December 2013 - Personal Stylist - Ruby Slippers Styling

At Ruby Slippers we know most people rate shopping for swimwear somewhere between a bikini wax and root canal surgery.

But, it doesn’t have to be this way! If you know what you’re looking for before you find yourself in the changing room knee deep in discarded options, then the process can be much less painful.

So, let us help you freshen up your swimwear collection, we have the hottest new styles which are in store now.

Firstly, it is important to remember there are 20 supermodels on this planet…if you are not one of them, then be kind to yourself in the changing room.

Secondly, know and understand your body shape. Pick the areas which you would rather draw attention to and know the areas you would rather hide. Knowing the style you’re looking for, will prevent you from taking 37 different options into the changing room!

If you have a larger bust, choose tops with underwire and straps. The wider the strap the smaller your bust will appear, and the more balanced your hips and thighs will look.

Robyn Lawley Swimwear

For smaller busts, experiment with ruffles, patterns and embellishment. String triangle bikinis look great and if you want maximum cleavage go for a padded bra (Seafolly bikinis give a fantastic shape to the bust)

Roxy Swimwear

Looking for tummy control? One piece swimsuits or tankini styles with ruching around the waist will make you appear slimmer. There are loads in the stores in some great colours, so forget black and go with something patterned.

We love Nancy Ganz:

If you have an athletic build look for halter neck styles to draw the eye in. Opt for floral, girly patterns and ruffles to add curves. If you have big shoulders make the straps a little wider to balance you out.

We are Handsome @ ASOS

If you are pear shaped wear dark briefs and bright top to balance out your frame. Avoid string ties on the bottoms.

Seafolly

Australia has an incredible selection of swimwear and it is no wonder that we have the best homegrown swimwear labels on the planet! Don’t be afraid to mix and match style and colour, find what suits you and go for it!

Happy shopping and don’t be afraid there is something out there for everyone!

Written By Susan Black.

First Zara, then Topshop and now H&M are making their way down under. The Swedish retailer plans on opening its Melbourne flagship store in the GPO Building on Bourke Street early 2014.

It is inevitable that the retail giant will follow its rival’s footsteps by opening a second Australian store in Sydney shortly after….we patiently await the announcement.

For those of you who are not familiar with H&M it is the perfect example of “fast fashion” offering on trend styles taken straight from the catwalk, designed and produced really quickly and sold at very affordable prices. Popular with younger girls and women who want on trend pieces and they want them now!! They also sell menswear, kids clothing and home ware.

To connect with their customer and raise their profile they regularly enlist high profile celebrities for advertising campaigns and collaborate with designers such as Marni, Lanvin, Versace and more recently Isabel Marant. These collections normally sell out within minutes attracting the younger and money conscious consumer who can’t afford the high end versions. Let’s hope any future collaboration’s reach the Aussie stores as well.

Isabel Marant for H&M

After discussing the Sydney Topshop and Zara with friends, and colleagues there seems to slight air of disappointment that the stores haven’t quite lived up to the same expectation that they are loved for in Europe. Although they deliver the fast fashion we desire, it seems to be the inflated prices (which I completely understand due to high import costs and the overall high cost of living in Australia) or the lack of must have pieces. I personally never get that excitement rush that I get when I walk in to Topshop on Oxford Circus or even Zara in Hong Kong where the stores are immaculate, merchandised fantastically and filled with all the most wanted items. Having said that, the six Zara stores posted $108 million in sales for the year ending January 2012, so they must be hitting the spot right with shoppers.

So, let us wait to see if H&M break the mould, and can bring us fast moving, current fashion with a store as impressive as their Stockholm flag ship? We wait excitedly to see!

We also hear the giant Japanese brand Uniqlo will also reach our shores in 2014….we think it will be a good year for shoppers!

Written by Susan Black

Don’t let Swimwear Shopping get you down!!

H&M…Preparing to open their doors down under