There are several well-established parameters for choosing swimwear: You will, of course, want to take into account comfort, coverage and support. As the Amsterdam-based hotelier and boutique owner Carmen Atiyah de Baets, 33, says, “You have to feel good in your body to vibe in a swimsuit.” But what about the sense of place and mood it conjures? A style that’s at home on a Brazilian beach — more skin than fabric — might feel off-key for a swim in a chilly Michigan lake or along Oahu’s North Shore. “I don’t surf in my string bikini, that’s for sure,” says Ilona Hamer, 39, a Santa Barbara, Calif.-based stylist and co-founder of the resort wear brand Matteau. And while you might be attached to your trusty black one-piece or functional long-sleeved rash guard, indulging your curiosity about a different look for a new season can be rewarding. On a recent weekend trip, Atiyah de Baets traded her usual bikini for one with an unexpected two-tone print. “I immediately felt like dancing,” she says.

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