Give the Girls a Boost! The Bustier Bikini is Making Waves

This season we're seeing a lots of takes on the Bustier Bikini.  I'm referring to that little underwire bikini top that makes the most of what God gave a girl...a bosom.  The Bustier is similar, but slightly different than the standard underwire bra top.  It's cut a little smaller, sometimes sporting push-up pads, usually including a removable neck/shoulder strap and it really does it's job by making the smaller breasts look rounder, sexier..OK, let's say CUTER!   I have to say that the comeback of the Bustier Bikini is a huge triumph for the girl with a petite bustline.  Let's face it, the large busted women just can't wear the this little underwire bikini well.  Frankly, there's just so much spillage.  I mean, after all, sometimes too much is just too much. 

This season, Marysia did a cute Bustier Bikini, Mara Hoffman did a few of them and Maaji did one that's just the cutest thing on the planet.  Here's our Bustier Bikini hit parade for 2011:




Maaji Swimwear 2011 - Peachy Lucky Hit Bustier Bikini



 Black Embroidered Bustier Bikini - Mara Hoffman Swimwear 2011 

Mara Hoffman Swimwear 2011 - Batik Sky Underwire Bandeau Bikini

 

 

Mara Hoffman Swim 2011 - Red Batik Bikini

  Luana Bustier Bikini - Marysia Swim 2011

So, go for it girls!  It's time for the dainties to shine!

~ C.

L*Space Puts a Twist On Style This Season

L*Space Swimwear designer, Monica Wise, has come up with some twisted bikinis this season...so cute!  So SEXY!  Monica has quite a following of loyal customers who love the L*Space clean styling and unique details.  These bikinis are not, "toe-dippers," but swimsuits that women really want to wear and look great in. She's given a twist to the traditional bandeau bikini and even put a turn, or two into the bottom of the Aquarelli Bikini.


Aquarelli Bikini by L*Space

L*Space has also come up with another unique, twisted bikini top with their Twister Taboo Bikini.

Halter top has twist in center with thin straps &gold bead details.  Bikini bottom has double straps at the hips and offers moderate coverage in back.

L*Space Swimwear  - Twister Taboo Bikini

One of my favorite bikinis that Monica did this season is a very classy bandeau bikini, the Posh Bandeau with metal accents. Bandeau top has contemporary medallion in center, soft cups, side stays and ties in back. Bikini bottom has matching medallions at hips and provides moderate coverage in back.  Very sleek!

L*Space Swimwear - Posh Bandeau Bikini

I know that Monica has been working hard to bring us bikinis and cover-ups that work for the American girl.  All I can say is, GREAT JOB!  Good luck to all of the L*Space Swimwear crew this year!

~ C.

Buying That Bikini...Better Early Than Never

I know, I KNOW, buying a new swimsuit for the upcoming season is something that most of us want to put off.  It can be a daunting task, I totally understand.  But, my advise is don't wait.  In spite of what many of us think, the swimsuit season does not start in June.  In fact, by the beginning of summer, it's just about over.  (Geesh!  When are the fashion mags going to get this?)   At Tropi-Ties Swimwear, our swimsuits start arriving in November and by January they're about 1/3 sold out.  By April, they're about 2/3 sold out.  By June, there's few slim pickin's left.  My advise is to start your swimsuit shopping early.  If you wait, those cute, cute bathing suit styles will be picked over, or sold out.  And don't think that you need to lose that 5-10 pounds first...ahhh...the hessitation blues.  Buy now, diet later. 

It's all the more important this season, due to the lousy economy.  Swimwear buyers need to make their orders way in advance and frankly, they just aren't sending in the huge POs to their suppliers this year.  That means that there is less inventory and bathing suits and cover-ups will start to sell out earlier.  This also means that there will be less "Sale Items" this season, because the ordering has tightened up tremendously, compared to last season. After all, no fashion retailer likes left over inventory.  It's not like wine and cheese...it doesn't get better with age. 


For example, Mara Hoffman Swimwear and Agua Bendita Swimwear for 2011 are just about gone from our shelves.  Will there be re-orders?  I don't know.  They're hottest labels out there right now, but the manufacturers are either afraid, or just can't continue with production this late in the year.  The quantities are limited.  It's all covered in the law of Supply & Demand.


I hope this doesn't sound like a hard sell, I just want our loyal customers to be informed.  So, if you're planning that vacation in July, buy the swimsuit now, while the styles are plentiful and fresh. 

OK...I'm crawling off of my soapbox now. 

~ C.

Agua Bendita 2011 Sale This MLK Weekend

Just letting our readers know that there is a private Agua Bendita Swimwear Sale going on this holiday weekend at Tropi-Ties.  The 2011 AB swimsuits and cover-us are considerably marked down for our loyal followers.  Sale ends Monday night.  Shop!  Enjoy!!  ~ C.


Agua Bendita Swimwear 2011 - Bendita Vibracion Bikini





Agua Bendita Swimwear - Bendita Realeza Bikini





Agua Bendita - Bendito Santo 1 Piece Swimsuit



2011 Agua Bendita Swimwear - Bendita Francia Bikini



Agua Bendita Swimwear 2011 - Fortuna Dress

Agua Bendita Swimwear - Giro Dress



The Best and Worst in the Swimwear World For 2010

Well, 2010 is coming to a close.  Too bad.  I love typing those numbers...it's so easy, a nice cadence.  Typing 2011 isn't quite the same.  With the end of 2010 comes the reviews of the best and worst swimwear of the season.  Frankly, it's hard for me to mention any, "worst swimsuits," for I feel that all of the designers give it their best try and so many have bravely gone out there in the edge, so to speak, in a year that was just so darn difficult to begin with.  I mean REALLY...These days, who needs a gaggle of swimsuits because they're embarking a luxurious, world cruise?  It's tough out there and these designers continually put themselves, as well as their pocketbooks, out there every season.  So, it is with reservation that I even mention the, "worst swimsuit styles," because they really aren't that bad...just slow sellers in an impossible market.  So, it is without further ado that I give you my 5 best and 5 worst swimwear styles for 2010.

#5 Best
 Luxor Bikini, Melissa Odabash



This bandeau was so popular last season, with the chunky chain detail at the hips and, smooth, "Melissa Fit." 

# 5 Worst (Augh!  I hate this!)

L*Space Swimwear - Jubilation Bikini



It wasn't the style or quality that made this a difficult sell...I think that it was the print.  I liked it, but our customers voted it down with their wallets.

#4 Best

Karla Colletto Swimwear 2010 - Ruching 1 Piece Swimsuit

Everyone loved the color of this swimsuit.  We had way more orders than we had maillots.  They also loved the ruching in the picture, but no so much when they tried it on.  It came back to the returns department because of that.  Perhaps it was because they expected the ruching to cover-up more figure flaws than it was capable of doing.  Still, it's just about gone from our shelves.

#4 Worst

Lenny Swimwear - Floresta Keyhole Halter Maillot

What can I say?  I loved it, I put it on the PO.  I still love it!  Our customers, however, didn't.  Maybe it's the laser cut fabric, or the modern styling...I dunno.  They've got me stumped.  In all honesty, we have sold a few and there are only a couple left, so maybe it shouldn't be on this list.

#3 Best

Agua Bendita Swimwear  - Bendito Key Lime Pie Bikini

Whoever said that the halter bikini was dead, sure forgot to let Agua Bendita and their loyal customers know.  This bikini was a huge hit.  There might be one left in our warehouse...if so, grab it quick!

#3 Worst

Rosa Cha' Swimwear - Double Grommet Striped Bikini

OK, in all fairness, this is a gorgeous swimsuit, beautifully made, fabulous on, but the picture just doesn't do it justice.  It was also suposed to have BLACK cups, not white.  I think it now looks too much like a bra, or shall I say, "boob sling?"  (I'm sorry, Alexandre, but it does.)

#2 Best

Maaji Swimwear - Purple Euphorbia Bikini

This was not the most popular Maaji bikini in 2010, (I think that the Ruffled Juniperus was,) but I love that those Maaji girls came up with such a clever take on the bandeau, not to mention that it's purple. 

#2 Worst

Rumba Bikini - Luli Fama Swimwear

Luli Fama is known for their tiny, risque bikinis and this one is cute, but not that tiny.  The bottom is pretty full, not an LF trademark.  Unfortunately, it tried to be everything for everybody and found that it had no love.  Too bad...I dig the print!

#1 Best

Mara Hoffman Swimwear - Stained Glass V Wire Bikini

Mara Hoffman was the big name this year in printed swimwear and the best of her styles was the V Wire.  We sold this out in a couple of other prints and only have one, or two left in this look.  

#1 Worst

Red Carter Swimwear - Ashanti Monokini

I'm so sorry Red, but this monokini just didn't make the mark.  It arrived late in the season, monokinis are starting to fade out, the pic doesn't show off the vibrant colors, what can I say?  

So, that's a wrap for 2010.  2011 is off to a good start.  I can hardly wait to see what's in store for 2012 Swimwear!

~ C.  

We Wish You A Merrry Christmas!

We just want to send you a warm holiday greeting from all of us at Tropi-Ties.  We hope you have a wonderful holiday and a mahhhhvalous New Year.  Here's to warm, tropical evenings in the sunniest of places.  CHEERS! 

~ C.

Blessed are the Cover-Ups...

For they can save our little tushies in oh so many ways. 

The swimsuit cover-up has been getting lots of attention these days in the swimwear world.  It's making a huge resurgence, but in a whole, new, modern way.  It's no longer the perky, matchy-matchy garment that was desperately put on over the swimsuit in order to make one's way across the hot sand and past oogling eyes to the snack shop.  These days, it's more of a wear-with-anything kind of frock that's perfect to pack if you're travelling, or just to have in your closet arsenal as a every day item. 

The cover-up can be dressed up, or down, over jeans, shorts, on it's own and naturally, over a swimsuit.  This practical item can be worn into town for a day of window-shopping and museum haunting and then go on to hold its own at happy hour, dinner date, or party scene.  It comes in all shapes, from a long evening gown, to a short, short mini.  There are tops, jackets, dresses, sweaters, wraps...they all work.  Which is what makes it such a great value. 

The 2011 season rings in with a plethora of cover-ups by all of the great swimwear labels. 

Melissa Odabash Swimwear 2011 - Sandy Cover-Up

Melissa Odabash has been celebrating this beach attire for years.  Finally, she is heard loud and clear!  She's become a master at mixing casual with chic with her ponchos, caftans, tops and ,"little nothing dresses." 

Kain Label 2011 - Bea Cardi

Another new brand that we are carrying this year is Kain Label.  Not really in the beach genre, per se, but perfect to wear just about everywhere. 

Agua Bendita Swimwear 2011 - Fortuna Dress

For the younger, frilly set, there's Agua Bendita's take on the beach dress...love it!  Everything that Agua Bendita does is full of fun and whimsy!  (Then again, I'm always a sucker for crochet.) 

Lenny Swimwear - Jersey Tie Jumpsuit, Quartz

Of course, if you're past all that and are looking for something cool and sophisticated, there's always classic Lenny. All of her designs are so refined and easy....so timeless.

Mara Hoffman Swimwear 2011 - Batik Sky Cocoon Cover-Up

And we can't forget a mention of the hottest designer for 2011, Mara Hoffman, who has taken the swimwear world by storm with her exotic silk prints and unique "cocoon" styles. 

The beach cover-up fills the void in the traveler's wardrobe and like your favorite credit card, "don't leave home without it."

~ C.