Genre Mixing is a technique you can use to make an outfit feel more personal, interesting, and less literal.
In the above note I posted last week, I styled board shorts with a printed button-down shirt and jewelry — pieces more commonly associated with an office job than a beach day. The outfit works because the genres feel slightly in conflict with one another. Had I worn the board shorts with a tank or tee, the look would’ve made a little too much sense.
Revisiting this got me thinking about summer and how I could take this genre-mixing idea even further with…
Swimwear
Wearing swimwear as part of an everyday outfit works because it introduces an element that feels intentionally unexpected. A bikini top peeking out where a bra would normally be. A halter neckline layered under a tank. A sporty texture mixed with something polished.
It immediately makes an outfit feel more considered. Which is the reason I notice — and love — details like a perfectly cuffed sleeve, thoughtful jewelry layering, or intentional shoe-to-pant proportions. Wearing, say, a striped bikini top instead of a standard bra creates the same effect: a styling decision that deliberately shifts the outfit's overall energy.
It’s not screaming. Some may not even clock it.
But it makes for a more thoughtful and personal complete outfit.
The inherent design of the swimwear can also add elements that the outfit simply couldn’t exist without. Take a halter, for example:
The structure of this halter creates the perfect bib-like base under a low-V tank.
Layering in summer can be difficult because we can’t pile on layers without overheating. A simple tie-neck bikini top lets you sort of cheat the system without adding bulk. Visually, the hint of white in the straps makes the outfit a) more sporty and b) keeps my outfit from just being a colorblocked grid and has your eye bouncing around just that necessary bit more!
And speaking of summer layering…
You can also layer on the bottom half! In this ensemble, I altered the rise of my bottoms (low-rise baggy denim shorts) with a high-rise swim bottom. The bra is not a swimsuit, but could very well be.
And for my one-piece lovers: I also enjoy a fun one-piece as a tank.
When getting dressed, I actually started with this leopard swimsuit and built an outfit around it, mixing animal prints and adding pops of color to its neutral palette.
Ideally, your swimwear should be pulling double duty this time of year.
(Also, if anyone would like to invite me to a private pool, I am available.)
I loooove a summer Therapy Walk, so shoes that are comfy enough to walk miles are very important to me. And as someone who admittedly doesn’t like my toes, I have a few summer-walkable (ish) shoes to recommend that hide your toes, almost all of which are featured above because I like what I like!
Ked’s, of course. In case you missed my post, which featured them heavily, my feelings about Keds are unwavering. I particularly love the red or green canvas ones this time of year for added color.
Odissi Crochet Flats (also in red here and on sale here). My favorite purchase as of late! Surprisingly pretty comfy for shorter walks.
These freaking amazing walkable shoes from Softromaine for longer walks. They feel like a slightly sportier version of The Row sock shoes.
I got these in January at a little store in Woodstock, and suddenly now that it’s summer, I’m starting to see the brand pop up on people’s Instagrams. I have walked 21,000 steps in these from Ancient Greek Sandals.
Loeffler Randall’s Devon sandal has come back for its second year, and this time with a ton of new colors. I’m not going to walk miles in these, but they’re the kind of sandal you can easily walk to dinner in.
If you want a (more) proper sneaker, I really love so many Adidas x Wales Bonner styles (sooo many styles on eBay), but if you don’t have time/don’t want to hunt for the right pair or bid, I actually really like these I got from Converse x Le Fleur (Tyler the Creator’s brand lol).
And because it’s too hot for rain boots but we keep getting hit with soak-through-your-shoes rain, I’ve been loving my Plasticana gardening clogs instead. You can read my ode to them from last December here. The green pair I have — which I’ve only managed to find in stock on a few international websites I’m unfamiliar with (here and here) — reminds me of Celine’s $920 version.
Have a great rest of your weekend, hopefully filled with lots of steps in your bikini top! :)
xo,
Eliz