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Monday
11
June
8 girls' bikinis and two-piece swimsuits that are...appropriate.
Last summer, I shopped around for bikinis and two-piece swimsuits for little girls that didn't make them look like teens before their time. Our readers responded so positively, I thought I'd take a browse around this year and see what looks promising in the swimwear department. Hey, I like a bikini as much as the next diaper-changing mama, but still, I'm okay with a little modesty. At least until they hit, oh, maybe 35.Honestly, this summer was a little tougher than last, with the teeny triangle bikini tops taking over store shelves big time. Even so, here are a few more modest styles that caught my eye this season.
Lands' End
I'll be honest, I was surprised to find swimsuits at Lands' End that I like so much. I adore this bright stripey girls' tankini top ($25, seen above) in sizes 4-16, which can pair with either blue or red bikini bottoms ($17) that are modestly cut, but with a fun side-tie. Plus I trust the construction and durability of their clothes.
There are quite a few cute swimsuits at Boden this season, but I like this girls' ruffle bikini which is girlie without being sexy--the flounce on the sports style top is terrific. It comes in three different colors, for girls 18mo-8y. ($28)
This pastel whale tankini is pretty darn cute for little girls because we uh, older girls might be more wary of a whale motif on our swimwear. It comes in sizes up to 4T. (on sale for $35.99 at Zappos with free shipping)
Old Navy can be a little tricky when you get into older girls' sizes (do six year-olds really need plunging necklines?) but for kids through 5T, this is a very cute rash guard set at a fantastic price. (on sale for $15)
Last year I got this sports style boy short two-piece swimsuit for my four year-old and I'm so happy to see they're still carrying it! Not that we need another--she's still wearing it this year and probably will next summer too. It's held up beautifully with a lot of wear, and its amazing how many people ask us where we got it. ($29.)
We discovered this great brand years ago, and love their SPF swimsuits and cute styling. There are five styles of girls' rashguard sets that each include UV protection. ($50) A few styles are also available at Nordstrom for a little less. ($42)
For more UPF swimwear, also check out Girls4Sport which we recently reviewed, and has a nice 15% discount code for our readers through the end of June.
I think J Crew is doing a little better in the one-piece department for little girl this year than with all those triangle-top bikinis, but they do have a few very simple girls' tankinis for girls 2-14 who actually want to swim this summer and not just pose. (This style $29.99)
Find More: Kids Clothing, Tweens + Big Kids
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Thank you for this post. There is nothing worse than shopping for clothes for my daughter sometimes. Still shocks me what some parents will put their kids in.
This is very helpful. Can't wait to show my girl when she gets home to see if she likes any of them or not.
swimsuit shopping with my 12 year old (who's built like a 16 year old - not that she'll be wearing teeny tiny traiangle bikinis then either) was no bueno.
we finally settled on a tankini from justice. (the added bonus is that when she needs to go to the bathroom, she just pulls bottoms down, not the whole-expose-newbie-boobies when wearing a one piece.
Love the lands end one. I did a lot of the old navy boy shorts and rash guards last year for my daughter. I do find that a lot of bottoms gap in the leg area on my girl.
Grandma found a cute tankini for my 3 year old at Target, similar to the Mini Boden you show, but with a longer top.
What do I need to do to stop her from outgrowing cute little girl sizes?
LL Bean also has great girls swimsuits. I ordered a tankini set for my daughter. The quality is great and she loves it.
Thank you so much for this great post and not being afraid of "standing up" for modesty in regards to young girls' swimwear. There is no need to having them looking way beyond their years. Adulthood and all its ups and downs come soon enough. These swimsuits are fabulous and perfect for young girls. As a mother of boys, I appreciate swimwear with a little more "material" to them!
All of these girls swimsuits are so darn cute. I have been helping my sister pick out a swimsuit for my niece, and it's harder than I thought. You are right about the styles though, way to revealing for my taste. I will have to pass this post along to my sister and she if she thinks my niece would like any of these styles.