The Allure of Ethereal Swimwear for a Magical Summer Look

The Allure of Ethereal Swimwear

As summer approaches, our thoughts naturally turn to planning beach vacations and lazy days spent poolside. An essential part of summer fun is having stylish and comfortable swimwear. While basic swimsuits get the job done, special occasion swimwear can really take a look to the next level. This year, ethereal swimwear is emerging as a gorgeous and romantic trend that is perfect for everything from beach weddings to photoshoots. Keep reading to learn all about what makes ethereal swimwear so magical.

Defining the Ethereal Swimwear Look

When we describe swimwear as “ethereal,” it invokes images of delicate fabrics, soft and feminine silhouettes, and details that add a sense of romance. While athleisure and sporty swimsuits are always popular, ethereal swimwear goes in the opposite direction for a completely different aesthetic. The hallmarks of ethereal swimwear include:

• Lightweight, flowing fabrics like chiffon, lace, or mesh
• Draping, ruching, and tiered construction
• Delicate embellishments like pearls, sequins, or crystals
• Soft pastel colors and muted metallics
• Halter, triangle, and balconette silhouettes

Ethereal swimwear has a distinctive bohemian feel, but still remains glamorous. While many ethereal suits provide ample coverage, some designs also incorporate alluring cutouts or sheer panels. The overall vibe is romantic and effortlessly stylish.

Wearing Ethereal Suits for Special Occasions

Thanks to their magical aesthetic, ethereal swimsuits are perfect for special events where you want to make a statement. For example, an ethereal bikini or swimsuit cover-up is ideal for a beach wedding or engagement shoot. The whimsical look provides beautiful contrast against ocean backdrops and seaside locations. An ethereal one-piece or monokini would also be sensational for honeymoon or anniversary photoshoots designed to capture lasting romantic memories.

Ethereal swimwear is also a show-stopping option for pool parties, boat cruises, music festivals or any occasion when you want to take your look up a notch. The ornate details and luxe fabrics ensure you’ll stand out from the crowd. While ethereal suits aren’t necessarily designed for swimming laps or surfing waves, they are guaranteed to earn compliments anywhere tropical cocktails are served.

On-Trend Styles and Details

When browsing ethereal swimwear options, keep an eye out for these specific styles and details that are hot for the season:

• Retro glam: High-waisted, high-neck silhouettes reminiscent of vintage bathing suits
• Fringe: Crochet lace, beaded or fabric fringe adds dramatic texture
• Ruffles: Romantic ruffled trims, especially off-the-shoulder and asymmetric necklines
• Florals: Delicate floral prints as opposed to large, graphic prints
• Metallic accents: Gold, silver or rose gold sequins and embellishments

It’s also worth looking for ethereal swimwear from sustainable brands that use recycled fabrics and ethical production methods. This helps elevate the earthy, bohemian vibe even more.

Finding the Perfect Ethereal Suit for Your Body

While ethereal swimwear comes in all different silhouettes, you'll want to select cuts and styles that flatter your specific body type:

Pear shape

Balance out wider hips with an embellished halter top or underwire bra top. High-waisted bottoms will highlight your slimmest part of the waist. Asymmetric one-pieces can create the illusion of a more balanced silhouette.

Athletic shape

Choose an ethereal swimsuit with feminine ruffles, a deep V-neckline, or embellished straps to add curves to a toned, straight shape. Ruched fabrics over the midsection also add flattering definition.

Curvy shape

Accentuate your hourglass shape with high-cut bottoms and strapless or off-the-shoulder tops. A monokini is a great way to show off your curves while still keeping things elegant. Look for removable straps if you need extra support.

Petite shape

To avoid looking overwhelmed in an ethereal suit, opt for simple triangle tops with less draping and embellishments. High-waisted bottoms help elongate a shorter torso. Bottoms with tie sides can also be cinched and adjusted as needed.

Mixing, Matching and Styling Your Suit

One of the fun aspects of ethereal swimwear is that the pieces tend to be versatile for mixing and matching. You can buy separates and create multiple looks. Add a lace swim skirt over a basic bikini bottom for an entirely new outfit. Or pair a heavily embellished cropped top with simple bottoms to tone down the look when needed. Cover-ups like kimonos, caftans and sarongs complement ethereal swimsuits perfectly for full boho-chic effect.

When it comes to styling your ethereal bikini or one-piece, elements like jewelry, hats, hairstyles and makeup help take the overall look even further. Stacked necklaces, chandelier earrings, wide-brimmed sun hats and braided hairstyles reinforce the romantic vibe. Soft eye makeup, pink lips and beachy waves complete the effortlessly glamorous look. Let your ethereal swimwear inspire you to spend all day on the beach or poolside soaking up the ambiance.

FAQs

What fabrics are used to make ethereal swimwear?

Ethereal swimsuits are typically made from lightweight, flowing fabrics like chiffon, lace, mesh or crochet knits. These fabrics add to the magical, feminine aesthetic.

What is the difference between ethereal and sporty swimwear?

While sporty swimwear focuses on performance features like stretch, compression and durability, ethereal swimwear prioritizes delicate embellishments, airy fabrics and a romantic style. Ethereal suits are designed more for lounging poolside than swimming laps.

What body types can pull off the ethereal look?

The great thing about ethereal swimwear is that the drapes, ruffles and embellishments tend to flatter all body types! Pay attention to cuts and silhouettes that enhance your shape's best assets.