Bathing Suits Made For Women Who Move Swim Surf Play

Say goodbye to tiny-weeny bikinis. Summer 2017 proves the one-piece obsession is more than a trend, as swarms of women are opting for swimwear that allows them to move (swim, surf, and play) and is in-step with fashion-forward colors, cuts. Today’s one-pieces evoke chic and sexy confidence, and are versatile enough to wear from day-to-night.

CAMI AND JAX, an LA based swim company founded by two sisters, Jackie and Camille Brady who grew up surfing on the beaches of Kauai, makes swimwear designed to move in. The founders talk to Culture Trip about how empowering a swimsuit can be for a woman as a summer lifestyle staple.
Jill Di Donato: What should women look for to assess if a swimsuit has a good fit?
Jackie and Camille of CAMI AND JAX: Make sure you’re able to move in it and then make sure everything stays in place when you do. Go for a shape that works for your body. Quite literally, suit yourself. The freedom to move with confidence is really empowering, we watch women transform when they put on the right suit.

JDD: How can you extend the life of your swim garment?
J and C: Our suits are constructed with a double layer of fabric so they are much more durable than many of the alternatives. But we always tell customers to wash with cold water and hang dry. I do this with my own Marla (pictured above) and she hasn’t aged a bit in three years.

JDD: What are your favorite swim and surf spots in LA?
J and C: There are some really beautiful beaches in Malibu. We grew up surfing out in front of our grandparents’ house at El Matador beach and Little Dume so those are probably our local favorites. But Venice breakwater is nearby and perfect for a sunrise session before work. Hanalei Bay back home on Kauai will probably always be at the top of our list though.

JDD: I love the beach to bar look that’s happening right now. It’s empowering to dress for an active lifestyle and also look chic and cultivated. What are some of your favorite LA bars to rock this look?
J and C: The Bungalow in Santa Monica is our local haunt and has been for years. We’re friends with the owner and he really has created the perfect LA spot. It has a really classic, California surf vibe but isn’t pretentious at all. We always feel at home there.

JDD: Over the past few years, LA has been emerging as a fashion mecca. What are some of your places to find looks?
J and C: We don’t tend to shop too much as we spend a lot of our time off close to or in the water. That said, we love to see what other local designers are up to… Lily Ashwell and Flynn Skye are a couple of favorites. Abbot Kinney has some cute boutiques but it’s definitely worth checking out the vintage scene… LA’s flea markets and vintage stores are full of great finds.

About the author

Jill Di Donato

Fashion Editor

Jill is a New York native who holds a BA in Literature from Barnard College, and an MFA in writing from Columbia University. She is the author of the novel Beautiful Garbage (She Writes Press, 2013) about the downtown Manhattan art and fashion scene in the 1980s. A former staff writer for The Huffington Post and Bustle, Jill comes to Culture Trip after working with Refinery 29, Vice, Salon, Paste Style, Los Angeles Times, Nylon, Shopify, Autre, and producing content for emerging fashion labels. She teaches classes about fashion and culture at Barnard College and The Fashion Institute of Technology. Her prized possessions are her Gucci fanny pack, vintage rocker t-shirts, and her grandmother's collection of costume jewelry. She's always on the lookout for a gem-encrusted turban.