So, I’m going to Hawaii and my wardrobe for the trip is lacking mightily. I have no summery clothes that fit me at the weight I’m presently at since last summer I was Weight Watchin’ and getting smaller(ish) and I didn’t really buy any skinny clothes since it was just so fun to wear shorts that were three sizes too big to remind me of my success. And I am not about to go and buy any new summery clothes at this point because a) everything is out of season and b) I will be pregnant this summer so skinny clothes are the last thing I’ll be needing. I feel like I am going to not only be a sausage on the beach, but a really unstylish one at that. All of my summer clothes are a little too big (although probably not for long at the rate I’m going!) and a little too outdated. I am not going to let this ruin my trip, however. I have learned that in this life, no one even notices what another person is wearing since they’re too preoccupied with wondering how they look themselves. What funny creatures we are.
One thing I was hoping to find while on the trip is The Perfect Bathing Suit. I can see it in my mind and have searched high and low for it, but it’s nowhere to be found. That’s not true, I did find one that I adore but it’s by Norma Kamali and goes for a measly $350. Yeah, not really in the budget these days.
I want something that is vintage and lovely and slimming and timeless and makes me feel like a hottie. Something like the suit Nicolette Sheridan (gag) is sporting on this rather old (see? timeless) Vanity Fair Cover (she’s the one in white):
Any idea where I can find my dream suit?
30 Comments
Good luck on the hunt!
My Mom set a new fashion when she was in Hawaii in the 70s. She fell getting into a boat and scored herself a massive bruise on her thigh. To cover it, she tied a handkerchief (point down) over the bruise on her thigh. Sure enough, a few days later she saw someone copying her. Just set your own trend, Amanda!
I too was in the market for the PERFECT bathing suit for my hawaii trip 2 years ago. I turned to my favorite choice for bras… Victoria’s Secret. And they actually have a Vintage suit in their 2008 collection right now in black or ivory. And you can also purchase a slick little cover up as well. Do i sound like a sales woman or what? Seriously though, check out their web site… Good luck!
Oh and PS, There will be 10,000 people on the beach that are not nearly as cute as you!!!
I’m of the opinion that no matter how high quality the suit is, it always degrades faster than you want it to. So while I have paid more for my suits because I need a specialty cup size top (no, seriously) I feel very strongly about cheapo suits from Newport News’ clearance section. If they would fit my bust, I’d probably go with something like this http://www.newport-news.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=16800097&clear=1&index=178&gp_coll_id=0&gp_cat_id=7528&nav_cat_id=8391
or this http://www.newport-news.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=17315097&clear=1&index=2&gp_coll_id=0&gp_cat_id=7528&nav_cat_id=8391
or this http://www.newport-news.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=28267096&index=59&gp_coll_id=2012&gp_cat_id=7505&nav_cat_id=7507&category_id=4835
Also check Victoria’s Secret, Macy’s, Spiegel,
Here’s one from macy’s that you may like http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=286190&CategoryID=8699&LinkType=EverGreen
http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jhtml?id=prod74882231&catId=cat280206 What about this one? It’s $74 so it’s not dirt cheap but it’s also not $350, so silver lining?
Or: http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jhtml?id=prod89583231&catId=cat280206 ($72)
Not a one piece but sort of similar:
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=12875&pid=520509
Good luck! And, um, regardless, you’re going to look beautiful IN HAWAII!
there’s a little shop here in Victoria called Paradise (http://www.paradiseboutique.ca/) and they design their own swimwear. Most of it in a vintage style. If you do want anything via emailing or checking anything out I can easily pick it up for you.
You can check out http://www.landsend.com. They have a lot of swimwear, reasonably priced (although I think all swimwear is overpriced) and they have a lot of separates in case you needed different sizes/styles to accommodate ‘zee belly’. Good luck!
Have you checked out J Crew? If I remember correctly they had some pretty cute halter style one piece suites that were on the more modest side. I also found some really inexpensive (non maternity) smocked top cotton dresses while I was pregnant that were great to accommodate my growing girth and I am still able to wear them now. I also loved my draw string linen skirts for the same reason and again, they were still in my summer rotation this year.
Have such a great time in Hawaii!
The issues are twofold: finding a suit you like, and finding a place that has them in stock.
Nordstrom’s or any upscale-ish department store should still be stocking swimsuits to cater to the vacation-year-round crowd. While you won’t find anything cheap-cheap, you might be able to snag something for around $50.
I found a suit that looks like the white one but in a leopard print from Newport News. They have a catalogue and are online…wait, hang on…
http://www.newport-news.com
Note: they have a lot of hideous clothing, so you gotta search. And it’s not made to last you a lifetime. But it will definitely get you through a beach vacation looking lovely, and it’s way affordable.
Target also has their online swim shop year round.
I just emailed you a bunch of stuff!
If Hawaii is anything like it used to be … don’t sweat it – no-one cares what you wear – the whole world passes in front of you there.
No worry!!
Just enjoy!!
I’m no hope because I hate bathing suit shopping…but as far as clothes go…what about short sleeved wrap dresses? They can be easily adjusted and are always in style!
Cute, good luck!
hmmm. what about this one from Land’s End:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/BeachLivingFloralAdjustableBandeauTunicSwim~180876_593.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::VMH&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000134&origin=index
The bust revealing factor isn’t as deep as the one Nicolette is wearing, but it’s kind of the same halter style and the adustable/cinchable length sounds like a dream for an expanding (but gorgeous) belly.
I like Land’s End – just ordered a suit for Mexico. I might check out some of the above links too :)
Try J Crew. They have free shipping on orders of $175 or more (even to canada) Their suits are always clasic looking.
(why not buy a few styles totally $175 then send the ones you don’t like back? Then you’d get the free shipping!)
email me if you want the coupon code and I’ll find it for you.
http://www.zodee.com.au/swimwear/baku/casablanca/m407cb/?categoryid=1101
This one looks similar but the neckline is more like the one that Teri Hatcher is wearing.
My mom has always had success with Lands End. (I personally like to be able to try stuff on. I know I can order and then return but that’s so much work!) I know they have quite the mix and match selection… good luck!
I actually waited and bought a suit in Maui when I went. I got it for $30 on the sale rack in one of the 100’s of bathing suit stores on the island (in Kehei though, not the pricy Lahaina) and no one has anything like it here.
May be worth the risk?
I’m so jealous that you are going somewhere warm! There is a really nice white halter suit at Victorias Secret.
http://www.victoriassecret.com/collection/index.cfm?&rfnbr=158&cgname=OSSWMOPSZZZ&cgnbr=OSSWMOPSZZZ&page=all
This is not at all the suit you were looking for, but I bought this one last summer in navy and absolutely adore it.
http://www.honeygirlwaterwear.com/cart/product_category.php?f_higher_category_id=5&f_category_id=39&f_sub_category_id=232
Completely recommend, great for adjustable hip cinching and tummy coverage without looking like a grandma.
Girls Gone Child posted this a while back. Scroll down to the bottom to see some options:
http://www.retrodress.com/otherstuffsix.html
White Classic Sheath for $60? Not sure how many Canadian bucks it would take…
All I can say, is good luck!
I second the other commenter who suggested Victoria’s Secret. They have a lot of vintage-y suits right now and they are all just darling. Good luck on your search! :)
I can’t help you with the suit, but if it were me going to Hawaii I’d probably live in tank tops and sarongs (sarongs being wearable as skirts or dresses or tops!). It’s the beach, baby!
I think the suits here are super cute.
http://www.retrodress.com/otherstuffsix.html
I’d check out Land’s end — they have some great tankini’s, I think in a similar style, and they aren’t always a really tight bathing suit, but still very flattering.
good luck!
I second the ladies above that suggested checking out Victoria’s secret – I have the code to get free shipping through the end of January if you find something you like and want to order it. Just let me know:) Also, I found my favorite bathing suit while I was IN hawaii – at Macy’s actually. They sell swimwear all year!:)
[…] true, I did find one that I adore but it’s by Norma Kamali and goes for a measly $350. … credit : […]
[…] Turk, V Del Sol and Diva were all featured. …Azura Blog – http://www.azuraswimwear.com/blog|||Bathing Beauty… on the trip is The Perfect Bathing Suit. I can see it in my mind and have searched high and […]
[…] Turk, V Del Sol and Diva were all featured. …Azura Blog – http://www.azuraswimwear.com/blog|||Bathing Beauty… on the trip is The Perfect Bathing Suit. I can see it in my mind and have searched high and […]
[…] Bathing Beauty24 Jan 2008 by amanda … on the activate is The Perfect Bathing Suit. I crapper wager it in my nous and impact searched broad and baritone for it, but it’s nowhere to be found. That’s not true, I did encounter digit that I adore but it’s by constellation Kamali and goes for a meagre $350. … […]
Comments are closed.