This shoot features a summer sailor swimsuit in a blue-and-white color scheme. The main outfit is a semi-transparent sheer top worn over light blue stripes, with a classic sailor collar accented by a yellow neckerchief and red details. The cropped, midriff-baring design gives a very clean waistline. The pleated skirt on the bottom is also made of semi-sheer fabric with long blue ribbons tied on the side, paired with over-the-knee white stockings and blue-and-white striped cuffs, making the overall color coordination look clean and cohesive. The hairstyle used is a short light greyish-blue wig, with the sailor hat on top and the pink butterfly hairpin on the side serving as the soul of this look, paired with blue-grey contact lenses to make the eyes look clear and bright.
The sunlight was fantastic on shoot day. The blue mosaic tiles and sparkling water of the swimming pool provided a natural reflector, and the high-key photography style made the visuals look extraordinarily bright. For props, I prepared a sky-blue cartoon water gun and a transparent inflatable swim ring; the semi-transparent material blended very naturally with the aquatic environment. Because the outfit is midriff-baring with a miniskirt and over-the-knee stockings, special attention had to be paid to angles and movements during shooting to avoid exposure. I tried seated, kneeling, and standing poses by the poolside—such as looking back holding the water gun, using the swim ring as a frame, making a heart gesture, walking through the water, and crouching inside the ring—adjusting every movement to complement the water reflections.
For a summer theme like this, makeup shouldn't be too heavy, so I focused on the eye makeup and aegyo sal, using warm pink eyeshadow to balance the cool feel of the blue-and-white palette. The lip color chosen was a matte milk-tea tone, staying close to everyday wear while carrying an anime cosplay texture. Transparent swim rings are actually quite tricky to shoot with texture; they require utilizing water wave refractions and avoiding water droplets splashing on clothes to cause stains. Thus, the shooting rhythm was fast—basically finishing a set of poses quickly and wiping off immediately. When holding the water gun, the center of gravity needed to be steady, otherwise water would stream down the barrel onto the clothes. The outfit's fabric is very thin and tends to stick to the body when wet; although some water details were cleaned up in post-processing, we relied mostly on candid captures on site to showcase a natural refreshing summer vibe.
The entire shoot lasted about two hours. The midday sun was intense, but the pool water temperature was just right, so it didn't feel too exhausting. White stockings easily pick up dust on pool tiles, requiring frequent wiping with a damp cloth between shots, but to maintain sleek leg lines and smooth socks, I kept them on the entire morning. The location chosen was an open outdoor swimming pool surrounded by white pillars and large glass railings, offering strong perspective depth—especially top-down and bottom-up angles, which created great compositional synergy between the model and the pool's mosaic patterns.
In terms of pose design, beyond standard standing and sitting poses, I also tried leaning sideways over the edge of the swim ring, holding my hat brim with one hand while gazing into the distance, and a humorous framing shot with the swim ring around my upper body showing only my head—these varied poses showcased every detail of the outfit. Translucent fabric reflects slightly under bright light, so the photographer intentionally used side backlighting to highlight silhouettes, making the white semi-sheer fabric appear even airier. The midriff-baring waist design demanded good posture, so I engaged my core slightly before shooting to keep the waistline natural.
After shooting, checking the props revealed the water gun's battery had run out, but thankfully we had already finished the required close-ups. Overall, this summer sailor swimsuit design preserved iconic elements of the original character (like hair color and accessories) while integrating the convenience and coolness of swimwear. Although over-the-knee white stockings felt a bit warm in hot weather, they were essential for visual crispness and extending body proportions. Friends who love this fresh blue-and-white color scheme can pay extra attention to combinations of semi-transparent fabrics and bright stripes—perfect for summer outdoor shoots.
The final photos maintain a unified style without excessive post-filters, relying mainly on natural light and the pool's blue tones to build atmosphere. Water reflections made facial tones look very soft without needing extra fill lights for great results. When capturing the moment of the water gun spraying, we tried several times because water splashes easily sprayed onto the lens and face. Ultimately, a static pose holding the gun without visible splashes was chosen, making the shot look cleaner. I hope everyone can feel a touch of summer coolness and refreshment from this set of photos!