Swimsuit

XANDRA, Olivia Dunne and Ellie Thumann Are Huge Fans of This Fashion-Related Trend

The models revealed all during a fun game of ‘Sink or Swim’ earlier this summer.

Cara O’Bleness

XANDRA
XANDRA / Sports Illustrated Swimsuit

When it comes to hobbies that require a cute new outfit (think tennis, skiing, snowboarding or horseback riding), SI Swimsuit models Olivia Dunne, Ellie Thumann and XANDRA are all on board. When asked whether they would “sink” or “swim” starting a new hobby just for the outfit, the three women were easily on team “swim.”

“Oh my God, yeah, like tennis, are you kidding me?” XANDRA declared while playing the lighthearted game during Swim Week in May. “See me this summer, I can barely use a f------ tennis racket, but I will be wearing those tennis outfits like popping off.”

“Swim, big on that,” Thumann concurred with a grin, while Dunne also agreed by holding up her “swim” paddle.

However, not everyone was on the same page, as Katie Austin and Jasmine Sanders both voted against the trend. While the five-time brand star declared she’s “too busy,” the 2020 cover model admitted that while she’s engaged in the trend previously, she’s not a fan of doing something just for the aesthetic.

“I gotta say yes because I’m guilty of doing it,” Sanders stated. “ ... But no ‘cause it’s lame if you’re not honest. Let’s be real with the content.”

While Thumann and Dunne are all for dressing the part for a hobby, XANDRA is hands down the queen of this trend. Below, find a few of our favorite examples in action.

Tenniscore

Last summer, the professional DJ got into character in this sporty set while shooting the music video for her track “Body Say.”

Sporty spice

The best part of football season? Repping your favorite NFL or NCAA team with some cute gear, of course. The Ohio native is a big fan of the Cincinnati Bengals and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Snow angel

Whether she’s skiing or capturing selfies, XANDRA knows how to put together a great outfit for an afternoon on the slopes. She often works with SI Swimsuit’s fashion stylist, Margot Zamet, on her ensembles.

During the game of “Sink or Swim,” Nicole Williams English and Ali Truwit also gave their two cents on topics like whether or not they’re fans of phrases like “it’s giving” or the concept of romanticizing their lives. Entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel and 2025 Swim Search winner Tunde Oyeneyin also played along, both turning their paddles to “swim” regarding sending voice texts and memos.

“I love to give a voice memo and give a voice text, not that I know the difference, I think they’re the same thing,” Frankel quipped.

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Cara O’Bleness
CARA O’BLENESS

Cara O’Bleness is a writer and editor on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Prior to joining SI Swimsuit in 2022, she worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, O’Bleness loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University’s School of Journalism.

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