Even though summer is almost over, I had to write this article. Fashion visionary Ashley Paige is known for extending the boundaries of swim wear fashion, and with her hand-made knit bikinis it’s even better. She has been making these hand-made knit bikinis since the mid-nineties. She recently established herself in Los Angeles, with the grand opening of Studio 1616 boutique featuring her swim wear.

Her swim wear collection and bikinis, have graced the bodies of supestars like Liv Tyler, and Kate Hudson. Also publications like Sports Illustrated, Vogue, Numero, InStyle, Lucky and Jane have featured some of her pieces. By the way her swim wear line is currently available in Sixty boutiques Nationwide, and also Saks Fifth Avenue, and Henri Bendels.

“Caught up. I don’t think Icould pull of this crazy crocheted/netted bikini by Ashley Paige, but there’s someone out there that can!” notcouture

“The most fun I ‘ve seen people have at fashion week so far.” LA Weekly.  

“Was one of the most rockin spectacles of the season.” The Daily.

It’s trendy to rock a retro one-piece swimsuit that vibes 1950s pin-up girl; winding back half a century in womenswear that covers up your bod is real cute. Like a burka.

Skip being a coy kitty cat, be a tigress instead.  Michael Kors tiger-striped halter-top two-piece is clever design that jumps through its gold hoops and slick lacing, keeping the bathing suit cheeky chic instead of just obvious S-E-X that an animal print and half-nakedness might otherwise lead to.

The boss bikini was $450, and it’s now $315 at Vivre.  Yep, “was,” as in past tense, as in, “Swimwear that covers more than what a freakum dress would was chic. Before your mom was born.”

Quit being hot and bothered about the iPhone, and just be hot — check your girl named Kristopher’s fav on-sale swimwear.

I’d say I put this list of boss bathing suits together to dish you some summer fun at a good value, but— 

I really just wanted to compose a collage of hot chicks half-dressed.

 

Lounging, lying on the beach barely covered in triple triangles—

You’re already more than half way there.

So go 100% nude with Dior’s La D de Dior bikini.  You’ll vibe like you’re in a Beyonce-worthy b’day suit, only more boss—ruching at the bust and waist creates key curves, and the light shimmers of the metallic fabric make it so public sunlight highlights your not-so-private parts; you’ll look softly stark, set off by hard, gold D-rings between your chest, at your waist.

Best part?  Being less than half-dressed is more than half-off:  from $370, La D de Dior bikini is $149 at eLUXURY.

Looks like I found another costume to go Starbucksing in. 

In case you need something mind-blowing for that July 4 barbecue, the JG4B Wind Horse bikini (oh, hell yeah!) situates a windswept rearing stallion on a background of red, white, and blue lightning directly on your region, and basically makes you look like a sexy, beautifully designed stock car.

Can you get more American than that?

$240 at net-a-porter.com. 

Though I think Dov Charney is boss for his overpaying fair wages for workers— It’s as genius money-making and marketing as is his reverse of underpaying un-pro posers.

—I’ve never been an American Apparel fan.

Maybe it’s AA’s weak seams and unflattering cuts, maybe Dov needs to trade his sewers a few more massages for more designs like this bathing suit .

A solid neon with an upside down A-neckline, it’s perfect under a gray mini with leopard platforms, which is perfect for me— I don’t do the beach. 

A softly psychedellic Pucci bikini is the Rolls Royce of swim gear—a Pucci bikini’s lemons and sherberts and tans string together pricey sunshine and fine-ground sand with a pillates-perfected body, a Pucci bikini—

Gets pimped for $270. Which works, as swimming in a Pucci bikini would be like rolling up to Ralphs in a Rolls; a Pucci bikini is really too rich to get splashed in beyond letting waves lap at your toes, it’s too much a modern museum piece to ruin wearing with wet hair and an un-fixed face.

Which is fine by me.

The last time I saw the beach was from the window of a hipster Chinese food dive in Venice; I don’t do surf and sand—

Or anywhere there’s not a power plug for my MacBook, or where I have to reconsider my pin-thin stilettos.

This Magic Suit by Miraclesuit, will leave you feeling good and looking 7 pounds slimmer in seconds. The two piece topstitch Takini suit, features empire seams made of the innovative magictex fabric for added hold. The suit ties behind the neck and has soft cups in the bust area. Price $118.00

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Ladies you’ll turn heads with this striped Ralph Lauren bikini. It’s made-up of a sport skirted hipster wide stripes style bottoms, $86.00 and a matching banded halter top. $68.00. The swim suit is made of nylon and spandex, and can be hand washed. Ladies “now strut your stuff pool side or at the local beach” if leave close to one.

And don’t forget to tag items “summer” for a chance to win a summer-ific prize.

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Artemis Rich is not your typical mom – not by a long shot. She says she “runs with scissors, swims with sharks, plays with fire, and I’m raising the next generation. Any questions?” And she’s not kidding – she actually is a fire dancer and a skin diver and a most remarkable mom. You can follow her adventures in A Hole in the Head, including the products she’s picked to pursue her passions, like this O’Neil Psycho Zen Zip wetsuit. There’s plenty more to see and say on her site – including pictures of real, live fire-dancing! Now that’s a cool mom…

You might have thought bikinis were just three triangles put on earth to challenge 99% of the female population’s self esteem.

It goes a little deeper than that, says vintage fashion blog Shrimpton Couture:

“Have you noticed that the bikini’s of today tend to be minor miracles of construction? They are far from simple - they are boned and they are binded, they push your boobs up, they push em in, they strive to make them look like you got a boob job to go along with your bikini. They suck you in, the “create” curves and generally make the simple bikini as unsimple as a wedding dress.”

Whether you prefer Twiggy’s knitted bikini to Vicky Secret’s swimwear or not, Shrimpton hits a point ThisNext is fond of: almost everything you own should fit your life and make you happy, not try to shape and dictate you to you.

At ThisNext, we’re not so much about the “Best of” products, but the products best for you.

That’s why we dig fashion blog bunnyshop’s list of top 8 one-pieces: it’s a variety of choices and styles so you can pick what works best for you.

Personally, I’m digging their “slightly ridiculous option”: this Stella McCartney glittery one-piece.