
When you think beach day essentials, one of the first things that probably comes to mind is a bangin’ bikini. But rocking a barely there two-piece isn’t the only way to make jaws drop at your next pool party or shoreline hang sesh. Sure, there’s the good ol’ one-piece, but why stop there? Take a cue from style icon and all-around badass Rihanna, and embrace the monokini for a waterfront #OOTD that is straight-up goals. Boasting show-stopping cutouts without compromising on coverage, the monokini gives you the best of both worlds, all while setting you apart from the pack. So drop that blasé LBB (little black bikini) and snatch up one of these DDG swimsuits asap. And if you’re looking for a bit of extra coverage without going full-blown one-piece, we’ve pulled together a few stylish tankini options too. Get it, girl.
1. ASOS Summer Tie Dye Keyhole Cut Out Swimsuit ($49): Festival babes, this one is for you. Cue the round sunnies and crochet cover-ups, because this tie-dye number is all about those free-wheelin’ feels.
2. Anna Kosturova Aztec Stripe Monokini ($255): Wallflowers — proceed with caution. This colorful crochet suit is not for the faint of heart. The ultra bright fabric and eye-catching tassel and seashell embellishments command attention, so best believe you’ll be turning heads the second you set foot onto the sand.
3. Victoria’s Secret Forever Tankini ($49) and Forever Hipster Bottom ($30): Whoever said full coverage had to mean forgoing style obviously never saw this show-stopping suit. The plunging neckline and cropped length that shows off a hint of midriff turn up the heat on a traditionally conservative silhouette. Slay, girl, slay.
4. Topshop Kendall + Kylie at Topshop Palm Print Plunging One Piece Swimsuit ($85): Found it. If you’ve been searching for a scene-stealing monokini with major pizzazz, look no further than this palm-print number. Daring cutouts and an OMG-worthy neckline were made for showing off, so you might want to think twice about that cover-up.
5. Lipsy Metal Trim Caged Monokini ($50): When things start to heat up, slip this strappy number on and head straight to the pool. Rest assured, the peek-a-boo cutouts and metal detailing live up to your haute standards and signature sass. The only thing missing? Dramatic sunglasses and windswept hair.
6. Kenneth Cole Linear Lines Pushup Tankini ($135): Comfort and style all rolled into one? Sign us up! Lazy beach days and lakeside hang sessions are about to get seriously chic once you add this graphic tankini to your lineup. Team it with cutoffs and an airy kimono for an in-transit ensemble worthy of any #OOTD.
7. Minkpink Spread Like Wildflowers Cutout Swimsuit ($90): Word of your style savvy will spread like wildfire when you unveil this scoop-neck suit at your next pool party. For extra fashion cred, pair it with an understated body chain, metallic sandals and a dramatic floppy hat.
8. Victoria’s Secret Crochet Monokini ($108): One word: obsessed. If you can only add one new piece of beachwear to your closet this season, make it this color-block monokini. Channel your inner ‘70s fashion goddess with slicked-back locks and a bell-sleeved coverup for beach day perfection.
9. Michael Kors Cascading-Front Tankini Swim Top ($98): Ruffle-phobes everywhere, this minimalist suit will make you reconsider your frill-free ways. Streamlined styling, understated gold details and a halter-inspired neckline that is so RN feels anything but fussy and will do your style sensibilities proud.
10. Moeva London Ariana One Piece Swimsuit ($313): Making a statement is kind of your thing, meaning a one-of-a-kind swimsuit that will take you straight through summer in style is non-negotiable. This hot-as-hell monokini definitely won’t disappoint, especially when styled alongside embellished flatform slides and futuristic cat eye shades.
11. Shoshanna Tropical Palms Sporty Monokini ($198): You’re not really about lazy girl beach days, and you need a swimsuit that can handle a bit of action. We get it! This palm-print stunner has you covered, serving up a serious dose of style as you show off your volleyball skills or dominate in ultimate frisbee.
12. Gossip Girl “Tropical Matrix” High Neck Tankini Top ($44): Athleisure enthusiasts will straight-up swoon for this racerback tankini that’s ready for active beach days and outdoor adventures. Take it along for an all-day rafting excursion with metallic shorts, colorful Tevas and classic aviators for a get-fit getup that nails it on the style front.
13. Kopper & Zink Brinkley Cutout Swimsuit ($220): If you’ve been having doubts about donning a monokini, let this be the swimsuit that puts your mind at ease. Whether you have a staycation or a stint in the south of France coming up, add this stunning number to the top of your must-pack list. When it’s not making jaws drop on deck, it acts as a DDG addition to any night-out ensemble — just add a pleated metallic midi skirt and caged sandals.
14. Araks Elmar One Piece ($325): Sure, it’s a splurge, but this asymmetric monokini is what beach day dreams are made of. Living up to your fashion-forward sensibilities, it’ll set you apart in a sea of average bikinis. Take your look to the next level by pairing it with crisscross slingbacks and belted high-waisted shorts.
15. J.Crew Halter Tankini Top in Gingham Seersucker ($68): Nothing says summer quite like gingham seersucker. Get your fix of the preppy print this season by passing on the expected A-line dress or cropped trousers and taking along this sweet red suit on your Fourth of July getaway. For a decidedly nautical feel, wear it with a linen shirt dress, straw boater hat and loafers for a getup that makes the transition from waterfront relaxing to festive fireworks totally seamless.
16. Mara Hoffman Crochet Cutout One Piece ($198): Staying ahead of the curve all season long is easy when you have this rainbow bright one-piece in your bag. Make it main stage-worthy by teaming it with a twirl-friendly maxi skirt and gladiator sandals.
17. Oh My Love Strappy Monokini ($78): You + this scene-stealing swimsuit = major FOMO for all of your Insta and Snapchat followers. Because hello — just look at this thing. Embrace the bombshell vibes by whipping out your lace-up wedges, an airy kimono and messy topknot.
18. Nanette Lepore Kings Road Convertible Tankini Top ($116): This bandeau tankini has a few tricks up its sleeve — one-piece in the front, strappy bikini in the back. Combining the best of both worlds, it settles the bikini versus tankini versus monokini argument for good.
19. J.Crew Halter Cutout One-Piece Swimsuit in Mosaic Floral ($110): Get ready to bring it with a mosaic floral swimsuit that any color-loving fashion darling would adore. The subtle ‘70s feel lends itself to wood-sole slides and a crochet cover-up that feel right on trend.
20. Michael Kors Long Bar Printed Bandeau Tankini Swim Top ($90): Don’t underestimate the power of a tie-dye tankini with convertible capabilities. This one spices things up with an itty-bitty cutout and gold detailing for a touch of glam. Whether you’re boating or bummin’ by the pool, it’ll always do you right.
21. Calipige Athena One Piece ($140): As far as swimsuits go, this pared-down monokini is a hero piece in disguise. Get in touch with your inner French girl for post-seaside shenanigans by wearing it as a sleek bodysuit with high-waisted jeans, siren red lipstick and a neatly knotted scarf for the ultimate in off-duty cool.
22. L’Agent Agata Swimsuit ($157): It’s time to swap out that boring ol’ black swimsuit in favor of high-octane color and directional design. If the daring cutouts don’t keep all eyes on you, then the barely there back sure will.
23. Shore Club Black Fringe Bandeau Tankini ($58): Prepare to feast your eyes on the fringe-flecked tankini you’ll be reaching for all summer long. Add this bohemian-meets-city-chic suit to your repertoire for a look that doesn’t mess around — no matter what’s on the agenda.
24. Mara Hoffman Lattic One-Piece Swimsuit ($254): Blend in with the crowd? Never! Sunbathing, spiking the volleyball or sipping margaritas on the terrace — this cheeky one-piece does it all. Everything from the open back to the borderline scandalous cutouts is guaranteed to make you the talk of the town this summer.
25. Forever21 Floral Zigzag Crisscross Swimsuit ($25): If you’ve got it (and we know you do), flaunt it in a fusion swimsuit that would make the perfect companion for festivals and weeklong getaways at the beach house. It’s almost too cute to cover up, but if you must, layer it under a sheer caftan or embroidered cutoff shorts.
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Welcome to Selfmade Finance School, our new money series with Block Advisors to help small business owners with their tax, bookkeeping, and payroll needs year-round. This week, we explore the tax implications of bringing family members into your business.
The question for today is this: Does hiring your family members make sense for your business? Let me be clear. This is not a piece about whether hiring your family members makes sense for your relationships with those family members. As someone who is part of a family business, I could fill up a lot more than 600 words on my opinions about that. For today's purposes, we focus on whether it makes sense from an overall "good business and tax implication" perspective. As it turns out, there is a decent amount of tax nuance when it comes to employing your family. Let's break it down based on relationship to the employee:
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Spouses Who Are In Business Together
Personally, if I had to be in business with my husband, it would not go well. However, many couples build viable, strong businesses together and I say, good for them! Depending on how you have your business entity structured, it will make a big difference on the tax treatment of you and your spouse working as partners. Because a business jointly owned and operated by a married couple is generally treated as a partnership for Federal tax purposes, the spouses must comply with filing and record keeping requirements imposed on partnerships and their partners. The election to file two Schedule C (Form 1040) forms, (one for each spouse) permits certain married co-owners to avoid filing partnership returns, provided that each spouse separately reports a share of all the businesses' items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit. Under the election, both spouses will be subject to self-employment tax and on net earnings from self-employment and receive credit for Social Security earnings.
One Spouse Employs Another
If you have a dynamic where your spouse is an employee of your business, then your spouse's wages are subject to income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare taxes. If you are self-employed (not a corporation or a partnership), your spouse's pay does not have to be included in your federal unemployment tax account (FUTA) contributions and payments. However, if your business is a corporation or a partnership you must include that spouse's pay in your unemployment tax contribution calculation.
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You Employ Your Child
First, let's be clear. I work in my family business, but I am an adult, so I am treated just like a normal employee. However, if you, for example, run a family restaurant and want to hire your children under 18 to work for you, there are some tax benefits. But first, you should check with your state for rules on how many hours minors can work (in non-agricultural jobs) and reference the Fair Labor Standards Act for information on limitations on the kinds of work children can perform.
"This is an often overlooked or under-utilized strategy. Paying your children for true services they provide in your business can be a powerful tax-saving tool," says Cathi Reed, Block Advisors Regional Director. "If you are a sole-proprietorship or single member LLC, and the child is less than 18 years of age, the business is not required to withhold FICA or payroll taxes. The child can use his or her standard deduction against income you pay."
You Hire Your Parent
Oh dear. If you are brave enough to do this, know that you will need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on your parent's wages and make the appropriate withholdings, but you don't have to pay unemployment taxes. Now all you have to do is convince your parent that you are the boss. Have fun with that!
Is Hiring Family Members Worth It For The Tax Benefits?
"There are some positive tax advantages to hiring family members. It's important to treat a family member like any other employee. Hiring your children can result in substantial savings for businesses. Make sure your child has real, age-appropriate work to do and a reasonable pay rate, comparable to other employees. Consult with a Block Advisors small business certified tax pro to ensure that you are complying with all requirements," advises Reed. "Block Advisors, a team within H&R Block, is dedicated to meeting the tax, bookkeeping and payroll needs of small business owners year-round. To start working with the tax experts at Block Advisors, visit blockadvisors.com."
In my opinion, you should not hire a family member solely because of the tax benefits. You should always hire based on whether that person is right for the job and keep in mind how this hire could materially impact your relationship with that person and others in your family. Finally, as I mentioned, make sure you have a tax professional on your team when making these determinations. As you can see, things can get a little tricky!
*All details were sourced from IRS.gov and blockadvisors.com
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regards to your individual situation. Comments concerning the past performance are not intended to be forward looking and should not be viewed as an indication of future results. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. O'Keeffe Financial Partners and any other entity listed herein is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS Investor Disclosures: https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures