Are you escaping to warmer weather and tropical sunsets on a romantic trip of two to enjoy this year’s valentines day? Or perhaps you’re joining a “let’s celebrate we’re single” weekend trip with a group of your closest girlfriends. Either way, you deserve something new and appropriate for this special month. Forget that lingerie this year and opt for a sexy new swimsuit, that way you’re able to show it off.

The hottest trend this year is red swimsuits. Choosing a red colored swimsuit is an easy way to take a simple silhouette and make it sexy. And this red hue looks great on any skintone. Be sure to checkout our Red Swimsuit webisode to hear more about why Red Swimsuits are Hot.

If you’re looking for something uniquely sexy in red, try the Riviera Red Monokini by OndadeMar Swimwear. This monokini is simply yet elegant and stunning in red. Dainty gold hardware details adorn this suit for a sophisticated look. The top provides padding and creates optimal cleavage.

Cover-up with the Ruby Shores Dress by Sabz for your entire day and night. This solid look is perfect for your day at the beach, your afternoon shopping and your evening at happy hour. This dress features a flattering scoop neck and a drawstring waist. Adjustable ties at the shoulders allow you to make the look your own.

Be sure to shop all of the red swimwear for your valentine’s escape, or simply as a gift to treat yourself this season.

The cheery English actress presented the preview of big-screen hit Bridesmaids with a line we’re sure everyone cracked up at: “Bridesmaids proved that women, too, can poop their pants.” Emily’s stage stunner shined under the bright lights and complemented her pale complexion and brunette locks perfectly. A high-neckline, sleeveless, long, sheath dress dressed up with lace and shimmer was a perfect look with the actress’s loose locks. The combination complimented each other without dressing it up too much. More importantly, those shoulder length locks of her were contoured just enough to ensure this look didn’t get dragged down to an eighth-grade dance remembrance.

We can’t wait to translate Emily’s golden rule into our upcoming spring getaway with the Tie Side Gold Monokini by Orchid Label. This exclusive style by our private brand is the same shimmery hue as Emily’s Golden Globes look. It may not have quite the same high-neckline, but this thick strapped halter top with a contoured plunging neckline highlights your face like Emily’s gown. Side string ties allow adjustability with this monokini for the perfect fit. Bamboo details at the center of the bodice add a touch of casual to this look, like Emily’s relaxed locks.

Kim Kardashian at the Grammy Awards - Taylor Swift at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Emma Stone at the Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards – Carrie Underwood at the CMA Awards

Teri Hatcher at the Prix Montblanc Event – Kate Hudson at the LACMA Gala

Selena Gomez at the Grammy Awards – Jessica Alba at the Met Gala

Looking for a little glamour in your wardrobe? Add the Golden Ring Monokini by Orchid Label. This best-selling silhouette fits, shapes, and flatters your body. Side cut-outs on this monokini allow for a sexy peek-a-boo touch. A ring detail at the center of the bust adds a simple detail to create a truly eye-catching style. Molded cups offer excellent shape and support. If this isn’t you go-to glamour piece for sailing on that gorgeous new yacht of yours (or just lounging by the pool)…we don’t know what is!

Emily’s dress was appropriately floor length for the evening’s event and had a slimming silhouette. This gown’s unique design featured a ruffle detail beginning at the bust line, curving down the center bodice and connecting to cascading layers of ruffles around the natural waistline. This unique detailing slims Emily’s already perfect physique and draws the eye to your most-desired portion: the waistline. Emily glammed her gown perfectly with sparkling gems by Neil Lane and paired her ensemble with a gray minaudiere.

Adoring Emily’s gorgeous gown, but have no formal event to attend? Bring this style to the resort with the Vibrant Fuchsia Monokini by Orchid Label. A classic swimsuit with unique ruffle detailing in a vibrant and rich fuchsia color, this suit was made for your vacation getaway. You’ll be sophisticated, yet flirty, in this curvaceous monokini complete with removable padding for the perfect shape. A ruffle detail down the center bodice highlights the plunging neckline and emulates Emily’s red carpet gown. Additional beaded embellishment at the center bodice aid the ruffles in catching the eye inward, toward the waistline.

This color choice is perfect for any skin tone and an easy way to add some spice with any silhouette. Worn on the red carpet with a red or nude lip, this color stands out in the crowd. And wearing a crimson hue will give your sex appeal a nice boost, seriously. A study out of the psychology department at the University of Rochester proved that men found women sexier when donning the color red.

Wear red to the beach and you’ll be nothing less than striking. It’s been heating up the runways, the red carpets, and now it’s the beach’s turn. This year in particular brings a new red: a fiery, racy red. This fall designer collections from the likes of Gucci, Lanvin and Diane von Furstenberg have selected this ravenous red.

Transfer this trend with ease into your beachwear wardrobe. Whether it be with cover-ups, bikinis, one-piece swimsuits or monokinis, red is a popular choice for your time in the sun. This seductive monokini is sure to get you noticed along the sands at the beach; the Rapture Red Monokini by Orchid Label features the perfect shade of red. A triangle top monokini with soft built-in cups for shape and support allow you to be comfortable and confident with all eyes on you. This unique monokini style features shell ring embellishments at the bodice. Be sure to browse all of the red swimwear options before deciding your favorite, or favorites.

It may be a bit obvious, but here at The Orchid Boutique we’re just plain thankful for bikinis. Can you imagine life without these gracious two piece swimsuits? Without the bikini, the monokini might not have evolved. Without the bikini, we’d never get a chance to envy some celebrity abs. And most importantly, without bikinis we wouldn’t be able to make quite the same fashion statement at the pool, and let’s face it, that’s what life is really about!

So we’re taking a little trip down memory lane and giving a short and sweet history lesson on the bikini. (Don’t worry, there will not be a quiz after… just enjoy!)

Historians believe the idea for the bikini began as early as 1400 B.C. from Greek culture for athletic purposes. Images are painted on walls and urns from that period.  Swimsuits began as layered pieces that even included weights so women could ensure their attire stayed put and didn’t reveal their legs.

Eventually, a slim form-fitting single layered bathing garment was introduced. Australian swimmer and performer Annette Kellerman was arrested for wearing such attire in Boston.  The Bikini was born in Paris on July 5, 1946 by French engineer Louis Réard and fashion designer Jacques Heim. The bikini was named after the Bikini Atoll, an island in the South Pacific where atomic bombs were being tested at the time. The first bikini, which was a string bikini, was modeled by danced Micheline Bernardini.

Bikini’s from the 1940’s dared to show midriff’s and exposed more skin than before. Retro and Pin-up inspired styles are a popular trend now and are reminiscent of this time stage in the bikini’s life.

In 1951 the bikini was actually banned from beauty pageants and deemed sinful by the Vatican.  The first swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated was published in 1964 and featured a bikini on the cover.

We hope you found some interesting facts out of this lesson and we hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends!  Gobble, gobble!

Nicky Hilton in Madewell

Socialite Nicky Hilton was spotted out in sunny Malibu, California in the perfect day dress.  The Hilton hotel chain heiress is no stranger to fashion as a designer herself for the self-named line Nicholai.  Nicky has also modeled for multiple magazines and was the face of Australian line Antz Pantz in 2005.

For this particular sun-filled day on the streets of Malibu, Nicky chose this colorful day dress.  We love the cinching detail at the waist to create a feminine silhouette and the wide scoop neckline to create a focal point.  This dress has the perfect balance with electric colors and the exotic ethnic print.  Paired with nude wedges, a seafoam bag and aviator sunglasses, Nicky looks like she’s on a mission to do some serious shopping.

Nordic Stringrays by Maaji Swimwear

Inspired by Nicky’s day dress, we’re excited to wear the Nordic Stingrays monokini by Maaji Swimwear to our next pool party.  This monokini swimsuit features a wide scoop neckline, similar to Nicky’s dress, and crossed straps at the back.  The sleek side cut outs of this monokini help elongate your torso.  The suit’s ethnic print and bright colored stripes resemble Nicky’s dress and show off a modern and fun personality.

Vera Wang Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear

This year at New York Fashion Week Vera Wang brought some whimsy to the runway with her Alice in Wonderland inspired Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear collection. For this collection, Wang applied antique inspiration to modern tailoring and design. With impeccable taste. The fabric, color, and tailoring choices combined created a bold yet elegant collection.

Fabrics were at the forefront for Wang’s runway show with overwhelming texture. The show was filled with perforated pique, organza, tulle, seemingly weightless chiffon, and oversize eyelet. The movement of each piece on the runway gives homage to the quality of fabric. Wang’s collection was brimming with sheer style, but we’re not disapproving! The designer focused on “tailoring and transparency” for her Spring collection.

Vera Wang Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear

Wang began the show with eleven purely white pieces, yet kept the eye engaged with fabric choices including organza and eyelet. The remaining colors of Wang’s spring collection included neon yellow, pewter, slate gray, sea foam blue, pale pink, and pops of bright coral and brilliant blue. While the designer remained mainly monochromatic she did include one super psychedelic print, inspired by 18th century French wallpaper, invigorated with bold coloring.

Wang’s designs replicated whimsical creatures gliding out of the water in colors pertaining to an underwater submarine excursion. Structured peplum skirts, cape-like trains from the neckline, and plunging v-necks sprinkled the whimsical collection. Our favorites had to be the very short shorts paired with sleeveless tops, seeming swimwear inspired. Wang’s Spring collection was full of organic lines, plunging hemlines to show some leg, and incorporated elegantly flowing trains.

Camilla Dress by L*Space Swimwear and Vera Wang 2012 Ready-to-Wear

Some runway pieces transfer flawlessly to ready to wear. While Vera Wang’s 2012 Spring collection on the runway was transparent and whimsical, we have found inspiration for some must-have pieces perfect for our wardrobe. A great example is the flyaway train dress trend, which designers like L*Space Swimwear have also been inspired by with styles like the Camilla Dress. Vera’s strapless dress with a front slit to the bodice and a lightweight, flyaway train transpires beautifully on the runway while L*Space’s floral printed Camilla Dress in a similar silhouette is a perfect cover up for your vacation getaway. Both feature sophisticated sheer fabrics which float effortlessly with each step.

Violet Submarie by Maaji Swimwear and Vera Wang Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear

We also love transmitting Wang’s organic lines of her runway collection into monokini swimsuits. Maaji Swimwear follows this trend with the Violet Submarine, an exclusive style made especially for The Orchid Boutique, features curved side cut outs, neckline, and fabric blocking. These organic lines are similar to those used for Wang’s white tank sleeved dress with a tapered scoop neckline, curved sheer paneling and curved layered hemlines. We love these looks because the organic lines make your body appear longer and leaner- certainly a must-have for every woman’s wardrobe.

Kourtney Kardashian in Nautical Inspired Swimsuit

Super-hot reality star mom Kourtney Kardashian is an excellent source of fashion inspiration! We love this starlet’s creativity with her outfit choices which seem to be different each and every day. Kourtney and her paparazzi drawing sisters, Khloe Kardashian-Odom and Kim Kardashian, each have their own unique style. This mother to oh-so-adorable Mason, whose father is the controversial Scott Disick, attributes her baby weight loss to her Pilates regimen – if Pilates will give us a bikini bod like Kourtney, sign us up!

Kourtney strutted along the beach in Mexico earlier this year showing off her fabulous after baby bod in a nautical themed bikini. The reality mom chose a two piece swimsuit with small ruffle details, perfect for her petite frame. Kourtney’s bikini features a triangle top and a hipster bottom with bold nautical stripes of navy blue and classic white. We love the gold detailing on this suit to compliment Kourtney’s skintone.

Anchors Away Halter by Sabz Swimwear

The reality star is flaunting one of our favorite new trends – nautical swimsuits! Ready to take your fashion tip from Kourtney? Sail away with a nautical inspired swimsuit from Sabz Swimwear’s 2012 Collection. The 2012 Nautical story line by Sabz features three fabulous suits. For a halter top bikini we love the Anchors Away Halter complete with a gold anchor embellishment on the bust. This swimsuit features a printed anchor pattern on the moderate coverage bottom with cinched navy blue fabric at the hips.

Anchors Away Bandeau by Sabz Swimwear 2012

If you want to avoid those swimsuit strap tanlines, opt for the Anchors Away Bandeau which features a bandeau top with optional halter tie and gold hardware detail. This sailor swimsuit features a striped hipster bottom with ties at each side for adjustability.  Pair this suit with an embellished pair of gold sandals for a high fashion look!

Anchors Away Monokini by Sabz Swimwear

What if you want to flaunt your figure for all those hot sailor men? Choose the Anchors Away Monokini for a paprazzi loving look. This monokini swimsuit features both anchor print and sailor stripe fabrics along with gold hardware detail and rope inspired neck tie. This swimsuit flatters any figure!

Whether you’re sailing the high seas or strutting your stuff along the shoreline, choose a nautical inspired swimsuit and add a new flair to your wardrobe. The signature stripes and colors of navy, white, and gold are perfect for the new nautical trend. Sail off on your luxurious yacht with new Sabz Swimwear for 2012 – anchors away!

In an installment of Fa-fa-fa Fashion, her and editor Andre Leon Talley discuss how to make a designer bikini look great for your shape. She gives amazing tips helpful for your next bikini shopping trip. Some of the key points she hits on:

• If you have a pooch in the front, head over to the maternity section to purchase a bikini. Those swimsuits have rouching and certain detailing that hide any problem areas.

• One piece swimsuits ARE sexy. People get the idea that you can only be sexy in a two piece bikini. With monokinis being so popular these days, one piece swimsuits are definitely make their comeback.

• One pieces also allow the “slimming effect” when color blocking is involved. Having a dark color along the outside of the swimsuit allows for a more slimming look, while a lighter color on the outside of a one piece gives the illusion of a more voluptuous appeal.

• If you missed the line when God was handing out big boobs during creation (as I did), opting for a swimsuit top with ruffles will make your chest look bigger.

To see the full video, check it out below: