Kids Swimwear: Swimsuits for Girls 2009

When it comes to girls' swimsuits the choices seem endless. I based my top picks for 2009 girls' swimwear on quality, durability, and "adorability."

1) You haven't seen cute until you've seen girls' swimsuits from Chez Ami. For 2009, they have more than two dozen adorable options. Prices start at $24 for individual pieces to about $58 for a skirted one-piece. Don't let the price discourage you, however. These are good-quality swimsuits in addition to being youthful, sweet, and fabulous. One look at Chez Ami's Bahama pink floral swimdress and you'll be hooked.

2) Land's End is the go-to company for quality girls' swimwear. They offer a wide range of styles, sizes, patterns, and colors, and all of their girls' swimwear has UPF 50 sun protection. They carry swimsuits, swim separates, and cover-ups, plus an assortment of sunhats, goggles, towels, and other swim necessities. Swimsuits are reasonably priced at around $29.50.

The Land's End Girls' SwimMini™ ($19.50) has my vote as one of their top pieces for 2009. It comes in five patterns/colors and coordinates with a variety of tops so you can create the style of swimsuit you like best.

3) Mini Boden swimwear is just plain fun. The 2009 girls' swimwear line features giant polka dots, flowers, strawberries, bold stripes, and even bolder colors. Coordinating kaftans, "toweling beach dresses," sunglasses, and sunhats are also available. Most bathing suits are reasonably priced at $28.00 and are available in sizes 1-14 years.

My favorite Boden girls swimsuit for 2009 is the red polka dot and striped "Hotchpotch Swimsuit" ($28). I love the bold patterns and the contrasting turquoise trim. The swimsuit is quick-drying, machine washable, and the larger sizes are lined in front.

4) Gymboree can't be beat when it comes to head-to-toe fashion for kids, and that includes their girls' swimwear. My favorite girls' swimsuits for 2009 (so far) are:
Newborn: Splish Splash in polka dot, sizes 0-24 months, $19.75
Toddler Girl: Yellow Ladybug skirted one-piece, sizes 3/6 months-3T, $22.75
Kid Girl: Rainbow plaid tankini, sizes 3-12, $22.75.

Each girls' swimsuit has coordinating hats and cover-ups; matching sunglasses, flip flops and beach bags are available in the toddler and kid girl sizes.

5) Target is the place to go for affordable girls' swimsuits, and they're cute, too. The majority of their toddler girls' swimsuits (sizes 2T-5T) are priced at just $9.99! Picking a favorite was tough because there are dozens of adorable styles and patterns from which to choose. I'll narrow it down to two, one for toddler girls and one for kid girls:

For toddlers, the Pucci-inspired skirted one-piece (size 2T-5T, $9.99) is just adorable. For older girls, I like the two-piece Xhileration Turquoise Stripe Tankini (size 4-16, $12.99)