The Sea Edit: For Our Tropical Babes

Hello lovely TLL babes,

Some of you might wonder why I'm putting together a swim lookbook if the season's basically over, but the answer is simple: in some areas of the Caribbean, the summer season never ends. My hometown of Cartagena is a coastal city, and it's sunny, humid, and hot year-round. Fishermen never stop working and neither do the islanders. It's amazing how much tourists AND locals love the sea. Rightfully so: a private beach surrounded by clear-blue water sounds like a dream destination - and one that's fun to dress for. So, whether you live near the equator or are looking for your next vacation wardrobe, we hope this edit is useful!

Many Colombian swim brands have been moving in a specific direction for the past couple of seasons. The trends that are dominating the scene? Prints, ruffles, and an overall elegant vibe. In fact, swimsuits are doubling as bodysuits, and this crisscross between swim and cocktail dress has transformed the way we think of day-to-night outfits. It's simple, eye-catching (you'll be the center of attention wearing one of these) and liberating! It's a trend I love because it throws out the window the traditional bounds that confine swim for sea and sparkles for nights out. When those lines are blurred? That's when you can have the most fun with fashion.

Here's our curated swim (& night) edition - enjoy!

From JUAN DE DIOS SWIMWEAR

Instagram: @juandedios_swimwear

Juan de Dios' take on swim is out of the ordinary, much like their prints. And I feel like that's exactly what they want women to feel like when wearing these. I've seen their tops combined with monochrome pants or skirts for (a classic combo) AND mixed together with other prints! Aka, wear whatever, whenever. Day? Night? Who cares? Not us, and not Juan de Dios.

Another fave: MAYGEL CORONEL

All @maygelcoronelofficial on Instagram.

Maygel Coronel (woman and brand) is a groundbreaker. Her sense of style, inventive perspective and momentous rise brought a fresh face to the swimwear industry, and her bodies have become a staple in many latin celebs' closets. Her use of bold shapes and extravagant sleeves have made her recent collection "COLON" (named after Cristopher Columbus as she found inspiration in the discovery of the New World) an iconic one. Her talent is undeniable, and her flattering bodies and unusual sources of inspiration make this tropical babe's brand wardrobe irresistible. And again, the day-to-night transition is seamless in any of her styles! Here's some outfit inspo featuring her genius pieces:

Instagram credits - Top to bottom, left to right: @paulaordovas, @anabelizam, @pamhetlinger, @santapalomard (ft. Maygel herself), & @andreasernafotos.

That's it for this "sea" edit TLL readers! We hope our takeaway is clear: wear what you want & make your own rules. Who said swimwear is for the sandy beaches of Tulum only? Wear any of these pieces for a night out and inspire.

Which pieces are your fave? Would you tone them down or make them louder?

Send us your thoughts!

With love,

Isabel