Supermodels & String Bikinis!

With summer in full swing there is nothing better than spending these hot summer months relaxing on the beach. Whether you are traveling to exotic locations or sticking closer to home swimwear is an essential part of summer time fun. One of our personal favorites and one of the most popular styles of bikinis is the string bikini. This fun and classic style is the standby for so many women because it is a universally flattering cut. Supermodels Adriana Lima, Cara Delevingne, Gisele Bundchen, and Miranda Kerr arguably have some of the most coveted bodies on the planet.  And despite being able to wear anything, including a brown bag, and still look good these lovely ladies stick with the string bikini for their time in the sun.

This style works for all body shapes which makes it a go to for so many women. If you are an hourglass look for a string bikini that offers enough coverage and provides extra support for a larger chest. Stick to matching colors or prints to keep your hourglass shape proportionate. Pears should look to create even proportions. Have fun with color and prints on the top but look to solid colors for the bottom. By doing this you are drawing the eye up to your chest and minimizing your bottom. Apples, similar to hourglass, want to look for tops that provide enough coverage and support in solid and dark colors for their larger chest. Since apples tend to have smaller lower halves look for bottoms that draw attention to this area. Reach for bright colors and fun patterns. Are you more of a rectangle? Try to build curves with suits that have ruffles, or fringe detailing. These eye catching extras help to create a more hourglass shape by drawing attention to the chest and bottom.

With so many great options it is no surprise that the string bikini stands out above the rest!

Shop string bikinis and more HERE

Trend Alert: High-Waisted Bikini

Get yourself pin up ready with these amazing high-waisted bikinis straight from the runway. High-waisted suits are figure flattering and help to give women the hourglass figure they are striving for. By providing a little extra coverage these suits are sexy and feminine and leave a little air of mystery. Like all great trends the high-waisted bikini is not new to the fashion world. The beautiful women of the 40's will forever be immortalized in summer in the numerous photos and ads showcasing one of our all time favorite looks. Today this same style is back and better than ever. To keep the look young and modern today's designers take the classic elements and reinvision it for the modern woman. By keeping a more traditional shape to the bottom and adding in cutouts, hardware, and color blocking it all helps to bring this look into the current decade. With so many versions of this suit there is a style that works for nearly all body types. Hourglasses can wear practically all styles as the high-waist helps to accentuate your already existing curves. Apples, look for bottoms with solid colors and paneling on the bottom for a slimming effect and to hide your midsection. So take a cue from the past and look great in the future with any of these amazing high-waisted options.

Loving the look? Shop these styles and more HERE!

A Blast From the Past: Retro Style Swimwear

 Retro bathing suits are back in a big way. No matter if it's the 40's, 50's or 60's styles that appeal to you, AWB has all the vintage inspired suits you are looking for. What makes these modern suits so great is the way they have seamlessly merged the old in with the new.

 

One-piece suits once were the standard in fashionable swimwear. The addition of thin straps or a halter strap as seen above were popular of the times. These suits are given a modern twist with their high cuts and ruched detailing.

   

Looking for something a little more wild, look for one-pieces with great prints. It's all about the animal, floral and geometric patterns. Sweetheart, bandeau, and plunging necklines all add retro inspired touches.

Are bikinis more your thing? Well we have plenty of great options for you as well. From classic florals to funky prints these bikinis are anything but old. What gives these suits that old time feel is all in the details. Look for suits with ruffles, ties, and structure. Boning and support were all the rage back then so look to suits that can create that illusion. Try out this high waisted geometric print bandeau bikini above. This definitely isn't your grandmother's suit!

Check out all of these styles and more HERE

Behind the Scenes: How to pack for Sao Paulo, Brazil

Fashion shows and market events are some of the most stressful and most exciting times for us here at All Wet Beachwear. It is where we get to see who and what is up and coming. This year has been no exception. Our very own Senior Buyer is currently preparing for her amazing trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil for the Brazil Association of Fashion Designers (ABEST). This year we thought it would be a great idea to give our readers a little behind the scenes action on all of the fun!

While the designers are definitely getting our full attention, a trip to Sao Paulo wouldn't be complete without a little site seeing. As bathing suit lovers and sun worshippers ourselves we will inevitably make time to stop by the beach. With so much to see and do we really need to start packing. Check out our Senior Buyer's picks for travel must haves.

Stay tuned until next week when we are able to reveal our favorite moments from the shows and share all of our must have pieces!

Shop great travel pieces HERE

The Best Suits for your Shape: Hourglass

This week we are focusing on the oh so coveted hourglass shape. An hourglass represents someone whose bust and hips are about the same width, but has a waist that is significantly smaller. Famous women throughout history have made this curvy shape one to strive for.  Marilyn Monroe, Kim Kardashian and even Barbie are among the many names synonymous with this body type.

Hourglass Shaped Celebrities: Scarlett Johansson, Kim Kardashian, Selma Hayek

Although this may be the standard of beauty that many women try to replicate, like all body shapes, hourglasses have their own set of difficulties when trying to find the perfect suit. Look for bathing suit tops that provide additional support such as triangle and halter tops with underwire. With a traditionally slim waist try a high waisted vintage inspired bottom.  By keeping the bikini bottoms high-cut it will help to make your legs look longer as well. If a one-piece is more your style keep the bottom high-cut as you would in a bikini and look for a halter with a deep V for a sexy, flattering fit. Avoid boyshort bottoms and bandeau tops as they will make you look wider in these areas.

Stick with these easy to follow tips and you will look fabulous this summer!

Shop the Hourglass look and more HERE

Inspiration: The Cia Maritima 2013 Campaign

Cia Maritima released the images for their 2013 campaign featuring former VS angel Izabel Goulart. Cia always presents itself as a very fashion-forward swimwear brand this campaign is no exception. Model Iza Goulart is a toned, bronzed, and statuesque against several exotic backdrops filled with blue waters and other natural elements. This is one of the best campaigns we have seen for 2013 and has us ready to book a trip somewhere lush and sunny with a bag of Cia Maritima beachwear in tow. We hope you are inspired too!

 

 

Cia Maritima 2013: Aloha Hawaii

Cia Maritima's is Brazil's most sought after swimwear brand but this season Cia Maritima designer Benny Rosset turned to the USA's tropical outpost, Hawaii, for inspiration for his Summer 2013 collection. Cia Maritima's new collection of beautifully constructed swimwear incorporates prints with iconic Hawaiian imagery such as pineapples, palm trees, tropical ferns and hibiscus flowers.

Strappy accents and creative cut-outs add interest to one pieces and monokinis.

Cia Maritima 2013 is sexy, sophisticated and terrifically tropical. We will carry select pieces on www.allwetbeachwear.com very soon... stay tuned!

Swim Chronicles 2: Reviews on Cia Maritima and Luli Fama

For our next installment of All Wet Beachwear's Swim Chronicles, it is Morgan's turn. She is the voice behind many of these blog posts and recently made a trip to Singapore and Malaysia. On her trip, she had the chance to test out new swimwear from Cia Maritima and Luli Fama.

From Morgan:
I have always been crazy for swimwear. Even in high school, I would scan the magazines including the Sport's Illustrated Swimsuit issue and if I saw something unique I would find it and buy it and this was before the days of online shopping! A Brazilian friend once called me a bikini collector, when a Brazilian calls you out on your bikini obsession, you know it is bad.

Because of my bikini addiction, I have tried a lot of different brands and two of my favorites are Cia Maritima and Luli Fama. I had an opportunity to escape the city and travel to hot and humid Singapore and Malaysia and I brought swimwear from those brands on my trip.

Review of Cia Maritima Leopard Triangle Top and Bottom

I am a petite person and if there is one thing I hate it is putting on a bulky bikini and having it obscure the little shape that I do have. Cia Maritima's string bikinis have become my go-to-swimsuit. They do not look bulky on a small figure yet they aren't so overly teeny that I am afraid to disrobe either! The designs and prints are tasteful and fashion-forward. I know if I get a Cia bikini I can wear it for seasons to come. This particular swimsuit features a beautiful pattern that is an update on the traditional leopard print. I love the special details like the gold accent in between the cups and the soft fabric. In my report card, the only points I deducted were on staying power and functionality because I probably wouldn't try to surf it! But few bikinis actually stay put while surfing. Overall I loved it! It was so flattering and sexy yet not too revealing to wear poolside in Malaysia.

Review of Luli Fama Luxe Lace Triangle Top Bikini

Everyone needs at least 1 Luli Fama bikini and this was my first. I absolutely loved the runway photo of this style on the website and had to have it. I have tried on wavy side/scrunch back bottoms from other brands in the past but I can honestly say this brand fits the best and was the most flattering for my body type. However, the cut of the back is so skimpy that when first wearing this in public, I did have the feeling that my entire bottom was hanging out! But I got used to it quickly and having a tan bum was worth the initial shock. This bikini works best for poolside lounging. I have taken it in the ocean waves and had a mini-panic attack coming out of the water. A bonus is that this top does have light padding, it stays put and doesn't bunch and adds a nice little bust boost.

Write your own color story

There really are endless options when shopping for swimwear. Narrow your search by starting with a color. What color do you always look great in? Do you get compliments when you wear orange-red or maybe deep blue? What shade is lacking in your swimwear wardrobe? Here are a few color palettes to consider.

  

Dark Hues are deeply feminine. Swimwear in saturated jewel tones is a rich and romantic option.

                              

Despi Casablanca Malibu

Cia Maritima One Shoulder 1 Piece

Pale Shades of gray, pink, mushroom, and cream are very fashionable for 2011. The overall look is clean and polished.

L*Space Aqua Relli Bandeau

Vix Nice Ripple Light Pink Tri and Tie Side

Bold Brights add punch to your beachwear wardrobe. Bikinis in vivid turquoise, lemon, cobalt, fuchsia and electric green solids and prints are both edgy and extremely sexy.
 

Luli Fama Copa Cabana Halter Top and Scrunch Side Bottom

Agua Bendita Realeza

Swimwear accented with glitzy metallics is over-the-top glamourous. Gold and silver hardware adds an element of style and luxury to any swimsuit.

Lady Lux Head Over Heels in Black

Beach Bunny Kourtney SS Calypso White Bikini

Visit All Wet Beachwear and browse our range of designer swimwear in a wide selection of colors.