By Suzanne Bernhardt

For Season 2020, children’s beachwear fashions are sun-smart and street-smart. Play-all-day styling is colorful, trendy and cool, satisfying the wants and needs of parents and children alike. Manufacturers, recognizing the increasing demand for sun-protective styling and accessories—as well as the need to save the planet—have stepped up to the challenge. They’re using UPF 50+ fabrics, designing clothing with more coverage and utilizing environmentally friendly fabrics. Meanwhile, the mini-me trend is still going strong. Many of the following lines can be seen at SwimShow during Miami Swim Week.

Winning the approval of moms and dads everywhere, ANDY & EVAN is an award-winning childrenswear brand combining exceptional product design with function, fit and comfort. The kid-savvy beachwear collection is available in sizes newborn through 14 for boys and girls.

According to Evan Hakalir, president and CEO, “All of our swimwear is UPF 50+ certified and recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. One really cool new product we’re introducing this season is the first-ever woven polyester UPF 50+ waterproof button-down rash guard for boys in really vibrant prints.

The mini-me trend continues to grow in importance for Season 2020, with many manufacturers offering choices for mom-and-me and/or dad-and-me, and—in some cases—matching swimwear for the entire family. BERMIES (mentioned in Diving In on p. 20) knows the strength of this category well and offers selections for dad-and-me.

Aggro Pacific has been manufacturing children’s quality swimwear and apparel for 20 years. Their CORAL & REEF BEACHWEAR collection is swimwear and surf wear for boys and girls from 6 months to size 14, designed to be stylish, comfortable and practical.

“Our Coral & Reef collection combines trendy styling with quality UPF 50+ sun protection fabric for our swimwear,” says David Shaw, president. “Add in a kid-friendly fit and that gives water-lovers (aged toddler to teens) the perfect suit for the perfect day at the beach or pool.”

According to a company spokesperson, the most popular styles are rash guards, tropical prints for girls and the surfer-style, long-sleeve one-piece with front zipper. The new Celeste fabric being introduced this season at MAGIC is already getting great reviews, due to its lightweight wrinkle-free properties. The Mommy & Me Collection is a collaboration between Coral Swimwear (for women) and Coral & Reef Collection (for girls).

Funky, fun and functional, DUUKIES BEACHSOCKS—designed in the Netherlands and being introduced to the U.S. market this season—are the new water shoe must-have for kids (ages 1–12). Lightweight and durable, the sole provides protection against hot sand and sharp objects while allowing for a firm grip on slippery surfaces. Kids love wearing them, and the ankle height means they stay on during active play, which makes parents happy. Made of nylon and neoprene so they dry quickly, the beachsocks are available in a huge variety of graphic prints and solids. The soft flexible upper also helps protect feet from getting sunburned.

FLAP HAPPY’s sustainable UPF 50+ swimwear and hats for children are made from recycled plastic bottles. Saving the environment, protecting babies and kids from the harmful rays of the sun, and providing style and function are the hallmarks of this 30-year-young company.

“It all started with the UPF 50+ Flap Hat,” explains Laurie Lipson Snyder, founder, designer and California mother of four. “Flap Happy is best known as the go-to company for baby and children’s sun hats, with rave reviews about their excellent fit, quality and variety.”

Since its inception, the line has grown to include UPF 50+ swimwear, playwear and dresses in vibrant colors and playful prints, for infants, toddlers and kids.

Celebrating their 20th collection in time for Season 2020, PLANET SEA is paying tribute to various top sellers throughout the life of the label. “This year we will showcase everything from cutouts with elastic accents to intricate knotted details, strappy tops, high-neck halters, rash guards, bell sleeves and crochet monokinis, with embellished flip flops to match every style,” says Adriana Dranoff, designer and founder. “We’re also introducing a cutting-edge ‘magic fabric,’ which changes color when wet! In addition to this fun new fabric, we also have high-tech materials, such as neoprene, jacquards and lots of metallic. Those who know us well know we can’t leave out our much-loved geometrics, florals, polka dots, neon stripes, animal prints and classic nautical styles. For the little guys, we have a variety of board shorts as well as tight swim trunks.”

Planet Sea’s mission is to provide fun, trendy beachwear, and it seems like this season they will have something for everyone. The company also offers sun-protective rash guards and beach cover-ups.

Aside from offering great prints and bold colors, SNAPPER ROCK has built its reputation on crafting high-quality swimwear and beachwear with UPF 50+ fabrics that block 98% of the sun’s harmful rays. This season, the company is introducing new silhouettes for girls, including an on-the-shoulder bikini, crop wrap long-sleeve rash tops and more athletic-inspired sunsuits.

The extensive line also includes boardshorts, rash guards, cover-ups, resortwear and accessories like reversible bucket hats for the littlest ones, sunglasses, swim headbands and scrunchies.

Snapper Rock’s popular babies line is being updated with the addition of snaps on their best-selling sunsuits for easy changing, more baby boy sets and the addition of swim diapers.

To do its part in protecting the planet, this season the company will be launching Oceania Sustainable Swimwear. The collection will include styles for the whole family, from boardshorts to rash guards to swimwear and cover-ups. All are made with eco-friendly fabrics such as ECONYL (made from recycled fishing nets) and REPREVE (made from recycled plastic bottles). The company’s goal is to reduce its consumption of non-renewable resources, reduce water and energy use, and help to clean up discarded waste from beaches and oceans.