Importance of Bathing Suits

Oliver’s bathing suits are symbolic of Elio’s obsessive personality and his tendency to read meaning into Oliver’s actions when they do not truly have any significance. Before establishing his relationship with Oliver, Elio convinces himself that he can predict what kind of mood Oliver will be in on a given day based on what color bathing suit he is wearing. Later, however, Elio admits that this system of evaluation failed and and he eventually abandons it.