Last spring we conducted two focus group sessions on swimwear, one with our ‘Yummy Mummies’ (aged around 30 – 45 with one or more children aged 0 – 14) and one with ‘The Choral Society’ (Aged around 55 – 60 with grandchildren) – for their comments have a look at the earlier blog article by following the link below.

http://www.harwayeslingerie.com/blog/index.php/focus-groups-real-women-talk-about-swimwear/

This year we have chosen two swimsuits and three bikini/tankini sets that meet the needs of these two groups perfectly.

The first tankini/bikini set to arrive in our warehouse is the Brasilia, by Fantasie.

Brasilia Tankini Top

This underwired tankini top is twisted and gathered around the bust to flatter your curves. The tankini is long enough to give good coverage and has drawstring sides allowing you to adjust the length. The softly draping fabric is not too clingy – we don’t all want to flash our midriff despite what swimwear manufacturers may think!

Available in sizes 32 – 38 D – G

Fantasie Brasilia Swimwear

Brasilia Bikini Brief

To go with the tankini top, we suggest the fold top bikini brief – the fold over top can be lifted up to provide extra coverage for the midriff if you are feeling less confident or folded down to catch those rays!

Fantasie Brasilia Fold Top Bikini Brief

Brasilia Bikini Top

The matching bikini top is stunning – this tiger stripe design in truffle and cream lustre fabric is up to the minute without being garish. The bra sized underwired structure provides all the support you would expect from Fantasie. Available in sizes 34 – 40 E, F, FF and 34 – 38 G, GG

Brasilia Full Cup Bikini Top

Although the initial outlay is higher, purchasing all three items together gives you much more flexibility around the pool and beach – we think the investment is worthwhile.

We also suggest the Freya swim skirt: available in chocolate at only £11 to complement this set perfectly. (illustrated here in black.)

Freya swimskirt - this comes in chocolate to complete your Brasilia set

Superbly flattering, this swimsuit is cut to give a wonderful shape to the waistline. Clever shaping, drapey twisted fabric and a deep v enhance the bust.

Fantasie swimwear comes with built in underwired bra and the structure is designed to put your curves where they should be.

Fantasie Montreal Twist Front Swimsuit

Freya Mystic Tankini 50% off

The Freya Mystic Tankini and Bikini gives you plenty of mix and match options – for those days when you want a bit more cover, try the tankini and shorts, for sun worship, switch to the bikini. All designed by Freya to enhance your shape and disguise problem areas. We have taken 50% OFF the Mystic range in our end of season sale, so place your order now whilst we still have stock!

The Freya Zodiac Bikini has an outrageously playful print in a vivid colour palette of purples, limes and jade on a black base with turquoise embellishments. Poolside drama is guaranteed! Freya cup sized swimwear ensures a heavenly fit in C to FF cup. Halterneck style is up to the minute. Fold top brief is very flattering and ensures reasonable coverage, but the turquoise band makes it look briefer than it is – another of Freya’s clever tricks to fool the eye! The set is now available for under £45 in the sale – order now whilst stocks last!

Go to www.harwayeslingerie.com to shop!

Fantasie Goa Kaftan

If you are planning a cruise this Autumn, now is the time to review your swimwear drawer! This fabulous full length Kaftan in the Fantasie Goa range will turn heads as you stroll up to the pool and can be worn with the matching Goa swimsuit, bikini or the Fantasie Bahamas plain black or chocolate swimsuit instead.

The Galaxy jersey tunic by Freya is a flattering cover-up for larger sizes as it has a drop waist belt which disguises a tummy or can be loosened for more thigh coverage. The Freya Eclipse swim skirt is one of our most popular lines as it can equally be worn over a bikini or swimsuit, and is available in black or chocolate to match the Fantasie Bahamas Swimsuit.

Have a look at the collection at www.harwayeslingerie.com and please do contact me if you would like more information about any of the products.

Katy

Group One – The Yummy Mummies (aged around 30 – 45 with one or more children aged 0 – 14)

Our first group – the Yummy Mummies reviewed the Freya and Fantasie collections. All liked the tankinis ‘because when you’ve had a baby the texture of your stomach is papery and unfit for exposure’ said one. All liked the underwiring and bra structure – once you’ve tried it you will never go back to unstructured swimwear again! Halter necks are proving very popular with this age group this season.

Swim skirts were very well received and likely to be an enduring trend in swimwear design over the next few years.

Anything for a quick cover up on the beach was seen as a ‘must-have’ – so for example the fantasie kaftans, the stardust hooded tunic and the freya galaxy tunic all got the thumbs up.Have a look at the Freya swimwear collection now at www.harwayeslingerie.com

Group 2 The Choral Society (Aged around 60+ with grandchildren)

This group considered a bra structure essential to give shape, didn’t like too low a front or too high a leg – ‘probably unbecoming at our age’ they said. They didn’t want anything too jazzy or loud – more muted tones were considered suitable. Definitely no bikinis. Tankinis are possible, but need to be long enough. Halter necks were not liked by 2 out of 3 customers as they were considered unflattering. Control linings and ruching effects to disguise stomach areas were popular.

Top designs with our choral ladies were the fantasie Zante swimsuit (with control lining) and kaftan, the fantasie Goa swimsuit (muted colours) and kaftan and the fantasie Barcelona tankini. Shop for Fantasie swimwear now at www.harwayeslingerie.com.

Fantasie and Freya are owned by the same Northants based company and are viewed as one of the premier manufacturers of swimwear in true cup sizes. As a bra designers first and foremost they are able to apply all their bra making skills to create swimwear that is comfortable, supportive and flatters your curves. Yes some of the prices are a bit steep if you are used to spending £20 in a supermarket – but compared to the cost of a holiday – wouldn’t you rather look fabulous and feel comfortable?

Freya Bikinis

The Freya range is aimed at a slightly younger audience, so bikinis, tankinis, on trend towelling hoodies and slash neck tunics are the order of the day.  But knowing that our customers are real women rather than stick-thin models, we have chosen the styles that include shorts, swim skirts and bikini bottoms with fold over waists – we may as well be practical and buy bikinis we are comfortable in, as well as looking fantastic. Have a look at the range at www.harwayeslingerie.com

Fantasie for Control Swimming Costumes

Fantasie is aimed at ladies with curves – so D+ with underwire as standard and all the visual tricks some of the best designers in the UK can cram into a single small garment! In addition to all the technical advantages Fantasie have access to as underwear manufacturers – tummy control front panels, side shaping and cleavage enhancing for the bust, they have researched the common problems women say they have with swimwear, such as the bust appearing too heavy and really made strides into helping to even things out! And if you are really lacking in confidence you can quickly cover up with matching swim skirts or floaty kaftans. See the range at www.harwayeslingerie.com

So all we have to do is swim up to the poolside bar knowing we look amazing and all that hard work has been done for us – cocktails anyone?