Posts Tagged ‘swimwear’

If you saw the recent footage of David Walliams’ epic swim of the Thames for The BT Sport Relief Challenge, you couldn’t help but be impressed. He doesn’t fit the bill of a typical athlete, but the endurance he showed was quite staggering. He started the swim on the 5th September from near the source of the Thames in Lechlade, Gloucester. The water he swam in was colder than The English Channel. David swam 140.54 miles in total, being waved and cheered at, and supported all the way. But boy did he suffer! He picked up a bacterial bug, which nearly put an end to his brave challenge. He eventually crossed the finish line at Westminster on the 12th September to be greeted by his wife Lara Stone, a whole host of celebs and of course the great British public. David Walliams raised over one million pounds for charity. WOW!

Not many people could complete a challenge like that, not many of us wouldn’t want to. But it does show you, David Walliams is just a very strong swimmer, not an Olympic swimmer. Swimming is a great all round exercise and no, it’s not a good idea to take a dip in a fast flowing river, but taking up swimming in your local pool is a great idea if you want to get in shape. It’s kinder to your body, your boobs are supported by the water, so the bounce that you get when you take part in aerobic exercise is eliminated before you even start. Swimming will boost your metabolism, it firms all of your muscle groups and burns calories. And the best bit? It doesn’t put any stress on your joints as it creates weightlessness, so you can swim happily everyday without injury. Swimming can also help keep you young, research shows regular swimmers are biologically up to 20 years younger than their actual age.

So if you need any more reasons to take it up, how about Bravissimo’s brand new styles of swimwear that are in our stores now. They are so gorgeous, you will be happy parading up and down at your local poolside. The Paradise Swimsuit by Faubourg in red palm is a stunning swimsuit, the tropical print is based on the Kashmir Swimsuit from last autumn. It is underwired and very flattering with a sexy plunging neckline, it has adjustable ties at the neck, this swimsuit is exclusive to Bravissimo.

The Monroe Halter Swimsuit by Panache will look fabulous in the pool or at the beach, it has a fifties look and is on trend with its lovely polka dot print and is available in chocolate/cream. This swimsuit is super flattering and is underwired and will flatter your shape also giving great support. It has a cream panel, which sits under the bust creating a nipped in waist.

The Premier Ultimate Swimsuit by Speedo is a great sports swimsuit if you are a serious swimmer, it has a supportive built-in bra and is a very flattering fit. The fabric used is chlorine resistant and is very comfortable. We have received wonderful reviews on this swimsuit, it is available to buy in, aqua/black, black/pink and ink/pop pink.

Come on in girls, the water’s lovely.

Summer is coming to an end and we have been dismayed how dark it’s getting much earlier in the evening! We are still seeing some warm days, however as soon as the sun goes behind a cloud, you can feel autumn in the air. The end of the summer also means the end of Bravissimo’s summer sale. The good news is that now the best bargains are up for grabs, there is some fabulous lingerie, nightwear and swimwear on offer. So if you are savvy, you could have your swimwear sorted for next summer, new nightwear bought in preparation for the colder nights and stunning lingerie purchased as a treat for yourself or as a Christmas gift for a friend (I know, I know, we mentioned the C word).

The Paige Bra by Miss Mandalay is a gorgeous bra in fantastic hot pink. It is sexy, fun and flirty and would be suitable to spice up any evening. It is half sheer on the cup, so that gives it lots of sex appeal and it is contrasted with a bright yellow lace trim. This bra is an underwired balconette, with a slightly fuller cup, which offers a bit more support. It is available to buy with matching briefs or the utterly cute frilly thong.

The Magic Triangle Bikini Top by Freya is a stunning triangle bikini, it is black, with a metallic printed stripe in silver and white. It is based on the popular ‘Vodkatini’ design and is wire free, lightly padded and creates wonderful cleavage and great shape. This is such a classic bikini, it will never date and you will feel confident that it will always look great.

So the nights are drawing in and it is getting chillier, it is really important that we feel comfortable and warm when relaxing in the evening and in bed. The Check PJ Bottoms by Bravissimo and Lounge Hoodie by Bravissimo, are just the thing to see you through autumn and winter. The pyjama bottoms are made from cotton, so will keep you warm, without making you too hot in bed and they can also be rolled and buttoned up. The hoodie is wonderfully soft, it has a deep-V and front pockets and is available in French navy. A perfect top for cosying up in front of the TV.

So get these great items before they go and don’t miss out on much more fantastic lingerie, swimwear and nightwear in the end of season sale.

It’s the last day of the bank holiday weekend, hopefully we are all waking up to blue skies and bright sunshine. It would be good if nobody is reading this, meaning everyone is out and about too busy enjoying themselves! In the hope that the sun will be shining for all of our Bravissimo ladies and keeping everything crossed that there might be an indian summer, we must just mention our new swimwear that is currently online and hitting our Bravissimo stores. Our new bikinis will look great next summer too, as both are in classic prints, which will be fashionable year after year, so either one will turn out to be a great investment for next year’s summer wardrobe.
The new Bali Bikini Top by Free is a gorgeous two piece, which manages to combine a sporty style with a bohemian print, and a little bit of sparkle. The print is a striking paisley with a mixture of white, aqua, purple and violet with some added silver embellishment. This bikini is an underwired halterneck balconette with ruching at the sides, which can be adjusted depending on how much coverage you require. To match the top you have a choice of bikini brief or bikini short, both equally fabulous.

Another great new bikini, is the Eden Bikini Top by Freya. This is a fantastically vibrant bikini, again it is in the balconette style with underwiring, creating those enviable curves and clevage combined with great fit and support, that makes Freya a long time favourite with Bravissimo customers. This bikini contrasts right on trend – florals with a cute polka dot print. The colour is paradise, which is a mixture of fuchsia, purple, emerald green, soft pink and white. It is available to buy with matching fold briefs or bikini shorts. Equally you could contrast it with some plain bikini pants, picking any of the vibrant colours from the top.This two-piece would look just as good on a white sandy paradise island, as it would grabbing those last summer rays in your back garden.

Enjoy those last few days of August whether you are hitting the beaches or not.

Where are the long warm summer days and the balmy summer evenings we dreamed of? Damn you British weather! It is enough to make a girl scour the web for last minute holiday deals in search of the sun.

If you haven’t yet been away or if you have a weekend away planned, (somewhere you can eat alfresco without getting drenched!) we can help you find some last minute swimwear bargains in our fantastic Bravissimo sale and also give you some top tips on getting your body buffed and beautiful, so you are happy and confident when you hit the beach.

A couple of days before you go away, book yourself in for a leg and bikini wax, this will give your skin time to heal before you have to start using sun protection or a tanning product. If you feel your skin is too pale and you want a hint of colour before your strip off, then try one of the moisturising tanning body lotions. These products build up colour gradually, they work differently to self tan, and the effect won’t be so dramatic. Because they are more subtle, you won’t be left with orange hands or ankles. Remember to buy one that is suited to your skin tone, they usually come in ‘fair to medium’ and ‘medium to dark’. You can also use this product whilst you’re away, post-shower as a moisturiser, and it will continue to enhance a natural tan.

Body oil is a holiday essential and it will keep your arms and legs wonderfully moisturised, nourished and smooth after a day on the beach (again, use it after a shower). Don’t forget a professional pedicure or manicure, or just get a friend to do it for you. When choosing a nail color, go for something vibrant and summery that will look great against a light tan; tangerine, coral, bright red or fuchsia are good choices, or you could choose something really on trend like turquoise.

Lastly don’t forget your hair, summer hair is actually very easy to look after, just run some conditioner through your hair before you head for the beach and choose an easy style like a ponytail or braid.

So now you are looking beach beautiful, take a look at our pick of the best sale bikinis on offer. The Morocco Mix Triangle Bikini Top by Free is a gorgeous ethnic inspired bikini, which comes in lilac and cream. The tie briefs are available in a polka dot lilac print with a lovely bead feature on the side ties. The bikini top is a wire-free triangle bikini. The Havanna Bikini Top by Free is a very stylish bikini, it is an underwired bandeau style top in a check print, available in blue. The top can be worn as a halterneck, or strapless if you want to tan without strap marks. And finally the Circus Bikini Top by Freya is a really fun bikini, with its pop art multi-coloured print. It is a soft triangle top with light padding and has two options for bikini bottoms, bikini briefs in blue with a white spot print or a fold brief which are a contrast of white spot print and multi-coloured print.

So the hotel has been booked, the suntan lotion, factor 50, factor 30 and factor 15 has been bought, (better to cover every base), the holiday reading has been chosen. You are nearly there, and you can almost taste that first cocktail. But one thing that you may have overlooked when you started your packing, is your swimwear. You may suddenly realise that those bikinis that you bought a few years back, are just not flattering anymore. Many of us ladies are continuously fighting those extra few pounds that creep up on us. If a perfectly flat, toned and honed tummy is not achievable before you go away, then don’t worry the tankini is the answer.

Tankinis are more versatile than a swimsuit as you can mix and match, they are also great for tall ladies, where swimsuits can often be too short in the body.

Bravissimo have the Azure Tankini Top by Pour Moi with matching fold briefs or tie briefs, this tankini is in stunning ocean blue, and is a really flattering two piece. It’s a halterneck top, and the cups are lightly padded, it gives fabulous shape, support and comfort.

The Bright Ideas Tankini Top by Faubourg with matching bikini briefs is a gorgeous tankini, it is an underwired halterneck and the monochrome hibiscus print. Is very on trend and follows the surfer girl trend that is so popular this summer. The Bright Ideas Tankini is exclusive to Bravissimo.

Another tankini exclusive to Bravissimo is the Sunkissed Tankini Top by Bravissimo with a choice of fold brief or bikini shorts. It is in fabulous zesty bright coral and is a balconette top, which lifts and supports the boobs, creating a great cleavage and enviable shape. This tankini has sold out in a few sizes, so don’t miss out.

For more fantastic printed and plain tankinis, check out the Bravissimo website. Don’t leave home without one.

Another Monday morning. At this time of year many of us are counting the days and hours until we are lying on a sun-drenched beach far away from the office, the heaving supermarket, or the traffic on the school run. Holiday packing is an art these days, especially as some of the budget airlines charge you by weight for your suitcase. If you don’t want the hassle of having to unpack everything at the departure gate because your bag is on the heavy side, then read on, as this is your guide to packing your Bravissimo and Pepperberry summer holiday capsule wardrobe.

Maxi dresses can be worn day or night (changing flip flops to wedges at night and adding some great gold hooped earrings and gold bangles). See the Coral Print Maxi Dress by Bravissimo, it is a very flattering empire line and sits under the bust creating a fabulous cleavage. It is a great colour and will look fantastic with a tan and it’s made of cotton, so it will keep you nice and cool. The Jersey Beach Dress by Bravissimo in fuchsia, is the perfect beach cover-up, it’s very simple, stylish and looks great. The Bandeau Beach Dress by Bravissimo comes in gorgeous aqua blue that will also look amazing with a golden glow. The bandeau style and halterneck is super flattering. This dress could also double up for nights with some chunky silver jewellery and silver thong sandals.
The Bright Ideas Tankini Top by Faubourg is new and exclusive from Bravissimo. It is a great alternative to the swimsuit if your bikini days are over. This tankini is in a bold black and white floral print and has that surf girl feel to it. It is underwired, with a halterneck and has matching drawstring briefs.
The Spotty Tulip Dress by Pepperberry is a really fun, sexy, frock and perfect if you fancy dressing up a bit while you’re on your hols. The dress boasts two popular trends this summer, the tulip shape and the spots. It is slightly shorter than shown online, so be prepared to show some leg! The next dress definitely deserves a mention, as it’s really popular with our Bravissimo ladies is the Tulip Print Chiffon Shirt Dress by Pepperberry. A lovely feminine, floral, floaty dress and can be dressed up or down. The Leaf Dress by Pepperberry, in light summery satin, is great for balmy summer nights. It comes in fuchsia or turquoise, the neckline is a crossover plunge v, which flatters the boobs and the elasticated empire line panel highlights and defines the waist area.
If it does get chilly at night, you may need a cardi to throw over your shoulders, try the Deep Rib Cardigan by Pepperberry or the Grosgrain Tape Cardi by Pepperberry, both work as perfect summer cover-ups and they are light enough not to make your suitcase groan. A few of your Bravissimo favourite lingerie sets, your lightest nightdress, a panama or wide brimmed sun hat, one pair of Havianas and one pair of evening wedges or heels and your done! You are now ready to say bon voyage to the rain soaked runway and hello to foreign summer sun.

There’s some great news this summer for us ladies, the swimsuit is back. The poor old swimsuit has had a tough time in the last few years, it has had to compete with its sassy little sister, the bikini. Up until recently the choice has not been great, you were ok if you wanted to buy a functional swimsuit for serious swimming at the pool or your other option was the safe slimming black number, but there wasn’t much else out there on the high street.

In 2011 the one piece is enjoying a revival and has become sexy again. The swimsuit is also a lot more flattering if your tummy is not as flat as it once was. Lets face it, whether it’s a post-baby belly or normal weight gain that comes with age, a perfectly flat stomach is hard to achieve and a swimsuit can hide a multitude of sins. Bravissimo have got some fabulous swimsuits this season, one that definitely deserves a mention is Soprano Swimsuit by Hoola Swimwear. You will look drop dead gorgeous in this on the beach, it comes in coral and white pinstripes and has that 1950’s shape that is so on trend right now. The vertical stripes are very flattering and the halterneck straps give great uplift, and fantastic cleavage. Get it before it goes! And don’t forget to check out Bravissimo’s other swimsuits right here.

Coleen Rooney has been snapped this week soaking up the rays on holiday in Barbados (we know what you’re thinking, when is she not on holiday?). The reason she has hit the headlines, is because she reportedly has spent £1,500 on beachwear. Well maybe some celebrities can justify spending that amount of money, as they probably spend most of their year on a far-flung beach, but for us mere mortals, we want to look great, without the hefty designer price tag.

So Bravissimo are here to help, we have lined up some copycat beachwear at a much more sensible price. These items are sure to stand up against Mrs Rooney’s for style and quality and they will also flatter and support our bigger boobs.

The bikini that Coleen wore on day three of her holiday, looks like it could be by the famous designer Emilio Pucci, the Mystere Plunge Bikini Top by Freya and matching tie briefs, (you can also buy the bikini shorts if you want more coverage) have that Pucci feel, with the vibrant paisley print. This bikini has had great reviews with our Bravissimo ladies, as it offers fantastic uplift and is incredibly flattering. She also wore a black bikini with gold detail on day two, by an American swimwear label, a favourite with celebrities, for a similar bikini try Bravissimo’s Anna Bikini Top by Panache, it’s the popular Geneva shape, with a new matt finish and is underwired, it also comes with three different styles of matching bikini bottoms.

Coleen also loved to wear a Kaftan or two while she was in Barbados. Kaftans are a really chic way to cover up and, they no longer look like they should belong in the seventies. For a really glam Kaftan, try the Beaded Kaftan by Bravissimo, it comes in a gorgeous coral colour, is made of cotton so it will keep you cool and, is decorated with coral colour gems and gold beading, just perfect!

The whole of the country seemed to be under a black cloud this weekend, you wouldn’t believe that we are in the middle of ‘flaming June’. So if like us, you are counting the days until you land on foreign soil, we have a few bikinis to get you in the holiday mood. There is one to suit every shape, size and taste. And if you are feeling extravagant, you could invest in more than one and rotate them, so you will always be looking ultra cool by the pool.

Are you partial to a bright floral print? The Flamingo Halter Bikini by Freya, really stands out among the crowds, it’s a red & yellow floral print with black & white dotty frill, and ties on the bikini bottoms that contrast well. It is halterneck in style, which allows you to alter the amount of uplift you create and it gives fantastic cleavage. It is definitely a bikini to salsa in, as the sun sets on the beach.

If prints are not your thing, Bravissimo have plenty of plain coloured bikinis. New in recently is the gorgeous Siesta Bikini by Bravissimo in fabulous ultra violet. This is an underwired plunge bikini, with fully adjustable straps, and will give you great shape. You also have the option of the fold brief, which is a fuller brief (one side tie), or the tie brief (two side ties). You could even buy the Sunkissed Bikini by Bravissimo in coral, which is a similar bikini. Try a bit of colour blocking, by swapping around the bikini tops and bottoms and you have four different colour combinations from two bikinis, can’t be bad!

Finally, if you like to take a walk on the wild side, try the Electric Zebra Bikini by Miss Mandalay, this bikini has more than a whiff of Ibiza about it, with its dip dyed zebra print. It is underwired and halterneck, again creating an enviable cleavage. There is also a choice of matching bikini or tie-side bottoms.

So whatever your perfect holiday is, whether that is island hopping on a budget in Greece or pushing the boat out in St Tropez, you will be sure to find the perfect bikini at Bravissimo.

Great Britain tends to come alive when the weather is good. Previously grey rainy towns take on a different personality when the sun has got his hat on. Cities have that Mediterranean feel, with al fresco dining and green spaces which are full with people enjoying themselves and lounging in the sunshine. Britain has some of the most fantastic beaches too, with great expanses of golden sands and clear blue sea, they really are worth a visit or holiday. Some of them recently have been awarded Blue Flag Status, which means the water is very clean, so great for swimming (ok they could be a wee bit nippy). So if you are ‘staycationing’ this year, or you fancy a weekend away with no airports involved, why not try a few of the best beaches that the UK has got to offer. There are plenty up and down the country, so you should find one local to you.

Some of our favourites are Aberdour Silver Sands in Fife, Whitley Bay in the North East, Scarborough North Bay in Yorkshire, Mablethorpe beach in Lincolnshire, Clacton on Sea & Martello Bay in Essex, West Wittering Beach in West Sussex, Sandbanks Peninsular in Dorset and Abersoch in Wales.

If you want to look postcard perfect then don’t forget to pack your Bravissimo swimsuit, you will look fabulous in the Wish You Were Here Swimsuit by Letters from Evie. It has that fifties look, which is very on trend this summer, featuring a halter neck but also can be worn strapless and it has hidden tummy control. You could accessorise with white jeans, a little cardi and pumps for later in afternoon. Check out more Blue Flag Beaches at http://www.blueflag.org/