Striped tops are one of my spring and summer staples. I love wearing them with shorts, pants and skirts. Pretty much any solid bottom! Lately, on chilly Florida beach days and casual weekends, I wear this Saint James striped top.

Affordable Long Sleeve Striped Shirts Under $100

Actually, these photos were taken at sunset after my friend and I had a picnic on the beach! Then I taught him how to take photos and these are the result! Not bad for a first time shooting a DSLR! Featuring items I truly *wear* is one of the reasons I started a blog in the first place! It’s so much more authentic in my opinion! I know this is not always possible to shoot everything I wear “in the wild” but it’s pretty darn close!

Saint James Minquiers Moderne Breton Top (Ecru/Navy) / Denim Cut Off Shorts

Saint James is a truly amazing company for so many reasons. This striped long sleeve shirt was given to me as a Secret Santa gift and I have worn it almost weekly since then. Take a look in my closet and you will see I own way to many striped tops! So, I really wanted a long sleeve striped shirt that will last me years to come and after reading so many reviews, the Saint James shirt was my choice! If these photos don’t convince you, you can see the full review of the shirt here. The shirt does run at a steeper price point and truly worth the investment if it’s in your budget. I did find a super similar Breton striped option from Everlane (under $40).

For those who do not want to spend over $50 on a shirt, I created this post with multiple striped top options under $100. J.Crew Factory is one of the best online retailers to purchase quality items at affordable prices. Right now they have a similar striped long sleeve top in navy, yellow, red and white block stripes under $30!

Sure I do love the high quality of my Saint James striped shirt, yet that does not mean you have to sacrifice quality or style with budget friendly options. Old Navy always has extremely nice basics including stripes shirts and tops. I love this relaxed French terry top that comes in 4 colors and is under $20!

Hope you all are having a great Monday! This past week was a busy one for me. First, I’ve been dog sitting, last week I met a new Instagram friend, Brittany, for lunch (we have mutual friends and she grew up in my hometown!). Second, I celebrated my Birthday Friday and Saturday my family and I went to the beach and a favorite restaurant in Cocoa Beach! Take me back to this sunset night on the beach! Who wants to join?

Lots of Sunshine,

Katie

The post Affordable Long Sleeve Striped Shirts Under $100 appeared first on Sunshine Style | Florida Fashion and Lifestyle Blog.

Cannot believe it’s that time already! Swimsuit season is here! Everyone on Insta and Tik Tok seems to be traveling for Spring Break or escaping to Florida to get away from the cold! It always seems super early to start talking about swimsuits but they are one of the fastest items to sell out before summer even begins. I found the cutest floral and pastel swimsuits for spring break, beach vacations, warm-weather trips and summer travels!

Spring Break and beyond is really time for my blog to shine and makes me the most excited! Swimsuits are a huge summer essential and there are so many cute ones out there. From now until summer, I will be sharing new swimsuits every week or two with themes like red, white and blue for Memorial Day, fun prints like gingham, one pieces, bikinis and classic striped suits! When I break them up like this, my hope is that it makes it easier for you for shop!

Pink Scalloped One Piece // Yellow Striped One Piece (under $30) // White Bow One Piece // Floral One Piece // Pink Gingham One Piece // Blue Striped One Piece // Floral High Waist Bikini Top + Bottom // Blue Seersucker Bikini Top + Bottom // Floral High Waist Bikini Top + Bottom

We are supposed to experience some swimsuit weather on Thursday this week and I am already planning on tanning during my lunch break. The pollen might be horrid (my allergies have been slowly killing me lately) but that will not stop me from enjoying the sun! I keep dreaming of wearing this cute yellow striped swimsuit (only $29.99!) lounging by the pool with a yellow striped Cabana towel and a good book.

Swimsuits can get expensive! I am not one to spend $100 on a swimsuit but I just love this colorful confetti bikini top and bottom from Summersalt. It’s made from recycled fabric and the print makes me so happy! I am planning on ordering a Summersalt swimsuit after seeing rave reviews on Instagram and then I will review it on here once I wear it! I also love this very retro inspired floral high waited bikini top and bottom from J.Crew.

I am obsessed with this pink gingham one piece and love the ruffles. If you have a small chest like I do, the ruffles are a great distraction! How adorable is this classic striped one piece with a plunging neckline (under $50)!? This one looks extra sturdy like it will hold up for outside activities and fun in the sun!

How was your weekend?! Like I mentioned above, my allergies have been slowly killing me. I will have better days than others but for the most part, you feel constantly drowsy like you have a cold and are taking gallons of Nyquil. Sunday I stayed inside all day and did basically nothing since I felt so sick. April is going to be a much better month pollen wise and I will welcome my Birthday month with open arms ha! If you entered the Sunshine Style Co. giveaway, I will be announcing it tomorrow on Instagram.

Shop Swimsuits

Lots of Sunshine,

Katie

The post Floral and Pastel Swimsuits for Spring Break appeared first on Sunshine Style | Florida Fashion and Lifestyle Blog.

Striped shirts are a favorite of mine! I know they are a favorite of yours too because you voted for this style video on Instagram! I love creating content for you and use polls often to listen to what you want to see! The poll was for a new “3 Ways to Wear….” style video. There was tough competition between a striped top and a puff sleeve sweater. Luckily, the striped top won (not by much though!) and I got to work right away filming the video!

Striped tops are so versatile and always a classic piece that can be worn thousands of ways. I purposely bought this top to have a slightly loose and relaxed fit to wear casually. It’s the exact striped long sleeve I am wearing in this post. You can read here all about my hype and review of the Saint James striped shirt!

1. White Jeans and Sneakers

Top / Pants / Sneakers / Vest / Scrunchie

This classic outfit is my favorite “go-to” for cooler months! I wore it to Palm Beach for a day of bike riding and exploring. I secretly find it so amusing and fun to be able to wear jeans and a long sleeve top to the beach, which is a rare occasion in Florida!

Any striped top will always match super well with white jeans. I threw on the puffer vest for extra warmth and slipped on my beloved white sneakers! You can tuck the shirt in if your jeans are high waisted or roll up the sleeves for an even more casual outfit.

2. Denim Shorts and Sandals

Top / Shorts / Sandals / Bag

Say hello to my favorite outfit I styled with the long sleeve striped top. It’s giving me all the spring/summer feels. Try front tucking a striped top into cut off or rolled denim shorts. I added sandals, a beach bag and a hat to add even more summer vibes. Once it warms up, this is a super casual and easy outfit for beach, lake or pool days. Roll the sleeves up for an even more relaxed vibe.

3. Midi Skirt and Loafers

Top / Skirt / Loafers / Bag (50% off)

Pairing a striped top with a midi skirt makes this the dressiest of all the 3 outfits. Tuck the shirt in completely into the skirt for a more elegant and romantic outfit! This reminds me of a classic and simple date night or dinner with friends outfit. Top it off with a clutch and loafers!

I hope you all had an amazing weekend! My sister got married on Saturday and it was of the best days ever! I know everyone always says their wedding was one of the best days of their life and although I’m not married, I know it was one of the best days of my sisters life! We all had so much fun celebrating with our closest friends and family at an intimate wedding! Thanks so much to anyone who wished my sister the best, I made sure to send her screenshots of the sweet and happy comments!!!! Photos to come soon on Insta stories!

My family is still in town this entire week and I can’t wait to spend time with them! I do still have to work and my nieces and nephew have virtual school but you can bet we will be playing a bunch of card games and taking beach walks!!!

Watch the Instagram Reel Here!

Lots of Sunshine,

Katie

The post 3 Ways to Wear a Long Sleeve Striped Top appeared first on Sunshine Style | Florida Fashion and Lifestyle Blog.

For our family Secret Santa gift exchange, one of the items I asked for was a Saint James Breton Striped top! It was the one and only gift I got and I was so excited! The French inspired top is worth the hype and exceeded my expectations! If your like me, you probably love striped tops as much as I do! There are never enough and way to many in my closet at the same time! Over the years, I’ve learned the hard way that quality always exceeds quantity and as cute as a striped top is, they don’t always last the test of time. I wanted to give a full review of this top and why I think it’s worth the investment.

My friend Makayla and I took a day trip to Palm Beach to bike the Lake Trail and walk the beach. I wore this casual outfit and it was perfect for a day outside being adventurous. The Saint James shirt held up so well and I was perfectly comfortable all day.

Sunny Outfit Details

Saint James Minquiers Moderne Breton Striped Shirt / Everlane Jeans (similar here, under $35) / J.Crew Factory Sneakers / LOFT Vest (similar here) / Sunchine Style Co. Scrunchie / Cap

I figured I would divide the review into a few categories to make it easy to read and digest! The specific shirt I am wearing is the Saint James Minquiers Moderne Breton Striped Shirt. It’s a boyfriend/men’s fit and exactly the style I was looking for! I have a very athletic/straight shape with not many curves and I was looking for a relaxed fitting shirt that was casual and could mostly be worn at the beach, rolled up and looks cute with denim shorts!

The women’s’ version of this top is called the Meridame Authentic Striped Breton top in the regular fit. It has a slightly more fitted waist and not as “relaxed” feel yet casual enough in my eyes!

Both are $85.00. Yes, that might sound a bit like a steep price tag. Your probably thinking, “Katie, is that shirt worth my money?” Yes, 100% yes! I have so many striped shirts and this one exceeds them all! See why below:

Relaxed Fit

There is nothing that makes my skin crawl more than super tight long sleeved tops (yes I am weird about clothes and textures ha). These days it’s all about being casual. That also means all my clothes must be super comfortable. I am wearing a Small in the top and it’s long enough to wear with jeans and tucked into shorts and skirts. It’s also just loose enough I can push up the sleeves when it warms up outside. Think of a classic and relaxed outfit for bike rides, beach walks, weekend outfits and resort wear!

High Quality

You know when you try something on and you can just tell it’s made well. This shirts is one of those clothing items! The cotton is thick yet breathable. I own way to many striped tops with super thin fabric and this shirt is not one of them. The fabric holds up well with outdoor activities and can take a bit of wear and tear and still looks brand new. To the touch, it feels slightly stiff but on it feels great on your skin.

Made in Normandy, France

Sustainable fashion is something I am super passionate about. All of Saint James products are made in France and they are known for their craftsman ship, ethics and rich history. I love a good brand story and their dates back all the way to the 1300’s. You can read more about it here. It’s comforting to know you are supporting local businesses and that they pride themselves on quality clothing. They have won several awards and are very well known with the French government!

Shop Saint James Breton Stripes Shirts

Lots of Sunshine,

Katie

The post 3 Reasons Why A Saint James Striped Shirt Is Worth The Investment appeared first on Sunshine Style | Florida Fashion and Lifestyle Blog.

Nothing makes me more excited than stripes! If there is a classic winter staple to add into your closet, it’s a long sleeve striped dress! You can style them so many ways for cooler days and still feel like it’s summer! Living in a place that is warm almost always, I love the option of wearing long sleeve with a breeze on the legs!

How’s your weekend going?! Yesterday, I made peanut blossoms with a friend and it was a major fail. They were undercooked and then we made different ones and they burnt. We tried a third batch and they were hard and overcooked! Never had a problem with these cookies before so I am not sure what happened!

Also, every time I make these, I feel like I turn into a big blob of peanut butter because I eat so many of them, ha! Or a big pile of peppermint bark. That sums me up during Christmas time. They say you are what you eat, right?!

Old Navy Dress (on sale for $19.00) / North Face Rain Jacket / J.Crew Factory Sneakers / Basket Bag (similar)

Can you believe that the dress is only $19.00?! That is a steal for sure! For the longest time it was sold out in both colors (comes in navy and white). Every few days I would stalk the Old Navy website and when the striped dress finally came back in stock, I jumped on it!

I am wearing a size small and it fits pretty true to size. It’s made of a super stretchy material, so the sleeves are fitted but the body is more relaxed (aka not skin tight!). Don’t want to look like I am going clubbing if you know what I mean. Also, I have extremely long arms and the sleeve hit right above my wrist bone.

Personally, I loved the white striped dress over the navy stripe! Now that I am looking at it though, there are endless possibilities on ways to add pops of color with the navy dress! Both are equally cute and it comes down to preference!

Stripes will always be nautical and transport me back to a warm summer day at the beach. To keep with the theme, I styled the striped dress with a yellow North Face raincoat. Praise the Lord for raincoats! I lived my entire life without one. Then one day my mom gifted me this jacket for Christmas and there’s no turning back. Good bye umbrellas.

How cute would the dress be with some yellow Hunter rain boots. I’ve dreamed of these shoes for forever and just need to bite the bullet one day and buy them! Because that is a cute rainy day look that I need in my life! It wasn’t exactly raining when I took these photos but the weather was yuck.

I paired the dress with white sneakers for a more casual outfit. These are my all time favorite canvas white sneakers and super comfy (only $35!)! They are on rotation all week long! Next time I wear the dress, I might also style it with a causal ball cap!

You could also pair them with loafers and flats! Instead of a rain jacket, try a sweater blazer or a denim jacket for an added layer! Would you like if I did an Instagram reel with a few ways on how to style this dress?! It’s a good way for me to push myself out of my comfort zone and also give you guys some more styling options! Video is SO different than posing for a camera!

Old Navy Dress (on sale for $19.00) / North Face Rain Jacket / J.Crew Factory Sneakers / Basket Bag (similar)

Shop The Long Sleeve Striped Dress Outfit

Photos curtesy of my mom! Thanks mom for helping me take these photos!

Lots of Sunshine,

Katie

The post How to Style a Long Sleeve Striped Dress appeared first on Sunshine Style | Florida Fashion and Lifestyle Blog.

Palm Beach is one of the most beautiful places in Florida! Only last year did I find out about it’s beauty when I met up with Hailey and Emily, two SoFL blogger friends of mine, for the first time to take photos together. Other than quick day trips, I had not actually stayed the night in the colorful, palm tree filled and tropical town. It’s like PB was made for my blog! Did you know I tried to get a job down there before Covid hit?! Maybe one day!

A few weeks back, my friend Ashley and I planned a quick end of summer trip down to Palm Beach for one night to finally experience all of it’s sunny goodness. It was pretty much a marathon sprint of cramming in as much as we could in a 24 hour time span without over doing ourselves! I had to make my first visit worthwhile!

We ended up leaving Melbourne (where we live) and drove down South about 2 hours to Palm Beach. Our first stop was something I had on my Palm Beach bucket list for a while! It was to ride the Lake Trail and it did not disappoint! We rented an AirBnB in Lake Worth and other than the Lake Trail, we mostly planned on lounging on the beach. Which we did!

Palm Beach Lake Trail

The Lake Trail was our first pit stop. We wore our swimsuits in the car and appropriate bike riding outfits. We both wore denim shorts and a lightweight cotton top with sandals. The entire trail is 5.5 miles long one way and you have a water view then entire time of the Lake Worth Lagoon. It’s one of the prettiest bike rides I have ever taken!

We rented bikes from the Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop. It cost about $39 for a few hours. They were super helpful and I would absolutely rent from them again! You can park in their parking lot (which we did) and it’s connected to the Royal Poinciana Plaza. I meant to bring a few products to shoot for a client on my bike ride and what do you know…I completely left the items at home. So I grabbed my camera and we hit the trail.

You will be blown away the entire ride. On your left you have the water view and on your right, there are some of the most beautiful (and expensive) homes I have ever seen in my life. There was a smile plastered on my face the entire time.

Where To Eat

After our almost 10 mile bike ride, we hopped on over to Celis Produce for some acai bowls! Every time I have taken a day trip, I’ve eaten here, including after I had a job interview! It’s affordable and refreshing on warm days spent outside. For dinner we ended up eating at Al Fresco which is a restaurant located on a golf course with a terrific water view! It was delicious and I have heard their pizza is amazing!

Worth Avenue

After our big day on Satruday bike riding 10 miles, cooling off at the beach in Lake Worth and having a delicious dinner, we wanted to take it easy on Sunday. We planned on staying until after lunch to really enjoy everything PB had to offer. I will admit, most of my time going to the island for my day trips were spent exploring and taking pictures on Worth Avenue.

In the morning, we went to a beach in Lake Worth and afterwards took A1A to Worth Avenue. My friend Ashley had never been before so it was fun showing her around! It’s quite unlike anything I’ve seen before. There’s luxuries shopping, the flag ship Lilly Pulitzer store, colorful buildings, and photo opps around every corner. The best part is at the end of the “avenue” or road, it opens out to the beach. After we walked around a bunch sweating our butts off, taking photos and looking at the turquoise water, we were ready for our 2 hour drive home.

Blue Heron Bridge

Ocean Reef Park

During my 24 hour Palm Beach trip, I didn’t go to Ocean Reef Park but wanted to include it on this travel guide! I figured it was worth sharing and if you dislike shopping, this park is a great alternative.

My filmmaker and adventurous friend, Makayla, and I drove down to Palm Beach in September to snorkel the Blue Heron Bridge. After we ate lunch, we ventured down to Ocean Reef Park. Again, this beach is incredible! There are coral rock formations, water that looks like it’s straight from the Bahamas and one of the prettiest beach accesses I’ve ever walked on! Makayla ended up taking her drone out and told me to get in the water for some pretty beach and ocean shots. Is that not the prettiest photo ever!? I’ve always dreamed of being able to post fun drone photos on my blog!

Besides fashion, I love to explore new places and travel. I hope you loved this travel guide and much as I loved writing it! Hope there’s more of these to come. =)

Lots of Sunshine,

Katie

Would you prefer shopping on Worth Avenue or riding along the Lake Trail?! I’d love to know in the comments!

The post 24 Hour Palm Beach Travel Guide appeared first on Sunshine Style | Florida Fashion and Lifestyle Blog.

When it comes to getting dressed in the summer, I live for sundresses. They are so easy to throw on. If you have ever experienced a humid Florida summer, they are the only piece of clothing you want to wear. All of the sudden the heat has hit here and I pretty much wear dresses everyday. Since I work from home, I love wearing all the strappy dresses you’d never get away with at work. Definitely my favorite part about working from home and a long time dream come true!

Target Dress (under $30) / Tuckernuck Sandals / Shore Bag / Statement Earrings (similar) / Sunshine Style Co. Scrunchie (coming soon!)

Can you believe that I didn’t own a red dress before this one! What kind of fashion blogger am I?! The midi dress fits like a dream and I feel so put together (it runs super true to size)! Red is such a classic and beautiful color, especially for summer. I’ve worn it out to dinner, on beach walks with my family and my favorite casual Friday’s because the only boss I have is myself!

Dresses are really easy to style for the summer. I usually style them with statement earrings or a headband, grab my favorite over-sized beach bag and throw on matching sandals! Bonus if the sandals are neutral or white! Pretty much the easiest and thoughtless outfit formula ever!

Shout out to my new favorite summer sandals! I love buying shoes that match with all of my dresses and look cute with shorts. How CUTE are the tiny shells?! These are really the perfect sandal to wear on a vacation (you know, when we can go on vacation again ha!), staycation, running errands or just around the house. Keep in mind, they run on the small side. I am wearing a 10 and they fit exact. My usual shoe size is 9/9.5.

I live for all the classic, red, white and solid blue dresses in the summer, especially the midi-length. If you look in my closet, I have so many blue and white dresses it’s insane! Now this red dress is my latest addition! I should have probably write this post before July 4th because it’s the perfect All-American style! Another style I am loving for summer are tie strapped dresses like this white midi dress (under $15!) and this maxi printed dress!

Well I better get back to work! I’ve been waking up earlier to wrote my blog posts in the morning because it’s when my mind is the freshest! I feel like I am all over the place the past few weeks. I have two clients I am shooting and styling products for along with my full-time job and somehow I still wanted to blog. Ha! There’s also those cute striped scrunchies I am getting ready to sell that have been taking up my free time too (if you follow me on Instagram you know and I am also wearing one in these photos!). I love it and am highly success driven but sometimes there’s just not enough time in the day to do it all!

Lots of Sunshine,

Katie

Which midi dress is your favorite?! Are you more of a blue, red or white dress kinda girl?!

The post 5 Summer Midi Dresses Under $50 appeared first on Sunshine Style | Florida Fashion and Lifestyle Blog.

During the summer, I love a good striped swimsuit. They are classic, timeless and if they swimsuit is designed well, the stripes are also flattering! One thing I keep in mind when buying swimsuits is making sure they are budget friendly. For a small piece of stretchy fabric, they can get pretty expensive! All of the ones I included are under $75!

If you would look on my porch right now, my room, shower or bathroom, you would find swimsuits everywhere. Their either soaking wet from getting a bath to help them last longer, half way dry or waiting to be worn again for beach and pool days! At least half of them are striped and it makes me so happy when I look at them!

Similar J.Crew Swimsuit (more affordable option here), Similar Denim Shorts, Basket Bag

One style I am drooling over for summer are one shoulder swimsuits. One piece and bikinis! This stripes are an added bonus! Do you remember when off the shoulder tops were all the rage? Now it’s switched to one side suits. This swimsuit from J.Crew Factory sold out over 4th of July weekend and I sure know why. I loveeee the ruffle on the top. It’s the perfect distraction from a smaller chest and feels extra girly!

J.Crew has a super similar blue and white striped suit with a ruffle (it comes in red to!). It’s a little more on the pricey side for me but if you watch it closely, it’s bound to go on sale soon! J.Crew is always having some kind of sale. I found a few really beautiful similar striped swimsuits like this ruffled one piece (under $35) and this striped one piece (under $12).

Some of my favorite shorts to wear with my swimsuits are denim cut offs! I usually buy all of my cut offs from American Eagle. I own a bunch of light pairs and a few dark pairs. Actually, if you looked in my drawer, I’d be slightly embarrassed with how many I actually own. Their super comfortable, match with any swimsuit and can be paired with girly tops and sandals during a warm summer day when your not at the beach or pool.

Style Tip: If you wear high-waisted swimuit, you can roll the top down so it does not stick out of your shorts! I’ve put on really low denim shorts before and had to laugh at how funny my high waist swimsuit bottoms looked. The higher the shorts are the less you will have to worry about this.

A few of my other favorite striped swimsuits that I have my eye on is this striped one shoulder top and high waisted swim bottoms (comes in red and blue!). I also love this green ruffled Aerie top and bikini bottoms. They have the most affordable swimsuits ever that are amazing quality! Last but not least is this fun rainbow colored striped top and boyfriend bottoms that will add happiness to your day!

Striped Swimsuits Under $75

Lots of Sunshine,

Katie

The post Striped Swimsuits Under $75 appeared first on Sunshine Style | Florida Fashion and Lifestyle Blog.

Hello sunny friends! I am so excited to start the month of July with some All-American, red white and blue outfits you can wear all weekend! Celebrating the USA is something I am so proud of and have a wardrobe full of these colors! When it comes to dressing for any holiday, I am team simple and easy all the way.

This is not something that needs to be over complicated and there aren’t really any secrets. I would say don’t stress about buying something *new* and wear what you already own! Have fun with mixing stripes and different shades of red, white and blue together for BBQ’s, family get together’s, a low-key weekend, beach days or fireworks at home!

All-American High Waisted Shorts

Some of my most favorite colors to wear together are red and blue or navy to be specific. This combo is perfect for holidays but can be worn all summer long! I love the statement of two solid colors worn together! Navy shorts can also be replaced with denim cut offs or jean shorts! Most likely I will be wearing some form of this outfit with a swimsuit underneath because #heatandhumidity.

Here are a few color combinations and ways to mix and match pieces you already own for 4th of July or any USA holiday:

Red Striped Top + White Bottoms

White Dresses with Neutral Accessories

Blue Stripes + Navy or White Bottoms

White Flowy Top + Denim shorts

Striped Tops + Skirts

Striped tops will always be a staple in my closet all year round. This is the same striped shirt tucked into a navy and white shirt. Re-wearing my favorite pieces is one of my favorite things about getting dressed! I love how versatile stripes are. A blue or red striped top will both look good with any solid colored red, white or blue bottom!

Red, White and Blue Swimsuits

If you pop over to my Instagram this weekend, you will most likely see me sporting a swimsuit! I have so many red and blue and striped swimsuits, it will be hard to choose which one to wear! This is about as easy as it gets!

Solid Colored Dresses with Accessories

Last but not least are simple and easy dresses! Dresses are the best because you can use them as a cover up or throw them on for a casual day at home. Striped dresses are a classic that will make you look as patriotic as possible! I am also really loving solid colored dresses lately like this red midi dress from Target I recently purchased.

Lots of Sunshine,

Katie

Do you have any exciting 4th of July plans? My family and I never really make big plans! We are going to swim, BBQ and set off some fireworks! I’ll most likely be wearing this red dress!

The post Classic 4th of July Outfit Ideas appeared first on Sunshine Style | Florida Fashion and Lifestyle Blog.

Summer has officially hit and it is HOT with a capital T. I’ve been wearing swimsuits almost every day for afternoon pool swims and weekend beach days. I wear swimsuits so much in the summer, I make sure to take care of them so they will last me until the next year.

When I was a teen and *had* to have the coolest swimsuit, I always begged my mom to buy me one new Roxy swimsuit for summer. Even though $80 wasn’t exactly cheap, I cannot tell you how well that swimsuit stood up. I used to think it was just about the brand but then I started to see the difference in how I took care of my swimsuits. The worst is when you buy a brightly colored swimsuit and it fades in a few wears. Been there done that and it’s not fun. Of course, if you buy a higher quality swimsuit, the color will last much longer and stay more vibrant. But even some of my more budget friendly swimsuits have lasted just as long and I give all credit to how I take care of them!

Living in Florida, you have you beach swimsuits and your pool swimsuits. At least I do! Most pools have high counts of chlorine and it naturally will bleach your suit making the color fade super quickly. When I retire a swimsuit, I make it my new pool swimsuit. Even though chlorine is damaging, if you don’t rinse the salty water off from the beach or even fresh water like a lake or spring, it can still damage the fabric.

How to Care for Your Swimsuits

1. Hand Wash Them In The Sink (or Shower) After Every Wear

This is my #1 rule! As soon as I am I done wearing my swimsuit, I take it off and rinse it in the shower or sink without fail. No matter if it has pool, ocean, springs or lake water on it, I make sure to rinse it thoroughly. Sometimes I’ll even hop in the shower and rise it off while I am still wearing it!

If you don’t rinse your swimsuit you risk the fabric corroding or disintegrating, especially with harsh chlorine or salt water. Both are equally harsh if left on the fabric. With my experience, chlorine will make the colors fade and salt makes the fabric much stiffer.

You can also scrub with a gentle bar of soap and then soak them for 10-30 minutes in the sink! Personally, I like the shower because it’s the quickest and easiest way.

2. Hang To Dry

I might sound like a broken record but caring for your swimsuits is really about keeping the colors vibrant and the fabric looking like new. Hanging your swimsuits will help them to dry the fastest!

Never, ever throw your swimsuits in the dryer. As soon as you do, the color will be about 1-2 shades lighter in one wash. How do I know it?! Because I’ve for sure made that mistake and vowed to never make it again.

3. Machine Wash Only When Absolutely Necessary

The three times I wash my swimsuits in the wash machine is if it’s *that time of the month*, somehow I got food on them and the stain won’t come out or there’s tiny specks of sand that won’t come out no matter how many times I rinse them. There’s a certain sanitation line I just don’t want to risk ha! When I was researching for this post, I found a really awesome eco-friendly company that sells a gentle detergent. I will probably order some for washing fabrics like spandex, silk, polyester and synthetics like swimsuits.

Personally, I try to only wash my swimsuits if they are really dirty. That might be like every 3-4 months or if I went on a trip and they took on a weird smell. Soaking them for 30 minutes should do the same trick if you are using a gentle detergent. Never ever dry them! Just hang to dry!

4. Avoid Sun In or Beauty Products with Bleach

This will turn any swimsuit from a bright color to pale yellow in 3 seconds flat. In the past I have used sun in to lighten my hair and accidentally spilled some on my swimsuit. It looked so horrible and splotchy! Basically it’s like pouring straight bleach onto your swimsuit! Not a good idea.

5. Don’t Slide Against Rough Surfaces

Like I mentioned above, I have beach swimsuits and pool swimsuits. Most pools have really rough surfaces and decks. The worst is when you slide on a step or the deck and it pulls on the delicate spandex fabric. It will create these small balls called pilling. I usually put down a towel to sit on and don’t scrape my butt across a step if I am sitting. This step alone will really keep your swimsuits looking beautiful!

Lots of Sunshine,

Katie

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