May 16, 2007

Oh, Say, Can You Sea

Waterlilies Swim Shop

Trying on bathing suits is a lot like appreciating a Monet. Things look better the farther away you get.

Start making a good impression — up close — at Waterlilies swim shop in Presidio Heights.

The new, breezy beach-house like boutique (complete with seashell chandelier) harbors scads of suits from hot designers like Eres, Melissa Odabash, and Karla Colletto.

An OndadeMar floral-print suit paired with a cotton terry cover-up by Skin is comfy and coquettish. Seaside sirens beckon in a Jean Paul Gaultier one-piece with a plunging back. Swirl-printed tops and bottoms from Milly and Eberjey’s polka-dot or striped bandeaux complement poolside regulars.

Go glam with accessories like Letarte’s skull-printed caftan and Bernardo’s leather sandals. The helpful shop girls will wrap whatever floats your boat in pretty aqua tissue paper and send you off to sea.

Where, thankfully, you won’t have to worry about being a total Monet.

Waterlilies, 3440 Sacramento Street, between Walnut and Laurel Streets (415-474-9200).