The best way to escape a sticky St. Louis summer is to either grab a poolside chair or plane ticket to a beach resort. Either way, you’re going to need a new swimsuit. You could shop for swimwear at one of the big box stores, but you’ll probably end up with the same suit as your neighbor. Instead, why not check out one of these locally owned swimwear boutiques?

Lori Coulter
6138 Delmar Blvd., Suite A
St. Louis, MO 63112
(314) 727-9879
www.loricoulter.com

Hours: Mon to Fri – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If the search for the perfect swimsuit leaves your nerves frazzled and your self-esteem shot, give Lori Coulter “made-to-order” swimwear a try. For $225 you can have a custom made swimsuit, ready to wear in just two weeks. Lori Coulter uses a 3D digital body scanner to take 140 precise measurements to design a pattern that fits your curves and flatters your shape. You then choose from 40 different designs, select your own fabric and the suit’s hardware. You can even alter the neckline, straps and fit for a suit that is uniquely yours. Lori Coulter swimwear is for women only.

B&B Aquatics 
1163 Colonnade Center
Des Peres, MO 63131
(314) 821-7946
www.bbaquatics.com

Hours: Mon to Fri – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Barbara Archie knows the competitive side of swimming in St. Louis. After raising five swimming daughters, she opened her first swimwear store in the 1980s. B&B Aquatics is a family owned shop that specializes in competitive and fitness swimwear and accessories. The store carries brands like Speedo, Dolfin and Nike for the whole family, with suits starting around $30. There are two convenient locations in Des Peres and Chesterfield.

Swim Bike Run 
1030 Schnucks Woodsmill Plaza
Town and Country, MO 63017
(636) 220-7781
www.sbrtrishop.com

Hours: Mon to Thurs – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fri to Sat – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun – 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Swim Bike Run is a unique shop in Town and Country that specializes in gear for endurance athletes, especially triathletes. The store carries fitness swimwear that is durable for the everyday lap swimmer while still being fashionable. Swimmers will also find triathlon specific wetsuits for race day, with brands like Zoot and Quintana Roo. If you’re new to the sport, you can also rent a suit before you buy.

Jule Lingerie & Loungewear 
1590 Clarkson Rd, Suite 105
Chesterfield, MO 63017
(636) 536-9777
www.juleonline.com

Hours: Mon to Fri – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun – Noon to 5 p.m.

If you’re shopping for something trendy to wear by the pool, Jule Lingerie & Loungewear is the place to go. This Chesterfield lingerie boutique carries swimwear through the spring and summer months. Staff here is friendly and can help you find the perfect fit. They carry limited numbers of each size, so you know you won’t be wearing the same thing as the other ladies by the pool.

City Sprouts 
6303 Delmar Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63130
(314) 726-9611
www.citysprouts.com

Hours: Mon to Sat – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Kids need cute swimwear too, so if you have little ones to splash around with, try City Sprouts. This locally owned kid’s boutique believes that life with children should be fun, so they stock their store with the only the best and the cutest merchandise. Parents will find fun circus prints, darling plaid swimming trucks and even cute swim caps and floaties. The store also carries toys for bath time, which can double as great pool toys. City Spouts carries sizes for infants and children.

Related: Best Boutiques In St. Louis

Cotton Babies 
9916 Kennerly Rd
St. Louis, MO 63128
(314) 849-6400
www.cottonbabies.com

Hours: Mon to Fri – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Cotton Babies may have made its name selling cloth diapers, but they also carry cute clothes for infants and children in earth-friendly fabrics. Shop here for maternity swimwear or nursing swimsuits that makes a mom feel good. They also have swimwear for little ones and reusable swim diapers for the cloth diaper crowd. Cotton Babies is locally owned and staffed by women—mostly moms–trained in cloth diapering. Cotton Babies has two locations in South County and in Town and Country.

Related: Have an Endless Summer

Denise Bertacchi is a freelance reporter who grew up in the outskirts of St. Louis and attended Grandview High School. Shes ridden a horse in the St. Patricks Day Parade, stood under Big Foot, took a paddle wheeler up the Mississippi River and a bike down the Katy Trail. Shes written for newspapers, Missouri Life and Boys Life magazines. She currently resides in Fenton where she chases after her children with a camera in search of interesting blog material. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.