week 17: Is it one-piece summer?

Move over brat, its modest girl summer

A quick note before I dive in:

I want to acknowledge my privilege as someone born into citizenship in the country I call home. As the daughter of an immigrant, and a birth right citizen, I know how incredibly privileged I am to have the capacity to be thinking and writing about something as trivial as bathing suit trends this week.

I have never been less proud to be an American associated with such a harmful and corrupt government, but I have also been incredibly proud to be an American this week, touched by the actions of my fellow citizens who gather together in protest against the administration and in support of immigrants.

If you do not have the capacity to read about something as trivial as swimsuits this week, I understand that and encourage you to honor your feelings and save this for another time, if you would like to read on, let’s talk about bathing suits…

Almost 30 years later Princess Diana stays pinned all over the summer inspiration mood board.

This all started for me when Internet it-gril, M.T., (

TheGoldCoasterMT

) shared a video of her favorite swimsuits to her 210K TikTok followers. Not only did she sell her followers on a vintage, princess Diana on the coast of Italy, summer aesthetic, but also on the concept of one pieces as a chic fashion alternative to the bikini for summer.

If you’ve been paying attention to summer trends you will know the matching sarong is also making a major comeback

Minus the haircut, you could convince me this photo was taken today. The black and white one piece is totally in style again.

D- Doing: Wearing a one-piece

After years of bikini exclusivity, I purchased, and wore, a one-piece and I felt chic a.f.

I have two things to credit to the one-piece resurgence, first, as stated above, vintage fashion influencer M.T., whose summer style is the perfect blend of preppy and vintage. Her understanding and embracing of personal style at just 19 years old is inspiring.

Second, is the redesigning and repackaging of the one piece by the swim industry.

The only one-piece that I had in my bathing suit collection for years. Usually reserved for water sports and family friendly occasions. This year I added a second.

I- Rebranding the one piece

Often considered “the mom suit” the one-piece bathing suit has long been designed at a dis-service to much of the market.

The past few summers we saw high waisted bathing suit bottoms all over the beach. A small shift towards a market interested in modest options in beach ware.

This year swim shorts are all over the place. Replacing the cheeky thongs with more than full coverage.

If it isn’t modesty that is driving sales it’s definitely function: beach to pilates branding, throw on a t-shirt and your ready for the day and a spontaneous dip in the ocean.

Finally, one pieces are being reimagined. Or rather, re-reimagined to include styles that are both more youthful, less modest, and oh so chic.

G- Getting fully immersed Princess Diana summer aesthetic

A brief intermission of all the swimsuit chat to allow space for Princess Diana’s perfect beach cover up inspiration.

Why do both of these images look like they could be an ad for Brandy Melville? The 80s vintage tee, navy duffle bag, logo baseball cap… I mean come on!

This Substack has turned into me convincing you every week that EVERYTHING comes back in style (except maybe some of these hair styles).

S- Suggesting you wear the one piece

Let’s reclaim the one-piece as a staple in the hot girl wardrobe.

Mix it up from bikinis and butt cheeks and throw on a one piece, wear it all day at the beach and then throw on a pair of tailored shorts, a patent leather belt, and ballet flats (M.T. and Princess Diana style) for dinner.