Bikini Buys » Bikini & Swimwear Styles

Lucky Brand American Dream Tankini | Patchwork Print Bandeau Style Swim Top

LaurenK — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:12:46 +0000

Lucky Brand calls this tankini an American Dream, but I can't imagine it becoming the stuff fantasies are made of.

I wouldn't say this tankini top is a nightmare, but it does appear very dated. Patchwork prints like this haven't been popular since the 80s, and they weren't one of the trends to resurface when the decade recently enjoyed a revival. So we can't even pass this vintage look off as retro chic; it's simply old fashioned.

Not everyone pays attention to the trends of course, but even aside from the print I think sun lovers could do better. It hangs loosely, which is great for hiding problem areas but not very figure flattering. However Lucky Brand doesn't offer it in the larger sizes that might appreciate the extra modesty.

The unusual strap configuration is eye-catching, but it also doesn't provide the security of a more traditional design. It won't worry you if you're spending time on the sand, but it's likely to be a concern for water babies.

Not even the price can convince me this American Dream Tankini is a good deal. At $78 it's not expensive, but there are many more stylish swim tops available for less.

Get this Lucky Brand American Dream Tankini:

Available to buy at Amazon

L*Space Au Natural Sliding Bikini | Earthy Striped Halter Swim Top

LaurenK — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:29:47 +0000

L*Space takes a more rustic approach to design than usual with this Au Natural Sliding Bikini.

I'm used to bold colors and fashion forward designs from L*Space, so this more bohemian bikini comes from left of field. I'm not sure what the labels fans will make of it, but I expect it might encourage hippie chicks to see the brand in a new light. L*Space hasn't abandoned its high class image altogether though. The 19-karat gold plated links on the straps are a luxurious complement to the more rustic triangle top.

I love the earthy coloring of the Au Natural, and the change of pace this swimsuit represents. But I feel L*Space is attempting to pull the wool over our eyes. Its name implies that this swimsuit is natural, yet it's crafted from a blend of manmade fibers. Hemp or bamboo would have been much kinder on the planet than this nylon and spandex concoction.

I'm not sure whether L*Space intended to deceive its customers, but this swimsuit leaves a bad taste in my mouth. What is an otherwise good looking bikini suddenly seems like a dishonest grab for green cash. A more appropriate name would have made all the difference.

Get this L*Space Au Natural Bikini Top:

Available to buy at Amazon

Seafolly Goddess Eva Skirted Pants | Pleated Navy Bikini Briefs

LaurenK — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:24:04 +0000

Seafolly serves up an itsy bitsy teeny weeny pair of bikini bottoms with these Goddess Eva Skirted Pants.

The term "pants" seems like a bit of a misnomer when we're dealing with such a small scrap of fabric. They're barely more than briefs! We certainly don't enjoy the modesty that swim pants generally provide, so I hope you feel comfortable about your body!

If you do want to flaunt it though, these Goddess Eva Skirted Pants are a pretty cute way to do it. The tight box pleats are a darling way to dress up the dark blue briefs. Those pleats offer a little extra coverage in the rear, but not enough to hide a few extra winter pounds!

Anyone who does have the figure for it will enjoy the quality of these briefs. Seafolly is one of Australia's leading swimwear brands, and anyone working in that country knows a thing of two about the beach. The dash of elastane in the fabric makes it flexible and comfortable, while the meryl nylon base is made to last.

It will require hand washing to keep its shape and colors true, but it's worth the effort to protect your $81 investment. That's quite expensive for a pair of bikini bottoms, but their timeless style of makes them worth the splurge.

Get these Seafolly Goddess Eva Bikini Briefs:

Available to buy at Amazon

Volcom Flower Affair Bikini | Feminine Rosette Decorated Pink Bandeau Swim Top

LaurenK — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:42:32 +0000

Volcom embraces its feminine side with this Flower Affair swim top.

This melon colored bandeau bikini top is exceptionally girly. The soft ruffle only runs along one side, but that's probably enough frills for most tastes. The large floral rosette in the center is another feminine touch. And of course, nothing says girly girl like a shock of sugary pink. The feminine effect is tempered a little in the aqua color, but only slightly. So I figure, why not go to extremes and make a real statement of girl power?

It's just a shame that Volcom's focused so much on the Flower Affair's surface appeal. Underneath that this bikini top is as basic as they come. There's no underwire beneath the bust, and no padding in the cups. You'll need to feel comfortable in your own skin to wear this swim top, because it'll do nothing to enhance your figure.

However perhaps we shouldn't expect too much. This bikini top is only $47.95 after all. That's a bargain for swimwear, especially when it's as well made as this Volcom bikini top. Its only frills are on the surface, but they'll be enough to impress girly girls with tight purse strings.

Get this Volcom Flower Affair Bikini Top:

Available to buy at Amazon

La Blanca Ruff Stuff Bandeau | Classic Striped One-Piece Swimsuit

LaurenK — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:11:22 +0000

Don't let the vertical stripes scare you; this Ruff Stuff swimsuit from La Blanca is remarkably slimming.

We've all been told to steer clear of outfits decorated with such stripes, but you needn't have the model's figure to look good wearing them. The Ruff Stuff's stripes are relatively narrow, so they don't tend to add extra pounds. La Blanca knows this so it generously offers the Ruff Stuff in sizes 4 to 16.

But the stripes don't just add interest to the simple bandeau-style design. The curved stripes around the bust enhance your shape, which is a real blessing for anyone on the petite side. The modern enamel buckle at the bust caps off the timeless nautical design.

The shoestring halter-neck strap offers the security we need in the surf, but the Ruff Stuff looks its sexiest without it. Just unclip it once you hit the sand and enjoy line-free tanning, and the admiring glances that will come your way.

That buckle and the blend of polyester and spandex have their limitations though. Both are a bit fragile so you'll need to wash the Ruff Stuff by hand to keep it looking its best. However if you do make the effort your $109 will pay for several summers of fun.

Get this La Blanca Ruff Stuff Swimsuit:

Available to buy at Amazon
Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

NEW La Blanca Womens Ruff Stuff 1 Piece Cup Bandeau Black 16
US $155.82
Auction Ends: 26d 23h 45m
Make it yours...

NEW La Blanca Womens Ruff Stuff 1 Piece Cup Bandeau Black 6
US $155.82
Auction Ends: 18h 47m
Make it yours...

Check the Male Seahorse eBay store to see if this swimsuit is in stock

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La Blanca Ruff Stuff Bandeau | Classic Striped One-Piece Swimsuit is a post from Bikini Buys. A site on Beach Clothing, Beach Sports, and Beach Fashion for women.

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Juicy Couture Miss Divine Bandeau | Navy Blue Gold Buttons Swim Top

LaurenK — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:06:37 +0000

Juicy Couture sets the style standard with this Miss Divine bandeau swim top.

The label's come a long way since its heady pink velour-loving heyday. These days the American fashion house is experimenting with more timeless colors and more fashion forward designs, and it's better for it. I love the restraint shown here, something we'd never have associated with Juicy Couture in the past.

The navy blue fabric is a classic choice, but it's made much more interesting with the addition of golden buttons. The row of accents brings a real regality to the design that aspiring princesses are sure to warm to. I also appreciate the gentle shirring which helps hide any problem areas.

The absence of a shoulder strap is a real misstep though. While we'll appreciate the line-free tanning, it's a wardrobe disaster waiting to happen once you hit the waves. A removable shoestring would have added the security we crave without compromising the design.

The lack of strap is a small thing, but it's significant enough to make me hesitate to spend $151 on this bandeau swim top. That's not small change, especially when you've got to buy the briefs to match. It might suit anyone who spends a lot of time on the sand, but water babies may like to look elsewhere.

Get this Juicy Couture Miss Divine Bandeau Top:

Available to buy at Amazon

Trina Turk’s New Banana Republic Line | Californian Designer’s Summer Capsule Collection

LaurenK — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:52:47 +0000

The capsule collections from Trina Turk just keep on coming. Hot on the heels of her Trina Turks and Caicos Collection for the Grace Bay Club Resort comes news of her latest line, a collaborative range designed with American leisurewear leader Banana Republic.

The 60-piece collection includes swimwear separates, beach towels and tote bags, and maxi-dresses and cut-off shorts for the times you're stepping away from the shore. The range's pricing is also more in keeping with Banana Republic's prices than Trina Turk costs. We can expect to pay around $60 for the beach towels while the bikini separates start from $58. Spending $120 on a pickering tote sounds a bit much to me, but I'll reserve judgment until I observe the carry-alls and their quality.

What I've seen of the collection seems like the perfect marriage of Banana Republic's safari style and Trina Turk's breezy Californian cool.

"We decided early on that the Palm Springs 'cocktails by the pool' lifestyle would be our key inspiration for the colors, styles, and prints," Turk explained.

Look for the Trina Turk for Banana Republic line in Banana Republic stores in America, Canada, Italy, France, Japan, Turkey, and South Korea this June. The retailer's online store will also dispense the goodies to customers in some 24 countries at the same time.

[Source: Glamazon Diaries]

Trina Turk Bikinis on eBay

TRINA TURK 2 PIECE SWIMSUIT BIKINI CASABLANCA PRINT SIZE 4 BANDEAU TOP
US $49.00 5 Bids
Auction Ends: 18h 38m
Make it yours...

TRINA TURK 2 PIECE SWIMSUIT BIKINI BEAUTIFUL PRINT GOLD HARDWARE SIZE 6
US $42.99 0 Bid
Auction Ends: 19h 23m
Make it yours...

Trina Turk’s New Banana Republic Line | Californian Designer’s Summer Capsule Collection is a post from Bikini Buys. A site on Beach Clothing, Beach Sports, and Beach Fashion for women.

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Trina Turks’ and Caicos Swim Collection | Capsule Line for Grace Bay Club Resort

LaurenK — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:55:59 +0000

Trina Turk has created a summery new capsule collection exclusively for the Turks and Caicos resort, the Grace Bay Club.

The new line, cleverly dubbed the Trina Turks' and Caicos Collection, features mix-and-match bikini separates, a plunging one-piece swimsuit, an ankle-length maxi dress, and a kimono-sleeved tunic cover-up. There are nine items in all, including halter-neck and bandeau cut bikini pieces.

Each item in the limited edition collection is patterned with a distinctive print inspired by the Caribbean island's penchant for fun in the sun and the Grace Bay Club's sophistication.

The pattern didn't take Trina Turk too far out of her comfort zone. As a Californian, she told The Jet Set Girls blog that she's always been inspired by the coastline and its ocean.

"For the Grace Bay Club swimwear print, we combined the movement of the turquoise water with an accent of bright coral from the resort's Mediterranean architecture," she explained. "Our signature hardware in gold with white enamel captures the sparkle of the white sand beaches found throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands."

The new Trina Turks' and Caicos Collection is available at a range of prices, from $76 for a pair of bikini briefs to $204 for the maxi-dress. The capsule collection is available for a limited time from Trina Turk boutiques, including its online store, and The Grace Bay Club.

[Source: The Jet Set Girls]
[Image Source: Trina Turk website]

Trina Turk Swimwear on eBay

TRINA TURK chain print halter silk maxi dress 0 NWT
US $199.00 0 Bid
Auction Ends: 2h 19m
Make it yours...

Trina Turk beautiful Shift Dress BLK Size 10
US $89.00
Auction Ends: 6h 38m
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Trina Turks’ and Caicos Swim Collection | Capsule Line for Grace Bay Club Resort is a post from Bikini Buys. A site on Beach Clothing, Beach Sports, and Beach Fashion for women.

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Luli Fama Mariposa Traicionera Bikini | Skimpy Purple Butterfly Decorated String Swim Top

LaurenK — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:58:15 +0000

Luli Fama's created an itsy bitsy teeny weeny bikini with some extra flair with this Mariposa Tracionera swim top.

It's up to you to decide whether this bikini has too much flair. The pretty frills are a lovely way to soften the traditional bikini triangles. With a name like the Mariposa Tracionera, we probably expected the large butterflies that have landed at the top of those triangles. But personally I think the crystals take things a step too far.

It's also disappointing that Luli Fama only offers it in this purple shade called wild orchid. I've got nothing against the hue, but a few more options would have helped this swimsuit appeal to a wider audience.

If you do love it, it's worth noting how skimpy it is. While the triangles slide to allow a little extra modesty, they're never going to cover up enough for conservative beachgoers. The Mariposa Traicionera is definitely a bikini for girls that feel very comfortable in their own skin.

The Mariposa Traicionera swim top is too fussy for my tastes, but I think it could be really popular amongst teen and tween sun lovers. However for $84, they'll spend some time saving their pocket money for it!

Get this Luli Fama Mariposa Traicionera Bikini Top:

Available to buy at Amazon

Becca Get Together Swimsuit | Sexy Black & White Cut Out One-Piece

LaurenK — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:35:05 +0000

Becca's created one of the sexiest one-piece swimsuits I've ever seen with the Get Together.

This modern swimsuit obviously takes its cues from the monokini, but its asymmetrical style makes it much more eye-catching. The white stripes draw the eye, encouraging onlookers to admire this swimsuit, and the body in it, from top to toe. It's also just as eye-catching from behind, where the braided strap unravels to create one of the most striking swimsuit backs I've ever seen.

It goes without saying that this isn't a swimsuit to wear if you're self conscious about your figure. The large cut-out area around the tummy leaves nothing to the imagination. If you don't have the model's rock hard abs, it's just not going to look the same.

I admire that the Get Together is sizzling, yet it still retains its class. While it shows plenty of skin, what's revealed isn’t too scandalous. It covers the cleavage and much of the buttocks, which is really unusual for such a skimpy swimsuit.

The Get Together is really a marvel of modern swimsuit design, so I think it's quite reasonably priced at $128. That’s no small change but it's still affordable for such a distinctive swimsuit.

Get this Becca Get Together Swimsuit:

Available to buy at Amazon