Celebrate Everything But Water’s Flirty Thirties With Its New 30th Anniversary Collection
When asked how she felt about turning 30, actress Michelle Williams, one of my longtime thespian girl crushes, mused: “I don’t feel as shy or nervous or self-conscious. I have more confidence that I can handle what life brings me. I don’t feel scared to have an idea and express it. I feel giddy about it because it’s a complete transformation. It’s like I’ve found my voice.” Most thirty-something women will agree that a heightened sense of self-confidence does, indeed, accompany three decades of life experience. Interestingly enough, the same can be said of a brand that reaches this important milestone. In order to evolve with the times while staying true to its brand DNA, a company must make calculated risks — it must attract new customers without alienating its long-time base, choreographing a dance involving graceful grand jetés that move the company forward while maintaining a degree of classicality. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, leading swimwear retailer Everything But Water has accomplished this feat swimmingly.
In fact, to toast this landmark birthday, Everything But Water enlisted 30 designers — among them Nanette Lepore, Lisa Marie Fernandez, PilyQ, Red Carter, Mara Hoffman, Michael Kors, PilyQ, and Camilla — to create unique pieces inspired by iconic moments in swim and resort fashion. The resulting looks comprise a stunning 30-piece collection available exclusively at EverythingButWater.com. Not only is the 30-piece collection an accurate reflection of the vast array of swimwear and resortwear fashions available at Everything But Water, but it’s a fun homage to memorable moments in film, TV, literature, red carpet style, and more.
Take, for instance, the Nanette Lepore Classic Bra Top ($78 at EverythingButWater.com) and Hipster Bottom ($68 at EverythingButWater.com) shown first above, which features a striped motif that hearkens back to the midriff-baring, short-sleeved crop top and board short set worn by Audrey Hepburn in 1967’s Two for the Road. Similarly, the sunny yellow Pily Q Bandeau Top ($78 at EverythingButWater.com) and Hipster Bottom ($74 at EverythingButWater.com) shown sixth above, each separate piece adorned with a feminine and playful ruffle trim, nod to the trademark swimsuit of Sally Field’s surf-loving Gidget character. The aqua-colored Lisa Marie Fernandez One Piece High Neck ($395 at EverythingButWater.com), shown last above, was inspired by Farrah Fawcett’s white zip-up one-piece swimsuit in Sunburn, but it comes in a unique beach-ready hue and features rather unique details ranging from a neoprene fabric to intricate, figure-flattering seaming details and a deliberately chunky zipper in a black color.
Memorable fashion editorials also inspired some of the designs in the collection, among them the red Karla Colletto One Piece Wide Strap Tank ($455 at EverythingButWater.com) pictured third from top. With its plunging V-shaped neckline, bondage-flavored straps, and triangular side and center cut-outs, this one-piece swimsuit was inspired by the Rudi Gernreich bathing suit modeled by Peggy Moffit and photographed by William Claxton in 1971 (the image is so iconic it was event on display as part of an exhibit within the Cincinnati Art Museum). On a similar note, the Red Carter One Piece Bandeau Swimdress ($159 at EverythingButWater.com), shown next to last above, pays homage to the strapless one-piece Jantzen swimsuit in which Slim Aarons photographed Mara Lane back in 1954 as she lounged poolside at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. Like the vintage Jantzen swimsuit, this Red Carter piece features a modest silhouette that offers greater coverage along the rear, hips and upper thighs, and it exudes a nautical vibe thanks to the horizontal red-and-white striped pattern along the bodice. The bustier-like shape of the cups is also reminiscent of the original style, as well as the incorporation of vertical stripes to accentuate this area of the swimsuit. Unlike the original, however, the Red Carter version features molded cups and a sweetheart neckline (the original had more of a straight neckline), and it’s embellished with a vertical row of gold-toned buttons.
Looking for glamorous cover-ups you can wear at the beach and beyond? Then check out the Mara Hoffman Maxi Dress ($498 at EverythingButWater.com), shown second above, made of 100% silk georgette and featuring a hand-beaded gold design along the upper bodice that captures the aesthetic of the 1920s Art Deco period. To have your very own J.Lo moment, meanwhile, you can throw on the Lotta Stensson Caftan ($448 at EverythingButWater.com), pictured fourth above, which features a lush tropical palm print and a deep plunging neckline inspired by the navel-baring, see-through chiffon Versace frock Lopez famously wore to the 2000 Grammy Awards. Or, to channel Elizabeth Taylor during her caftan stage, you can flaunt the Camilla Caftan ($599 at EverythingButWater.com), which features a desert-inspired, Bohemian luxe print with illustrations of dreamcatchers, feathers, hummingbirds, sandy expanses, and palm trees.
To check out the complete Everything But Water 30th Anniversary Collection, visit EverythingButWater.com
