Lavender Bikini

What is lavender in swimwear?

Lavender is the soft end of the purple family — lighter than violet, calmer than lilac, sitting next to pastel pink and pale blue in the palette. In swimwear it reads as the quiet pastel.

This edit runs 4 styles, about $24 to $44, across the cuts the color suits.

The styles in this edit

• High waist versions with the soft band
• Bandeau cuts with a push up panel
• String sets in the classic triangle shape
• Micro versions for the minimal take on the color

Styling lavender

• White, cream and silver are the natural partners for a soft purple
• Denim reads well against lavender — the cool blue and the cool purple sit together
• Keep the rest of the outfit quiet. A lavender set is a soft statement, and loud accessories take it off balance

Caring for pastel swimwear

• Light colors show marks — sunscreen, sand, a towel that has seen other sets. Rinse after the water and spot check before you pack it away
• Dry in shade. Pastels fade the way all swimwear fades, but the light end shows it earlier
• Store the set by itself. A pastel next to a dark print can pick up transfer if the fabric is damp