Alisa Have you ever scrolled through your feed mid-July and felt like a déjà-vu. Every other post you are looking at is a neon triangle bikini, right? You’re not alone. As much as we might love classic two-pieces as the perfect choice for the sun. Something is thrilling about turning the beach into a runway. Instead of a dressing room for identical swimwear shots.
Some people call it “shore-core.” Which means clothes that flirt with the tide taste like salt. And also, will pass the café test. Especially if you wander off the sand to get an iced latte. We are sharing some outfits that can live rent-free in your suitcase and will look perfect on actual shorelines, like Positano or Sylt.
Linen Bermuda set
We might have said we would skip the bikinis, but there’s no law about slipping one underneath. Here, the hero pieces are slouchy linen Bermudas and an oversized matching vest. Linen does a great job of repelling heat. You can pick a chalk-stone shade. So, you can wear it into town post-beach. And basically, without screaming that it’s a vacation wardrobe.
You can also add a gold chain anklet and slim 90s-style sunglasses, and you’re ready to go. Here, the secret will be the double-sided fashion tape. Line the vest’s lapel. People will think they are tailored.
Image source: https://clbliving.com/cdn/shop/products/Untitleddesign-24_1024x1024.png?v=1668830834
Crochet pants are now the new sarongs
Do you remember the time when sarongs were everything? Now, crochet pants are putting them aside. They can be bone-colored, ankle-grazing, and flared enough. They’ll celebrate every breeze that passes through the knit. Also, they pair beautifully with anything. Like a bralette, one-shoulder crops. Even a surf shop graphic tee.
The key here is texture. Crochet feels like it’s handcrafted and also feels unapologetically boho. You can wear a multi-strand shell necklace and a pair of sandals.
Image from: https://www.prettylittlething.ae/cream-crochet-low-waist-wide-leg-beach-pants.html
Parisian-style surfer-girl rashguard
You can pair a black long-sleeve rashguard with high-waisted paper-bag shorts in striped poplin. The tension between sporty neoprene and picnic-blanket stripes ends up being unexpectedly chic. You can’t tuck the rashguard just a little into the waistband. The silhouette will stay tailored. Then you can finish the look with braided-straw mules and a poppy-red lip. This is a little nod to the Saint-Tropez icons of the 60s.
If you want a little bonus, get one with SPF 50 built in. So, when the swells look intimidating. You’ll be ready to spectate from the pier café, with your croissant in hand.
Image from: https://en.xexymix.com/products/summer-breeze-basic-rash-guard?variant=48390924927160
Sheer slip dresses
A bias-cut slip in frosted-peach organza can become your favorite piece. They have a deliberate transparency. You can wear high-rise briefs in a contrasting plum. This way, the colors will show through in golden hour light. The silhouette will move like water and will skim your curves without clinging.
You can keep the shoes to a minimum. Wear tan leather slides with a micro heel to elongate the ankle. A stack of things, bangles are perfect and will clink like wind chimes. The dress can fall smaller than a sweater and will never wrinkle. It will be perfectly safe in your suitcase.
Image from: https://www.next.lu/en/g98516s1/d23828
The playsuit that can double as a towel
Think of Turkish peshtemal cotton cut into a belted playsuit. They can be tailored from repurposed hammam towels. You know, those vertical stripe ones with fringed edges at the hem. They’ll absorb water if you decide to wade knee-deep. But it will also dry while you are napping under a palm tree.
You can unbutton the top snaps and let one shoulder slide off for asymmetry. For footwear, consider jellyfisherman sandals. You can also add a lemon-yellow bucket hat. It will provide a shadow but still look cheeky in your snapshots. You can also take a mini bottle of rose facial mist in your front pocket. Just for some mid-sun spritzes.
Image from: https://www.onepiece.com/no/towel-club-fitted-short-jumpsuit-yellow
Oversized band tees and metallic swim bottoms
You can use your brother’s faded Nirvana tee. Yes, the one that is three sizes up. And pair it with high-cut metallic swim bottoms. Those that glimmer like mermaid scales when the sunlight hits.
The contrast between the grunge cotton and the disco shimmer will create short circuits in people’s expectations. You can French-tuck the front hem to reveal just a peek of holographic hip. You can also loop a chain belt around the waist to add extra flash. To add to the rock-and-roll narrative, you can pack a can of salt spray for the hair.
When the twilight hits, then you can knot the tee up to a crop level. And you’ll get a rooftop-bar look without the need to get changed.
