Craving: a fabulous one-piece

Summer is almost here! And that to me means one thing: the beach! Maybe because I grew up on an island, the beach has always been one of my favorite places. I’d even go walk on the beach in winter, just to breath in the sea air and hear the sound of the waves. There’s something so soothing about the beach in winter! In summer, on the other hand, the feeling is mostly of exhilaration. I feel like I revert into a child when I go on the beach, playing on the sand and splashing water and just letting the feeling of freedom, of fun, of summer, take me over.

This is part of the reason why I am a huge fan of one-piece swimsuits. I keep reading about people not wanting to wear one-pieces because they “ruin your tan” – but really, that makes no sense: the stomach is the only part not getting tanned with a one-piece as opposed to a bikini, and who goes out with their stomach exposed nowadays? (Whoever you are, newsflash: it’s tacky and outdated, so cover up!)

I’m not buying into any of that. There is nothing more classic, chic, not to mention comfortable and flattering than a well-cut one-piece. Which is why I set out to find some of the best bathing suits I could set my eyes on and share them with you. The results? Here they are:

I have said before I am not much of a print gal, but this print just captured me, probably because of the blues and greens that I love so much. I love the obi-like detail around the waist, which goes so well with the print and creates an even more feminine shape. Mauritius Sun by Carmen Marc Valvo, normally retailing for $136, currently on sale at Neiman Marcus for $91. Also available in another color combination at Bluefly, for $82.

This color-block one-piece might make you think of Hervé Léger or Max Azria, but it’s made by (drum roll) Spanx! Which means that not only it looks cool and it’s right on on-trend, but it also has a slimming effect. It also has a criss-cross back and underwire cups, which means it’s also pretty supportive, for those of us more on the –ahem!– busty side. Available at Neiman Marcus for $198.

The barely-there swimdress feature on this bathing suit blends well with the classic details: the halter top, the shirring (that helps camouflage a bit of a tummy), the small ruffle at the bottom that makes it a bit flirty without adding too much volume along the hip area, the low cut that reminds me of pinup swimsuits. So far this is my favorite. Juicy Couture, originally $173, now $115 on the JC website. (Also sold at Saks, but no longer available online.)

If you prefer colorful bathing suits, this one should fit the bill. I don’t normally go for pink, but the pink and gold pattern on white background works, and it will be flattering to different skin-tones. I also like the gold clasp detail, and the classic shape. Trina Turk “Caya Coco”, $139 at Nordstrom.

And here are some lower budget adorable picks, all well under $100:

Left to right – Top: Gottex “Bejewelled”, originally $118, now $58 at Nordstrom; DKNY halter one-piece, originally $92, now $69 at Lord&Taylor, available in Blue, Pink or Black; Embellished V-neck suit, $39-44 at Newport News, available in Black, Violet and Raspberry-Pink.
Bottom: Lauren by Ralph Lauren colorblock halter one-piece, originally $104, now $66.30 at Macy’s, Dot crisscross bodice one-piece, $79 at Talbots, available in Navy, Oasis Blue and Magenta.

How about you? Are you a fan of the one-piece, like me? See anything you like?