The perfect fit with custom-made swimwear

On a work trip last week to resort island Koh Samui, I packed five swimsuits for a three-day trip. Never mind that these pieces never touched the sea as I opted for a printed suit peeking under a slouchy romper. I would pack several again in an instant as they’re light anyway and easy to rotate as needed. Suits are a major extension of one’s summer wardrobe, and it’s time to think about your look for next month.

On resort or beach trips, lounging in your latest swimwear pieces is one of the most enjoyable parts of the agenda. This is when your latest outfits get a chance to shine and you can admire the styles your friends have chosen. But knowing which cover up works with which suit, how many pieces to pack, donning a suit that fits perfectly when mobility (on land and water) is truly essential — all these concerns complicate the supposed ease of the summer wardrobe.

Swimsuit shopping has gotta be one of the most daunting tasks for summer.

For this dilemma I consulted Mia Villavicencio, owner/designer of Cocotini swimwear, whose designs are sold at Rustan’s, Regalo Boutique in Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa and at Moana in Power Plant Mall. Cocotini has just launched a custom swim design service for this summer. “Personally, I pack at least two to three swimsuits per day. I don’t like lounging around in a wet suit. As much as possible, I pack suits of the same style, so that I only have one tan line! I also make sure my cover-ups and bags match the suit,” says Mia. 

Cocotini swimwear is known for its details like flirty ruffles, fun wood beads and glitzy sequins on bikinis. A beach lover and wakeboarder, Mia is inspired by a look that is still classy, sexy and feminine but allows you to move.

So which styles are best for you? One-piece suits always look chic. Sexy bikinis are always flattering and can make a woman look shapely. The retro-inspired bandeau is hot this season, providing more coverage but showcasing a hard-earned taut tummy. But in the end, the fit on your body must be flattering, and comfort is key. When the usual small, medium and large just won’t cut it, custom swimwear ensures you will have a suit to enjoy that’s made for your body’s exact proportions. The process is as easy as e-mailing Mia with the photo of the design you have in mind.

Suits you: Cocotini designer Mia Villavicencio makes swimsuits to your style and fit. Photo by MIGUEL NACIANCENO

“I wanted to allow girls to design a unique piece of swimwear that really expresses them. With customized bikinis, they get to choose the style, embellishment, fabric and they’re sure the suit will fit them perfectly,” says Mia. “If you don’t have a design yet, then I can make one for you. We set up a meeting in my house so that I can take their measurements and they can choose swatches.” 

 For this summer Mia says one-piece and high-waist bottoms are in. “Most people who have suits customized want one-piece swimsuits which are hard to find in the stores. They want ruching in the stomach area to hide it (or control it) or they request a belt to give the illusion of a waist. Ruching, pleats and ruffles at the top add volume to the chest.”

For trends this season, Mia says botanical, tropical and underwater prints are popular. She also loves bright colors, which are always great for the summer.

She also makes dresses, another wardrobe staple. “I’ve actually already designed for a bride’s entourage!” Needless to say, it was for a beach wedding.

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E-mail cocotini@gmail.com for custom swim orders until Mar. 9. Price range is P 1,800 to P2,500.