The Coastal Swimwear Style Guide

See our picks for the best coastal swim styles for your next beach vacation

Picture this: your weekend getaway is booked. Imagine the salty air, warm sun on your cheeks, and that coastal breeze calling your name? A trip like this calls for seafood dinners, salt in your hair, and a swim-ready wardrobe that makes every day by the water feel perfect.

Inspired by classic East Coast beach destinations - think Nantucket, the Hamptons, Cape Cod, Newport, and Martha’s Vineyard - coastal swimwear leans nautical, polished, and timeless. Clean colors, elevated details, and breezy, ocean-inspired fabrics define a quintessential East Coast beach look.

We’re highlighting the little details that make a swimsuit feel beach-ready and the coastal-inspired styles we handpicked for your next getaway:

Stripes

When we picture East Coast summers, we think sailboats in the harbor, crisp beach umbrellas, and preppy boardwalk style so it’s no surprise that stripes are the quintessential coastal print. Deeply rooted in nautical culture and New England beach towns, striped swimsuits feel clean, crisp, and undeniably timeless. They mirror the polished charm of summers in Nantucket or the Hamptons, making them a must-pack pattern for your next coastal vacation.

These styles are from Michael Kors and Beach House

Polka Dots

Polka dots bring a playful, retro vibe that instantly channels nostalgic boardwalk summers from Cape Cod to Coney Island. Their bubbly, cheerful pattern nods to mid-century beach culture and adds a fun, lighthearted feel to any coastal swim look making them feel right at home by the water. Whether you’re lounging by the beach or strolling the pier, polka-dots fit right in.

Our favorites this season are from Michael Kors, Beach House, and Kate Spade

 

Piping

White piping adds a crisp, tailored touch that feels like classic East Coast style to any garment. It echoes clean lines of nautical uniforms and the polished, preppy aesthetics of iconic coastal towns like Newport and Martha’s Vineyard. The contrast trim feels structured yet effortless, and on swimwear, piping creates a “pulled-together by the water”. 

Our top picks are from Beach House and Kate Spade

For something more on the nose, let’s talk coastal patterns with seaside motifs that we can’t get enough of...

Sailboats, beach umbrellas, seagulls may be on the nose, but that’s part of the charm - sometimes we just love a theme that’s obvious. These prints embody the whimsy of a classic beach vacation and instantly set the mood for sun-soaked days along the shore. We think these prints are perfect for the traveler who loves a dose of seaside nostalgia. 

These charming coastal styles are from Kate Spade

Seersucker & Pique Fabrics

Nothing says East Coast summer quite like seersucker and piqué. Lightweight, breathable, and subtly textured, these fabrics were designed for warm, humid coastal climates; exactly the kind you’ll find from the Carolinas to Long Island. On swimwear, seersucker and piqué deliver that refined, country-club-by-the-ocean feel that’s perfect for a Hamptons-style getaway.

We love these styles from Kate Spade and Beach House

                                                                                                               

Ready for your next coastal getaway?

Explore our full swim collection here