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One of the first hot weekends of the summer has passed, and hopefully you were able to make it out to the nearest lake or pool to cool off. Even if you didn’t, this is just the first of many waterfront weekends, so take a look at some of the best places in the Twin Cities to get a new swimsuit. Among these seven places, you’ll find suits that work for lounging on the pontoon or taking a turn on the jet ski, but if you’re more of a competitive swimmer, check out Elsmore Swim Shop.
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Big Island Swim & Surf Co.
Now with two stores in Excelsior and the Edina Galleria, Brittney Reger founded Big Island Swim & Surf Co. in 2012 to make swimsuit shopping an easy, fun experience. A look through their collections features brands including Nautica, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger for women; Adidas, Billabong, and Ray-Ban for the guys; and Boathouse Apparel, Hi Little One, and Sundek for the children. While you’re there, make sure to grab a woven knapsack, shady sunhat, and some Sun Bum sunscreen.
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Everything But Water
Head over to Mall of America for Everything But Water for swimsuits, sundresses, sandals, and more. The store has a mix of favorite swim brands, new designers, and as of 2018, its own line of swimwear, EBW. EBW has a variety of two-piece and one-piece options for every woman’s build and lifestyle, all made of proprietary Italian fabric. In short, it’s meant to show off what more than 30 years of experience with women’s swimwear looks like. If you see any item marked with a Water is Everything heart icon on the tag, 25 percent of the purchase price will go toward the 5 Gyres Institute and its mission to end plastic pollution in the ocean.
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Great Lakes Northern Outfitters
This Minneapolis-based apparel company is all about loving our Land of 10,000 Lakes. For their men’s swim trunks line, they’re going sustainable and using fabric made out of recycled plastic water bottles. Choose from simpler designs or go with Big Island style, a light blue option with blue-inked images of boats and fish on it. Pair the trunks with options like sunglasses straps, a koozie, bandana for your dog, or even some stand up paddle boards or kayaks to live your lake life however you’d like.
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Lolë
While Lolë has activewear for both women and men, their swimwear is for women. The designs and prints are mono-colored or with a bi-colored, bold print or stripe. The end effect is a sporty, laid-back look whether you choose the bikini, rashguard, or one-piece. Find Lolë at its atelier store in Minneapolis or at retailers like Life Time Athletic, Hoigaard’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
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Nani Nalu
For a swimwear shopping experience that will make you feel more confident, try Nani Nalu Beachwear Boutique. Their swim fit experts will help you figure out which suit flatters your body shape and makes you feel radiant, not insecure, as you go to the beach. As their website says, “Nani Nalu means beautiful wave, and we want to see the world full of beautiful curves.” Once you’ve picked out the perfect one piece or two piece, feel free to complete the look with swimsuit covers and accessories.
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Title IX
This woman-owned business started more than 20 years ago and has had Title IX at the heart of its mission from the get go, first by providing activewear and later expanding to include grants and in-kind donations to help girls grow up active and confident. That means that its swimsuits help you experience water recreation instead of inhibiting you from it with flimsy swimwear with no support. You can find Title IX in Edina, but feel free to do some pre-swimsuit shopping beforehand online: Their categories such as A-C cup, C-DDD+ cup, strappy, low-rise, boy short, skirt, and more help you pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for.
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Tommy Bahama
Like some of the other stores in this round up, Tommy Bahama is aptly named and has everything you would need to bring a taste of the Bahamas to the lake. Some of the women’s collections go into gingham, floral prints, or summer-perfect solids, and the men’s options definitely include some tropics-inspired options. Grab one of their collapsible coolers (apparently its lid can double as a seat), and you’re good to go. Find Tommy Bahama at Ridgedale Center or Mall of America.
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Bonus: Saint Somebody
You’ll have to go online to shop Saint Somebody‘s swimsuit catalogue, a line made exclusively for women sizes 8-16, but it’s definitely worth it. Its swimsuits offer support, clean lines, and a ton of flattering angles. (The two pictured here have hidden underwire and a seamless design, just for the record.)
