Kourtney Kardashian

The 31-year old mom to adorable Mason says that she didn’t jump straight to losing her baby weight after Mason’s birth. The reality show starlet says she had no cravings during her pregnancy but craved sweets while breastfeeding. Kourtney’s post-baby body trick was simple: getting back to the gym. She says her favorite workout is a brisk run but she often sticks to the elliptical. Kourtney was able to lose her pregnancy weight gain and enjoys sporting a hot orange string bikini in Bora Bora.  Kourtney just announced she is expecting again!

Miranda Kerr

This runway model is certainly not camera shy and we’re sure she felt pressure to lose her baby weight quickly to get back to her career. Miranda’s unique baby weight-loss secret is a blood type diet. The model is blood type A and sticks to eating specific foods for her blood type. She also boasts little meat and fresh produce for her daily routine. Miranda’s slim down was healthy and not rushed; she boasts her bikini body only six months after the birth of son Flynn in a sexy black bikini.

Bethenny Frankel

This celebrity food chef and reality star also had her pregnancy aired for the world to see and is the happy mother to baby Bryn. While Bethenny may know a little more than most about nutrition and how to make healthy taste great, she too had to battle baby weight gain. The reality star’s dramatic weight loss of 30 pounds in only three weeks after birth was given much scrutiny, but she sticks by her words that she didn’t crash diet but rather ate healthy through her entire pregnancy. Bethenny lost her baby weight but opts for a chic one piece swimsuit with ruching across the bodice, a great way to hide any stubborn weight.

Some post-baby swimsuit tips include choosing a swimsuit with embellishment; the embellishment will guide the eye toward that particular part of the body, so pick an embellishment that flatters your favorite asset. Also, try a monokini if you’re still working on the last pesky pounds in your stomach area; monokini one pieces are sweet and sexy while providing a little more coverage than a bikini. And last but not least, ruching is your new best friend; just like Bethenny chose, ruching is an excellent option for hiding some extra curves you wish weren’t there.

Before and After

The recent royal wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William was a huge affair filled with press from every end of the world, friends of the royal family, and…fabulous hats. Yep, I said it. While Kate Middleton’s stunning Alexander McQueen custom wedding dress intricately designed by Sarah Burton was a show-stopper, the hats at the royal affair definitely made a huge statement. However, there was one particular hat that stood out from the crowd.

Enter Princess Beatrice of York, the younger cousin of Prince William and one of the most talked about guests at the royal wedding. Her unique hat made headlines all across the globe (and was recently auctioned off for $131,341.47 to help benefit UNICEF and Children In Crisis). But this time around she’s not making press for her choice of headgear, but instead for her hot bikini bod! She received a lot of criticism back in 2008 for her full figure, but has a new look-at-me-now appearance that is gaining as much attention as her hat choices.

The Princess was recently spotted in the French Rivera on a private Yacht with boyfriend David Clark. She enjoyed a day zip lining and cruising the South of France while sporting two different black swimsuits. The first, a black two-piece which shows off her great figure. The other, a black one-piece swimsuit, which shows her great style. The Princess looked confident and appeared to be having a blast.

Here is a similar look to Princess Beatrice’s black bikini: Jeanius Halter Bikini by True Religion Swimwear

The Jeanius Halter Bikini by True Religion is a cute, modern option to the black swimsuit Princess Beatrice wore in the French Riviera. This water ready denim bikini features a halter style top with contrasting stitching and metallics rivets. It also provides full coverage in the rear for a more modest look.

If a black swimsuit is a must have for you this summer, be sure to check out our Black Swimsuits section!

Chloe Sevigny

Out in our backyard of South Beach, Miami, Chloe Sevigny lounged by the ocean with some friends during New Year’s. Apparently ignorant of her mishap, she turned around and showed the hidden paps the wedgie that formed on her two-piece swimsuit. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Maybe Chloe didn’t think to pull out the trimming of her hipster bikini bottom because of how much fun in the sun is to be had at the beaches of MIA.

Swan Lake by Betsey Johnson

Inevitably, we (and by “we” we mean the entire world) were witness to a designer bathing suit no-no. We’re not against her choice of bathing suit, because as a matter of fact, we love black swimsuits with flowers, but something a bit more whimsical could have done her good.

A great option to re-style her look is the Swan Lake Bikini by Betsey Johnson Swimwear. The swan black and white print gives the plain black solid a facelift, and the pleated ruffles at the top with tiny pink roses at straps just makes it all the more adorable. The best part is that unlike the one she has on, this boyshorts bottom stays put and does not ride up that easily. Which would do the girl a favor, frankly, since she doesn’t seem to feel a breeze down in her booty when her cheeks are showing.

Front and back view

We’re here to help you Chloe! We love you girl, but unless you specifically wear a thong or brazilian cut bikini, try not to let it hang out!

Fergie in a brazilian bikini

Being lovers of Vix Swimwear we’re all for some narrow coverage swimsuit styles. And, when a celebrity dons a brazilian cut bikini while vacationing in – appropriately –the country of Brazil, we’re not ones to complain. As a matter of fact, it’s worth blogging about.

Black-eyed Peas lead singer Fergie was spotted in Brazilian shores rocking a sexy black bikini with a brazilian cut bottom. Apart from the fact that her rear looks “ahmauzing” (to quote Rachel Zoe), we think the girl makes a statement to women out there who like a cheeky rear bathing suit style. Luxury designers such as Vix have for years embraced the ‘brazilian’ way, and this year, a daring (and very similar) black bikini debuts for 2011 season.

Madrid Bia brazilian bikini by Vix

The Madrid Bia suit by Vix features the same string bottom detailing, yet accompanied by goldtone and tortoise shell embellishments. Another similarity – and the secret to Fergie flattering suit – is the cinching detail down the rear, which enhances the bum area and gives it a bit of definition.

Another feature to look when mirroring Fergie’s style is the ability to select a different size for top and bottom, an option offered with Vix swimsuits. If you’re larger on top and small on the bottom (like the aforementioned pop star), the option of shopping for swimwear separates is a must. That way a Large top and and Small bottom gal is able to rock a great fit without worrying about sets.

Cinched bottom detail

Drew Barrymore, Jessica Alba, and Ashley Olsen

The recent flock of stars incorporating the “black & gold” trend includes Jessica Alba, Drew Barrymore, and Ashley Olsen. Better yet, when the gold and black are mixed with leopard prints it can become the perfect combination of sophisticated chic, if done right. We absolutely adore how this combination (reminiscent of elegance of the 80s) can transform a look into high fashion status. With swimwear, the same formula applies. Case in point: the Mia Reversible Bikini by Vix.

Mia Reversible bikini by Vix

Ok so here’s what we love: this leopard print top meshes the black contrast and gold with elegant detailing at center bust. A sliding tortoise shell is accompanied by two gold beads that enhance the look, and the solid black bottom incorporates the same detailing at the string bikini sides. There’s something a little bit romantic and sexy about leopard print swimsuits mixed with black solids, which we go gaga for. Mix in the gold details and you have a winner. But the best part about the bikini, hands down, is that if you get sick of leopard or want something simpler, you can always flip it over and turn this ensemble into a solid black bikini.

Leopard top also reverses to a solid black

This suit is reversible! So you get two looks for the price of one. Oh, and, it’s part of our swimwear sale for 2010. So hop to it! Or sprint to it, not sure… Whatever felines do.

America Ferrera

Even though her alter-ego Ugly Betty is awkward and has a wardrobe no one should be proud to wear, in real life America Ferrera is anything but ugly. At the movie premiere for her new movie, the recently engaged actress wore a stylish little black dress. Here at The Orchid Boutique, we firmly believe that a little black swimsuit is just as necessary for a fashionista as a little black dress.

Impatiens Black by Maaji

One of the things that stood out to us about America’s fashion choice was her animal print shoes which added a trendy twist to her classic ensemble. This look can be achieved in swimwear with the Impatiens Black by Maaji Swimwear. This halter bikini features a black print and is accented by a colored fabric on the trim with a small bow at the bust. The top ties at the neck and the back allowing an adjustment in coverage. The moderate coverage, solid black bottom has unique bands of fuchsia animal print at the hips, which mirrors the look America created with her animal print shoes.

This animalistic twist on a classic staple everyone should have is deserving of a red carpet. But since most of us don’t have access to one, go ahead and lounge around on a red towel. With something as stylish as the Impatiens Black, you deserve it!

Kim Kardashian

Now that the 80s are back in full swing, the feminine menswear look has come back in style. Enter: the tuxedo-inspired dresses. A perfect example of this sexy trend was photographed on Kim Kardashian last week in Cannes. With this look, Kim (and her stylist) bring a modern day twist to a men’s jacket suit. And that’s exactly what Betsey Johnson Swimwear does with the Ladies & Gentlemen top and hipster bottom.

Ladies & Gents top by Betsey Johnson

For 2010 Betsey Johnson dabbles in the menswear-meets-sexy-vixen-look with an all-black storyline that was previously called Tuxedo. Later re-named Ladies & Gentlemen, Betsey creates a sexy black swimsuit look without the plainness of a solid, yet on trend with the edgy style. Even though the tuxedo look came back in the 80s, it was actually a reinvention of 50s men’s fashion, and the combination of the two eras is the inspiration behind these swimwear styles.

Ladies & Gentlemen bottom by Betsey Johnson

The beauty of these looks comes when you brush your fingers through the fabric’s velour textures embedded onto the solid pattern. The lace trim and flower detail on the top (see below) add to the playful ‘lady dressed as a man’ look. The matching hipster bottom features a boyshort style design with the matching textures velour print and lace trim.

Ladies & Gents Close up

Other good perks? The top comes with removable padding so you can choose your cleavage volume, and the bottom provides full coverage in the rear.

Get these styles here and here.

Cameron Diaz

We love your surfergirl style and your confidence in your bikini bod. However, if we could make one suggestion, we’d actually spruce up your swimwear outfits a bit. Don’t get us wrong, black is hot, but the secret is in the details. Embellishments like goldtone rings, textured solids, tortoise hardware, etc can turn a normal black bikini into a fashionable beach ensemble. And we expect no less from a fashionable lady such as yourself.

Rich-n-Skinny Bikini by Lady Lux

If we had our way with you style-wise, we’d recommend trying the Rich-n-Skinny Bikini by Lady Lux Swimwear. The name fits you like a glove and the swimsuit has all the characteristics you seem to be into: its black, its cheeky at the back, its sexy, and certainly not plain. Totally up your alley.

Badgley Mischka Fashion Show in NYC

You can see it on the runway images from Paris, Milan, and NYC. Black is certainly back. And black swimsuits are no exception… they are being incorporated into the designs of the most coveted brands, such as Badgley Mischka swimwear and Betsey Johnson. Even color-loving designers that usually stay away from black have their own version of the black swimsuit. We are certainly a fan of the tone. Nothing like a little black bikini such as the Luminous Bandeau by Despi Swimwear (below). We love that it is spruced up by another leading trend this season: bejeweled accessories.

Luminous Bandeau by Despi Swimwear

The round gemstones at mid bust add a little sophistication to this style. The shirred bottom is also essential to the fit, by aiding in the avoidance of the “muffin top” look. For those of us who need a little bit of oomph at the top, the removable straps can be adjusted to hold your girls on command.

Despi Swimwear is no stranger to celebrity bods. It has been featured in Sports Illustrated for two consecutive years, and it was even seen on one of the gals from the Real Housewives of Orange County, Gretchen Rossi. Gotta love it!