Pop Star

Well, we're approaching swimwear season now that it is officially June (although by no means officially warm enough here to don a bathing suit of any kind). Oh and don't think I didn't hear that collective groan when I mentioned bathing suit season. I know, I know. I'm not really ready to tackle that beast either. Pale skin and maybe a few "soft" areas aside, I am starting to get excited for summer - silly beach reads I am sort of embarrassed to own up to, my new wide brimmed hat, cooking out, sailing and other various forms of floating on water, did I mention cook outs yet?, fireworks, bare feet, no more jackets/layers/scarves...so many, many things to look forward to.

Believe me, I know those little sappy sentiments don't help ease the pain of squeezing into that bikini. But I swear there's hope. And it's called Popina Swimwear. These fun, retro-inspired one- and two-pieces should help to put a little smile on your faces. These suits cover a lady's problem areas but still have a sexy sort of tongue-in-cheek appeal and are absolutely a breath of fresh air. Polka-dots, tropical flowers, heart motifs and classic solids make up the collection all nodding to a time where Gidget and the pin-up girl reigned supreme, not our current state of bare cheeks and side cleavage.

Now is the time for a collective sigh of relief. Go ahead. It's okay.

Retro Sadie One Piece, $78 (available at Popina).

One Piece "The Halter," $75 and Retro Halter, $75 (both available at Popina).

Canadian-bred designer Pamela Levenson spoke with FB&F last month about the 40s, fit and fabric. Thank you so much, Pamela! And I suggest you all check out her site and uber-flattering designs faster than you can say maillot.

FB&F: What is it about the style of the 40s and 50s that really speaks to you?
PL: The 40s and 50s was a period of such great style and fun. I love the idea of the mystery of sexiness not having to show it all to be sexy. I have always loved boy shorts and i could not find a pair that i felt fit and flattered in the way I knew boy shorts should, that was a big part of what pushed me to start my line. I grew up sewing so i just created a few styles for myself. There are a lot of women who exclusively shop for vintage swimwear and excuse the rotting elastic, older fabric and harsher construction. I have tapped into my favorite parts of these vintage styles with modernized designs and today's fabric and construction innovations.
FB&F: Do you think women are wanting to return to a bit of modesty in their clothing in the wake of low-rise jeans, super-short skirts, etc.?
PL: Absolutely. I think the key is modesty without being matronly. Ironically, I feel my retro styles are fashion forward. Though fashion does constantly borrow from the past, my suits do offer the opportunity to have a different look than what is out there as a whole, while still looking fun and fashionable. And, maybe most importantly, you can still be active without worrying about popping out of your suit.
FB&F: How would you describe the "Popina woman?"
PL: The "Popina woman" is hard to nail down exactly - she is a few different types of people. In my shop there is no better feeling I get when a woman who has poor body image tells me "I have not bought a swimsuit for years, this is the best experience i have ever had purchasing one!" I heard a great quote about starting a business that "You have to feel like you are changing the world with what you do." In my brick and mortar boutique, and with my line, I love the idea that women feel comfortable and sexy in my swimwear and enjoy the shopping experience. The idea of not swimming because you do not feel good about your body is very sad to me because I love the water.
I have women who get what I do with the retro styling right off the bat and love, love, love it. These customers freak out and tell me they have been looking for my suits forever and are so glad they have found me.
I also have a lot of, let's call them moms, who used to wear bikinis and now are tankini customers. Tankinis are my best selling styles. Because I have my own brick and mortar stores I have been able to fine tune my fits based on feed back from the customer.
FB&F: What is your best advice on looking good in a swimsuit? Cut? Confidence?
PL: Best advice I give people in my store is to try on as much as possible. It is not uncommon that a woman will spend 1-2 hours trying on swimwear in my shop, and that is great. Every woman's body is different and in the end you need to own what you love about yourself and your own style. Sadly, sometimes the women who are the most difficult on themselves are the ones with the drop dead perfect bodies that every thing looks unreal on them. I do think boy shorts are very flattering, my draw cord boy short is probably my favorite style.
FB&F: Similarly, what are the best cuts for different body types - i.e. if you are pear shaped, top-heavy, flat-chested, a little big in the middle?
PL: I really do not like giving advice for things like that other than as I said before and was said so well in the Adam Sandler movie Splangish, "Just try it on." My customers are constantly surprised how the style they thought would never look good on them winds up being their favorite!