Do a few extra pounds have you worried about what to wear on the beach this season? Have no fear with the new line of swimwear from Atlanta-based Spanx.
After tons of e-mails from consumers, the company, known for its smoothing shapewear, plunged into the swim category several years ago when a customer e-mailed and said she planned to wear Spanx shapewear under her swimsuit.
“It was one of our most requested categories,” said company founder Sara Blakely. But the suits took time to develop, specifically finding a material strong enough to shape, but lightweight enough to be on a swimsuit. “It was very important that they were shaping but not matronly,” Blakely said.
It helped that Blakely, who grew up in Clearwater, Fla., spent most of her childhood in a swimsuit, giving her the discerning eye of a beach bunny.
Half of the styles — which include one-pieces and bikinis with color blocking, v-necks and a one-shoulder with ruffles — sold out in the first four weeks of the national launch, Blakely said.
The suits offer full coverage bottoms and are as appropriate for young girls as they are for grandmas, she said.
The collection fits in well with the swimwear trends this season, which confirm the return of the one-piece. There are also prints ranging from bohemian tie-dye to eclectic paisley.
And of course, classic black suits never go out of style.
When searching for your perfect swimsuit this season, Blakely offers only two tips: Know your body type and know what you like.
“So much of a swimsuit is do you like it and can you see yourself visually in it,” Blakely said. “A confident woman is so beautiful and sexy no matter what her size.”
Photos: More swimsuit styles. We asked Kimmie Gipson and Saidah Fishenden, local dancers with Xcel Talent Agency, who recently toured with Beyonce, to show off this season's best styles.
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