Prêt-À-Portland

Back Stroke

This summer’s swimwear goes retro.

By Eden Dawn May 20, 2011 Published in the June 2011 issue of Portland Monthly

ON AIMEE: Hoff by Hoff polka-dot triangle bikini top and Malia Mills Calendar Girl high-waisted bikini bottom, $60 and $165 at Lille Boutique ON MOIRA: Jantzen Vamp Maillot suit, $60 at Popina; Grayling Pazi fringe earrings and necklace (on wrist), both $79 at Grayling ON KELSEY: Malia Mills Dreamboat Maillot, $345 at Lille Boutique; Grayling Shield necklace and Native Ovals bracelet, $105 and $125 at Grayling

MARILYN MONROE has inspired many things—an appreciation for feminine curves, Joe DiMaggio, a spike in peroxide sales, perhaps … ?and the most current generation of swimwear. As the sun stretches ever so slowly out of its long winter nap, demure silhouettes of vintage suits are popping up on the resort runways from the likes of Diane von Furstenberg and Michael Kors. These svelte suits—with their sophisticated shapes and distinct lack of sequins and strings (thank god)—hark back to the glory days of Jantzen, which once outfitted the country in high-waisted briefs and ruched maillots right from its Portland headquarters. Even better, you don’t have to be heroin-chic skinny to pull them off. Curvy, boyish, or anywhere in between, these flattering styles offer plenty of reasons to dive on in. After all, as Marilyn once said, “The body is meant to be seen, not all covered up.”

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