Updating beachwear

One of the wonderful things about gaining maturity (a tactful way of saying “getting old”) is that you can now laugh at yourself without feeling humiliated or getting an inferiority complex.

A recent trip to the paradise island of Boracay was an eye-opener for me. I absolutely had no clue as to what was “in” when it came to beachwear. Even when I go to resorts, I never really go to the beach. One reason is fear of the damage UV rays would do to my skin, so I would just hole up in the fitness center and test my endurance with the different machines there. When I already feel all my muscles are aching, I’ll go to the hotel’s spa and try their delicious massages, scrubs and beauty treatments. By the time I finish, dusk would have set in, and it’s time to get pretty for dinner. With this kind of schedule, my resort “wardrobe” simply consists of gym wear, sneakers, Capri pants and nice tops for dinner, and a one-piece bathing suit with matching sarong, in the event that I might join some friends by the poolside (only after sunset, mind you)!

On this trip to Boracay, I was billeted at the luxurious Discovery Shores, and my tastefully decorated studio suite was in front of the swimming pool. When I opened my window shades, I could see who was lounging around the pool area. On my first morning there, I caught a glimpse of the gorgeous Amina Aranaz in a flowing sheer printed skirt and skimpy black halter. Then I saw this other lady, probably a model, in a bright orange sheer number with a colorful bikini underneath.

I looked at myself in my old, conservative one-piece bathing suit under a classic Pucci sarong (which qualifies for selling in eBay’s vintage collection — that’s how old it is) and thought, “Gee, do I look drab and outmoded! What made me think I was the ultimate in chic just because I had Pucci written on my sarong?” I laughed out loud at myself — so loudly that my friend in the other room came in and asked what I was laughing about. Without saying much, I pointed at Amina Aranaz and the other lady in the sheer orange number, then pointed at myself and she burst out laughing, too! I did not know whether I should feel happy or insulted at her reaction! Was she laughing at me or with me?

During cocktails with my friends on the beachfront of Discovery Shores, I saw some models parading around in gorgeous beach outfits and my curiosity drove me to talk to them. They just came from a shoot of Salsa Trends’ summer collection and the young designer-owner, Arlene Sipat, was with them. I made friends with her and promised to pay her a visit in the near future. She told me she had stores at The Podium, TriNoma Mall, Glorietta 3 and Crossings Department Store in Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Arlene started with beach/resort wear but has now expanded her line to evening gowns as well. Her gowns are so ingenious that if you take out the detachable accessories, you can turn them into beachwear again.

In her atelier at the Parkview Tower on Valero St., Legazpi Village, I asked her to help me update my resort wear and specified that I was a fashionista with a recessionista budget! With her help and expertise, I chose some attractive mix-and-match pieces from her summer collection. I am now so excited to go back to Discovery Shores and show off my new resort wardrobe!

* * *

Interested parties may call 751-7000 local 1410 or 401-6278.