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Every season, hordes of fashion fanatics (including myself) wait patiently for the announcement of Target’s designer collection collaborators. Over the years, the retailer has teamed up with the crème de la crème of wearable fashion—from designers like Anna Sui and Sandy Liang to brands like Missoni, Lilly Pulitzer, and Hunter.
This year, they’ve curated the perfect warm-weather wardrobe for any print lover, stocking up on Swimsuits, apparel and accessories by Agua Bendita, Fe Noel, and RHODE, Whereas previous designer collections aimed to highlight three designers who cater to different markets, this time, the three are united in an apparent love for bold colors, confident shapes, and beach-ready prints.
Agua Bendita is known for swimwear and apparel made by Colombian artisans, Fe Noel is a Brooklyn-based brand beloved for rich colors and elevated silhouettes, and RHODE creates a sense of wanderlust with travel-inspired color and patterns. Between $15-$48 and in sizes XXS-4X, you can shop the entire 118-piece target.com and in select stores on April 15.
In time for my annual OOO getaway, I grabbed a few pieces from each designer’s collection and filled my suitcase with probably my most exciting vacation wardrobe ever. Below, my unfiltered thoughts on the pieces I tried on for the first time.
agua bendita
agua bendita Co-founders Catalina Alvarez and Mariana Hinestroza have a knack for creating swimwear that’s destined to become the centerpiece of any girl’s travel Pinterest board. Because of their Colombian heritage, the couple is particularly partial to beachy florals envisioned in feminine silhouettes.
My Easiest Look of the Week Was Her Throw-On-Go Peony Botanical Print Jumpsuit, Never in my life did I think that a pale yellow flowered onesie would be a staple piece in my wardrobe, but I can already tell that this baby will be a key element in my summer 2023 wardrobe.
The bust has tie-closure straps that can be crisscrossed and draped whichever way suits you best. This creates a supportive and secure fit, despite the plunge neckline (even for my 36G chest). Ignore the fact that I didn’t have time to fix it, and instead focus on how cute it looks on me Jacquemus Beach Hat,
That said, my most admired look of the week was undoubtedly Sweets Floral Tile Print Cheeky One Piece Swimsuit, which is on par with any brand’s $200+ one-piece in beauty. i layered it down matching pareoIn which the same motif was shown in large print for just the right amount of contrast.
my outfit was completed by coordinating tote bags, which served as both beach bag and carry-on during my travels. i ended up with Green Sunshine from the Fay Noel Collection And spent the day telling curious beach-goers where they could buy my ‘fit for self’.
In my eyes, Agua Bendita’s creations are among the most advanced of Target’s designer offerings, with intricate toile prints and swimsuit styles perfectly crafted, down to the smallest detail. After wearing the tile print iteration, I’m impressed to add a belt Palm Print One Piece Also for my swim collection.
Fay Noel
Fay Noel Perhaps the coolest of all cool-girl summer wardrobe brands. Felisha “Fay” Noel embraces her Grenadian heritage when designing. This often results in whimsical-but-wearable shapes and vibrant colors—plus, some extravagant prints thrown in for good measure. Her Target collection has some of the prettiest matching sets in the mix, from swimsuits and coverups to shorts, pants, blouses, and button-ups.
The look I’m reaching for again and again is the matching swimsuit, shirt and pant combo, which comes with a funky feather print. slipped into bralette-style bikini top and matching cheeky solesAnd was immediately impressed by Top’s coverage.
Although the suit is nice on its own, I’ll more often top layer under Fe Noel’s Feathered Palm Print Button-Down and fully ventilated wide leg pants, The entire feather print ensemble is great as a maximalist set, but each piece also pairs back in black should you prefer a more low-key pattern moment.
Absolutely devastated to report that my least favorite bathing suit of the bunch was Metallic Side-Ruched High Leg Cheeky One Piece Swimsuit, I loved the adjustable side-ruching and zesty hue, but as a large-breasted person, I was asking for more support in the bust area.
While it wasn’t my perfect fit, the suit was undeniably stunning, and paired flawlessly with mixed paint print hair scarf, which I tied like a sarong. To fully embrace the sunset tone, top it off with a orange straw hat And Beach bag Combo from H&M. While I didn’t nail this one-piece selection, I think the Fay Noel designer adds a needed dose of spontaneity to the collection.
road
real fashionistas knew about it road One long before Hailey Bieber dropped her skincare line of the same name. Co-founded by Poorna Khatau and Phoebe Vickers, this Los Angeles-based company has a reputation for combining the prettiest prints with classic silhouettes that you can wear on vacation (or daily) for years to come.
When I saw all three collections, I knew immediately that Large Zinnia Floral Print Bell Sleeve Midi Dress Would be my favorite piece. RHODE dresses can cost anywhere between $400-600, so the chance to own one for $40 felt like a dream come true.
Besides the beautiful red and pink floral print, I loved the midi length and split butterfly sleeves. Unfortunately, the linen-blend fabric runs a little tight and, even after sizing up twice, it was too small on my wide hips. Amazing, no doubt, but not my favorite fit for a curvy body.
Ironically, I found the best ‘fit’ in all three rows of four-piece road looks. The lime-colored set transitioned perfectly from afternoons by the pool to afternoons on the shuffleboard court (I leaned into my geriatric millennial side on vacation).
i wore Dainty Lotus Print Triangle Bikini Top And coordinate plane (also available in one piece option) under a midi skirt And wrap up of the same print. The bikini’s strap details made it more upscale, and the coordinating layers made me look surprisingly put-together (even paired with a mild sunburn).
When I consider the fact that the entire four-piece look costs less than $130 Birdie Sandal The minute I wore it, it’s clear just how amazing Target’s designer collaborations really are — well worth your hard-earned dollars.