Designer Swim Wear
From LoveToKnow Swimsuits
Designer swim wear is a bargain at any price.
The Designer Swim Wear Difference
It's true that you can purchase a swimsuit nearly anywhere these days, whether online or at any number of local clothing stores, but not every swimsuit is worthy of the moniker "designer swim wear".
For a suit to truly be considered designer swim wear, it has to be from one of the premier swimsuit design collections. If you want to know the quickest way to find out who are the giants in the industry, just pick up a copy of the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, and see which labels those celebrity models are wearing as they frolic in the surf. This traditionally sets the trends for the coming year, and marks who will be the season's hottest designers.
Now a designer name brand is a good place to start, but it takes more than a well known name for a brand of swimsuits to start creating a buzz. The hallmarks of any true designer swim wear are style, fit, and quality construction.
Style
A designer swimsuit should immediately catch your eye, and hold your attention. The lines will generally be very clean, with a lot of attention to the smaller details. Fabrics, colors and patterns should work well together, whether to compliment, contrast, or do both at once.
Fit
Designer swim wear usually carries a significantly higher price tag, one that certainly can't be justified without providing a fit superior to anything you'll find in the bargain swimsuit bins. Great attention is paid to the way each suit is cut to hug the body in the most flattering way for each style, whether it's a one piece, or one of the many variations of the two piece. A designer suit should never pooch in the rear, or sag in the chest, but instead fit like a comfortable second skin.
Quality Construction
Quality construction is the supporting player for achieving both style and fit. The fabric blends used should be of the highest quality, and able to endure repeated exposure to sun, chlorine, and laundering without fading, pilling, or loosing their elasticity. All hems and edging will likely be double-stitched to provide longer wear, and suits will often be lined if it's appropriate to a particular style.
Naming Names
Now that we've given you the features to look for, let's drop a few names of some true designer swim wear brands that have proven they earn the title.
Anika Brazil
Annika Brazil swimsuits provide a wonderful fit, and feature incredible handcrafted sidepieces and embellished bikinis that are famous in the swim wear industry.
Ashley Paige
Ashley Paige is a familiar sight on fashion show runways. If you're in the market for a fabulous crochet bikini, this is the place to look.
LeTarte
Letarte designer Lisa Cabrinha's sultry swimsuits have been featured in more than one issue of the Sports Illustrated swim wear extravaganza. If you'd like to capture a little flavor of the Hawaiian islands, these suits and coverups are the way to go.
Luli Fama
Luli Fama hasn't been featured in Sports Illustrated four years running without a very good reason. These suits are your Cuba-to-Miami connection. If you dare to sport the Latin flair, try Luli.
Onda De Mar
When you think "high-end swim wear fashion, think Onda De Mar. South American designs combined with the most gorgeous prints and colors have also gained this collection a place in the SI swimsuit issue.
Red Carter
Red Carter understands the heart and soul of the South Beach scene, and reflects it in his unique line of swim wear. Look for his signature mirrors and buttons.
Salinas
Salinas concentrates its line on young women, bringing Brazilian style to the rest of the world. Colors are bold, and the suits are beautifully cut.
Sauvage
Sauvage designer Elizabeth Southwood focuses on providing cutting edge swim wear for both men and women. The styling is sexy, and the fabrics are fabulous.
Speedo USA
When it comes to high performance swimsuits, you just can't beat Speedo. Leading the way in racing fabric design, these suits are the number one choice for competition.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A swimsuits are sassy, sexy, and favored by Hollywood's young and fashionable. Designer Amahlia Steven's creations are worn by the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz. Hmm...not bad company to be in.
ViX
ViX, style straight from Rio and Paula Hermanny. Plenty of embellishments to set these suits apart from the pack.
Shop
Find virtually any designer or swim wear retailer you're looking for when you visit StylesSwimwear.com, a listing of the top designer swim wear shops around the world.
Summary
Designer swim wear comes with a heavier price tag, but the level of quality, cut and style usually justifies it. Think of your purchase as more of an investment, because a well designed suit is going to give you far longer service than that $20.00 swimsuit from the discount mall.
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