Last summer, I shopped around for bikinis and two-piece swimsuits for little girls that didn't make them look like teens before their time. Our readers responded so positively, I thought I'd take a browse around this year and see what looks promising in the swimwear department. Hey, I like a bikini as much as the next diaper-changing mama, but still, I'm okay with a little modesty. At least until they hit, oh, maybe 35.
Honestly, this summer was a little tougher than last, with the teeny triangle bikini tops taking over store shelves big time. Even so, here are a few more modest styles that caught my eye this season.
Lands' End
I'll be honest, I was surprised to find swimsuits at Lands' End that I like so much. I adore this bright stripey girls' tankini top ($25, seen above) in sizes 4-16, which can pair with either blue or red bikini bottoms
($17) that are modestly cut, but with a fun side-tie. Plus I trust the construction and durability of their clothes.
Mini Boden
There are quite a few cute swimsuits at Boden this season, but I like this girls' ruffle bikini
which is girlie without being sexy--the flounce on the sports style top
is terrific. It comes in three different colors, for girls 18mo-8y.
($28) This suit is no longer availableHatley
This pastel whale tankini
is pretty darn cute for little girls because we uh, older girls might be more
wary of a whale motif on our swimwear. It comes in sizes up to 4T. (on
sale for $35.99 at Zappos with free shipping)
Old Navy
Old
Navy can be a little tricky when you get into older girls' sizes (do
six year-olds really need plunging necklines?) but for kids through
5T, this is a very cute rash guard set at a fantastic price. (on sale for $15)
Polarn O. Pyret
Last year I got this sports style boy short two-piece swimsuit
for my four year-old and I'm so happy to see they're still carrying it!
Not that we need another--she's still wearing it this year and probably
will next summer too. It's held up beautifully with a lot of wear, and
its amazing how many people ask us where we got it. ($29.)
Polarn also offers a cute polkadot bikini
that isn't so itsy bitsy teeny weeny. The cross-back design can be a
little more tricky for toddlers to get in and out by themselves, but the
styling is adorable. ($28)
Cabana Life
We discovered this great brand years ago, and love their SPF swimsuits and cute styling. There are five styles of girls' rashguard sets that each include UV protection. ($50) A few styles are also available at Nordstrom for a little less. ($42)
For more UPF swimwear, also check out Girls4Sport which we recently reviewed, and has a nice 15% discount code for our readers through the end of June.
J Crew
I
think J Crew is doing a little better in the one-piece department for
little girl this year than with all those triangle-top bikinis, but they
do have a few very simple girls' tankinis for girls 2-14 who actually want to swim this summer and not just pose. (This style $29.99)
