support to walk around the beach. And while we’re at it, here’s another piece of advice from someone who had to walk dozens of streets in DC and then look polished in the office: go for the flip-flops and pack those heels in your handbag.
Let’s talk about dirty shoes for a minute. Those are the ones you take to battle with you. They’re the type of shoes you need to be mentally prepared to ruin, because that’ll probably be the case. Flat, open sandals and flip-flops are great choices.
Beauty & Makeup While in Mexico
Here’s something I could probably talk about for days. Your best makeup choice during a beach trip is called H2O. Drink lots and lots and lots of water. More than you would in a couple of days. I have found that drinking cold water is the only way to keep your skin truly hydrated in the middle of all that heat. Aside from that, and only if you want to wear some light makeup, here are my picks.
A compact eyeshadow palette that works for day and night looks. Tarte’s Tease Tartelette is a great one to bring.
Two lipsticks: one hydrating, everyday tone and one intense, dark shade
Your skincare products, including something to exfoliate with, a toner, soap, and a moisturizer. Bring face wipes and carry them with you. You’ll thank me later.
Any other tips of your own?
Feel free to share any other tips or questions in the comments section below.
1920’s headpieces are all the rage these days! The Great Gatsby premiere (last Friday) reminded us how gorgeous and feminine headbands, headwraps, barrettes and chain hair jewelry can make us look. I came up with a simple, glamorous headpiece that goes well with (almost!) everything and here’s how I did it in 15 minutes:
Find two old silver chain necklaces (gold looks great too!). It’s a lot easier if one is longer than the other.
One of my necklaces had a central charm, so I used it to connect a second strand of chain. These charms usually have two rings holding them to the chain, so you just have to open them up with small jewelry tongs, insert the second chain’s ring and close them up again.
I wanted the second chain to hang as a semicircle, so I attached a strand of the second chain to the end of my first chain (which was shorter).
Try it on directly and see how much of the second chain you need to remove so that it fits tightly around your head (not so tight though, you don’t want awful chain marks on your forehead!)
Remove any excess from the second chain by opening the last ring with your tongs, throwing away what’s left, and closing it back.
I hope you enjoyed this project and if you have any questions feel free to email me at nostalgiosity@gmail.com, comment right here, tweet @nostalgiosity or leave a comment on my wall at www.facebook.com/nostalgiosity.
Besos,
– Lau
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Los accesorios para el cabello inspirados en los años 20s están muy MUY de moda por estos dĂas! El estreno de The Great Gatsby nos recordĂł a todas lo hermosas y femeninas que nos hacen ver las diademas, cintillos, barettes, y cadenas para el cabello. Se me ocurriĂł una idea muy simple pero glamurosa que combina con (casi!) todo y aquĂ va cĂłmo la hice en menos de 15 minutos:
MĂdetelo y revisa cuándo debes/quieres eliminar de la segunda cadena para que se fije perfecto en el tamaño de tu cabeza. No lo dejes muy apretado porque no queremos marcas de cadena en la frente!
Quita el exceso abriendo aros con las pinzas y cerrándolos.
Espero que hayan disfrutado este proyecto y que si tienen alguna pregunta me escriban a nostalgiosity@gmail.com, comenten debajo, envĂen un tweet a @nostalgiosity o escriban en mi muro de FB www.facebook.com/nostalgiosity.
