Dos and Don'ts of Mix and Matching Swimwear
There's something about mixing and matching swimsuits that just makes summer or a beach vacation feel longer. Maybe it's the ability to change up your beach or pool look from day to day, or perhaps it's finally debuting a new combination during a long-awaited tropical holiday. While it's important to have at least one go-to one-piece swimsuit in your rotation, having the option to mix and match pieces will keep you feeling fresh and help you create more memories to look back on. Variety is the spice of life, after all!
One thing we love about mixing and matching swimsuits is how it allows us to get creative and feel both adventurous and confident about our look. With that in mind, you might be looking for some guidance on how best to create a swimsuit repertoire that's as exciting as it is flattering and functional. Below we explore some tips for doing just that.
Do Mix Solids and Patterns
When it comes to mixing and matching swimsuit tops and bottoms, you can never go wrong with a solid-color top and a patterned bottom, or vice versa. This combination offers endless possibilities, and you can easily choose what looks most flattering on you. If you want to accentuate your top, opt for a patterned top in whatever style you choose with a solid color bottom that complements the top. If, say, you have a vibrant swimsuit top with a colorful floral print, pick one of the colors in your top for the color of your base. This also works well with more muted or neutral patterns. Suppose you're pairing a patterned bottom and a solid color top, but you still want to keep it somewhat subtle. In this case, a major "do" would be combining a white and navy polka dot bottom with a solid navy top.
Don't Be Afraid to Mix Patterns
You might be thinking, "wait, doesn't this contradict the 'do' above?"—but really what we're saying here is do what makes you feel good. If you want to go pattern-on-pattern because you know it'll look fabulous, the trick would be to choose patterns that complement each other. One safe bet here is a swimsuit top with vertical stripes paired with a bottom with horizontal stripes. So long as the colors in the top and bottom work together, you can absolutely pull this off if you're looking to take your mix-and-matching game to the next level.
Do Mix Solid Colors
If you're unsure of what patterns to mix and match, or you just prefer solid color swimwear, you'll be glad to know that mix and matching with solid colors is a definite "do." Think about colors that work well together in your everyday wardrobe, like bright teal with navy blue or dark purple with lilac. From there, you can try out different color combinations and see what works best.
You might even find that you can create multiple beach or pool day looks with the different solid color tops and bottoms you already have on hand — for example, while teal goes with navy, it also goes with dark purple, and so on! If you love the idea of having an array of fun color combinations to choose from to fulfill your-mix-and match dreams but also want to incorporate some patterns, look for beach cover-ups that work with your various color combos.
Don't Mix Similar Colors
It's hard to go wrong when you're mix and matching with solid colors, but be wary of choosing hues that are only slightly different shades. For example, if you pick out a pink top and then choose a pink bottom in a shade that's similar but not the same, the result may be a look that seems off. If you're loving that pink top and want to stick with it, try a completely different shade of pink for your bottoms (for example, pair fuchsia with baby pink) or a different color entirely.
This is true of black separates as well. If you're going all black for your mix-and-match swimwear, be sure to choose a top and bottom that are the exact same black hue. If you can't find this, opt for a different color for either your swimsuit top or bottom. Black and light gray or red can be a great combo, as can black and lilac or teal.
Do Choose Comfortable and Flattering Styles
One thing that's essential when mixing and matching swimwear is choosing styles for both the top and bottom that make you feel confident and comfortable. The key to changing it up when it comes to patterns and colors is to have items in your rotation that you don't have to give a second thought to before throwing on. For example, try mixing your top with high waisted swim skirt. The high-waist cut and various lengths make these bottoms versatile and flattering. Plus, they pair perfectly with any style top you choose, although we love mixing these bottoms with a high neck tankini top.
One of the advantages of mixing and matching swimsuits is you can go with different sizes for the top and bottom, making it easier to find your perfect fit and build out your styles from there.
Don't Listen to the Naysayers
Ignore anyone who tries to tell you that you have limited style choices based on your body type. Opt for styles that make you feel good because, at the end of the day, that's what'll make you look your best. If you're stumped about which style to choose because there are just too many options that'll look great on you, think about functionality before choosing a style. If you know you're going to have an active beach day, for example, look for tankini tops that you can pair with a high-waist bottom. This is a mix-and-match look made in heaven for activities like swimming or playing beach paddle ball. If your day is more about lounging by the pool with a good book, opt for a bikini-style top with your favorite high-, mid-, or low-waist bottom. Just don't forget your sunscreen!
We hope that these tips and tricks leave you feeling inspired for picking out your next mix-and-match swimsuit ensemble. Refreshing your swimsuit repertoire is just the first step in having a memorable day in the sun, so always keep in mind that the biggest "do" of all is to have fun with your choices. With so many styles, cuts, and patterns to choose from, we know you're going to look amazing.