By Lilly Melin
Yes, it’s resort season again, time to start planning our vacations and summer happenings. I always find it hard to believe that warmer weather is (almost) on the way, since I live in Chicago (and it’s currently 17 degrees out). The shops, however, are absolutely packed with swimsuits, sandals, sunglasses and beach bags.
While I love a good trend, I always fall back on the classics. It’s a win-win situation: the garment doesn’t go out of style… and you save money by wearing the item year after year. Also, I’m a huge old Hollywood fan, so the classic pinups are never far from my mind. These women embody what I think most of us want to be: sexy, but also sweet and feminine.
Below, a few of my favorite ladies in their iconic suits, and some modern ways to get their looks yourself.
Marilyn is obviously full of va-va-voom, but off-camera she was known to be extremely playful. I think this Anthropologie Drawn To The Heart maillot ($138) perfectly encapsulates both her sex appeal and her sweetness.
Bettie Page was one of the first fetish models, known for her 6″ patent leather heels and silk stockings. She was also a total beach babe: she adored Florida, and had many swimsuit shoots with photographer Bunny Yeager. I think she would have adored this polka-dot two-piece, also from Anthropologie ($68).
On the opposite end of the spectrum was Sally Field, who portrayed Gidget in the classic TV series. She was the original beach bunny: carefree and adorable. I love the sweetness of this blue two piece from Target ($14.99); you could even pair the top with some white denim shorts and wear it to a beach barbecue.
Deborah Kerr is probably best known for her role in From Here to Eternity, and with good reason: it doesn’t get much more romantic than a passionate embrace in the waves. This Carmen Marc Valvo one-piece ($167 from Victoria’s Secret) is, like Kerr herself, pure class: elegant, sexy, and totally wearable.
