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!
