A Day at the Beach

I’m the kind of girl who buys swimsuits in October. I snatch up a couple choice numbers on super-duper sale and stash them in the back of a drawer, from which they are reborn when the weather starts to turn—eight months later. But this spring, with that big fat stimulus check burning a hole in my pocket, I think it’s time for some irresponsible spending!

Swimsuit prices in upscale fashion magazines can be staggering: $660 for a Pucci bandeau bikini; $505 for a Chloé two-piece with a chic intra-boob bow; $699 for a floral Gucci number. But here in Nashville, without a beach or a Bloomies in sight, it’s nearly impossible to go Stim-All-In on a single swimsuit. Fortunately, you can always accessorize.

There are few places more fertile for a young lady’s shopping problem than Anthropologie—and Nashville is now home to a vibrant new branch, right near the Whole Foods in Green Hills. (I can use my leftover cash at the cheese counter. Score.) I’m of the opinion that the one-piece bathing suit is ready for a comeback—and not just because of the cheese. In this Girls Gone Wild world, it actually makes more of a statement to cover up a bit. Plus the vintage look is undeniably in. Anthropologie offers a couple wonderful one-pieces for around $200. It was impossible not to love the navy blue halter with the woven canvas tie ($198), but then there was the Anika Brazil print with the orange Morano bead providing a pit stop on the plunging, sub-bust neckline ($178). Life is full of difficult decisions.

With $400 left to burn, thoughts inevitably turn to hats, and shoes, and (ooooh!) sunglasses. Why burn your dough on something you can wear once a week, when you can buy something you can wear every day? A great pair of sunglasses should be big, dark and sturdy—in short, they should enable you to stare at strangers and not get caught. Posh, at both their Green Hills and Hillsboro Village locations, offers a titillating selection of high-end shades. The Tom Fords ($352; in a variety of colors) were a particularly stunning favorite. Over at See in Hillsboro Village, they sell exclusively their own brand, perfect for those into quality without wanting to broadcast a particular designer’s name. (I never really got that. It’s like you’re paying for the privilege of helping them advertise.) A pair of vintage-inspired frames done in clear plastic offered a saucy twist ($249,) while an exquisite chunky line in a myriad of beautiful tortoise shells ($279) could have proved a budget buster—What? Only one pair?! And of course there are some other tempting summer items out there: a beautiful brown Ella Moss one-piece ($108), white leather Melanie Dizon Grecian flats ($260) and a handsome—and practical—Eric Javits straw hat ($315) at Posh; colorful, beach-friendly print bags ($98-$548) at Anthropologie, and gotta-have-’em sunglasses pretty much everywhere. My choices: the Anika Brazil one-piece and black Tom Ford shades. Total (with tax): $579. Now all I need is some sunscreen.