mix & match swimwear.
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Spring has sprung which means the temperatures are rising, the days are getting longer and… bathing suit season is right around the corner. Our mindsets are shifting from sweaters to swimwear as we eagerly plan summer vacations and daydream about days spent on the beach with our feet in the sand and a drink in our hand. Some of my very favorite childhood memories are from my family’s annual beach vacation on the Outer Banks in North Carolina – I’ve always been drawn to the ocean and think there’s nothing more relaxing than the warmth of the sun and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.
With this lifetime love affair with the ocean also comes an obsession with swimwear. I just can’t get enough and Target is always my weakness. It really snuck up on me this year – I went into Target to grab a few things on my walk home from work and BAM… there they were. A sea of bright colors, bold patterns and interesting details like embellishments, ruffles and criss-cross straps. At first I avoided them, “it’s too soon!” I thought as I hurried past the swimwear section with blinders on to avoid the temptation. But then, after a weekend full of beautiful weather in San Francisco, I gave in. And I couldn’t be happier.
Target’s swimwear has always been a favorite of mine (about 90% of my bathing suits are from there!) – they have a huge variety of not only colors and patterns, but fit options as well, yet they’re still amazingly affordable. I’ve always been of the mindset that more is more when it comes to swimwear, mixing it up is what makes things fun! I tend to stay away from matchy matchy swimsuits and instead stock up on a bunch of separates each season so that I can create a variety of new looks just by mixing and matching the pieces to create new combinations.
A few combinations I’ve recently added to my swimsuit stash:
Stripes + Neon
By now you already know I’m a sucker for stripes so when I saw this top with the adorable bow detail, I was hooked. For me I tend to prefer a swimsuit top with some support for days at the beach so that I’m able to be active and swim comfortably, while still feeling confident and cute. It’s all about feeling your best when you’re rocking a bikini! I love pairing these classic stripes with a pop of neon to mix things up – this mint color would look great on all skin tones and the back has a cheeky detail to show off all those lunges (or in my case at the moment, provide a little extra motivation to hit the gym and tone up a bit ;))
Floral + Polka Dots
Florals are EVERYWHERE right now and I’m lovin’ it. This floral bottom was originally paired with a top with flounce which was super cute, but didn’t quite work for me. Instead I swapped out the matching top for a polka dot bandeau that I already had from last season’s Target swimwear stock up and the pattern on pattern combination is perfect for a lazy day of laying out by the pool, preferably with a cocktail on hand.
Classic + Geometric
Making sure you always have a black bikini in your summer wardrobe will not only allow you to flaunt one of the most flattering and classic looks around, but also give you the perfect blank canvas for mixing in new pieces and creating a ton of new combinations. I love the fit of this black top – the underwire has just enough support without being too showy and the ruching detail adds interest so it’s not too plain. Pairing a basic black swimwear piece with something trendier, like these geometric bottoms with strappy side detail, creates a perfect pairing.
The best part about swimwear season is putting your own spin on the trends and creating custom combinations that have you looking AND feeling great.
Find your style @TargetStyle
Are you a fan of the mix and match swimsuit look? What are some of your favorite combinations? Has anyone else started to stock up on swimwear yet this season?
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.
