Authored by Tricia Eliis-Christensen and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/13VO9lK

A tankini could be called the more modest sister of the bikini. The tankini is a two-piece swimsuit that features a tank top, instead of the bra top common in bikini styles. The style first began to appear in the mid 1980s and has gradually gained in popularity. This is especially the case when top and bottom may be purchased separately to accommodate different sizing needs for the upper and lower halves of the body.

The tank top of the tankini may still reveal some skin, depending on its style. Some versions end at the waist leaving several inches of skin exposed. Some styles of the tankini fit exactly to the waistband of the bikini bottom, providing greater skin coverage and a more sport swimsuit look. The bottom piece can vary from boy leg, swim short, low-cut bikini, high legs bikini or g-string backs; so the tankini can be variable in the amount of coverage it provides.

This two-piece style can also vary from very simple single color designs with few extras to lots of wonderful colors and styles. For those who like to minimize their waist, a ruched tankini top cinches in at the waist producing a more hourglass appearance. A tankini top may also feature built in shelf or cup bras to give greater breast support.

The tankini has been the boon of women with long torsos who may find that a one-piece swimsuit construction is simply too short. It does give the illusion of a shorter torso and is more comfortable to wear for many women. The tankini also provides more security than the bikini bra top, and leads to fewer accidental exposures because it covers more skin. It is not universally flattering, and those with shorter torsos may find that the tankini’s break between tank top bottom and the bikini bottom top is not the most attractive look for them.

For curvy women who want to choose the tankini, it’s a good idea to look for the type where skin coverage between the two pieces is at its maximum. This can be best achieved by finding tank top styles that are slightly longer, or bottoms that reach the waist. With a shorter tank top or bottom, extra skin or fat around the middle may unattractively bulge out and create an unflattering look. If you are looking for a skin revealing suit, a newer version of the tankini called the camikini features a low-cut camisole type top, and is often paired with a string bikini bottom.


For your bikini needs, check out our Lenny Niemeyer page.

Authored by Britt Archer and can also be found here: http://is.gd/zIOdO1

Women who wear plus size clothing no longer have to cringe when the warm weather rolls around with the accompanying worry over buying swimwear that fits and looks good. Designers are manufacturing more plus size swimwear than ever before, and the designs include more than just one-piece swimsuits. Choosing a plus size bikini involves choosing the proper fit, and it also involves making a number of other choices, such as highlighting or downplaying certain body features. A ruffle or other eye-catching feature at the bust, for example, can balance wider hips, and it also can draw a viewer’s gaze upward, away from possible problem areas. A popular and attractive style choice for a plus size bikini is the tankini, which consists of the usual style of bikini bottom and a tank top-length top.

Popular wisdom for decades has sent larger women to the racks of black, brown and navy plus size swimwear because darker colors are said to be more slimming, but you don’t have to settle for these colors any longer. Designers have created plus size bikinis that are colorful, fun and tasteful, strategically using color to visually highlight curves while concealing shortcomings. Trying on a colorful plus size bikini before purchase is advisable because swimwear and other clothing often looks different on a body than it does on a hanger.

If you need extra support at the bust, you should look for either a tankini or a regular plus sizebikini that is constructed with extra support on top. Extra support could come in the form of underwire, or in the form of wider straps. Some swimwear experts say wider straps provide more lift and comfort while decreasing back strain. On the other hand, if you want to make a large bust appear smaller, the tops of some tankinis and plus size bikinis are designed as bust minimizers and will be labeled as such for easier shopping.

The bottom half of a plus size bikini may need some extra attention, too. You want to make sure the bottom covers adequately and there are no potentially embarrassing material shortages in the rear. If thighs or the derriere are areas of particular concern, some bottoms come with a small, flirty skirt that helps to camouflage these problems. A plus size bikini that is constructed partially of a stretchy material is a good choice for both comfort and coverage. The swimsuit also should be lined for better coverage.


For your bikini needs, check out our Lenny Niemeyer range.

Authored by Vickie Hogue-Davies and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/Yqy3Np

There are many types of beachwear for days spent sunning on the beach or swimming in the water. Beachwear includes swimsuits, board shorts, beach cover-ups, flip-flops and more. Hats, sunglasses and other accessories finish off outfits for days at the beach. Men, women and children can find beachwear options in a variety of styles and designs.

Ladies and young women's beachwear choices include colorful bikinis, elegant one-piece swimsuits, sarongs and more. Today's swimsuits come in a variety of styles and colors, from barely there bikinis to more retro — and more modest — two-piece swimsuits reminiscent of elite Hollywood actresses from the 1940s and '50s. Another popular two-piece women's beachwear style is the tankini, which mixes a classic tank look on top with a bikini bottom. One-piece bathing suits provide more cover and often are preferable for swimming and ocean sports. Some one-piece and two-piece swimsuits offer a skirt style on the bottom for additional coverage.

Sarongs wrapped gracefully around the waist are one of the most sexy swimsuit cover-ups. They often are sold to match the colors and patterns of swimsuits. Long, loose tops called tunics and caftans, which are often made of cotton or other light and airy fabric blends, provide popular cover-up alternatives. Lightweight sun dresses also are popular choices for covering up on the beach.

Surfer-inspired board shorts, made of quick-drying synthetic material, are enormously popular as beachwear and casual wear away from the beach with men, women and children. Board shorts are great for swimming and sunning, and some women prefer to wear them as the bottom half of their swimsuits. Men can find more traditional trunks for wearing at the beach as well as the form-fitting swim brief option, often popular with swimmers who want reduced drag in the water and sunbathers seeking a more all-over tan. Swim briefs are often called "Speedos" for the manufacturer who popularized them.

Rash guards and swim shirts are worn to protect against weather, skin chafing and the sun. Lightweight, fast-drying rash guards are popular among surfers, swimmers and others engaging in water sports. Looser-fitting swim shirts are designed to provide protection from the sun's ultraviolet rays. They can be worn with sunscreen or without, and they sometimes carry ultraviolet protection factor ratings of 50 or higher.

Like adult options, children's swimwear options also include bikinis, one-piece bathing suits, trunks and board shorts. Children also frequently wear rash guards and swim shirts to protect against skin damage. The selection of children's beachwear styles and designs is as great as it is for adults.

Accessories to accompany beachwear looks include hats to shield the face from the sun's rays. Appropriate hats for long days on the beach have large brims and come in straw, canvas and other lightweight materials. Sunglasses come in a wide variety of styles for protecting eyes. Flip flops and other sandals come in a many styles and colors to complement beachwear.


For beach wear, check out our Lenny Niemeyer page.

Authored by S.E. Smith and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/Yz58bI

A cover-up is a lightweight garment designed to be worn over revealing outfits such as bathing suits. A cover-up can be worn to the beach or to an informal social event, and is used primarily to bridge the gap between being fully dressed and wearing a bathing suit. Both men and women can wear cover-ups, although women tend to wear them more than men. Many stores which carry bathing suits and accessories for tropical destinations sell cover-ups.

Since a cover-up is designed primarily to be worn over a bathing suit, the assumption is that it will be worn in warm weather. Subsequently, cover-ups are made from lightweight fabrics which do not offer very much warmth to the wearer. Cotton is the most common choice of material, since it takes dye readily, can be easily washed, and will not be damaged if it is worn over a damp bathing suit.

In many cases, traditional garments from tropical cultures are used as cover-ups. The most common example is the sarong, also known as a pareo. A sarong is made from a single large rectangle of fabric which can be wrapped and tied around the waist, or wrapped and tied around the neck to create a casual dress. These garments are usually brightly colored and decorated with tropical themes.

Long shirts, caftans, and casual dresses are also designed for use as cover-ups. Many swim wear companies sell accessorizing cover-ups for their products, so that women can coordinate their layers. Some of these garments are made from heavier, more opaque fabrics, to help protect the skin from the sun.

Many people wear a cover-up to the beach or pool, to avoid getting sand on regular clothing. Once by the water, the cover-up can be left on or taken off, depending on whether or not the wearer is cultivating a tan. While swimming, the cover-up is removed. After getting out of the water, it is generally advisable to allow the bathing suit to dry before putting the cover-up back on, to avoid the sensation of damp fabric against the body.

In the tropics, a cover-up may be acceptable wear at a casual party, especially if it is being held on the beach or near a pool. Guests who are not sure should ask the host, to avoid embarrassment. Cover-ups can also be seen in resort towns located near the beach, as people may throw a cover-up on to run to the store or do a few errands.

Authored by S.E. Smith and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/1511yLC

A maillot is a one-piece swimsuit, typically cut high in the leg. Maillots run the gamut from modest suits designed for older women to maillot cutouts, swimsuits with daring cutouts or piece work designed to highlight a shapely body. The term is also used to refer to the stretchy knit fabric used to make a swimsuit, and sometimes is used to discuss leggings, leotards, and other sports apparel made from that fabric.

In French, the world maillot means shirt, while a maillot de bain is a bathing or swim suit. In the 1920s, when form hugging swim suits for women became more acceptable, fashion designers started calling them maillots, and the term stuck. Today, the term continues to be used in the fashion industry, and some companies will also distinguish their bathing suits as one-piecemaillots or two-piece bikinis.

The original maillot from the 1920s usually included partial leg coverage to obscure the upper thighs, along with a high neck, but was still a dramatic departure from traditional women's bathing suits, which more closely resembled dresses. A maillot would have been easier to swim in and appealing for members of the opposite sex to look at, and the suits quickly took over as the bathing apparel of choice for women. With time, the maillot evolved, with a lower or keyhole neckline and higher cut leg holes.

In the 1930s, designers began creating maillot cutouts, which were missing panels on either side of the stomach or the upper back. These swimming suits were precursors of the bikini, which finally separated the bathing suit into two separate halves, but maillot cutouts are still popular in most summer design lines. A maillot cutout provides more figure control than a bikini does while still emphasizing desirable features of the female body, and can be interesting visually, as cutouts can be arranged into asymmetrical designs, or take the form of interesting shapes.

Like any other bathing suit, a maillot is designed from a stretchy fabric which is designed to be worn in the water. To maintain the stretch in the fabric, a maillot should be washed in cold water and hung to dry, and never subjected to a dryer or iron. Harsh cleaning materials such as bleach should also be avoided, as they may compromise the integrity of the fabric, and a maillot should be washed, allowed to completely dry, and folded at the end of the swimming season.


For our range of designer bikinis and maillots, check out our Lenny Niemeyer page.

Authored by Niki Foster and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/WLidB8

A bikini is a two-piece women's bathing suit that resembles a bra and panties in shape. Though Louis Réard and Jacques Heim designed the first bathing suit known by this name for a 1946 fashion show, the style predates their design. Films and photographs from earlier in the 20th century show women in two-piece swimsuits, and there are even ancient Roman mosaics featuring women exercising in costumes that closely resemble the modern-day suit.

There are many different styles of bikini. The one that officially debuted in 1946 was a string bikini, with triangles of fabric covering the breasts and genitals and strings making up the rest. Many also offer coverage of the buttocks, though the 1946 one did not. Other styles include abandeau top — a rectangular strip of fabric covering the breasts — a top with cups similar to a push-up bra, and more modest bottom pieces such as briefs, shorts, or briefs with a small skirt attached. A more modern variant, the tankini, includes a tank top.

Réard and Heim named their new bathing suit after the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, the site of a recent nuclear weapons test, in reference to the "explosive" effect the bathing suit would have. The design was so scandalous that only a nude dancer agreed to model it. However, it began to catch on in the coming decades, with the help of such bikini-clad movie stars as Brigitte Bardot in 1956's And God Created Woman and Ursula Andress as the first Bond girl in 1962's Dr. No. By the 1960s, it was one of the most popular styles in women's swimwear.

A newer type of women's swimwear inspired by the bikini is called the monokini. The term is a play on the original name, as mono- means "one" and bi- means "two," though the bikini is named after a place and its name does not really mean "two" of anything. A monokini may simply be the bottom part of a two-piece worn alone for topless sunbathing, or it may be a skimpy one-piece garment that resembles the bikini, leaving the midriff mostly bare. The first monokini was designed in 1964 by Rudi Gernreich and left the breasts bare, though it provided significant coverage of the bottom half of the torso.

Authored by Sheri Cyprus and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/WEFMeB

Gauze clothes are thin, loosely woven cotton garments. They are typically women's clothing items, but do include men's shirts. If you're familiar with gauze medical bandages, you'll have a good idea of what this clothing fabric is like, although not all of these clothes have quite as loose of a weave. Due to their extremely thin texture and light cotton construction, gauze clothes are popular in hot climates and for travel.

Both the pros and cons of gauze clothing include its extreme thinness. The thin quality of cotton gauze makes it comfortable in even the hottest weather, but it typically requires an extra layer underneath to avoid a completely see-through look. Cotton or silk camisoles as well as slips can be layered under gauze clothes such as blouses and dresses. Some cotton skirts and dresses have a cotton, polyester or silk lining sewn into the garment.

Peasant blouses with ethnic styles of embroidery as well as flowing or puffed sleeves are classic looks for gauze fabric. These types of gauze shirts are available in men's and women's varieties; many of these can be purchased in tropical countries. Some men's gauze shirts have short sleeves, while others are long-sleeved in design. While men's gauze tops may have embroidery details, women's styles may include a drawstring neck and/or waist. Gauze shirts made for men and women may fall at the top of the hips in length or be a longer tunic style.

Both men's and women's gauze tops may be solid or patterned. White, ivory and blue are popular colors for gauze clothing, but there are many color as well as style options for sale in these travel and hot weather clothes. For resort and vacation wear, gauze clothing is typically sold in bright colors such as lemon yellow, true red and brilliant turquoise. For women, long gauze sundresses are often favorite travel clothing pieces as they may be worn over swimsuits by the pool or ocean as well as dressed up with fancy sandals and jewelry for going out to dinner.

Gauze pants are popular in both regular and shorter, or capri, lengths. Some gauze pants are sold with matching shirts. Button front shirts are popular gauze clothes for men and women, as they can be worn over tanks to give these casuals sleeveless tops a dressier look for resort wear. Gauze button front shirts may have checks or other pattern details or be solid in color.

Authored by G. Melanson and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/Yc6rvI

The term blouse most commonly refers to a tailored ladies’ shirt, and there are several different types of blouses that have been fashionable throughout the years. Blouses can vary in their material, collar, sleeves, and detailing. Different styles of blouses are worn all around the globe, featuring traditional names and customs that reflect their culture of origin.

Blouses are typically fashioned from such fabrics as cotton, linen, silk, and polyester. In addition to the standard folded, angular collar there are many other different types of blouse collars, including the rounded “Peter Pan” collar, the ruffled “Elizabethan” collar, the sailor-style “middy” collar, and the wide, flat “butterfly” collar, to name a few. A blouse can be sleeveless, or have capped sleeves, puffed sleeves, bell sleeves, or any other number of sleeve styles and lengths.

Blouses that button up the front and feature a shirt collar or pockets are sometimes referred to as “dress shirts,” and are popular staples in the work wardrobe of many women. In the early 1990s, oversized raw silk blouses and embroidered cotton dress shirts both became big fashion trends. During the late 1990s, dress shirts with three-quarter-length or elbow-length sleeves became popular, giving the casual appearance of rolled-up sleeves. Small zippers replaced buttons on many dress shirts during the early 2000s, giving them a sporty yet still professional look.

During the 1970s and 1980s, blouses featured such feminine detailing as frills, ruffles, bows, covered buttons, and puffed sleeves. The “peasant blouse” was a popular style in the 17th century as well as the 1970s, characterized by its long, flowing bell-shaped sleeves and off-the-shoulder neckline. Sometimes referred to as the “Mexican peasant blouse,” this style is most reminiscent of the 1970s hippie, flower child, or bohemian look. Another type of flowing blouse is the “pirate” style, which features draping at the collar, bell sleeves, and was most famously parodied in a popular episode of the hit 1990s sitcom, Seinfeld.

In China, traditional blouses are made from silk and feature a small, stand-up “mandarin” collar. This style is also traditionally adorned with “frog” buttons, which are braided buttons that fasten through a loop. In India, the traditional “choli” blouse is backless and cropped to expose the midriff. The choli blouse is typically worn with a matching sari or “lehenga” gypsy skirt.

Authored by S.E. Smith and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/VD6KQ3

Daily life in tropical areas can be intolerable for visitors who are wearing less than ideal clothing. Fabrics for tropical climates have a number of properties which make them highly suitable to wear and use in regions which get warm and humid. In addition to seeking out better fabric choices, it is best to try garments on for fit and comfort, as clothing that is tight or fits oddly can be maddening in hot weather. It may be easier to purchase tropics-friendly clothing locally, and it might be a good idea to check what local people are wearing.

Keeping Cool
High temperatures combined with high humidity can make life uncomfortable, especially for people not used to these conditions. Humans keep cool mainly by sweating: the evaporation of liquid takes heat away from the body. Sweat evaporates less quickly when humidity is high, and so has less of a cooling effect. For this reason, fabrics for tropical climates should maximize the flow of air through the clothing, allowing heat and moist air to escape. It also helps if clothing is loose fitting.

Fabric Choices
Some fabrics tend to trap heat by providing an insulating layer over the skin. Others tend to reflect heat back to the body and inhibit the outward flow of warm, moist air; this is often true of synthetic fibers, such as polyester. Another important factor is the ability of a material to absorb water. Synthetic fibers tend to be water-repellent; they allow sweat to build up, reducing evaporation, and causing discomfort and irritation. Natural fibers are generally better at soaking up moisture from the skin and allowing it to evaporate from the outer surface.

As a general rule, the best fabrics for tropical climates are those made from natural materials such as cotton, linen and rayon. Strictly speaking, rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber, but it is made from natural raw materials and resembles natural fibers in its properties. These materials tend to “breathe” more than synthetics such as polyester. Wool and silk are not good choices, as they tend to retain heat, and silk can lose some of its strength through exposure to strong sunlight and perspiration.

Cotton
Cotton is an excellent material for a tropical climate because it permits movement of air from the skin through the fabric, allowing heat to dissipate and reducing humidity. It also absorbs moisture well, keeping the skin dry and increasing evaporation. This tendency to soak up water could potentially also be a problem: it can become damp and stay damp for some time. Anyone who has worn denim cotton jeans in wet weather will know that they absorb a lot of water and take a long time to dry out. These, however, are made of relatively coarse, thick material; cotton clothing for hot, humid parts of the world should be made of thinner, lighter fabric.

Another useful property of cotton is that it can be machine washed and dried. As sweat accumulates in a hot climate, the ability to wash clothing quickly and easily is a definite advantage. Cotton is also easily ironed and reasonably durable.

Linen
Like cotton, linen is cool and absorbent, and very comfortable to wear. It loses water quickly when it gets wet or damp, which is a useful feature in humid conditions. The material is relatively stain-resistant and can be machine-washed; however, it tends to become wrinkled and creased easily, especially when tumble-dried, and ironing it can be hard work. It is also susceptible to mildew, which can be a problem in areas with high humidity.

Rayon
This fabric is made from natural cellulose, which is subjected to various chemical treatments to create a fibrous material suitable for clothing. Like cotton and linen, it is cool and comfortable to wear: it does not trap body heat, and absorbs water easily, making it well suited to tropical conditions. Normal rayon, however, has limited durability, and should be dry-cleaned rather than washed. Another form of this fabric, called high-wet modulus (HWM) rayon, is much stronger and can be machine-washed.

Other Things to Consider
Generally, light colored fabrics are better for a tropical climate, because they reflect light and heat. White, beige, and pastels are common choices, and they can be embroidered with thread to create colorful designs. Tropics-themed textiles do not have to be dull white or shockingly patterned; options are varied when it comes to decoration.

Clothing for tropical climates should also be loose and comfortable. Many cultures have traditions of flowing garments which allow air circulation close to the body. In addition to being cooling, this also helps to keep the body dry, preventing irritation, rashes and skin infections. People who are overweight may also want to consider the use of a cream or powder on areas of the skin which are subject to chafing, to prevent painful sores at the end of a day of activity in hot, humid conditions.

Authored by Melanie Smeltzer and can also be found here: http://nosax.me/Ywu842

Embellished clothing can be difficult to care for, especially when it comes to sequins. Although a sequin dress may be attractive, the finish of these spangles can be very fragile. Sometimes people prefer to have these pieces professionally cleaned, but there are many ways that cleaning and care can be done at home. For instance, turning the garments inside-out and washing them on a delicate cycle can help keep the colors bright and the sequins intact. Letting them dry flat also can help prevent the garments from wrinkling without melting or breaking the sequins in a dryer.

Considering that sequined dresses are often reserved for formal occasions, they usually do not require frequent cleaning. Spot-cleaning is typically all that is required and can easily be done by placing the sequin dress on a dry towel and dabbing a stain with a washcloth soaked in lukewarm water. When the entire dress needs to be washed, it may be placed on a delicate cycle in the washing machine with a mild, alkali-free detergent. To help keep sequins in place as well as to keep the colors bright, the dress may also be turned inside-out and placed in a pillowcase prior to washing.

A sequin dress may also be washed by hand. This can be done by filling a bathtub with cold water and a mild detergent, slowly submerging the dress into the water, carefully scrubbing between the sequins with a soft-bristle toothbrush, then rinsing thoroughly. To dry the sequin dress by hand, place it between two dry towels and carefully press. It is usually not a good idea to wring it out, as this can cause the sequins to tear away from the garment.

Many feel that a sequin dress should be stored in a flat position instead of folded or hung up. Folding may cause the dress to become wrinkled and may make it more likely the sequins will be stressed and crack or break; hanging the garment for an extended period may cause it to stretch, which can cause the sequins to become loose or even fall off entirely. In many cases, leaving the dress flat is not possible, so it may be gently folded with no other garments placed on top if it, then temporarily hung to help work out any wrinkles. Should a few sequins become loose, they can easily be repaired with a thin, matching thread and fine needle.