Shopping Guide to Swim Suits for Girls, Without the Glitter and Frills

Swimsuit season can be tough.  And no, I don’t mean that many of us feel out-of-shape and pasty as winter wraps up and spring begins.

What I mean is…swim suit season is tough for the kids!

Call me a prude, but so many of the chain stores sell girls swim suits that are skimpier than ever, with lots of flash and glitter. What if that style doesn’t match your kid? I’m just not ready for my toddler to look like a professional on Dancing with the Stars.™

Last year, we didn’t hit the pool or the beach as much as I wished, but I managed to find a cute aqua rash guard suit that didn’t scream “girly teenager” to me.  This year, the hunt began again!

Related: Short Shorts for Girls: Oversexualization or Body Shaming?

Girls Swim Suits Without Sparkles or Frills

If you are on the hunt for this season’s awesome swim suits, for babies, toddlers, and older girls, without the glitter and ruffles – you’ve come to the right place. Certainly, we haven’t been able to try each of these suits personally (I wish!), but you can celebrate a little less time for research.

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This may be wishful thinking. It’s only April. The last bits of snow here are still melting. If it’s chilly where you are, too, maybe these will put you in the summer mood! Here’s what I’m lusting after…

Swimsuits for the Babies

Let’s start with the babies. Is this too adorable? This yellow dinosaur swim suit actually has a tail. And a little matching hat! I can’t get enough of this one. This would look sooooo cute on any babe.

If you have vacation plans for classic New England destinations like Maine or Cape Cod, this little crab suit is perfect. It’s labeled “boys” but that’s where many of us go when we don’t love the girls’ options.

Any tot would look adorable in this suit. It gives some extra coverage to protect those chubby thighs and soft shoulders from the sun. And the red, white, and blue palette is classic American, though our international friends might like it too! Even if your baby misses their nap, who could feel crabby in this suit? (Sorry. I had to.)

Toddlers and Up

The Kanu Surf swim suit in ice green emanates tropical vibes. Anyone else want to catch a flight to Hawaii? This bathing suit has sizes for  both “little girls” and “big girls,” as well as several color options. But this color combination is both sophisticated and fresh.

Pow! This one packs a punch! This comic book-reminiscent suit, called Starbust, multi-tasks as both a swim suit and a leotard, or dance suit. Modern Rascals is a Canadian company that makes sustainable, brightly-colored clothing for all kids, without gender labels. Their website indicates the clothes are “made ethically out of organic material to boot.”

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For a little more coverage, this purple apple suit hits all the right notes. Both whimsical and fresh, this swim shorts and shirt set, also from Modern Rascals, allows for easier changing throughout a long day at the lake or beach. It ranges from size 1 to 10.

I’m a huge fan of the mix and match swim suits at Primary.com. They have lots of solid colors, and this happy rainbow stripe, too. For tops, they carry tank style, short sleeve, and long sleeve. For bottoms, you can find swim diapers for babies, classic swim bottoms, swim shorts, and swim trunks. Many of the bottoms are reversible, to instantly double your options!

There’s something about the simplicity of this Boden suit that transports me right to the beach. Don’t you feel like one of these happy little people with flippers on? It’s so authentic summer. At least, it’s what I want MY summer to look like!

Related: Back to school backpacks ANY kid will love

Swim Suits for Older Kids:

This 3-in-1 SwimZip suit gives your kid a few different options. She can switch from a pool party to water skiing in a snap! While sizes run all the way from 18 months to size 14, this color combo would especially appeal to a ‘tween. I’ve never purchased this brand, but the Amazon reviews about quality are overwhelmingly positive, and it boasts UPF 50+ protection.

Can’t Forget the Cover-up!

What a happy cover-up. The Towelling Beach Dress from Boden is available in sizes 2-12. Perfect for windy evenings on the beach after a long day of swimming, frisbee, and building sand castles. Hoping they’ll make it for adults, too!

Did you pick out suits for your kids yet? Share below which ones you love.