I wore a swim suit all week like an influencer to reality-check it
Verdict ... great on paper.
Let’s word associate with “bathing suit” for a moment, I’ll go first:
ass.
dimples.
ass dimples.
wardrobe malfunction.
single stall restroom nudity.
yeast infection.
wedgie.
I don’t like sunbathing. I don’t like athletic activities. Or water parks. For the most part, then, I have zero reason to get into a bathing suit.
They flood my mind with memories like my great grandmother requiring me to remove my bathing suit the minute it was wet, holding up a towel on the beach and having me change on the spot. Having to shop at “the lady store” for the pool party my crush was coming to.
So why then are all these influencers getting all creative with their swim suits? I resolved to find out if I’m I missing out by not multi purposing “swim” all week long.
First, the takeaways.
If you don’t love hanging around in your bathing suit in general, adding clothing on top doesn’t necessarily change that enough to make you want to wear it elsewhere.
Sometimes a fashion brand makes an item you could buy less expensively from a more function-based brand. And sometimes that’s great, But also sometimes it’s not. Like I bought a Prada legging. I could buy an Alo Yoga one. But in this case they ARE different. I feel different when I put the silkiness of that Prada under a dress for coverage than I do when I just repurpose workout leggings. Sometimes things are made for what they were meant for, you know? Not always! Sometimes.
Wearing an existing piece in a new way, even if it’s not the best thing for “real life” is a good little shot to the senses to shake things up in your thinking generally. Even if you don’t keep it on all day.
Beach pants + long tee = new comfortable at home formula
Pareos over pants is a great idea and look, BUT
you might want something smaller than the traditional bach pareo, especially to have acess to pants pockets and get a more refined tie
it means untying and retying every time you go to the bathroom!
What’s “great” in a swimsuit if you don’t like wearing them much, isn’t “great “ when compared to the rest of your clothes … know what I mean? Even wearing my cute, my best, my whatever swim suit is just not as … anything as wearing a cool T-shirt, or blazer, or jeans.
My ass continues to eat up the bottom of a swim suit even often a full coverage one. How does that happen? (That was rhetorical.)
I started soft. Literally.
MONDAY
What:
Why:
Work day, including hanging with
for The Package Room (every Monday at lunch on IG!), research int he Design District. I loved the swishy comfort and stealth sexiness! of these see through pants, designed for over a bathing suit. Perfect layer under the apron.Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
Later, to hang at home, I took of the apron and loved that too. Felt both realllly comfortable but also not like pajamas, more like cool party host. Beach pants + long tee = new at-home formula.
TUESDAY
What:
Michael Kors swim suit (sold out) these are similar feels to wear for this look
old secondhand square Marni multipocket tote bag
Why:
This was the first thing I thought about wearing for this theme. The suit almost looks like clothing, people on IG thought is was a separate belt. And this a skirt that really drops low and has this swagger, so I thought the swimsuit under was so cool and functional. The jacket was long and cotton, good for AC and didn’t add TOO much warmth when hanging off. This loafer is so comfy, and I liked keeping it all sharp and dramatic, the big masc loafer countered the slim bombshell suit. I went to lunch and work.
Outcome: I felt awesome standing still. But wearing a bathing suit was annoying. Sucking in! Ugh! I really couldn’t wait to get home and take it off.
Later
Excited to get home. And put on
Tibi knit (sold out) but here are others we like
Secondhand men’s Balenciaga denim shorts with side stripes and more options here
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
WEDNESDAY
What:
secondhand Miu Miu polo and a curated boutique of our favorite polos
Hermes So Kelly + other N/S options — I love a NS bag. It’s just easier with a laptop. No sliding.
Why: Hot workday. No meeting so serious a polo shirt couldn’t handle it. I love the sharpness of this. The pink swim bottom cost way less than the Miu Miu runway version. But to make it show I had to really hike it up and then I was in wedgie territory.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness (ish).
THURSDAY
pre-workout walk
What:
Why:
Pre workout walk. Slip dress + tee is such a go to formula. I wanted to feel calm, and the neutrals plus Ring 3 ala Tibi (shoes, bag) helped.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
post-walk
I’d planned to wear this sarong as a dress with the tee under it, but then
shared this inspiration:
What:
Secondhand men’s Loewe pants (from Veblen)
Secondhand LV pareo (also from Veblen! when are you going
? ) favorite pareos here!Prada Collapse sneakers — and have you seen THESE? o.m.f.g. Doomed.
Why:
Lots of working and walking. These are my most comfy sneakers, so that makes them a joy to wear. I thought this looked cool and felt like myself — but when I went to the bathroom I had to undo the sarong and try and make it look cool again and that was annoying.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness. Ish.
Thursday Night
What:
old Tibi mules (here, 41.1) —
when are these coming back, the only heel I can walk 5,000 steps in.Tibi knit polo - this sale Tibi is not it, but the vibe is right + I love it
Men’s Loewe pants (now they make them for women; when I got mine they only had men’s … I may crop mine!)
Vintage gold necklace (pinned with a big gold chain/safety pin from a dress I have)
Why: Out to dinner with my beloved friend
. These pants are dramatic and do all the heavy lifting, so the rest could be low key.Outcome: Lofted Settledness
FRIDAY
What:
past season Tibi organza skirt (you could do this black House of Dagmar … or DM Valeria to get the one I just did but in white. Or see what’s on Tibi.Fans)
Old Frankie shop tee
multiple pearls Miriam Haskell necklace (old) and here are my favorites
past season Montce bathing suit bottom
old Chanel flats - Chanels and other B+W flats
secondhand Vuitton black belt - a good alt here
Why: I always thought this swimsuit bottom had a cute Chanel vibe. It made me think it would be fun to play up with the shoes and pearls. I had a pretty normal workday and then went to the migraine doc (I’m all good!). It was a LOT of time to have this swimsuit, cute as it is, creeping up my ass. I know have these + will wear instead.
Outcome:
Look: Cute. Missed my sweatpants. Goodbye, Bathing Suit Life!
SATURDAY
What:
Tory Burch sale braces tee, medium
Bubble skirt from Valeria Krasavina (DM to order in any color; can be a top too!)
Hermes Victoria bag
Why: Jack and I went walking for a smoothie and then through the Design District. No time to think beyond it’s hot, hence a tee. Walking = the socks + sandals. Kitchien Sink neutrals — white and gray and black and brown.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
Saturday Night
What
Proto “Salty fries” T shirt (stay tuned;
and I are exploring!)Tibi power mesh skirt, sold out but do the same thing with this. on sale!
Tory Burch pierced mules (some color son sale now!)
Old Roxanne Assoulin earrings (like these but diff color)
Why:
Went to dinner with Jack at a cute bar with good pizza. I wanted to be comfortable enough to laugh and cry.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
SUNDAY
What:
Supreme football jersey (I am in a size L)
Tibi navy pull on skirt (newer version)
Old (vintage?) Ferragamo pendant (gold pendant necklaces here - but I think this is the best comp; great length!)
Jil Sander Tangle bag (comps)
Why: A hot hot day, and Jack and I got up and out for breakfast and then walked to Wynwood to go to a Collector Shop to look at their cards. This top was a fun recent purchase, and I liked that it’s airy but still covers. And the pull on skirt is easy. I prefer the length of the newer one I linked. Sneakers were tooooo covered with this one. Jack and I walked about 11,000 steps! More proof you can walk in flip flops. AHEM.
why are we selling each other summer bullshit?
Anna Newton recently amped up and encored one of her “most read and most shared posts.” The gist is this (but read it, ofc): Don’t buy “summer clothes” you hate because someone or something tells us to. Those who follow all things Tibi have heard it too. Don’t buy a floral dress for a party when you hate floral dresses.
Outcome: Lofted Settledness.
Later
What:
Jil Sander scarf/poncho (few years old) — some great options!
Jil Sander dress (few years old) - a good a-line, easy dress
Secondhand Jil Sander 2012 leather “lunch bag” - here’s the new version or you could give this on Etsy a whirl
Why:
I went to speak on a panel honoring the launch of Midlife Private Parts, edited by my friends
and (I wrote a chapter on coming into my own style after midlife). I wanted to look like a person who likes style, and after maxing out the time with my son, I had to go with something I knew would work, not create something new. This shoe brand comes from a podiatric surgeon, who gave me this pair recommended for a wide foot. I figured they’d be a good choice since I might be standing a lot. I liked the brown bag with it - not so matchy!The book is a game changer. And it means so much that my family — and friends who are family! — showed up for me.
Outcome: This worked perfectly.
OUTFIT PLANNING
This week: Summer layering from Boston/Marion, where I’ll be for a couple of months. Don’t rob me; we have house sitters.
Next week: Playing with prep tropes. Since here I am — in New England. And many of you are landing in prep settings. How can we be ourselves there?
Let’s get dressed.
XOXO,
Rachel
Notes:
I am using affiliate links, and I do not use them lightly. In fact here’s a whole post on it. Thank you for using these links to shop. Every little bit helps!
My Market editor Wendy and I are in limited, special, and really particular ways working with a select group of partners and accepting gifts in order to inform you better, especially around attainably priced brands and pieces. Here’s something on that.
We are also starting to get promo codes from brands, and here’s an updated list; be sure and check weekly before purchasing. I grew up shopping Filenes Basement. Your girl loves a discount:
CLOTHES
Callas Milano : Take 15% off with code HMS15
Heidi Merrick: Take 10% off with code HEYMRSSOLOMON10
Left on Friday: Take 10% off with code HMS10
Sanctuary: Take 15% off with code RS15
LUISAVIAROMA: Take 30% off full price items with this link and code LOVEX30 (excluding Adidas & Salomon)
Asher: Take 15% off with code RACHEL15
SHOES
Nomasei: Take 15% off with code HMS15
JEWELRY
AtPresent: Take 15% off with code HEYMRSSOLOMON15
BEAUTY
Lake & Skye: Take 15% off with code HMS15
Ursa Major: Take 20% off with code HEYMRSSOLOMON20
FRE Skincare: Take 25% off with code MRSSOLOMON
The outfits are as amazing as the takeaways, this made me LOL, "If you don’t love hanging around in your bathing suit in general, adding clothing on top doesn’t necessarily change that enough to make you want to wear it elsewhere."
SO much agree! I too, am only comfortable in bathing suit tops as tops (sometimes). One pieces or bottoms, never! LOVED this post. Thanks for the sacrifice for science.
Autocorrect did a number on me. I meant time immemorial 😂😂