LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: The Neon Trend
Florescent. Electric. Neon. Bright. Hyper. Whatever you call it, the trend this spring and summer isnt just a pop of color
.its a PUNCH. Vibrant hues have moved from the runway and into the stores, the fashion scene is bursting with outrageous colors!
It takes a certain confidence (and love for the 80s) to wear neon; its a great way to update your look this summer and is one surefire way to stand out on the beach. High voltage color is flirty and fun, neon is really the ultimate summer look, why not sport it?
Heres a few of our favorite bright looks that are sure to get heads turning in your direction on the beach:
Marrakesh Pants
You cant really think of spring without thinking prints and no one does prints better than Trina Turk. In addition to wearing Trinas gorgeous and bright prints in swimwear along with her tunic and dress cover ups, we love the way her prints look in a pant. Printed pants have emerged as a bold spring trend, forget about your standard solid cover ups - its time to embrace pants with energetic prints instead. Its a fun way to add a little freshness to your wardrobe. Frankly were a bit obsessed with these fabulous pants, and if youre feeling the same way,
check them out here.
These must-try pants are great matched up with a black swimsuit. They are also amazing with the matching swimwear from
Trinas Marrakesh Express group.
Beyond the beach, Trinas wide palazzo pants in this eye-catching print are also great with a solid t-shirt, loosely tucked in avoid looking overwhelmed. Keep the rest of your look simple with sandals, and youre effortlessly bold, colorful, and totally chic.
(Our fit expert says when determining your size for these pants, go down a size).
Flaunt The Fringe
Season after season, bohemian influence runs rampant through the fashion world. The hippie-inspired style gives birth to must-have trends almost as many times as Nicole Richie and Kate Moss step out their front door. In the ever evolving moment of boho-chic, fringe is having its moment. The decorative trimming adds attitude and interest to otherwise simple shapes.
We all just saw Denise Richards and Melissa Gorga sporting L*Space fringe tops in the magazines, isnt it time for you to flaunt the fringe yourself poolside? Guaranteed to catch attention, mix up the
L*Space separates to find your look thats current, fresh, bohemian, and distinctly you.
Purple Reign
We knew as we were admiring all the purple dresses on the red carpet that the color purple was once again an it color.
Our customers are loving the purple swimwear that we are offering this season, its dark (think slenderizing), rich, and a fresh look.
Here are a few purple swimsuits that we are getting a great reaction to that are sure to please. Miraclesuits It List (upper left) features a shaped foam with underwire bra construction and terrific tummy-taming wrap styling through the midsection. For more on Miraclesuit, check out
Shopping for a Swimsuit & Looking for a Miracle?. Profiles Rapture (lower right) is one of our best-selling suits and you can see why: the ruffle detail is on-trend, the center vertical seam visually slenderizes, and the suit has
flattering ruching as well. The Ralph Lauren Blue Beach Beads (lower left) offers those of you preferring less coverage with a
younger attitude a beautiful violet bikini with ivory-inspired beads and rings.
Wrap up your choice with the Block Island pareo, which will also update the solid black suits you have in your swimwear drawer.
Purple is an elegant color that looks gorgeous on everyone and that is exactly why this is one trend that everyone can embrace.
Say Hello to High-Low
Just when you think you've experimented with every hemline option out there along comes this season's popular High-Low hemline. This shorter-in-the-front and longer-in-the back hemline is great for showing off a fresh pedicure and fabulous sandals.
We are all loving the "Gilt Trip" bandeau dress by Rod Beattie Bleu. It's a simple black dress made of swimsuit fabric accented with a stunning goldtone jewelry piece. Would this not be the perfect dress for your next getaway?
Betsey Johnson's "Love Notes" cover-up has a beautiful racer-back with a bow. It is 50% cotton/50% modal, meaning lightweight and soft. Elevate your poolside look with this great resortwear piece.
Make your 2012 trend statement with the new High-Low hemline today.
Flatter Your Figure AND Help the Environment
We all like to do whatever we can to help the environment but if a so-called "green" product, whether it's household cleaner or a T-shirt doesn't perform as well as the traditional version, then we're not so hot on it. One item of clothing that no woman wants to compromise on is a swimsuit. And as most are primarily made of synthetic fibers derived from petroleum, swimsuits are not particularly environmentally friendly.
Good news! The company that makes Miraclesuits has introduced a new line called Eco Swim that's flattering for your figure and better for the environment. It's the only swimwear company we're aware of that's taking steps to lower it's impact on the planet. The base fabric (Repreve Nylon), the linings, the trim components (grommets, zippers, snaps, etc.), and even the packaging and hangtags are all made from recycled materials. For the bra cups, the company uses Eco Cell foam, a biodegradable substance derived from plant oils and recycled materials. In the printing and dying process, the company uses Oeko-Tex approved standards which mandate that water useage be minimized and only lower impact dyes may be used.
OK, so we're all sold on why the swimsuits are better for the environment but what you really want to know is how they will fit, wear, and wash. Well, everyone is loving the fit - thanks to a high percentage of spandex in the material which provides support. In lab tests, which include stretching, colorfastness in seawater and cholorinated pool water, and washing, it was found they performed just as well as traditional swimwear. So if you are concerned about the planet and want a new swimsuit,
check out Eco Swim here.
What is Hot?
Everyone is always interested in what the best-selling swimsuits are. It IS early in our 2012 season, although we can say what the best selling swimsuit is so far.
Our customers are loving - our customers are buying- Profile's "New Waves" black and white print over-the-shoulder style tankini top paired with the "New Waves" skirted bottom.
Our #1 seller being Profile is no surprise to us, as overall that brand has been our #1 for quite a few years. What makes Profile a great swimsuit choice is that Profile designs fashionable swimwear that is flattering. Which is quite a statement because that is precisely what so many women are looking for. They want to play up their best parts and minimize areas that they aren't so crazy about.
Profile swimsuits are made with Sensitive Euro Jersey, which happens to have extra Lycra Spandex, which means better support and control on the body. It isn't marketed this way, however it does make a difference as you feel a bit more firmed up. It gives you a "hug" and makes the most of your curves
The "New Waves" print is a great "non-print print" which gives it appeal to both those who are seeking a print as well as people who are usually drawn to solids. I can't tell you how many times I've had a customer tell me as they were purchasing Profile's "non-print prints" that they are usually strictly a solids girl, however they love Profile prints. These non-print prints are sophisticated, and "New Waves" in particular is a great black and white print ("Black and White is Always Right).
Check out our entire Profile line, there's a lot of great fitting and stylish options to be found here
New in Control Fabric: Gottex Swimwear!!
If you feel your tummy is a problem area in swimsuits, give Control Fabric swimwear a try.
Or, if you already love the minimizing and support that Control Fabrics give you, you're likely seeking something fresh and new.
Fresh and new in the Control Swimwear world is "Contour" by Gottex. "Contour" swimwear is made to control and shape the body while keeping the key elements of what Gottex has been known for: a
flattering fit and
high fashion awareness.
A good thing just got better.
What Control Fabric is all about is the high percentage Lycra Spandex count. Gottex "Contour" is 52% Spandex. As a comparison, a random sampling of other swimsuits show 15 - 18% spandex. What this means to you is that the "Contour" swimwear will smooth you and provide body shaping. This fabrication from Gottex is both supportive and comfortable, a true innovation in a
lightweight control fabric.
With all swimwear, and with clothing in general, darker colors on the bottom paired with lighter colors on the top will draw the eye up and away from the areas you would like to conceal. Both "Vasarelli" and "Ombre Goddess" swimsuits do exactly that. Both also have a dark solid back for sleekness.
Ombre Goddess is shirred on the front of the suit all the way from the top to the bottom. Shirring, which is a gathered fabric that provides a stylish detail and also helps to minimize problem areas through the torso. Gottex, being true to their reputation for luxe fabrics, uses an ultra delicate shirred fabric, which was created especially to be lightweight and to achieve a slimming illusion to the body's contours. Gorgeous shades of blue are bright near the face, graduated to a dark at the bottom. Intense and beautiful colors, reminiscent of a Cote d'Azur sea.
Vasarelli is "Classic Gottex" - black with an "always right black and white" shirred draping with a subtle touch of gold foil. The bandeau style has removable straps accented with with goldtone "chain" trim. The mock surplice style has a moderate back in a soft V shape. Elegant and classic.
As a rule of thumb, we would advise you to go up one size from your normal sportswear size in swimwear. However Ronny Grundland, CEO of Gottex, who popped into our new Palm Beach Gardens store recently (yes, all the way from Israel), chatted up my sister Liz about the new fit and styling of "Contour". Ronny says for maximum control, downsize, which we take to mean "go with your normal sportswear size."
Complete the look with the new Gottex "Mikado" shirts: a bit longer to give you a bit more versatility, designed with a shirt tail hem, button front, self belt, collar, and an epaulet sleeve which all add up to a smart and tailored look. We love the
Midnight Blue with the Ombre Goddess and classic
Black with Vasarelli.
Combining Gottex's fashionable international resort style with Control Fabric that smooths, supports, and firms, giving the illusion, and the confidence, of a slimmer figure, is truly a good thing that just got better, solving your body issues and making you fashionable at the same time.
Beach Brides
A wedding is traditionally associated with elegant white tulle, clinking champagne glasses and fields of red roses, but more and more weddings are featuring white swimsuits, exotic locations and frozen tropical drinks. Destination weddings are the big trend in the bridal business.
Whether you are looking to say your "I Do's" in a bikini, ala Pamela Anderson who tied the knot with Kid Rock on a yacht in a white bikini, or looking for something special for to dazzle everyone poolside after the ceremony, here are elegant suggestions to be perfectly suited for your "happily ever after."
Lucky Mag's "Suit Yourself"
Having almost 20 years experience fitting women in swimwear, my sister and I always happily approach the Summer issues of magazines to see what other experts suggest. Lucky mag has "Readers' Choice" featuring black swimsuits, saying "black swimsuits flatter all body types and make it easy to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative - or at least totally downplay it".
Join us as we give you our picks for Lucky's swimsuit categories in sophisticated black!
Hourglass: Go to ViX. It's "the" Brazilian swimwear line with an amazing cult following. Their "Bia" slide halter top and "Bia" hip pant are their best selling pieces year after year, a great choice for a simple black bikini with 23kt gold plated "sliders", adding just a touch of glamour to a simple black two piece suit that fits like a dream, hence the amazing cult following. Note the halter bra is also available in a one-size D-cup for those wanting a bit more room, and the hip pant is an American fit, not Brazilian, still sexy, just not as showy.
Pear Shaped: We have always loved Jantzen's surplice body style, in fact, have introduced it to more customers than we could ever begin to count by saying "We call this 'What's not to love?" Flattering crossover V-neckline, shirring through the midsection for camouflage. Adjustable straps, good soft cup bra construction, "Power Net" tummy control, conservative leg opening. It is a well-constructed, well-fitting solid black suit. The fit through the flattering crossover bustline is going to draw the eye up, also subtle braid detail at the shoulder adds a touch of specialness. (This suit could be considered for Long Torso women as well as Jantzen tends to run long).
Straight: Let It Figure's "Color Blocks" cut out a waist for you and create curves. You will also find a good soft cup bra construction with nice tummy control in this suit, a simple round neckline that lets the detail at the waist do it's job of accentuating your waist.
Small Busted: In a time where most of the swimsuit tops do not offer padding, take a look at bSwim's x-back padded bra that we just got in. It will give you a little push-up where you feel you need it, and the flattering features do not end there. Turn around and see the very cute x-back to the top, the suit will give you a better fit and more support when it crosses in the back like that, and check out the rear view of those bottoms, there's a loop tie at the sides to match the top, and love that rear pucker in the for an flattering look in the back!
Large Busted: Tommy Bahama does a foam cup/underwire bra in their beautiful "Pearl" solids. This year we are thrilled you can opt for the over-the-shoulder (hook back and adjustable straps) or select the halter (ties around the neck and back). Either way you will fall in love with the elegant fabric and amazing fit. A hip, high-waist, or skirted pant completes your swimsuit.
Today is the first day of Summer! What better way to kick off the hot days of Summer than with a sultry new black swimsuit?
My Beach Bag (0) 