Vera Farmiga at the 2010 Oscars

A special trend that is present on the red carpet this year and flawlessly transfers onto swimwear fashion is the romantic ruffle look. The flowy, airy characteristic of a ruffle gives your swimsuit 2010 a sweet-yet-sexy flair. Oscar-nominated actress Vera Farmiga (“Up in the Air”) shows the essence of this romantic trend with her red carpet gown.

Liberty Bandeau by Vix Swimwear

Farmiga’s stunning Marchesa gown captures the essence of high fashion with an abundance of ruffles flowing diagonally down the dress. For a not so dramatic yet ruffle-themed look, we recommend the Liberty Bandeau bikini by Vix Swimwear. With a row of ruffles along the trim of the underwire swimsuit top, this piece exemplifies sophisticated chic. To top off the ruffle look, the skirted bottom shortens the layer to keep the style on trend. Also recommended if you are into the fuchsia color is the Layer Cake Tankini by Betsey Johnson Swimwear. With its parade of ruffles down the torso line this designer tankini (which can also be worn as a top) mirrors Farmiga’s look.

Bow Exaltus Bikini w/ hot pink accents

If a solid hot pink number can be overpowering for your taste, there are other ways to incorporate this trend in swimwear. You may want to try a bikini that uses fuchsia as a highlight, with black and dark gray as its main tone.

Just like the trend spotted on celebrities (above), a fashionable look is created with black and dark tones, and the use of hot pink as the complementing kick. If this is up your alley we recommend the Bow Exaltus bikini by Maaji Swimwear. This flirty little bikini features soft bows at straps with hot pink accented on the star shaped motif print. The quirky mix-n-match fabric also features a dark gray textured print and ruffle trim. Can we say love it?

Bow Exaltus by Maaji Swimwear

Monokini in the 60s

Ok, so here’s a bit of trivia on the monokini one piece. In 1964, the first monokini was designed here in the US by an Austrian-American fashion designer, Rudi Gernerich. It first appeared in Look magazine as part of an article about futuristic fashions.

We already told you about how Zoe Duchesne wore the fabulous Bendito Napoleon topless in the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and turns out that, well, this thought had crossed the mind of the original monokini creator. Gernerich’s monokini was designed to be topless. It looked like a one-piece from mid waist down suspended from two halter straps running down the cleavage of, you guessed it, bare breasts.

As you we might imagine, this was very risqué for the time. Although the 60s were at the height of the Sexual Revolution, people were still largely conservative. The New York City Police Department had strict instructions to arrest any woman found wearing a monokini in the city’s parks, and a 19 year old woman was charged $100 for wearing one on a public beach in Chicago. Despite its many critics, the monokini sold in record numbers but very few people wore them in public.

Grafitti Exoticae Monokini by Maaji

Since the monokini comes in a variety of styles now, you don’t have to wear them topless if you don’t want to! One of our favorites is Graffiti Exoticae Monokini by Maaji Swimwear, which has the designer’s notorious collage of fabrics with a polkadot pattern on ruched straps. The straps go over the shoulder and tie at the back. To look at more of our monokini styles go here.

Bold statements are big in this spring, especially in Swimwear 2010. We can’t get enough of the ‘techno tribal trend’: ethnic prints paired with electric colors. It has been blowing up on the runaway this season from the Louis Vuttion Spring/Summer 2010 show to Josh Goot’s Spring/Summer 2010 show. Celebrities like Heidi Klum and Pixie Geldof have also been spotted rocking this style . We just love how playful and dramatic this style looks on them.

An option to consider when looking at this trend in swimwear is the Bendito Profiterol suit by Agua Bendita. 

Bendito Profiterol by Agua Bendita

Bendito Delirio by Agua Bendita

What: South By Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, TX
When: March 12-21
Who: Indie, DIY, Local. Over 200 bands from around the world will perform in night clubs and bars all over Austin for this festival. Most you’ve probably have never heard of, but you can get the scoop before your friends because after playing SXSW, most bands gain momentum fast.
Wear: Bendito Delirio by Agua Bendita Swimwear

If you’re a SXSW girl, you’re a little indie. You like unique sounds, so you’ll love this unique and handmade suit from Agua Bendita with pleated ruffles and detail embroidery.

What: Ultra Music Festival at Bicentennial Park in Miami, FL
When: March 26-27
Who: Tiësto, Groove Armada, Passion Pit, The Crystal Method, Will.I.Am, Infected Mushroom

Lollipop Fuchsia by Sabz Luxury

This is the ultimate festival for electronic fans. It’s like a week long rave.

Wear: Lollipop Fuchsia bikini by Sabz Luxury. A luxury swimwear suit is the perfect for The Crystal Method fans; the bright fuchsia color and textured design are ideal for ultimate partying. If you’re more of a one-piece kind of gal, you may want to look at the Lollipop Fuchsia One-Piece; this suit’s funky asymmetrical look just screams techno beats.

What: Coachella in Indio, CA at Empire Polo Club
When: April 16-18
Who: Deerhunter, Echo & the Bunnymen, Vampire Weekend, Gorillaz, She & Him, Thom Yorke

Rumored to be one of the best all-around summer festivals for 2010, Coachella is great for first time festival goers. Both major labels and the indies love Coachella. New things for this year include: Car Camping and In and Outs (which means you can leave and return for the entire three days!) Great tip: If you return 10 empty plastic water bottles you find laying around the camping site, you can redeem them for one fresh bottle of water!

Jade Lineum by Maaji

Wear: Jade Lineum bikini by Maaji Swimwear. Indio is out in the desert of California, but that’s where the best sunsets are. The Jade Lineum’s bright orange pattern reflects the amazing sunsets you’ll be witnessing.

Carey Mulligan

We adored the jewelry stars wore when glammed up for the Oscars last Sunday.  Most kept their neckline bare and went with overstated earrings.  Are you familiar with the phrase “less is more”?  Well in this trend “more is more.”

To get a similar glamorous look that is simplified for every day wear, try the Astrology earrings by Artisan Jewelry for the amazing price of $18. These earrings have elegant styling with moon and star carvings. They also are an elaboration on the current gold hoop trend, which is an 80s revival.

Astrology Earrings by Artisian

Our trend forecasters also predict that delicate gold jewelry will be very popular this spring. So it’s time to retire your silver and move up to gold for that simple but elegant touch.

Black Smocked Monokini by Phax, $77

We search far and wide to offer our swimwear shoppers the best styles out there. That’s why it is our mission to carry the new 2010 swimsuits in a wide variety of prices and looks. We are excited to debut the arrival of the Black Smocked Monokini by Phax. This cutout piece features smocked detail in the bandeau top with ruffle trim. It comes with removable padding for shape and support, for those of us bandeau lovers who need a little support in the top area.

The Black Smocked Monokini is our pick as a good option to  spruce up your monokini selection if you are into black (which is totally on trend this season, btw). This swimsuit ties at back and provides moderate coverage in the rear. “Moderate cut bottoms” refer to a style in between brazilian cut (narrow) and full (granny-panty). A sort of moderate but sexy cut that offers modesty with a cheeky design.

The best part about this monokini is it’s just $77! A steal in comparison to other designer bathing suits out there. Phax Swimwear is committed to offering fashionistas a designer option without the designer price tag. That’s why all their swimsuits are under $100! And we have the inside on their new designs. Check them out here.

J'Adore Bandeau Bikini by Despi

a) The nude trend – The nude colors are ever present on couture runways this year and perfect for spring. Despi Swimwear was inspired by this trend with the J’Adore Bandeau Bikini, a padded strapless number with nude undertones.

b) The underwire trend – We’ve talked about how lovely and pinup-y the underwire swimwear look is this season, and we think Miley totally hit the mark with this trend. Underwire swimwear such as the Underwire Lolita Bandeau by Vix Swimwear (below) really emphasizes the bust line and decorates the neckline beautifully. The best part is, it’s convertible. If you feel like you need extra support, the soft wide straps are there for your neckline, just like a good friend.

Underwire Lolita by Vix

c) The sparkle trend – Sequins, and beading, and gemstones, oh my! The sparkle trend is in in in for 2010, and designer swimwear is shock full of sparkly bikinis. Especially recommended is the Fiesta Bikini by Agua Bendita Swimwear (right). This colorful bold number was featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and is one of the bestsellers this season. Who doesn’t want to sparkle in a string bikini?

Fiesta Bikini by Agua Bendita

Blue Bia Bikini

Wedding season is almost upon us! After spending months stressing out over table settings and invitations, you deserve the most amazing honeymoon. While plenty of spectacular honeymoon destinations exist, there’s a reason the word “honeymoon” is always equated with a beach vacation. An island is the perfect place to de-stress. Imagine relaxing to the gentle lull of the ocean with a tropical drink in hand. The setting is also romantic; soon you’ll be walking across the sand at sunset and dancing beneath a starry sky with the man you’re going to spend the rest of your life with.

Glam Brazilian Bikini by Vix

Since this is not just your average vacation, you really are going to want to invest in honeymoon swimwear that will truly compliment your body. For suits with phenomenal fits, I’d recommend Vix Swimwear or OndadeMar.

Vix, a favorite of the Kardashians, highlights the best parts of your body. You’ll make his heart melt with the Blue Bia bikini, or to heat things up a little, try the Glamour Brazilian Bikini; the sexy sinching in the back will definitely remind him why he’s glad he married you.

OndadeMar, also known for their impeccable fit, has romantic seashell inspired swimsuits this season that will embrace your sweet but sexy side. We suggest

South Sea Pink Bikini, as seen in SI 2010

the South Sea Pink Bikini, which was recently featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, as modeled by Bar Refaeli (you know it’s hot when it’s on Leo Di Caprio’s girlfriend!).

There you have it. Our picks for 2010 honeymoon swimwear. A fashion specialists can help you pick one out if you have questions, at 1-877-288-9564.

Xantium Feline by Maaji

You can certainly find this trend exhibited in swimwear 2010 with styles like the Xantium Feline by Maaji Swimwear. The one strap swimsuit trend (discussed in a previous post), the ruffled look, and fuschia animal print flair are all ecompassed in one with this exotic swimsuit. Not a lot of people know that couture fashion trends come right off the runway onto swimwear, but they do. We offer a portal where those trends can be watched and selected. That way beachwear shoppers can sport the trends that everyone is talking about at some hot island resort or at this year’s coolest pool party.