Hell Becomes Heaven; In Love With New Swimwear Shopping

What is your idea of hell? A horror film that never ends? Filling a tax return? A rollercoaster of a car ride with someone else driving? Or maybe it’s the thought of having to go and buy new swimwear sends you into a petrified shaking self. Yes believe it or not for many women in particular, this is too horrifying to think about. However, not only is there a wonderful solution, there is also an option for an off-price to be had: We call this the Swim-Win.

Maybe you are a woman who recently took a deep breath and went out into the world to find a great swimming costume. Even the thought of looking at your near-naked self under fluorescent lighting, patronising sales assistants, and realising your salad days are well and truly gone all turns your stomach.

Ohh and heavens forbid you want to buy a swimming costume in December from your favoured department store or independent boutique, they probably just have a few that didn’t sell in the summer if you are lucky…

Then there is the swimwear sold online, which tends to be more all year round. It may well feel like a better option, no angry lighting, no booths with curtains that seem never to quite fit and certainly no perky young sales assistants.

So you spend the next 15 days working your way through every online option only to see a parade of perfect young fit bodies, clad in utterly unsuitable items for any grown woman. Straps that look like you would need a degree to put on. Or even worse key-hole cut-outs in the areas you most want to cover up. The idea of trying things on at home seems just as hopeless as going to the shops.

Another crucial part of swimwear buying comes with understanding what shape to wear. A bikini? A one-piece? Something with under-wiring doesn’t sound like the most comfortable thing to lie on the beach let alone swim in. We would all but give up except for the fact the much-needed holiday is more precious than more or less anything else.

So where to start? what about going to a swimwear and resort specialist? Firstly the support you will get from the team will be suitable to your specific needs, and that in itself is a real relief just to start with.

But how do they know these miracle workers? Well, let’s start with one of the most renowned companies in this arena. Heidi Klien swimwear and resort wear house, that runs from fashion to modern classics and can more or less dress anybody needs. But how come?

Let’s explain the story of the house started by two ladies called Heidi and Penny, who had worked together. When Heidi tried to find a swimming costume for her upcoming holiday and had the experience many of us have had, she and Penny took action.

They opened a swimwear store what else? The Notting Hill Store initially sold branded items before creating their own line called Heidi Klein Swimwear and Resortwear. What made the real difference in this endeavour was they both spent the first 18 months on the shop floor discussing with clients what their individual needs were.

Listening to customers gave them one of their first great ideas. To make inter-changeable swimwear pieces. If you like you can choose a specific knicker style to wear with a specific bra style, not an off-the-peg option where the bottoms work but not the top. Now this may seem obvious, but back then it was unheard of and quite simply was a strike of genius.

So if say you are bigger on top with next to no bottom, then a large brief-style bottom with a more bikini-style top will balance you out.

Or maybe you are all bottom with small breasts then a small bottom and a bigger style top would work. Got a belly you want hidden? worry not, the swimsuits come complete with added design twists to give a longer slimmer line. As well as clever design elements like a hidden shelf-bra for support

Many women feel far more confident when buying underwear. They know the type of support they need whether it be knickers or bra. So similar rules apply and this is part of the joy of Heidi Klein. Let’s start with Support. Nobody really wants to go to the poolside with hardcore upholstery supporting all their bits and pieces. It’s going to be way too hot to be bothered with that. Yet there is still the need within us all to look the best we can.

At Heidi Klein, there are heavy support options on offer as well as lighter versions, many of which are hidden. This form of artistry allows for far less obvious structure where needed but the secret is kept within the swimsuit so to the outside eye no structure is seen.

Here also fabrics are premium so the costume or bikini will not give you an ‘opps’ moment when jumping into the pool or seeing your bra top floating away on a wave. A great swimwear fabric should hold you in and yet afford super comfort.

And then there is the colour. It’s not the most important thing we consider when buying undergarments. After all, it’s not on show to all and sundry. But colour matters. Especially before that desired suntan.

The general rules are if pale skinned go for strong colours and if you tan easily then softer sorbet tones work well. Florescent looks amazing on black and Asian skin tones and a great Navy suits everyone.

The house also sells a great selection of sarongs, dresses, bags, sunglasses and even a room spray that is the scent of summer.

Now if that hasn’t taken a whole load of stress out of getting swimwear that works well, fits perfectly and builds your confidence let’s go one step further.

From the 20th of June until 31st August Heidi Klein opens its doors in the Village. This marks the first swimwear-focussed brand to arrive at Bicester Village. A beach-style pop-up with all your summer holiday needs in one little space

Now you have the opportunity for a lovely day out near Oxford to have a stress-free swimwear shop whilst also looking around all the stores for some bargain holiday add-ons. Also for a while, find some off-price pieces from the boutique, so get there quickly to get your reduced-priced ‘Swim Win’.

Rising above the not-so-easy internet shopping ‘non-experience’ and distancing themselves from our regular high street nightmares, Bicester Village proudly offers a range of delectable discoveries including luxury brands, various dining options and a real human connection. Oh and the most perfect of toilets, (as if you are in a 5-star hotel) because let’s face it a nice long leisurely mooch around the stores is always made better by a decent ‘ladies’ or gentleman) experience.

The Village is a curated fashionable destination which not only pushes the boundaries of creativity and innovation to an unprecedented level but has also made shopping a leisurely and luxury pursuit again.  A destination where perusal is part of the day out.

Since its original launch in 1995, Bicester Village has had an incredibly well-curated selection of designer stores with excellent off-price reductions. There are many shopping options for all tastes and all family members, but rest assured there are plenty of seating and dining options to suit every taste. From pop-ups to cafes and restaurants, complete with blankets for you to snuggle in when the coldness of the British winter sets in.

So if you want a little bit more glamour, a wonderful experience of buying your much-needed new swimwear a decent choice and a healthier bank balance make your way to Bicester Village. Trains are easy and frequent with a station that takes you two minutes to walk to the village or plenty of parking spaces should you prefer to drive.

Find out everything you want to know about HeidiKlein.com Here

Find out everything you want to know about BicesterVillage.com Here  50 Pingle Dr, Bicester OX26 6WD 01869 366266 

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