While it’s vacation season for most, it’s been work-cation season for me. More work than “cation.” As you may have seen, I styled + appeared in promos for a couple Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia last month and while it was an amazing trip for my first time in one of the most gorgeous Caribbean islands I’ve ever visited, it was still somewhat work: getting up before 5am daily, running back to the room to steam out the next look and another outfit change for every activity, wearing swimsuits ON camera while everyone in the resort is watching you… it definitely wasn’t a vacation, but I definitely can’t complain being treated like a celebrity in paradise.
If I’m going to have to wear a bikini on camera (and in film where you can’t Photoshop!), I wanted to make sure I was wearing something flattering and that covered while I was floating in a pool with a drone filming overhead, strolling on the beach, or while I was paddle boarding in the ocean waves.
Lately I’ve only been wearing swimwear from K.Belo or Marysia because they give you lots of mix-and-match options that are flattering for my body shape (I’m very narrow on top and curvier on bottom). I sent a bunch of these swimsuits to another model for the Sandals shoot in another island after my shoot. She has the complete opposite body type than I do (bigger bust and tinier bottom), and they also looked amazing on her; granted, she’s actually a model.
Yes, they’re pricier than the string bikinis you’re probably used to buying, but seriously it’s worth the splurge if it’s something that makes you feel confident and you’ll wear for years to come. Both brands also use thick, high quality fabrics so you don’t need extra padding/lining and you feel like you’re still covered up.
STYLIST TIP: If you wash your swimwear by hand after each wear, they will last for years to come. Never put your swimwear in the wash, as it will wear down the fabric and elastic. If you’re on vacation, rinse your swimsuit in the shower with some shampoo before your next wear to avoid chlorine or salt stains/smells and hang to dry.
My swimwear silhouette lately has been a flattering strapless bandeau and full coverage bottoms, though one piece suits and high waisted bottoms are also in the rotation. Now that I’m getting older, sunbathing less, but more active on the beach in my swimwear, the string bikinis have been making less appearances in my resort wear. I’m planning on a warm weather escape (for a real vacation) next month and I can’t wait to wear these swim pieces for more than a few hours on a shoot.
Get swimwear ready for your vacation this season with my favorite workout that will really transform your body in just a few classes. For real.
Marysia bikini // Eugenia Kim hat (similar here and here) // Karen Walker sunglasses via Village Luxe (c/o, sign up for exclusive membership with the code THEBROOKLYNSTYLIST) // ASOS cover-up sundress dress
photos by Josh Boccheciamp and Brendan Pike shot at Sandals Regency La Toc
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