Remembrance of Bikinis Past

Fast Times at Ridgemont High was on HBO (in the olde days kids, before Tivo and Netflix, hell, before the average family even had a VCR) about four times a week one summer when I was little. And though I had difficulty relating to the film’s risqué plot lines at a time in my life when risky behavior meant making prank phone calls, one thing did register indelibly in my young mind: Linda Barrett’s (as played by Phoebe Cates) red bikini. (This bikini is burned onto my boyfriend’s brain too, as it turns out, though apparently for entirely different reasons.)

Not just a bathing suit, this bikini symbolized the incredibly sophisticated lifestyle I imagined all teenage girls led, girls like my babysitter who laid out in the backyard wearing coconut scented suntan oil and drinking diet soda. I’ve had a thing for ‘80s-looking red bikinis ever since. My favorite Linda Barrett-inspired styles? Check out this Lisa Curran, this Lauren Moffatt, and this Rosa Cha.

Beach Bunny Chic

Salty air, seashells, waves crashing on sandy beaches. This year you've vowed to spend more time in a beachy paradise, and Bop Basics has a few good reasons to keep that promise. With a gauzy new collection of dresses, tops, and scarves, you'll be as perfectly outfitted for the sandy shores as you are for the boardwalk. The bikinis to match these bits of beachwear brilliance? They're coming from the likes of Rosa Cha, Rachel Pally, and Malia Mills. It's the beach bunny chic you need to make this summer shine. Find it, at shopbop.

A Flare for the Dramatic

Famous for its hip-slimming, leg-elongating properties, the flattering flare has attracted a devoted following since its arrival on the denim scene in the groovy '60s. Though often associated with a laid-back, guitar-strumming brand of cool, the flare's inherently dramatic silhouette also plays well with spring's fashion-forward trends.

Put an uptown spin on hippie chic by pairing a light wash flare (try Seven's Super Flare Jean) with a flowy floral top (we love this one from Nieves Lavi) and a sleek, peep-toe heel (like Robert Clergerie's Japons d'Orsay Pump) in an elegant neutral. Take the standard-isse tank-and-jeans into stylish new territory by teaming a dark wash flare (this pair from People's Liberation is a shopbop exclusive) with a boldly colored tank (like this brilliant one from Bop Basics). A bikini top (Rosa Cha's is gorgeous) peeking out adds a breezy sexiness, while a bright sandal (these are by Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti) pulls the playful-yet-sophisticated look together perfectly.

Break that all-black-for night habit. Style a color-saturated flare (we adore this retro-cool Dittos pair) with a slinky top in a standout print (this pretty peacock piece is by MLH) and a major heel for a look that's certain to set you apart from the fashion pack.