If any of you diehard Sex and the City fans ran to the theaters this past weekend to catch the much-anticipated sequel (I myself, prefer to hold out until the crowds have dwindled a little) you may have noticed, upon very close inspection, that Carrie Bradshaw is wearing the Infrared Peacock bra by La Fee Verte.
The particular scene is that in which Carrie and Big are celebrating their wedding anniversary, and where only the straps and trimming of the bra can be seen peeking out from her dress.
Looking to get your hands on the fashionista-approved bra? Currently, it is only available in a 32B at catrionamackechnie.com, as the bra was from the first collection by La Fee Verte. However, just as products created quite the frenzy from the first SATC film (Charlotte’s pink Eres one-piece maillot, anyone?) I’m sure more stock will be made available soon!
In the meantime, I’m off to see the women reprise their roles as the stylish New York foursome; sharing laughs, tribulations, and what else, sex?
I’ll keep you posted as to what lingerie wardrobe stylist Patricia Field has in store for the fashionlable ladies.
Tie-dye is back, baby, and nowhere more so than in swimsuit styles this summer.
Who would have guessed that, 40+ years after the Summer of Love, the tie-dye bikini — once a hippie icon — is showing up on beaches from Montauk to Maui, only this time on the children (or grandchildren!) of the Woodstock generation?
Go directly to Photo Gallery.
Actually, tie-dyeing never really went away. Tie-dye was the original low-tech, low-cost DIY designer look. And most of us can recall a childhood experiment in which we wrecked our mom’s laundry tubs and some old T-shirts or briefs at the same time.
But today’s high-end tie-dyes are not the Tintex-and-rubber-bands variety that you might remember.
In the past few years, designers such as Martha Rey and Lisa Curran have added more (and more original) prints to their tie-dye swimwear lines, and tie-dye looks have been showing up in the collections of swim/surf/board clothing designers in California, Australia and South America.
And several layouts that featured tie-dye bikinis in last year’s Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition (that’s Bar Rafaeli in a Hurley tie-dye at right) only boosted the market for this retro beach look.
To get a sense of what can be done with tie-dyeing today, have a look at the exquisite “Crystalline” bikini by Shabd + Mocium (part of the wonderful collection of tie-dye fashions from artist-designer Shabd Simon-Alexander). Each piece is hand-dipped and unique, within the line’s color palette. Made for admiring, not for getting wet!
With that in mind, LT scoured the swimwear collections of designer labels around the world for the season’s best tie-dye bikinis — and found surprising variety and some stunning originality.
For shoppers, a caveat: Most of what you’ll find in today’s swimwear market are not authentic tie-dyes, but manufactured prints based on tie-dye patterns. For the real thing, look for pieces that boast hand-dipping or hand-dyeing (you’ll know them by their price, too!).
If an authentic psychadelic look or designer label isn’t all that important to you, you can find nice, inexpensive tie-dye bikinis in some downmarket brands like Billabong, Lucky, Roxy and even Target’s Xhilaration label.
Enjoy the photos, and remember — this summer, let your freak flag fly!
See our gallery of Terrific Tie-Dye Bikinis here.
As you know by now, I am on a continous hunt for lingerie or loungewear that is both attractive and comfortable. And, since I’m a total sucker for feminine, vintage-inspired styles, I think I may have met my match!
LA-based Undrest lingerie was started in 2007 by Maria Paz Navales, who sought to create comfortable silhouettes from 100% California-grown supima cotton, beautiful silks and luxurious cashmere.
Not only does Undrest create everything in-house at their atelier/warehouse in Los Angeles, but they try to locally source atl east 90% of their materials to help reduce their eco-footprint.
They had me at California-grown supima cotton, but now I am completely enamored.
In particular, I am completely smitten with their Haute Couture collection made from the finest silks and French Chantilly lace. The hand-made Valentina art-deco inspired bralette and boyshort, as well as the lace teddy of the same name (below) are both pretty enough to lounge in or play in.
The Nicolette style (top and right) is ingenious as the ruffle trim racerback bra and Brazilian-cut bottom can be worn on their own, or covered with matching camisole and boyshort.
Not only do the styles totally appeal to my inner romantic, but the fact that they have a huge eco-conscious heart will definitely tug at your own!
To view more styles, visit undrest.com.
Although I usually stick to a subtle-toned color palette, there is something I find refreshing about vibrant summer hues. I’m especially into the 90s trend of neon colors, whether it’s hot pink nail polish or an acid yellow tee.
The only hitch is that I feel slightly apprehensive about embracing such bold colors. But, after seeing Deborah Marquit’s collection of fluorescent-hued lingerie, I think I may have found the perfect way to participate in the 90s neon revival.
The collection is called Light Your Body, which is both a figurative and literal title. Figurative because Marquit’s collection was inspired (oddly enough) by Carl Jung’s book Memories, Dreams, Reflections; Marquit’s interpretation of the psycoanalyst’s dissertations is that the fluorescent colors please the human psyche by transfering light to and from the body, therefore to and from the spirit. Simply put, the punchy colors can affect and/or enhance your ‘state’ or mood.
Now the latter, literal meaning is that the fluorescent colors actually do light up your body — they glow under a black light
I’m not sure if I’m into the fluorescent lingerie for their perceived spiritual qualities (nor do I want to resemble a walking glow-stick), but what I do know is that I love how the collection is made from chantilly lace and that the styles have a vintage appeal. The made-to-order handmade separates come in five uplifting colors — pink, violet, orange, yellow and green.
Even as color-resistant as I am, the pieces are just far too pretty to hide!
For more styles visit deborahmarquit.com.
I have a love/hate relationship with J. Crew’s styling. Love because their models always embody that effortless cool way of dressing that I am always enviably trying to re-create, and hate because I can never successfully achieve that I-just-threw-this-on-and-look-fantastic look.
It’s a continuous cycle of yearning and frustration … but, mainly yearning. I always keep re-visiting the J. Crew website to analyze how to achieve aforementioned look.
And just recently J.Crew has released images from their new swimwear collection, which naturally, of course, I absolutely adore and covet. I am green with envy over the Dizzy Wrap Tank style and am obsessed with the sweet, simply styling of the Beach Bingo Skirted Hipster and Underwire Top.
The best part, however, is that J. Crew has formulated a swimwear style personality quiz to take the guesswork out of selecting the perfect swimsuit. After completing five questions based on personal preferences – such as your ideal getaway or favorite seaside activity – the quiz then provides you with your swimwear personality: retro glam, sporty cool, American classic or hippie chic.
Not only do they provide you with your swimwear personality (I scored retro glam, in case you’re wondering), but they also showcase accessories alongside swimsuit options to complete that quintessential J. Crew outfit.
Looks like I may achieve style greatness after all.
Visit jcrew.com to find your swimwear personality.
