The art of layering a bikini

Some of you may know I’m a recently graduated fashion student. Like many others,  throughout college I have experimented with my personal style. If you knew me in high school you would’ve said that my style was a mix of edgy and boho, very reflective of my personality. I thrifted practically everything at the time because I worked at a cafe very close to my local goodwill and I fell in love with the hunt, and the thrill of finding unique pieces. 

In college, I really struggled with wanting to fit in. Continuing my personal style while in a sorority surrounded by people in only athleisure, I found myself slowly morphing into my environment. Now to be so transparent– absolutely nothing is wrong with that. I am a firm believer in wearing what makes YOU happy. However, I have always used clothing as a form of self expression and self identification. By wearing what everyone else was, I was losing myself, and THAT was the issue.  I knew who I was in high school and thankfully, these past couple years have transformed me into a cooler and more mature version of her. With that, my boho style has come back. I’ve been loving every minute I have been reincorporating my style into my day-to-day looks, even while still being on campus this Spring. 

I've recently been loving experimenting with light layering for spring and sharing my looks via TikTok and Instagram. I have found a couple staples that make a look more boho, but I’m going to share my biggest hack for making any look turn more coastal. With Spring break being here for many of us, I'm here to inspire you with some spring break approved looks.

To be clear, this is not a shopping list, think of it more as a recipe. I want to help inspire you with pieces you already have in your closet, or pieces that are available to you at a thrift store because you should not be buying an entire new wardrobe for a place that has never seen the clothes in your closet. If you absolutely need to satiate your desire for new pieces, please google your nearest thrift store and check out what they have to offer. 

We’re in the midst of Spring Break and you may be wondering “How am I going to make my bikini work? I don’t have solid plans for each day. I know at some point I’m going to be in the water?” I would say this is my forté in fashion: the art of layering with a bikini. 

From top to bottom: Goldie Swimwear, Skatie Swimwear, Frankies Bikinis

As a member of the IBTC I wish I could live in a bikini. They are way more comfortable than any other bra I’ve worked with and more socially acceptable than going braless. The trick is to find a signature style that works for you & your girls. As of late, I have been a big fan of a Triangle Bikini. I love the way they peek out from underneath shirts and just the overall versatility of them. When I’m waking up and grabbing coffee with my friends and I’m not sure what the day entails, my easiest bet is to throw on a bikini and put something to go over it. It doesn’t sound groundbreaking or revolutionary but it’s all about the type of tank, tee or the type of bottom. 

Swimsuit: Cheeki Swim, Tank: Skims, Accessories: Depop

Right now, i’m a huge fan of the skims tanks paired with a baggy long short and a flip flop, but to give it a bit more of a beachy look, add a pop of color with a colorful bikini top (bonus points if its a tone that compliments your new sunkiss). But let's take this same outfit formula and bring it to a beachside bar where we’re grabbing drinks with the girls. Swap the flip flop for a strappy kitten heel . (I promise they're comfortable). Slick your hair back, or let the beachy waves take over. Add some jewelry & play around with different bags & you just elevated your coffee fit, while staying in your bikini. 

T-Shirt + Lace Maxi Dress Combo... SO Spring

Now something else I LOVE is an oversized t-shirt (who doesn’t). I’m going to give yall my biggest secret though. The coolest T-Shirts are NOT at a fast fashion retailer. Please go to your favorite thrift and find something that speaks to you. A T-Shirt (unless it is one of a true vintage rock band) should not be over $20. Go thrift one. It's all about the sizing. If you are an XS/S opt for a Large. If you are a M/L go for an XL. (These are just suggestions based on what I have tried and what has worked for me. For a more baggy/ oversized look, consider cutting out the neckline. I have done this to so many of my old shirts, and they now have a whole new life in my eyes.)

For the bottom half, there are so many options

to play with, but I urge you to opt for a skirt. A mini skirt looks so effing cute with an oversized T-Shirt. Opt for a denim mini, or even a stretch skirt (I love the Danielle Guizio ones, and she has so many color options) but please for the love of all things holy, stop wearing pleated tennis skirts. I'm not elaborating on that at this time.

Maybe you don’t enjoy having your legs out, or they might be sunburnt and you need to protect them. HELLOOOO maxi skirts. There are always SO many good options at the thrift store. I opt for something with a pattern or texture to add some pizzazz to my majorly neutral closet. I have played around with layering with lace maxi skirts (even lace maxi dresses), and when you tie it all in with a belt, it looks SO chic. I would wear this little combo of looks for a day of frolicking, maybe trying a new acai bowl stand, shopping at the local stores or just exploring your vacation town. 

Swimsuit: Dippin Daisys Skirt: Danielle Guizio Shoes: Sororitié Vintage

Lastly, let’s talk about going out. It's college spring break, or maybe post-grad spring break, or maybe you're just reading this because you love me (love u too boo.) How the eff do you go out and stay in your bikini? (because maybe you want to take a dip in a pool or hot tub after your night comes to a close.) First of all, drink water with every drink you have, and maybe don’t go swimming if you've had too many. (Please stay safe). Second of all, sheer top, bikini underneath.

My favorite sheer top is in the style of a poncho. You can ask my mom, I had one in the third grade that I wore non-stop every weekend. I stumbled upon this indie store in Napa Valley that was going out of business when I was there in January, re-discovered them and stocked up. But believe it or not… I thrifted one less than two months before in Louisiana. However if a poncho isn’t your vibe, a sheer or lace top. Let me be clear. We are NOT finding this on Fashion Nova or SHIEN (i almost threw up typing that).

The key to wearing this and not feeling like you're going to a rave tho, is to balance this out with a low rise flowy pants. When I was in Rosemary Beach visiting a friend, I opted for a monochromatic look with my white sheer lace top, white flowy pants, then made my bikini the star of the show by wearing a green bikini top.

But, for a more tame look, I paired a black bikini top under the same white lace tee with a bootcut pair of dark-wash denim & tied it in with a black shoe. This felt cool and mysterious, but still sexy enough to go out in.  I will admit…mine is from Brandy Melville (we talked about my addiction in my Stranded in San Francisco blog post), but I urge you to find better options. I wore one to the hangout festival that I thrifted and she is just as, if not even more adorable. 

There are tons of options to make your bikini the star of the show. I hope this inspired you to look at some pieces you might already have in a new light. Like I said, this is not by any means a spring break style guide. Just a suggestion of all of the options you have when it comes to repurposing pieces in your closet for such a fun debatably hard-to-dress-for week. Wear what makes you feel happy and confident so you can be the best version of yourself all week. Hope this helps. Have a fabulous spring break.

XO,

Riley