When I think of Hapari I think “happy” and not just because the two words sound so much alike. Swimsuit season always brings with it a few nasty side effects: the dreaded glare of the fluorescent lights in the dress room; the shock of pale white skin; the sheer exhaustion of trying on numerous suits to finally find one you like well enough to wear in public. Okay, I’ll stop there before I break out in hives!

Fortunately I’ve discovered a line of swimsuits sure to turn this year’s swimsuit shopping into a much more pleasant experience. Hapari Swimwear offers a fabulously stylish, flattering-yet-modest line of tankinis and bikinis sure to keep those nasty side effects at bay. You can mix and match any bottom with any top and every tankini top can be worn three different ways: halter, tank, and criss cross!

Though their two most popular tankinis are the GNO V-neck tankini (pictured above, left) and the Mango Mudd Sport tankini (pictured at right), I chose the Blue Luau V-neck tankini (v-neck styles look better on me since I have broad shoulders) with the coordinating bottom to test for this review—I just couldn’t resist the red with white polka dots! I had totally planned to wear this while visiting my girlfriend in Florida but it rained all but one day I was there, and the one day we went to the beach I was going for all the sun I could get (i.e. I wore my tiniest bikini—and fried my stomach in the process, but that’s another story!).

I did try on the suit and found myself actually enjoying what I saw in the mirror rather than cringing from it. The suit fit really well and was truly flattering. I could tell it was made from high-quality fabric and with high-quality construction. I also checked out one of Hapari’s unique features: pockets for silicone breast inserts or “Illusions.” If I want to look anything like the model in the picture I better pick up a pair!

Hapari also has swimsuits for men and junior girls and boys. One other fun fashion find from Hapari is their Shores line. Shores is a collection of half tees that “provide a comfortable layered look without the extra bunching and bulk of a full-length layered tee.” I am really excited about this tee and here’s why. I have a couple dress under which I have to wear a cami or layering tee and every time that tank or tee starts riding up under my dress. By the time a couple hours have passed my waist looks twice as thick as it did when I first got dressed! I’m constantly going into the bathroom to pull it back down. So if your first thought of Shores was mine (“a half shirt? didn’t those go out of style a long time ago?”) I beg you to think twice. With summer’s full-on heat almost here do you really want multiple layers over your entire torso?

I believe a good swimsuit is worth the investment and Hapari Swimwear makes more than a few good suits. If you are looking for stylish tankini swimwear visit Hapari.com. Money may not buy happiness but a good swimsuit sure will!—Emily

*** Giveaway Hapari Swimwear is giving away one tankini and one Shore tee, winner’s choice! Please visit Hapari.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite swimsuit style. Please include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: June 12, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Lisa S., the winner of the Hapari giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

My obsession continues. The hunt for swimwear for the season.

Layersclothing.com is a site I have known to have great clothing, so I thought perhaps their swimwear is worth trying out. I was sent the Maisie tankini suit which for both the top and bottom costs $68.00.

Worth the money? Definitely.
It covers the right places. Isn’t that worth the money?!
The length on the top is what I like most. No excess material to make you look bulky, yet it doesn’t cut you off with a lovely 2-3 inch love handle gap which so many tankinis do. The cut looks like a one piecer but has the functionality of a tankini—making bathroom visits a breeze.

The top has a double string strap on both sides that customizes the suit to your body perfectly. You can pull up or loosen the straps to fit your frame. Being petite I like this option to make sure the suit stays in place up top. I also like the fact the eye is drawn to the top rather than the bottom. The top has a yellow paisley print on the bust region with a bright cobalt color on the straps, stomach and bottoms. The placement of print was very strategic in drawing eyes to the bust…not down south to see the jiggle.

This suit has function to do laps in. Style to lay out in and the price is hard to beat.-Amber

Available online at layersclothing.com

Along with my jacket/coat addiction I have a swimwear addiction. Not so much do I love to wear them as much as I am obsessed with trying to find the perfect suit! I have my swimsuits for swimming. Then I have my suits for water-skiing. Then I have my collection of suits for laying out. And then there is a bundle for hot tubbing and the list goes on.

With summer approaching, my swimwear search begins. Awhile back there was a standout suit to me I discovered on limericki.com. The eliza one piecer. The cut was something reminiscent of the 40’s, yet, the suit has distinctive updates that make it a real modern retro swimsuit. The cut is lower on the legs, like back in the day, but, the straps are a new design that give the suit some serious style. The olive green patterned material looks very Anthro-ish but 1/2 the cost you’d find there.

I put the Eliza one piecer to the test. I went hot tubbing with some of my closest friends and without soliciting comments…they made their own. They raved about the flattering cut. It really is a line that seems to flatter all areas. They loved the pattern and colors. They couldn’t get over that it was a modern fashionable looking one piecer—so hard to find! The only complaint…the embellishment on the strap that resembles a pretzel. However, nothing that a set of pliers can’t take care of! I quickly removed the buckle embellishment and the look definitely suits me better without the extra accessory. This suit is easily my new fave. It’s got a very flattering cut that is a modest suit that hides all that junk in the trunk and is fashion forward. So often the bikinis are the only option for a suit with cute material or modern looking, but, the eliza swimsuit is the new retro one piecer that definitely will be turning heads.-Amber

** Promotion Limericki is giving 10% off on any purchase to all Daily Dish readers. Please visit limericki’s website and use the code DAILYDISH to receive 10% off your order.

Summer is here and that means swimsuit season is in full force, which also means countless hours trying on suits and the endless upkeep of bikini lines. Someone ought to design a suit that fits well no matter your body shape and saves time when it comes to being beach ready. Guess what? Someone has! Trunkettes swim wear is comfortable yet sexy, flattering yet sassy.

Trunkettes were designed by a woman who wore her husband’s swim trunks to the pool because she “felt more comfortable and freer in them” and could “do all sorts of things more easily while wearing them—run, jump, dive, rough house with [the] kids, etc., without a wardrobe malfunction.” We’ve all had our own swimsuit malfunction and I knew I had review Trunkettes for our readers.

I tested out the Funky Fresh Bermuda-style Trunkette in black with pink dots and the matching Feeling Flirty halter top. The Funky Fresh Bermuda-style bottoms were ultra comfortable and a lot easier on the bikini line than the typical bikini bottom and I thought the cargo pockets on the side were super cute. Though this style was a bit long for my taste (I think I’d prefer the Legs Legs Legs Trunkette) I was sold on the idea of swim trunks (with a built-in bikini) for women. I was a lot less self-conscious about my butt and thighs, which meant I could have a lot more fun at the pool. Plus my bikini line was grateful for a reprieve from the dreaded razor burn!

The Feeling Flirty halter top fit amazingly well, and I say amazingly because I have a hard time finding bikini tops that flatter my slightly broad shoulders and “slight” chest. These were a perfect fit and had “boosting pads” “optional cleavage” (yay for me!). Trunkettes also offers an underwire maximizer (Get Pumped) top and slimming tankini (Free Spirited). And for those who prefer a one-piece suit, their Sexy Savvy has extra slimming support with a sheer front insert that shows just enough…but not too much!

With Trunkettes you’ll be able to avoid “sand butt” and the dreaded bikini wax all while sporting a sexy style and boosting your self confidence. Sounds like days at the pool will go just swimmingly this summer!—Emily