Everyone loves sweater weather, but after five months of obligatory bundling just to avoid running the risk of completely freezing on the walk to Frank, it’s time for an increase in temperature, and with that- a new wardrobe! With spring break only one week away, now is prime time for ordering spring break pieces… Imagine the sadness of getting an email saying that you got a parcel full of bikinis after you’ve departed from Colgate. In an effort to avoid this tragedy, this list can help you find beachwear before you have to resort to the commercialist’s sin: overpriced (but often necessary) overnight shipping.
One- Stop Shopping:
Revolve
Revolve is the holy grail of online shopping. With hundreds of the best brands compiled on one site, clicking on one clothing area (ex: tops, swim, bottoms, sandals, etc…) can lead you to dozens of pages laden with the newest and trendiest clothes. The only downside? It is a complete rabbit hole; once you enter the world of Revolve, don’t expect to reenter real-life for at least two hours.
PS: My favorite stores on Revolve are listed below and definitely should be included in your search:
Majorelle, Blue Life, LoveShackFancy, Anthropology, Lovers and Friends
Shopbop:
Shopbop is very similar in design to Revolve, as it is one website that combines all the best accessories, clothes, bathing suits, shoes, and bags to one location. Not to mention, Shopbop is linked to Amazon, so if you have Prime, you can get free and fast shipping on all of your orders. In addition to the massive conglomeration of swimwear that Shopbop provides, they also recently produced their own Spring Break essentials collection, called “Vacation Style” that points out some of this season’s key pieces for spring travel.
ASOS:
ASOS remains to be one of the hidden gems of online shopping. Not only does this site offer hundreds of unique clothes for all occasions, but also retails with prices often lower than other sites. Given the massive stock of clothes and accessories, there is something for everyone on this website. Not to mention, ASOS provides a 10% off coupon code that can be used unlimitedly for all college students!
Top three warm-weather picks:
Zara:
If it’s made in Europe, it must be cool, right? Zara is one of the best online stores for finding both staple pieces and statement pieces alike. Despite the very small number of stores in the US, the easy to navigate website renders shopping on Zara as easy as shopping on any other American brand. Zara offers a range of styles, sizes and colors in nearly all pieces; whether you are an understated-tee-shirt gal or a frilly-lace-tank-top-lover, Zara has you covered. I’m pretty certain that there’s nothing better than opening a huge package with the aesthetic ZARA letters on the front.
Swim:
Although each of the four websites listed above could provide enough swimwear picks to easily fill your suitcase and turn heads on the beach, it can never hurt to consider just a few more of objectively (and subjectively) the best swimwear brands on the Internet.
Mikho Swim (http://mikoh.com/)
Tory Birch Swim (https://www.toryburch.com/swim/?journey=PR_Consideration_PaidSearch_NoList_BRD-KW&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_6H12Ova4AIVkFYNCh11Xg6TEAAYAyAAEgLcuPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds )
Lovers + Friends Swim (https://www.loversandfriends.us/cat/shop/swimwear/6bd2e6?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkuHL7eva4AIVjeDICh1-HQUwEAAYAiAAEgIIa_D_BwE)
Boys and Arrows (https://boysandarrows.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6JOsgeza4AIVqbXtCh2BhAwZEAAYASAAEgJDcPD_BwE)
Accessories:
No outfit, especially a beach outfit, is complete without the necessary accessories. When traveling to a warmer climate than Hamilton, NY, it is simply imperative that one is always strapped with sunglasses, a beach bag, a book, a water bottle, and a hat.
Sunglasses:
Sunglasses tend to be a matter of personal preference, but three of the best places to start include Illsteva, RayBan and Shopbop.
https://illesteva.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi6DIr_La4AIVhVmGCh29swMpEAAYASAAEgIC5vD_BwE
Water bottle:
Latest obsession? BKR water bottles. The small size and pastel (or neon/patterned) colors are an overwhelming crowd pleaser and a necessity on a warm beach day.
https://mybkr.com/shop?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInsKgzfLa4AIVGYvICh2ZwwrnEAAYASAAEgKDevD_BwE
Hats:
My latest obsession is the JCrew packable straw hat. Prior to discovering this durable hat, my only hesitation to wearing straw hats on the beach was their tendency to get crushed during airline transit; since this hat is made to be squished into suitcases, there is nothing stopping you from getting some (trendy) shade.
When in doubt, the infallible accessory when venturing away from snowy Hamilton is none other than the baseball hat with the big maroon C.