There is no shortage of fans for designer swimwear from famous names in the industry, such as Donna Karan, Bill Blass, and Stella McCartney. The swimsuit collections they release annually are highly anticipated by both industry watchers and consumers, and are thus covered by the media long before the collections themselves are actually released. Style.com, for instance, has a preview of summer 2012 swimsuits from prominent design houses such as Michael Kors, Bottega Veneta, and Chanel.
However, not all women can afford the high prices of haute couture swimwear. Fortunately, there are plenty of other designer swimsuit options that won't have them paying out hundreds of dollars a piece, yet can still give them that feeling of luxury and glamour that comes with wearing a bathing suit or bikini from a well-known brand or designer.
There are many websites today that not only carry more affordable designs from noted designers, they also offer services that make the online shopping experience easier and more convenient. Some sites claim to have designer swimwear that are hard to find, and they will send subscribers an e-mail update whenever new merchandise comes in.
Then there are sites like everythingbutwater.com, which in addition to carrying selections from famous designers, also has a "Perfect Fit" section that aims to guide a woman to the bathing suit that flatters her body shape and skin coloring the most. Customers can also schedule an appointment with a fashion consultant for a more personalized and face-to-face fitting session.
Finally, it would be a mistake to ignore mass retailers such as Target when looking for stylish and branded swimwear. A number of designers have swimsuit collections that they have created specifically for these types of stores. Liz Lange, Mossimo, and Missoni are just three well-known designers whose bathing suits are carried by Target -- and at prices that are very easy on the wallet.
Having designer swimwear doesn't need to be a finance-draining proposition. With the abundance of less expensive options available today, it's a lot easier to find a terrific bathing suit from a well-known designer.