The secret of the perfect bikini

by Marlies Dekkers

The traditional bikini consists of hardly more than three tiny triangle-shaped pieces of fabric. I decided you deserve better than that.

The original bikini, a French invention dating back to 1946, is a design classic. Three small curtains basically, connected by flimsy pieces of string. Great in theory, but have you ever tried to play beach volley in one? Boy, when those curtains start shifting, you end up showing much more than you bargained for. (unless you’re trying to distract the opposite team of course, in which case: scoooore!).

The beach is one of my favorite places to be active; I like nothing better than running along the shoreline while the sun is rising, followed by some push-ups and a refreshing swim. And so I’ve always thought it was pretty ironic that about 80% of the bikinis that are made don’t offer enough support for the stuff you love to do on the beach. In most cases, they can’t even survive a simple dive in the pool!

I see designing the perfect bikini or bathingsuit as a wonderful 3D puzzle. What do I want to hide, what do I reveal? It’s a never search for the perfect proportions. I want you to be comfortabel, confident and ready for action. I want you to have enough coverage, without looking swaddled. And for that, I have plenty of tricks!

First of all, I’ve given my bikini-tops and bathing suits wider shoulder straps and sturdy cups, often using under-wire. I like to add padding, so you don’t have to worry about your nipples making an unexpected appearance. Yes, my tops cover your breasts more than a traditional string-bikini would, but through a clever play with lines and proportions you still look sensual and playful.

For each look, you can choose from two to three different types of bottoms. I’ve discovered that cutting the leg quite low and so covering a substantial amount of the groin area is flattering for any bodytype (an added bonus: you don’t need to get a full Hollywood wax each time you go the beach). And when a brief has sides measuring about 5 cm, both your hips and belly are covered just enough for you to be comfortable all day. Call it my personal magic formula. If you want to play around with different levels of coverage though, I suggest trying my ‘fold down briefs’. The flexible waistband of these bottoms can be folded up, covering the tummy, or folded down, leaving the tummy free and allowing you to avoid those pesky tanning lines.

And yes, I also make my own version of the classic triangle bikini bottom. But the way I designed it, I promise that it stays in place all day and you won’t lose it after a dive in the pool. Because the bottom line (hehe): you want people to look at your bikini, not your bottom, right?

Most loved
Welcome to the garden of EARTHLY DELIGHTS

Females Forward

Welcome to the garden of EARTHLY DELIGHTS

by marlies|dekkers

You may not think of Frida Kahlo as a typical gardener – can you imagine her in rubber boots? – but together with her beloved Diego she turned the garden of their ‘Casa Azul’ into a luscious paradise of locally sourced flora.

How to keep your heels and standards HIGH

MD Friends

How to keep your heels and standards HIGH

by marlies|dekkers

Ruthie Davis is just like the amazing shoes she designs: daring, empowering and totally fabulous. After making Reebok hip again and completely revamping Uggs, she launched her own brand 10 years ago and quickly became the go-to designer for feminine feminists like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. I met up with the American style maven in New York where we discovered we have a lot in common. Ruthie: “Fashion can be a tough game! I’m proud to still be standing… in my six-inch heels!” 

Selfmade STAR maker

MD Friends

Selfmade STAR maker

by marlies|dekkers

She grew up in a town with 3 traffic lights; now Lisa Benson represents some of the top names in the industry like Chanel Iman, Chrissy Teigen and Kelly Rohrbach. I met up with the IMG model manager to talk about the art of persistence and the importance of dreaming big. “I always trust my instinct.”