out of control swimwear

i am not entirely sure what happened in the few years since i last bought a swimsuit but, wow, they got expensive! (or perhaps my taste has gotten better?) each swimsuit that i’ve liked is around $100 for each piece! even i am having a hard time justifying spending $200 on less than a half a yard of cloth that i will wear only a few times. we’ll see. i won’t be heading to florida for a few months yet so hopefully one of these options will go on sale and still be in stock by the time july rolls around.

my love of ruffles is translated in swimwear to skirt like bottoms. i definitely prefer the fuller coverage of a skirt-like/boy short bottom, which seems to be often paired with a fuller coverage top as well. i am not as fond of the bandeau cut for a top, but i like these bottoms too much to mind the more obvious tan line the bandeau will create. i think it’s hard to tell here, but the middle picture of marc by marc jacobs’ 2010 resort collection belleville bikini has a skull eyelet pattern embroidered into it. so. me. *swoon*

this bikini by undrest (excited they do swimwear as well as lingerie!) appeals to my latent athletic side. aside from the cleaner silhouette of it, i can’t quite place why i keep thinking beach volleyball but i do. the contrasting trim, though, seems to be a nod to the brand’s underwear roots, which may be why i also find this bikini cheeky and feminine at the same time.

does anyone have suggestions for suits in either of these veins that won’t cost more than a pair of designer jeans?