Finding the perfect swimsuit is, unfortunately, not a one-and-done experience. It's more like a cycle, in which what works one year might not work the next. The reality is that while bodies change over time, that tiny piece of Lycra does not—which means going through the aggravating, and sometimes emotionally taxing, process of buying another suit all over again.
Longtime fashion industry insiders Joyann King Michael, Alia Yahia-Bosworth, and Chrissy McCurdy are trying to make things a little easier. Their new line Stylest, which launches today, makes what the trio call Aqualingerie: supportive pieces that can be worn either on their own as swimwear or layered under a one-piece. Think chic Spanx that you can get wet.
The idea came to life when Michael (a former Harper’s Bazaar editor) was hosting a few friends at her upstate New York home, including McCurdy (a former buyer at Ralph Lauren) and Yahia-Bosworth (a former Elle editor). She noticed that McCurdy surreptitiously wringing out water from her chest after a dip in the pool. "After having my son, I started wearing a bra under my swimsuits to give myself some confidence," McCurdy explains. "It was my hidden secret. I was using an old Victoria's Secret strapless style that would clog with water and sag after wearing it for too long."
Michael and Yahia-Bosworth thought the trick was genius, even if it wasn’t exactly foolproof. And they realized there was a whole market of women like them who weren’t being served by the current swimwear options. After becoming a mom, says Michael, "my body and lifestyle have evolved."
Nothing on the market quite suited her needs; brands like Miraclesuit or Skims were all too matronly or too revealing. "I tried on a million swimsuits after having my daughter, and while there were brands that are marketed as supportive, either they were unfashionable or the delivery of the support wasn't actually happening."
So, along with Yahia-Bosworth and McCurdy, she developed the brand’s six-way convertible bra, high-waist smoothing bottom, wireless scoop bralette, and full boosting bodysuit. STYLEST also includes four swimsuits and a capsule of stylish extras like sarongs.
The true hero products are the Aqualingerie sculpting swimwear pieces, which come in three shades of brown, black, and bright cherry red. The convertible underwire bra features a side zip to create a smooth line in the back and has a water-friendly lining that dries quickly, so you won’t be wringing water from your chest after a dip. It runs from 34B to 42G, while the high-waist bottom, bodysuit, and bralette range from XS to XL. (Stylest plans to extend the sizing in upcoming seasons, based on what styles are the most popular.)
The brand also offers a line of high-compression one-piece swimsuits that can be worn alone or over the Aqualingerie. Made with Boost, a fabric the brand developed to skim over the body, they come in the same shades as the bras and bottoms plus a few prints. The puff-shoulder long-sleeve style can be worn unzipped, to reveal the bra and some skin. "We know women may want to cover their arms, whether for sun-protection purposes or any other reason," explains Michael. A sleek tank suit and a color-blocked one-shoulder style round out the selection.
"As a new mom, my life has evolved. You open your closet with three minutes to get dressed and the key is a plan, not pieces," says Yahia-Bosworth. If the Aqualingerie is step one and the compression bathing suit is step two, then step three comes in the form of styling touches to fashion up the look. To that end, the trio created two sarongs (one is reversible) with ties that create a chic draped look, a swim cardigan with tortoiseshell buttons, and a headband.
"We design for your well-dressed friend who is Type-A in the best way. Her style is elevated and fun, but always based in real life," explains Michael.
