Well, 2010 is coming to a close. Too bad. I love typing those numbers...it's so easy, a nice cadence. Typing 2011 isn't quite the same. With the end of 2010 comes the reviews of the best and worst swimwear of the season. Frankly, it's hard for me to mention any, "worst swimsuits," for I feel that all of the designers give it their best try and so many have bravely gone out there in the edge, so to speak, in a year that was just so darn difficult to begin with. I mean REALLY...These days, who needs a gaggle of swimsuits because they're embarking a luxurious, world cruise? It's tough out there and these designers continually put themselves, as well as their pocketbooks, out there every season. So, it is with reservation that I even mention the, "worst swimsuit styles," because they really aren't that bad...just slow sellers in an impossible market. So, it is without further ado that I give you my 5 best and 5 worst swimwear styles for 2010.
#5 Best
Luxor Bikini, Melissa Odabash
This bandeau was so popular last season, with the chunky chain detail at the hips and, smooth, "Melissa Fit."
# 5 Worst (Augh! I hate this!)
It wasn't the style or quality that made this a difficult sell...I think that it was the print. I liked it, but our customers voted it down with their wallets.
#4 Best
Everyone loved the color of this swimsuit. We had way more orders than we had maillots. They also loved the ruching in the picture, but no so much when they tried it on. It came back to the returns department because of that. Perhaps it was because they expected the ruching to cover-up more figure flaws than it was capable of doing. Still, it's just about gone from our shelves.
#4 Worst
What can I say? I loved it, I put it on the PO. I still love it! Our customers, however, didn't. Maybe it's the laser cut fabric, or the modern styling...I dunno. They've got me stumped. In all honesty, we have sold a few and there are only a couple left, so maybe it shouldn't be on this list.
#3 Best
Whoever said that the halter bikini was dead, sure forgot to let Agua Bendita and their loyal customers know. This bikini was a huge hit. There might be one left in our warehouse...if so, grab it quick!
#3 Worst
OK, in all fairness, this is a gorgeous swimsuit, beautifully made, fabulous on, but the picture just doesn't do it justice. It was also suposed to have BLACK cups, not white. I think it now looks too much like a bra, or shall I say, "boob sling?" (I'm sorry, Alexandre, but it does.)
#2 Best
This was not the most popular Maaji bikini in 2010, (I think that the Ruffled Juniperus was,) but I love that those Maaji girls came up with such a clever take on the bandeau, not to mention that it's purple.
#2 Worst
Luli Fama is known for their tiny, risque bikinis and this one is cute, but not that tiny. The bottom is pretty full, not an LF trademark. Unfortunately, it tried to be everything for everybody and found that it had no love. Too bad...I dig the print!
#1 Best
Mara Hoffman was the big name this year in printed swimwear and the best of her styles was the V Wire. We sold this out in a couple of other prints and only have one, or two left in this look.
#1 Worst
I'm so sorry Red, but this monokini just didn't make the mark. It arrived late in the season, monokinis are starting to fade out, the pic doesn't show off the vibrant colors, what can I say?
So, that's a wrap for 2010. 2011 is off to a good start. I can hardly wait to see what's in store for 2012 Swimwear!
~ C.
