When it comes to spring break fashions, it seems the old is always new again.
College students from across the country are once again raising their school flags and hitting South Florida beaches, bringing with them swimwear that looks straight out of the ’80s and ’90s.
High-waisted bottoms. High-cut, one-piece swimsuits. Cat-eye sunglasses. Fanny packs. And lots of neon colors all around.
“It’s going to make your skin pop,” said Edwina Baltazar, 19, a Broward College student wearing a bright yellow bikini. “You’re going to look radiant and bomb, and all guys look at you, too.”
The men are sporting shorter swim trunks.
“They free the thighs, and they’re stylish,” said Anthony Alberico, 20, a student at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. “You get to tan your thighs, and you’re comfortable.”
On a recent Wednesday on Fort Lauderdale beach, spring breakers were also using their outfits to display pride in their country and schools. Everything from swimsuits and beach towels to fanny packs, shirts and hats had an American flag or a school logo on it.
“We go around and there’s other people from our school, that’s how you connect,” said Darren Hartwell, 19, who is visiting from West Virginia University. “It’s a mutual bond that you have forever.”
Ruta Ulcinaite, 19, of Michigan State University, sports a pair of cat-eye mirrored sunglasses and a one-piece swimsuit with a high cut.
Katie Wolski, 21, from Central Michigan University, wears a high-waisted swimsuit with string details.
Riley Etherton, 21, from the University of Mount Union in Ohio, enjoys spring break in a golden one-piece swimsuit with cutouts.
The American flag bikini, seen here on Hunter Snode, 21, of West Virginia University, is a popular option.
Edwina Baltazar, 19, of Broward College, wears a bright yellow swimsuit.
Aaron Anthony, 19, second from left, is from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. He said his Hawaiian shirt “just says I’m on vacation.”
Looks like the fanny pack is back.
Spring breakers party at Fort Lauderdale beach on March 8.
Zaire Alston, 21, of Michigan State University, dons mirrored sunglasses and a hat featuring her school’s logo.
Spring breakers party at Fort Lauderdale Beach on March 8.
Olivia DeArment, 19, of Pennsylvania State University, has her ensemble set with a strappy bikini, braids and cat-eye mirrored sunglasses.
Patrick Ruane, 21, of the University of South Carolina, wore Neff Brodie Sunglasses, made popular by rapper Riff Raff. “They’re meant for skiing, but they’re perfect partying glasses,” Ruane said. “I could wear this to a wedding and it wouldn’t be too bad.”
